Holidays in Grindelwald

On an Inghams walking holiday, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Make each day a new adventure, with as much or as little walking as you like.

Why we love walking in Grindelwald

With around 500 kilometres of marked walking trails and some of the most spectacular scenery the Alps has to offer, there's lots of reasons to love Grindelwald. The views are jaw-dropping, the walking trails are varied and with the excellent network of lifts and mountain railways, reaching the best viewpoints is easy.

Guided walks

Don't forget, you have the option to join two included Inghams guided walks per week, with a local, professional guide. Get to know our favourite walking trails with insider knowledge and the company of other guests. Pre-booking is essential - check out the Guided Walks section below for more information.

Grindelwald has a fantastic network of lifts and mountain railways that make getting around the area really easy.

Trains and mountain railways

Trains are what make Switzerland such a pleasure to explore and mountain trains run from Grindelwald up the Kleine Scheidegg side of the valley, linking the village to Kleine Scheidegg, Eiger Gletscher, Wengen and further afield. You can even take the train all the way up to the Jungfraujoch - the highest railway station in Europe - or reach the Schynige Platte from Wilderswil or the Harder Kulm from Interlaken.

Routes and timetables are available locally. The best way to enjoy the trains is to pre-book a travel pass - see the Cards & Passes tab for more information - supplements may apply locally for some routes.

Lifts

In addition to the mountain trains, cable cars and gondolas open up lots of walking possibilities, fun activities and stunning viewpoints, including:

In Grindelwald:

• Grindelwald First
• Männlichen
• Eiger Express
• Pfingstegg

In Wengen:

• Männlichen

In Mürren:

• Stechelberg
• Schilthorn

Buses

There are five different buses services available from the centre of the village connecting you to nearby places such as the Grosse Scheidegg. Routes and timetables are available locally.

Inghams Guided Walks are included on your holiday in Grindelwald

We’ve included two walks per week (between 20 May - 19 Sep) in Grindelwald and Wengen, just for Inghams guests. Join a small group and be led by a professional walking guide on some of their favourite trails. It’s a great way to get to know the area. The walks in Grindelwald and Wengen are run by Tina Gertsch at Outdoor.

There are four walks to choose from each week and each walk has a limited number of spaces. There's a full day walk every Monday and Tuesday and two half day walks every Thursday, one in the morning and one if the afternoon. All walks are available to guests staying in both Grindelwald and Wengen, and you can choose up to two per person, per week. Most walks require the use of public buses/trains and/or mountain lifts which are payable locally. You can add the walks onto your holiday at the time of booking or by calling us on 01483 319 652.

The famous Eiger Trail (full day)

This is a real bucket-list walk, with incredible views and a trail that follows the base of the Eiger Mountain. Starting with a scenic train or cable car to Eigergletscher, you follow the famous Eiger Trail which traverses – mainly in the shade - below the North Face of the Eiger Mountain, looking over Grindelwald. Get stories of first ascents along with beautiful views and the chance to spot wildflowers and marmots. If you’re going to do one hike in the Jungfrau, this Alpine classic should be on your list.

• Grade: moderate to challenging (good fitness and sure-footedness required)
• Distance: 6km
• Walking time: 3.5 hours
• Ascent/descent: 120m ascent and 820m descent
• Terrain: varied mountain terrain which is mainly narrow rocky paths (can be quite uneven and steep)
• Useful information: There will be a late lunch stop at Alpiglen restaurant (payable locally) or you can take a picnic lunch. The cable car or train is required at the start of the walk and the train at the end of the walk (both payable locally).

This walk will run on: every Tuesday between 21 May - 17 Sep

Gletscherschlucht (Glacier Gorge) (half day)

This walk is a real experience, and one not to be missed. A relatively easy walk, from Grindelwald to the stunning Glacier Gorge, where entry is included. Enjoy a pleasant, fairly flat route there and back with interesting information provided on route by your local guide. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history and evolution of glaciers in the Alps, geology and the formation of the gorge.

• Grade: easy (basic fitness and sure-footedness required)
• Distance: 7km
• Duration: approx. 3 hours
• Ascent/descent: 100m ascent and descent
• Terrain: generally flat with wider paths (can be slightly uneven in places)
• Useful information: You'll visit the glacier gorge where entry is included. This is a half day walk in the morning so there's no hut stop for lunch but you'll be back in Grindelwald in time to enjoy a bite to eat in one of the many cafés.

This walk will run on: every Thursday (morning) between 23 May - 19 Sep

Grindelwald First – Faulhorn – Bussalp (full day)

Get that high mountain feeling and surround yourself with incredible scenery on a spectacular walk from the top of the Grindelwald First lift to Bussalp. Along the way, you can spot a variety of wild flowers and possibly a marmot or two. See the reflection of the mountains in the Bachalp lake, get to the summit of the Faulhorn and enjoy panoramic views as far as the bright blue Lakes Thun and Brienz.

• Grade: moderate - challenging (good fitness and sure-footedness required)
• Distance: 10km
• Walking time: approx. 6 hours
• Ascent/descent: 650m ascent and 1,000m descent
• Terrain: Mainly mountain paths and gravel tracks (it can be quite uneven, narrow and steep in places)
• Useful information: There is a lunch stop at the Berghotel Faulhorn (payable locally) or you can take a picnic lunch. The Grindelwald First Gondola is required at the start of the walk and a bus is required at the end (both payable locally).

This walk will run on: 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep

Pfingstegg – Marmorbruch – Grindelwald (half day)

Get off the beaten track and explore a hidden part of Grindelwald and an afternoon of spectacular views. The route begins by heading to the Pfingstegg cable car which takes the effort out of the uphill. Then we hike down to the Marmorbruch bridge which crosses a gorge, and continue back towards Grindelwald – a perfect peaceful walk amongst nature.

• Grade: moderate (reasonable fitness and sure-footedness required)
• Distance: 6km
• Walking time: approx. 2.5 hours
• Ascent/descent: 150m ascent and 200m descent
• Terrain: Mainly wider paths and gravel or forest tracks (may be a little uneven in places)
• Useful information: The Pfingstegg cable car is required at the start of the walk and a train is required at the end (both payable locally). This is a half day walk in the afternoon so there's no hut stop for lunch.

This walk will run on: 30 May, 13 Jun, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep

Sulwald  - Lobhornhütte – Grütschalp (full day)

Make the most of the incredible scenery and get off the beaten track – this route is a stunning one, through a picturesque landscape of mountains and forests, with plenty of wildflowers to spot. The cable car from Isenfluh to Sulwald is a real highlight and the views are beautiful the whole way.

• Grade: moderate - challenging (good fitness and sure-footedness required)
• Distance: 9km
• Walking time: approx. 5-6 hours
• Ascent/descent: 700m ascent and descent
• Terrain: Mainly mountain paths and gravel tracks (it can be quite uneven, narrow and steep in places)
• Useful information: There will be a lunch stop at the Lobhornhütte (payable locally) or you can take a picnic lunch. The route requires a public bus from Lauterbrunnen to Isenfluh, the cable car to Isenfluh Sulwald and the cable car from Grütschalp to Lauterbrunnen (all payable locally).

This walk will run on: 20 May, 3 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul, 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep

Grindelwald First - Grosse Scheidegg (half day)

Get back to nature on this walk from Grindelwald First to Grosse Scheidegg. It follows a quiet mountain path with meadows and forests to Grosse Scheidegg. The mountain views along the way are stunning and you get a lovely panorama down the Rosenlaui valley. From Grosse Scheidegg you get the best view of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Eiger mountains.

• Grade: moderate (reasonable fitness and sure-footedness required)
• Distance: 6km
• Walking time: approx. 2.5 hours
• Ascent/descent: 100m ascent and 300m descent
• Terrain: Mainly mountain paths and gravel/forest tracks (may be uneven and steep in places)
• Useful information: The Grindelwald First Gondola is required at the start of the walk and a bus is required at the end (both payable locally). This is a half day walk in the afternoon so there's no hut stop for lunch.

This walk will run on: (Thursday afternoons) 23 May, 6 Jun, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 18 Jul, 1 Aug, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep

For every walk you will need: suitable walking shoes/boots with good grip, appropriate walking clothing, sun cream, sunglasses, rain jacket, a warmer layer, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a snack, cash for mountain huts and your travel pass if you’ve purchased one. You may find walking poles useful.

Early booking is strongly recommended as spaces are limited. All walks are subject to availability of local guides, weather conditions and maximum numbers. Planned routes are subject to change. Any distances and ascents/descents stated are approximate. Full details of the walks with the meeting points and routes will be provided to you on arrival. In some instances there may be a small charge for local transport that is payable locally. In resorts where the walks run over more than two days, the day of the walk will be allocated to you by your Rep in your welcome meeting. Where we cannot confirm your preferred option in resort, we will endeavour to offer an alternative subject to the above conditions.

Please ensure you are comfortable with the grade of walk, planned distance covered and terrain before booking. The decision of the guide on the suitability of the walk for you is final and no compensation will be paid where the guide believes, in their professional opinion, that it is not suitable. Please ensure you are well-equipped for the walk have suitable clothing and footwear. Walks are not recommended for guests under 12 years. Any guests under 18 years will need to be accompanied by an adult.

There's so many lovely walks around Grindelwald but here are just a few of the ones we love:

Mountain Panorama Trail

• Easy walk, great for the whole family
• 5.6km, expect to take around two hours

You'll have stunning views of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Eiger mountains on this route and there's plenty of wild flowers to spot, too. It begins at the top of the First gondola and follows an undulating, wide open trail to the Grosse Scheidegg where you can have a bite to eat while you take in the view.

Bachalp Lake and First Cliff Walk

• Easy to moderate walk
• 5.9km, expect to take two hours, plus 20 minutes if you do the cliff walk as well

A beautiful route to the Bachalp Lake with stunning views, flower filled meadows and rustic farms - if the weather is calm when you reach the lake, you often get a mirror reflection of the surrounding mountains. The route begins at the top of the First gondola and has a steep incline to start but then widens into a gentle, undulating path to the lake. On the way back, the First Cliff walk with metal walkways in the cliff face provides fantastic photo opportunities and is an exciting way to finish a stunning route.

Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher

• Moderate hike
• 3km, expect to take one and a half hours
• Best from mid-Jun to mid-Oct

Pass the Fallbodensee, a spectacular mountain lake with the Eiger as its backdrop. From Hotel Bellevue at the Kleine Scheidegg this route heads uphill, following the railway track in the direction of the Eiger mountain. After the lake, the path continues upwards to Loucherflue to the Eigergletscher station - the glacier has retreated a lot but is still incredible to see from here.

Eiger Trail to Alpiglen

• Moderate to challenging hike
• 6.1km, expect to take around two hours
• Best from mid-Jun to mid-Oct
• This trail is mostly downhill but you can do it in reverse if you'd prefer uphill

The views on this trail are some of the best around, looking down on Grindelwald from beneath the towering Eiger north face. From the Eigergletscher station, follow signs to the Eiger trail which traverses the steep alpine slopes and scree fields of the north face of the Eiger mountain and zig-zags down to Alpiglen. From Alpiglen you can either catch the train back to Grindelwald, or the trail continues to Gletscherschlucht - this section of trail is steeper and more challenging. 

Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First

• Challenging hike
• 16km with 690 - 860 metres of height gain depending which direction you walk in
• Expect to take at least six hours
• Can be completed in either direction
• Best from beg-Jul to mid-Oct (Schynige cog railway open from 1 Jul)

A stunning, panoramic point-to-point hike via the Faulhorn, the Bachalpsee mirror lake and the First Cliff Walk - you'll have incredible views every step of the way. The route can be completed in either direction and goes between the top station of the Grindelwald First gondola and the top of the Schynige Platte cog railway. You'll need to use the lift/public transport at either end so make sure to allow yourself enough time to not miss the last lift/train down.

The direction Schynige Plate to Grindelwald First has the most height gain but arguably the best views of the Jungfrau. 

Lieselotte Children's Theme Trail

• Easy, family friendly hike
• 3.7km with 608 metres of descent
• Expect to take around one and a half hours

Enjoy the view and discover the 13 play stations along the trail of Lieselotte the cow and her friends. From the top of the Männlichen gondola to the middle station, there's lots to discover and plenty of fun and games on the way.

More great walking route inspiration

You can view lots more recommended routes and view tour maps from Grindelwald Tourism.

Recommended equipment

Comfy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksacks and walking poles are useful for hiking around Grindelwald and the Jungfrau. There's plenty of places to buy walking equipment and you can rent poles from the Intersport (Rent Network) in Grindelwald centre.

Walking maps and apps

For Grindelwald and the Jungfrau we recommend picking up a walking map from the Tourist Office. Maps will have a key to help you understand the nature of the walk before you begin.

You can see the status of the hiking routes online via the interactive map, which shows you which routes are open. There's an interactive map for the mountain railways too.

The Jungfrau app is great for weather updates and walking ideas and is available on the App Store and the Google Play.

Walking guidelines

The mountains are a natural paradise, with lots to explore and discover. To help it stay that way, and remain an enjoyable and safe place for everyone, we recommend following our little list of do's and don'ts:

• Plan your route well and don't overestimate yourself
• Check the weather forecast
• Tell someone where you're planning to walk and what time you're expecting to be back
• Take all the recommended equipment
• Make a note of emergency numbers:
  • Swiss Emergency Services: 144
• Don't leave the marked trails or go onto a glacier without a guide
• Let nature stay wild by not picking alpine flowers (it's illegal in some places) or getting close to/making contact with wild animals
• Always leave gates as you found them
• Leave no trace

Flights to Geneva or Zurich airports are available from eight UK airports.

Flights to Zurich:

We offer holidays by train to Grindelwald, which depart on Saturdays for seven or 14 days. The journey takes around 14 hours from London St. Pancras and you'll be able to enjoy the change of scenery out of the train window as you journey through France and into the Alps of Switzerland.

The provisional outbound timings are:

The Swiss transport network is an excellent combination of trains, mountain railways, cable cars, boats, and buses that make it a pleasure to get around and explore at your own pace. 

Swiss Half Fare Card included for all Inghams guests

The Swiss Half Fare Card is included in the price of your holiday and is sent to you as part of your rail transfer tickets. This card can be used around Switzerland for up to 50% discount on various modes of transport - so make sure you keep it with you. It also gives free travel to children from 6 to 15 years old, accompanied by a parent with the Family Card.

Grindelwald Guest Card

The Grindelwald Guest Card is provided by your hotel on arrival and gives you:

• Free use of some local buses (route maps and timetables available locally)
• Entrance to the Grindelwald swimming pool at 50% discount
• Reduced entrance to various local attractions

In addition to the Half Fare card you may wish to purchase other travel passes depending on your holiday plans, such as the Jungfrau Travel Pass or the Bernese Oberland Pass - you can add this to your holiday at the time of booking. A Swiss Travel Pass is not recommended for this resort.

Jungfrau Travel Pass

Enjoy three to eight consecutive days of travel on trains, cable cars, gondolas, and boats within the Jungfrau region including:

• Grindelwald First gondola
• Männlichen gondola (Grindelwald Terminus to Männlichen and Männlichen to Wengen)
• Jungfrau Railway (Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher)
• Wengeneralp Railway (Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg and Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen)
• Lauterbrunnen to Mürren railway (Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and Grütschalp to Winteregg and Mürren)
• Schynige Platte Railway (Wilderswil to Schynige Platte)
• Harder Kulm Railway (Interlaken to Harder Kulm)
• Trains between Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken Ost
• Passes from 5 days validity onward include boats on Lakes Thun & Lake Brienz and trains between Interlaken Ost, Interlaken West, and Brienz allowing for round trips by boat and train on Lake Brienz.

A supplement applies for going up to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe and the Schilthorn. The Jungfrau Travel Pass will get you a discount on the Jungfraujoch fee.

Please note that Family Cards are not valid with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and children must have the Jungfrau Junior Travel Card. 

Bernese Oberland Pass

The Bernese Oberland Pass is a great option if you're staying longer than seven days and/or you want to travel a bit further afield than the routes on the Jungfrau Travel Pass. It includes:

• travel by train, bus, and boat throughout the Bernese Oberland
• travel on over 25 mountain cable cars
• boat trips on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
• discounts at various partner locations

Supplements apply to get to the top of the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch - the Top of Europe.

Pass inclusions are subject to change.

Authentic mountain villages

Nicknamed the Eiger village or the glacier village, Grindelwald is loved for its diversity of summer activities, excursions, and walking. The charming village is home to chalet-style houses and a good variety of cafés, restaurants and shops.

Exploring further afield is easy - take the train over the mountain to Wengen, visit chocolate-box Mürren, or head to Interlaken, a busier town between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Explore the shops and restaurants, take a lunch cruise on the lake, or head up high for some amazing views.

Remarkable viewpoints

When you head out walking around Grindelwald and the Jungfrau, everywhere you look is a remarkable viewpoint. There are a few that deserve a special mention though, the most famous of which is the Jungfraujoch.

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

The views from 3,454 meters above sea level are incredible. Looking down on the Aletsch glacier (the longest in Europe), you're surrounded by staggering 4,000m peaks and dramatic scenery. The Eiger Express gondola and the train through the mountain make the journey to get there just as impressive.

Grindelwald First Cliff Walk

Get the ultimate photo from the First Cliff Walk - an exciting metal walkway that clings to the edge of the cliff and a 45-meter-long terrace that juts out over the valley below. It's a short walk from the top of the Grindelwald First gondola and is definitely worth a visit.

Schilthorn

The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains dominate the view from the Schilthorn, a stunning mountain peak above Mürren. It's the location for a famous James Bond and you can visit the dedicated museum and enjoy a delicious brunch in the 360-degree revolving restaurant. The thrill walk at Birg is a little further along the mountain. It's a network of metal walkways bolted into the mountainside - test your head for heights and get some incredible photos.

Schynige Platte

You'll need plenty of time to admire the view from the top of the Schynige Platte. In one direction, the peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger dominate the skyline and in another, you'll see the bright blue waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It's the starting point for many great walks. (Schynige cog railway opens 1 July).

Get the adrenaline pumping

Race your friends at up to 80 kilometers an hour down the First Flyer zip line, or glide like an eagle on the First Glider - in Grindelwald, there are plenty of activities that adventurous teens and adults will love.

Make your mountain descent much closer to the ground by hiring mountain carts or Trottibike scooters. Hire a mountain bike or e-bike and explore the mountain on two wheels or test your head for heights on the K3 via ferrata above the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Grindelwald is like a huge adventure playground for all ages, and there's lots to keep all ages entertained. Here are a few of our favorite summer activities for families in Grindelwald:

Adrenaline rush at Grindelwald First

Grindelwald First is nicknamed Top of Adventure - so it's no surprise you'll find heaps of fun things to do here. Whizz down the mountain on the First Flyer or First Glider zip lines or try the exhilarating First Cliff Walk, suspended high above the valley below. You can also rent mountain carts or Trottibikes to make your way down the mountain on wheels.

Pfingstegg fun

There's fun to be had for all the family at the top of the Pfingstegg lift. Feel the thrills on the summer toboggan run or meander through the trees high above the ground on the Fly Line - this is a calmer version of a zip line that still offers lots of fun.

Discover Lieselotte the cow

Head to the Sennen playground at Männlichen and see Lieselotte, the famous cow, with her own play area (there are trampolines, climbing frames, swings, and a huge wooden cow that hides a fun slide) and themed walking trail with fun stations along the way. You can also follow the Royal Walk up to the summit for some incredible views.

Minigolf and orienteering

Head to Grindelwald's main street and take on the family at Minigolf - 18 holes offer fun and challenge for all the family. Keen navigators and families looking for a challenge will love the Swiss-O Finder orienteering challenges - two walking routes from the Grindelwald Sport's Centre allow you to experience the glacier village in a different way and take you to the best viewpoints in Grindelwald.

Indoor activities in Grindelwald

Switzerland's first indoor high ropes pare is in Grindelwald and offers five exciting routes of varying difficulty - follow the routes between wooden platforms, wire ropes, and knotted nets, all under cover. Climbers will love the indoor boulder hall, and there's Grindelwald indoor swimming pool for the water-lovers - there's a dedicated children's pool and a "black-hole" slide. 

Pre-book your Grindelwald excursions online or give us a call

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe from £76 per person

A must-see for all visitors is the ultimate rail journey through the Eiger and up to Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454m, for breath-taking views including the 14km-long Aletsch glacier and the Ice Palace.

Departs: daily

James Bond’s Schilthorn from £49 per person

A trip up the spectacular Schilthorn peak above Mürren, famous for being the set of ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Visit the museum and enjoy the fantastic views of the surrounding snow-clad peaks.

Departs: daily

Book locally

Many more options are available locally through your Representative including:

Fun Package: First Flyer, Glider & Trottibike, and Mountain Cart from CHF64 per person

Prices shown include a Travel Card discount.

Please note that the price of excursions will vary depending on the resort you are staying in. We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.