Grindelwald summer holidays

Holidays in Grindelwald

Overlooked by the north side of the Eiger, Grindelwald’s the life and soul of the Jungfrau towns. It’s a mix of vintage Swiss and newly built architecture, topped off with sights of the big three – the Monch, Jungfrau and Eiger. If you can drag your eyes away from the mountains, there’s plenty to do, from walking and golf to bungee jumping and Via Ferrata. Kick back and watch the world go by in the evenings (best accompanied by a glass of chilled Valais wine).

Highlights: • 500km walking paths • 160 km mountain bike trails • First-Flyer Zip Line & indoor rope park

Grindelwald Walking

At the top of the First gondola (a short trip from the middle of Grindelwald) is one of most extraordinary hikes in Switzerland. It makes up the tenth stage of the massive Via Alpina and involves some astounding vistas – the Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau loom over you for most of the trek. You’ll be tempted to stay on the Schynige Platte, when the path opens up to panoramic views of the Brienz and Thun lakes below and the mountains above... but the walk is a long one (23km) and it’s still got lots to offer. The next stage hugs the North Wall of the Eiger before dropping into the Lauterbrunnen valley after Wengen, where the waterfalls off the cliff-face are the real attraction.

Cable-cars and trains make all 500km of the trails easy to reach, so walkers can really get the most out of the area. Ride the cable to the Mannlichen summit to find a gentle ridge path to Kleine Schneidegg, or head to the Gletscherschlucht from Grindelwald’s village end. This awesome glacial gorge has a path through it made up of footbridges and tunnels, giving fantastic views of the rock formations and galleries above.

Grindelwald Cycling

The Jungfrau region is home to some of Switzerland’s most impressive scenery and these awesome mountains are a top-notch destination for MTB. In the summer they’re criss-crossed with 160km of paths and singletracks, accessible via a complex of trains and cable cars. Mountain guides are available to impart some local wisdom and show you the best trails. If you’re looking to push yourself, the 88km endurance route is the thing for you... Not to be taken lightly, it’s the site of the annual Eiger Bike Challenge, one of the toughest events on two wheels in Switzerland. If that sounds a bit testing, hire an E-bike and find your way through the countryside with the help of the motor – there are often guided tours available.

Road bike enthusiasts will have plenty to do as well. Grindelwald’s bang in the middle of the second stage of the Berner Oberland regional route. That means you can head over the Grosse Scheidegg, past the Rosenlauischlucht gorge and the Reichenbach Falls to Meiringen; reward yourself with a meringue – the pudding hails from this town. Alternatively follow the Lutschine River to Interlaken; it’s a gorgeous trip that’s mostly flat.

E-Bikes do a fantastic job of letting you enjoy the Jungfrau area on two wheels without wearing yourself out – you can hire them from Backdoor on Dorfstrasse 179.

More Grindelwald resources