5 Amazing Things to Do in Grindelwald (Summer Guide)
Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s most popular summer destinations. It’s home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Alps and is just a short journey from other top Swiss spots like Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Interlaken. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer, this guide highlights some of the best sights, hikes, and family-friendly adventures Grindelwald has to offer.
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1. Grindelwald First
First is easily the most popular destination in Grindelwald. Once you’re there, you’ll understand why—it offers some of the best panoramic views of the Bernese Alps, kid-friendly hiking trails, and exciting outdoor family activities like the First Cliff Walk, First Flyer (zip line), and mountain cart rides.
To get there you will need to catch a gondola at Firstbahn where you will enjoy a beautiful 25-minute ride to First. Lift tickets can be purchased onsite or online in advance. At the time of writing, tickets for ages 16+ is 72 CHF and children 6-15 years is 20 CHF. Children under 6 ride free.
Budget Tip: If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, or Eurail Pass, you’ll get 50% off your ticket to First. For a detailed breakdown of Switzerland’s travel passes and discount cards, check out our full guide.
First Cliff Walk
The First Cliff Walk is the standout attraction at Grindelwald First—a metal walkway that hugs the mountainside and opens up to stunning views of the Eiger, Monch, and Wetterhorn peaks. It’s an unforgettable alpine adventure and a must-visit photo spot. No additional ticket purchase is required as it comes with the gondola ticket.
First Flyer, First Mountain Carts, and First Trottibikes
First offers more than just beautiful sights—it also features several fun and adventurous activities for the whole family! The First Flyer is a seated zipline adventure spanning over 2,600 feet (800 m), offering panoramic alpine views along the way. The First Mountain Cart puts you in the driver’s seat of a three-wheeled cart that descends a 1.8-mile (3 km) gravel path. Finally, the First Trottibike provides each rider with a sturdy scooter equipped with beefy suspension, a wide footboard, and reliable brakes, allowing you to cruise down a 3.1-mile (5 km) path at your own pace. Each activity can be purchased individually or bundled into packages for better savings.
2. Hiking in Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a gateway to some of the most breathtaking hikes in Switzerland—if not all of Europe! Below are four trails we personally explored, but there are plenty more! If you’re a hiking enthusiast, it’s worth researching additional trails. There were more hikes than we had time for!
These are listed in order from easiest to the most difficult:
Hike from First to Bachalpsee
Bachalpsee is one of the most accessible high-altitude alpine lakes in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region. The wide, well-maintained dirt trails make it a safe and enjoyable hike for all ages. Starting from Grindelwald First, the journey takes about an hour—but with the stunning views along the way, give yourself around an hour and a half each direction to truly soak it all in. Total distance is 3.6 miles (5.8 km) out and back.
Read our full guide on this trail!
Panorama Trail – Mannlichen to Klein Scheidegg
This 2.9 mile (4.7 km) trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is a safe and easy hike offering crazy beautiful views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. You will take a cable car from Grindelwald to Mannlichen station where the trailhead begins. Overall, this hike takes about 1.5 hours to reach Klein Scheidegg where you will catch the train back to Grindelwald.
Eiger Trail – Eigergletscher to Alpiglen
Starting at the Eigergletscher station and ending at Alpiglen train station, this 3.7-mile (5.9 km) Eiger Trail takes you along a stunning route beneath the north face of the Eiger. Along the way, you’ll enjoy dramatic views of the towering rock wall above, a couple of waterfalls, and lush green valleys stretching out below. While this trail is kid friendly, it has a couple of spots that may be a challenging for small children.
Read our complete guide on this trail!
Schynige Platte to First
The Schynige Platte Trail is a classic Swiss alpine hike renowned for its panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. Starting at the historic Schynige Platte railway station, the trail meanders through wildflower meadows and offers sweeping vistas of Lake Brienz before ascending to Faulhorn Peak. From there, you’ll descend down to First. Since this trail takes you all the way to First, you’ll also get to visit Bachalpsee—so by completing the entire route, you’ll cover two amazing hikes in one!
The total distance is 10.7 miles with about 2,800 feet of elevation gain to Faulhorn and 2,100 feet of decline down to First. Plan for 6 to 7 hours to complete this hike.
3. Grindelwald Glacier Canyon Walk
The Grindelwald Glacier Canyon Walk is a neat little trail that leads you through a dramatic, narrow gorge carved by glacial waters. With rushing waterfalls, rugged rock formations, and wooden walkways suspended above the canyon floor, this easy hike offers a unique and immersive nature experience for people of all ages! On Friday evenings, the trail is even open at night with colorful lights!
4. Jungfrau Top of Europe Train
We didn’t take the Top of Europe tour—our focus was on hiking, and the tour is quite expensive, even by Swiss standards. Still, we can’t discuss things to do in Grindelwald and not mention it as it remains one of Grindelwald’s most popular and iconic experiences.
In a nutshell, the Jungfrau Top of Europe tour takes you to the Aletsch Glacier via Europe’s highest railway station. Starting with the Eiger Express gondola and then a cogwheel train, the journey offers stunning mountain views through tunnels carved into the rock. At the summit, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding peaks from the Sphinx Observatory. The Jungfraujoch complex also features attractions like the Ice Palace, Snow Fun Park, and Alpine Sensation exhibit. Dining options are also available at the summit.
5. Take a Short Trip to Lauterbrunnen
Okay, this is Lauterbrunnen, not Grindelwald; however, the town is so breathtaking and such a short distance away that it is something you must see! This peaceful little village is tucked into a narrow valley, surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls on both sides. Just a 20-minute drive (or about an hour by train) from Grindelwald, you really just need to go!
It’s smaller and quieter than Grindelwald. While it can get busy in peak season, you’ll see fewer tour buses coming through during the day.
Ride a bike from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg
If you have a couple of hours we recommend renting a bike and riding through the Lauterbrunnen Valley to the tiny town of Stechelberg. Along the way you will fully experience this gorgeous valley and spot several waterfalls along the way such as Staubbachfall, Spissbachfall, and Murrenbachfall. There are two bike rental shops in Lauterbrunnen: Imboden Bike Rental and Intersport. We personally used Imboden Bike Rental and found their staff and equipment to be superb!
If you want to save on bike rentals, you can also walk (about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way) or take the local bus to Stechelberg. But honestly, the journey is the best part—so we recommend biking or walking!
Travel Tip: There are guided bike tours available online that will take you to Stechelberg. But having done the route on our own, we don’t feel the added cost—typically $175–$200 more per person—is worth it compared to simply renting a bike. For that reason, we’ve chosen not to include any tour links here; however, they can be easily found online.
Need ideas on what to pack? Read our Switzerland Summer Pack Guide!
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Best Time to Visit Grindelwald?
Most high alpine trails are open by late June or early July. While summer crowds start to pick up around this time, they usually don’t peak until August—making this a great window for fewer crowds and full trail access.
Mid-July through August brings the warmest weather, but it’s also peak season, with higher prices and more visitors.
September is worth considering as well. Temperatures begin to cool—especially later in the month—and the crowds start to thin out, offering a more relaxed experience.
How Many Days Should I Stay in Grindelwald?
We would recommend at least three days in Grindelwald. If you want plan to take a day trip to Lauterbrunnen then four days would be more ideal.
Where do You Recommend to Stay in Grindelwald?
While Grindelwald has some lovely hotels, we chose to stay in an Airbnb with a kitchen so we could cook some of our meals. If you’d prefer a hotel, there are several highly rated options in the village center.
For hotel bookings we have always had great experiences with Booking.com.
Should We Drive or Take a Train to Grindelwald?
The best way to get to Grindelwald and the best way to get around once you’re there are two different things. You may reach Grindelwald faster from Geneva or Zurich by rental car, but the train offers a more relaxing experience. Once in Grindelwald, especially during the busy summer season, driving can be a hassle—traffic and limited parking make it more stressful than convenient. In many cases, your car may only be useful for getting in and out of town.
Cost is another factor, and comparing train fares with car rental and fuel expenses can be tricky. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The most budget-friendly option depends on how many people you’re traveling with, which destinations you plan to visit, and your local transportation needs in each place. We recommend planning your itinerary as thoroughly as possible, then comparing the cost of public transit versus car rental.
If the costs are relatively close, the next thing to consider is your travel style: do you value flexibility or convenience? If you want the freedom to go wherever, whenever—without planning around transit schedules—a rental car might be the better fit. On the other hand, if you’d rather relax on a train or bus and avoid worrying about fuel costs (which are high in Switzerland), public transit may be the way to go.
See our in-depth guide on the various travel pass options throughout Switzerland!
How Much Should I Plan to Spend in Grindelwald for Food and Lodging?
In Switzerland, spending can add up quickly—but if you’re like us and aim to travel on a modest budget, here’s what we recommend planning for:
Lodging (Summer): Expect to pay $50+ per night for a hostel bed and $120+ for a hotel or Airbnb.
Budget Tip: Lodging tends to be a little more affordable and available in Interlaken, which is about a 25 minute drive or 45 minute train ride from Grindelwald.
Food (Budget to Mid-Range): Plan on $35–$75 per adult per day, combining a mix of eating out and grocery shopping. A single sit-down meal at a casual restaurant or café will typically cost $25–$40, so factor that in when building your daily food budget.
