This post is about the most epic (and easy) hikes in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
Hi there,
Let me guess: you are planning your trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland, and want to know which are the best hikes to do in the area. You’ve probably heard about the famous Eiger Trail or the Panorama Trail and want to learn more about them.
Or maybe you’re not quite the planning type (virtual hi-5, my friend): you’ve already arrived in Grindelwald, checked in your awesome hotel, and are now wondering what are the best things to do around here.
Either way, I’ve got you covered.
We’ve spent 4 days in Grindelwald this summer and hiked all around this gorgeous area. So I can definitely tell you which hikes are the best, the easiest, and how to make the most of your holiday in Grindelwald.
The Best Hikes in Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a beautiful mountain village in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps and a popular hiking destination for nature lovers. Actually, one of the best in the country if you ask me.
If you are a hiking enthusiast, looking for some easy to moderate trails, here are the best hikes you can do in the Grindelwald region:
The Eiger Trail – #1 Must-do Hike in Grindelwald
DISTANCE: 6km (3.8miles) one way
DURATION: 2.5 – 3 hours
DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate
Hiking the Eiger trail is an absolute MUST-DO when you are in Grindelwald. The views are simply out of this world!
The Eiger hike starts at the Eigergletcher cable car stop and goes all the way down to Alpiglen. You can choose to do it the other way but it will be more difficult as you will climb up. For the easy version of this hike start at Eigergletcher and follow the path down. I also think this hiking direction offers the best views, so double-win. 😉
The trail is mostly dirt with several areas of rocks. You will start very close to the North Face of the famous Eiger mountain, with gorgeous views of Grindelwald way down, in the valley.
Good hiking gear is definitely needed, such as good shoes and hiking sticks (optional). This isn’t a trail for regular sneakers and definitely NO flip-flops.
I highly recommend hiking the Eiger Trail later in the day (after 12 pm). During the morning hours, it is mostly covered in shade and you won’t have much sun.
We completed the hike in 3 hours, walking at a comfortable pace and stopping once in a while for a picnic and pictures.
(In case you are looking for the best place to stay, this is the hotel with the BEST mountain view in Grindelwald! )
The Panorama Trail Grindelwald
DISTANCE: 4,5 km (2,4 miles) one way
DURATION: 1 hour 20 minutes
DIFFICULTY: easy
The Panorama Trail is also one of those memorable hikes in Grindelwald, with mountain scenery that will leave you speechless.
Start at Männlichen and follow the trail down to Kleine Scheidegg. To reach Männlichen you have to take the cable car from Grindelwald Terminal to this stop. It’s a 20 minutes ride, with beautiful views.
The Panorama Trail is an easy hike, perfect for families with kids. It is also one of the most picturesque hikes in the Grindelwald region.
The path takes you around stunning mountain peaks and beautiful glaciers, so remember to watch your step as you admire the views all around. Can be tricky! 😉
The Royal Walk in Männlichen, Grindelwald
DISTANCE: 1 km (0,6 miles) one way
DURATION: 25 minutes
DIFFICULTY: easy
Ok, maybe the term “hike” is a bit much for this one, but the Royal Walk is also a must-do hike when you are in Grindelwald.
I highly recommend going up to the high viewpoint as no other spot will give you such an incredible sight!
You will see the Grindelwald valley on your left side and Lauterbrunnen on your right. Both of them at the same time! It’s surreal! And of course, the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks just in front of you.
To reach this hike, take the cable car from Grindewald Terminal to Männlichen. Here you will find an amazing kids’ playground and a restaurant. Perfect spot for lunch or dinner, high up in the mountains.
The trail is very easy, with a short ascent to the peak. No special hiking boots are needed, I was wearing my sneakers and was totally fine.
Grindelwald First – Bachalpsee Lake Hike
DISTANCE: 2.7 km (1,8 miles) one way
DURATION: 2 hours
DIFFICULTY: easy
A truly spectacular place to visit when you are in the Bernese Alps is Grindelwald First.
Besides thrilling adventures such as paragliding, zip lining, and the Cliff Walk, it is also the perfect starting point for some spectacular hikes in Grindelwald.
You can hike from all the way down the village to Grindelwald-First. This is done mostly on paved roads, but it’s pretty tough as it gets quite steep.
My recommendation would be to take the cable car up and start your hikes from there. The views are much better and there are a lot more things to do.
An absolutely epic hike is the one that starts at Grindelwald First and goes to Bachalpsee lake. It’s an easy 50 minutes hike, on a dirt and gravel path, with magical views of the snow-covered mountain peaks.
If you’re feeling up for it, you can continue from Bachalpsee lake all the way to the Faulhorn summit. This will add an extra hour to your journey, but even more amazing views. 😉
Hiking on a Glacier at Jungfraujoch
DISTANCE: 2 km (1,2 miles)
DURATION: 45 minutes (one way)
DIFFICULTY: moderate
This is one of the most unique hikes you can do in Grindelwald because the trail is actually on a glacier! Yes, you read that right, you will be hiking in the snow.
To reach this hike you need to arrive all the way up at Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe. (This isn’t cheap, the ticket is around 200CHF/ $ and includes the full experience of visiting the Top of Europe).
From here, it is a 45 minutes hike to the Mönchsjoch Hut, the highest service hut in Switzerland.
We’ve only completed about half of it as we had to be mindful of the return time of our train ticket. Make sure to plan in advance if you’d like to do this hike, so you don’t miss your train.
Also, only adventure out on the glacier in good weather conditions.
Best Time To Go Hiking in Grindelwald
The best months to go hiking in Grindelwald (and in Switzerland) are July and August.
This is when all trails are open and you won’t have much snow on the path. And between those 2, I would go for August.
The summer hiking season is generally open from May to October but to me, these are the 2 best months to plan your hikes in Grindelwald. It’s also when you have the highest chances for good weather.
What to Pack for Hiking in Grindelwald?
Whether you are hiking in Grindelwald or somewhere else in Switzerland, these are the essentials you need to have with you for a summer hike:
- Base layer: a top or t-shirt from a moisture-wicking fabric (check out The North Face for some great options)
- a breathable mid-layer (love this one from Mammut)
- Leggins and waterproof hiking pants (I used them both at higher altitudes)
- Light windproof and waterproof jacket
- Warmer windproof and waterproof jacket (I used them both at higher altitudes)
- Good hiking shoes – THE most important hiking gear element. If you only buy one thing, make it this one
- Sun hat – super important to protect your head from the sun, do not forget about it!
- Backpack with: water bottle (thermos), SPF for face & body, sunglasses, and snacks for the hike
Tips To Make Your Grindelwald Hikes Easy(er)
- hike downhill. We generally took the cable cars to the top of the mountains and started our hikes down. It was much easier this way.
- use hiking sticks. This will help protect your knees, especially if you are hiking downhill.
- always follow the path. The trails in Switzerland are very clearly marked with signs along the way and yellow posts that give you updates on how long you still have to walk and which way.
- use the proper hiking gear. Generally, the paths are a combination of dirt and rocks, but nothing too difficult that can’t be done with some good hiking shoes.
- there are toilets and shops at all cable car or train stops. Make use of them before starting your hikes. (there aren’t many bushes on these paths and there’re a lot of tourists around. ;))
Best & Easy Grindelwald Hikes
I hope you found my suggestions on the best and easy hikes in Grindelwald useful and that they will help you plan an awesome hiking holiday in Switzerland!
Happy travels! 🙂
If you’d like to find out more about traveling in Switzerland check out these posts with the best travel tips and itineraries:
GRINDELWALD TRAVEL:
9 Amazing Things To Do In Grindelwald
Where To Stay In Grindelwald For The Best Mountain View
SWITZERLAND TRAVEL:
The Best 10 Days Switzerland Itinerary & Travel Tips
10+ Best Hikes In Switzerland | Ultimate Hiking Guide For Beginners
Best 21 Unique Places To Visit In SWITZERLAND
Discover Schilthorn, Switzerland: Thrill Walk & Other Amazing Things To Do
The Best Guide to MÜRREN Switzerland: 7 Exciting Activities & Itinerary
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