Grindelwald First is one of the top places to visit in the Jungfrau Region, and you’re about to see why. (Well, you can probably already kinda tell why just from the views in these photos!)
But hundreds of thousands of travelers visit per year. And if you’re not prepared, you might find yourself stuck in mind-numbingly long lines, or missing the activities you pre-booked, or skipping over some of the best things at this insanely popular mountain destination. Thankfully, these frustrations don’t have to be your experience!
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Grindelwald First Top of Adventure, along with 14 Insider Tips to help you beat the crowds.
Want to Watch instead of Read?
Grindelwald First is just a gondola ride above the super popular village of Grindelwald. Once you’re at the top, you can get sweeping views over the valley below, but also test your fear of heights on a cliff walk, whizz down a zipline, or hike to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the region. In the Summer, you can zoom down the mountainside on mountain carts or scooters. And in the Winter, glide down world-class slopes.
When is Grindelwald First open?
The first thing you need to know is that the gondola to Grindelwald First generally runs year-round, except for about 5-6 weeks in the Autumn for annual maintenance
- Open year-round
- Except for about 5-6 weeks in the Autumn for annual maintenance
So yes, you could technically beat the crowds by visiting in November, but there’s a reason no one will be there: the gondola is closed, the activities are closed, and the restaurant is closed.
To find out if it’s open during your planned visit, go to the Jungfrau Railways website and check out the Operating Info for the First Cable Car. Click the + button and “Seasonal Overview” to expand the entire timetable, including operating hours and dates for maintenance.
Or if you have any of our Jungfrau Region Travel Guides, you can easily see all of the destinations that are open during the exact dates of your trip using our Transportation Spreadsheet.
INSIDER TIP #1
So our first tip to beat the crowds is to check those timetables and then head up on the first gondola of the morning. The early bird gets the worm, and in this case the worm is a head-start over the masses of other tourists. In fact, it pays to get an early start no matter where you’re traveling in Switzerland.
Year-round Activities at Grindelwald First
Okay, so when Grindelwald First is open, what can you do here? There are 8 year-round activities.
1 | Grindelwald First Cliff Walk
First up (or should I say “First” up?!) is the Cliff Walk. The entrance is just behind the station and has pretty clear signs. But fair warning: this is pretty much a one-way loop, so gather your courage before you take the first steps onto the path.
You start by walking beside the rocky cliff walls, then cross a gentle swaying suspension bridge (which is my favorite part). Pause here to spy some nearby waterfalls. Then end with a loop up to the glass-floored platform that juts out 45 meters into the sky!
INSIDER TIP #2
We think this is a pretty cool free activity, and recommend you make this your first experience at Grindelwald First since this narrow walkway can get pretty backed up with people. In fact, if you really wanna snap that epic pic before other people, you can head straight up and through the restaurant to the end platform before going back around to complete the entire cliff walk.
- Cost: free
- Opening dates: whenever the gondolas run
2 | Grindelwald First View
For a higher vantage point at Grindelwald First, head behind the station and up the small hill to the First View Platform. It’s a metal-concrete design like a wind turbine, so with every step you take, you can see more and more of the mountains spread out in front of you.
The best thing about this new addition is that you get a really cool view of the Cliff Walk and of course the entire Grindelwald Valley below. So if you’re just coming up here for the vistas, don’t skip this spot. Otherwise, we would save this for later in the day, maybe right before we hop on the gondola to head down the mountain.
- Cost: free
- Opening dates: whenever the gondolas run
3 | Grindelwald First Flyer
Speed 800 meters (2625 ft) from Grindelwald First at 84 km/hr (52 mi/hr) on the First Flyer, all while soaring 50 meters (165 ft) above the alpine fields below, until you end in Schreckfeld, the upper-middle station!
- Cost: 31 CHF (Adults), 24 CHF (Kids 6-15)
- Opening dates: When the gondolas run, except for during poor weather
- Required body weight: 35-125 kg (77-275 lbs)
4 | Grindelwald First Glider
Or, ride the First Glider. Starting from Schreckfeld, 4 passengers are pulled backwards up to the top of Grindelwald First at 72 km/hr (45 mi/hr). Then, like an eagle floating on the wind, glide 800 meters (2625 ft) back down the mountain at 83 km/hr (52 mi/hr).
- Cost: 31 CHF (Adults), 24 CHF (Kids 6-15)
- Opening dates: When the gondolas run, except for during poor weather
- Minimum age: 10 years old
- Minimum height: 130 cm (51 in)
- Maximum body weight: 125 kg (275 lbs)
5 | Grindelwald First Adventure Package
Okay, we need to pause a second to talk about the Grindelwald First Adventure Activities. There are 4 of them: the 2 we just listed and 2 more we’ll mention in a minute since those aren’t available year-round.
These activities are popular. As in, more than 300,000 visitors enjoyed these adventures last year. That often means long lines, sold-out tickets, and missing out on other things you could be doing.
Theoretically, the Adventure Package can resolve some of those issues by bundling 1 or 2 of the adventure activities plus unlimited rides on the cableway.
And crunching the numbers, you’ll save money with the Adventure Package, unless you have a Jungfrau Travel Pass which already 100% covers your rides on the cableway (the prices below are for the cableway).
If you do have a Jungfrau Travel Pass, or decide you want to pay for these activities individually, here are the prices you can expect to pay.
It’s worth mentioning that nearly every time we visit Grindelwald First, we see wait times of 1.5 to 2 hours — or even activities that are completely sold out. And according to the fine print, “In the event of large crowds, longer waiting times must be expected. Individual activities for the day may sell out if the waiting times are too long.”
In our opinion, it’s a better overall experience to enjoy everything else up at Grindelwald First, and if there happens to be a short wait time on one of the activities before you head down the mountain, then hop in line and have some fun!
INSIDER TIP #3
But if your Swiss vacation won’t be complete without an adrenaline-pumping ride on the Flyer or Glider (or one of the other two activities we’ll mention later), then at least try to beat the crowds. These activities don’t open until 10:00am, so show up early and wait in line. Yes, you’ll still be waiting 1 or 2 hours for the activity to actually open, but that’s better than showing up around lunchtime and literally waiting in the hot sun all afternoon for a short ride.
6 | Grindelwald First Mountain Restaurant
And all that fresh alpine air will likely make you hungry. So it’s a good thing there’s a restaurant here!
There’s a self-service section and a sit-down area as well. Try the traditional alpine macaroni with a side of applesauce or a hearty rösti with sausage. And of course snag a spot to sit on the massive terrace that faces mountains in every direction you look.
INSIDER TIP #4
Beating the crowds doesn’t always mean being first — it also includes saving money. And did you know, you can get a discount in the First Mountain Restaurant with the Jungfraujoch Passport? You can pick up this little red booklet from any station in the area when you buy your tickets to Jungfraujoch. And don’t miss the coupon for 5 CHF off the traditional alpine macaroni!
7 | Grindelwald First Mountain Hotel
Actually, that restaurant is inside of the Grindelwald First Mountain Hotel, which offers double rooms and family rooms, but also small and large dormitories. So there are options for every type of travel group to enjoy an overnight stay here.
There are also bathrooms, water fountains, and luggage lockers in the bottom of this building too.
INSIDER TIP #5
If you dream about waking up to a sunrise over the mountains or want to enjoy a pristine alpine lake at sunset, then it might be worth staying overnight here to truly have the place all to yourself.
8 | Top of Europe Shop
And of course there’s a souvenir shop at Grindelwald First as well. I love that their website says you can buy “Swissness to take home with you.”
INSIDER TIP #6
Here’s an insider tip that not a lot of people seem to know about. If you’re traveling with the Jungfrau Travel Pass, you can get 10% off your purchase in this Top of Europe Shop! But we actually recommend the Top of Europe Flagship Store in Interlaken because it’s way bigger and has a separate area for Swatch watches, Lindt chocolate, Trauffer wooden cows, and Swiss army knives.
Summer Activities at Grindelwald First
Clearly there are a ton of things to do no matter when you visit. But not everything at Grindelwald First can be enjoyed year-round. Here are some activities mainly available during the Summer season:
1 | Hiking from Grindelwald First
First up is hiking. And whether you’re interested in short walks or long hikes, you can experience both from here.
The most popular hike from Grindelwald First starts just behind the station. It begins with a short steep section, but then it’s less than an hour of gentle walking to reach Bachalpsee, also known as the Blue Jewel of the Bernese Oberland. On a clear day, you can see the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Finsteraarhorn peaks reflected on the water.
Open: whenever the lift runs, depending on the snow (mid-December to mid-October)
INSIDER TIP #7
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been to Bachalpsee, and we always do 2 things. First, walk around to the back of the lake and slightly up the hill to get better views without so many people. Second, bring a picnic or a snack to linger here a little longer.
INSIDER TIP #8
And for yet another way to feel like you’re the only person here, consider hiking back from Bachalpsee to Grindelwald First on a different trail. There are few different options with clearly labeled trail signs, but most of them head downhill beside a stream and through cow pastures, and then require you to climb up some stairs, where you’ll be right back at Grindelwald First where you started.
INSIDER TIP #9
I know, three tips in a row is a lot. But we’re not kidding when we say that you can escape the masses of people by taking a different hike at Grindelwald First! This is often what we and many of the other locals do.
For example, once you reach Bachalpsee, you’re halfway to the Faulhorn. Yes, it’s all uphill from the lake, but the summit at 2681 meters rewards you with phenomenal views of Bachalpsee, Lake Brienz, and beyond! Apparently you can see as far as the Black Forest in Germany, the Alsace mountains in France, and 7 different Swiss lakes.
In fact, if you’re hoping to summit a peak in the Swiss Alps, the Faulhorn might be the one for you because it’s historically referred to as “the ladies peak” since it’s approachable without any mountaineering experience. (Sorry ladies, that’s pretty rude!)
You can actually hike to Bachalpsee and the Faulhorn in both Summer and Winter — and we’ll talk more about Winter activities in a moment. But it’s important to mention that even these hikes often have periods between the seasons when the trails are not being maintained and therefore are technically “closed.” So before deciding to do any of the hikes we mention, be sure to check the Jungfrau website for trail conditions.
Okay, once you make it all the way up to the Faulhorn, congratulations! Why not continue on one of the most scenic trails in the Jungfrau Region, all the way to Schynige Platte! The whole route from Grindelwald First to Schynige Platte takes about 6 hours, so it’s only for experienced hikers with proper shoes and daypacks. But at least there are 2 mountain restaurants along the way to stop and take breaks.
Another hike from Grindelwald First is to Grosse Scheidegg, which is easier and shorter than the options to the Faulhorn or Schynige Platte. The shortest route takes just an hour and a half and delivers panoramic views over Grindelwald the entire time. You could also hike to Bachalpsee and then around the Schwarzhorn (which Brett likes to refer to as the Batman mountain) passing a few tiny alpine lakes. And once you’re at Grosse Scheidegg, there’s a mountain restaurant and a stunning bus ride back down the mountain to Grindelwald.
There are way too many other hiking possibilities to mention. If you really want to hit the trails from Grindelwald First, pick one on the SwissTopo app and go explore!
2 | Grindelwald First Mountain Carts
It’s time for more adventure activities! The Mountain Carts are a combination of a go-cart and a sled. Plop down and descend on a 3km road from Schreckfeld to Bort. The low center of gravity, massive wheels, and hydraulic brakes make you feel extra secure.
- Open: Mid-May through late-October
- Minimum height: 135 cm / 53 inches
- Helmet required (provided for free)
- Cost: 21 CHF (Adults), 17 CHF (Kids 6-15)
3 | Grindelwald First Trottibikes
And the trottibikes are a speedy scooter-bike thrill that require you to squeeze the brake the entire time. For real, you can fly down the mountain but be careful on the steep sections and sharp curves.
- Open: Mid-May through early-October
- Minimum height: 125 cm / 49 inches
- Helmet required (provided for free)
- Cost: 21 CHF (Adults), 17 CHF (Kids 6-15)
Just like we mentioned earlier, you have to pay extra for the Mountain Cart or Trottibike activities or purchase the Adventure Package.
INSIDER TIP #10
But you can often beat the crowds by making the trottibike your adventure activity of choice. For whatever reason, it often has the shortest wait time of all the activities — and sometimes no wait at all! Plus, it’s just a super fun way to enjoy the stunning rolling hills on the way back down to Grindelwald.
INSIDER TIP #11
And if you’re looking for more adventures without the long lines, you can go paragliding or mountain biking from Grindelwald First, or climb the Schwarzhorn on a via ferrata.
Winter Activities at Grindelwald First
A visit to Grindelwald First is a totally different experience in the Summer when the cows are grazing and everything is green versus the Winter when it turns into a snowy wonderland.
In Winter, there are 40km of sledding and Winter hiking trails, including the ones to Bachalpsee and the Faulhorn that we mentioned earlier.
And speaking of sledding, one of the longest sledding runs in Europe is here! And it has a fascinating history. A local man named Fritz Bohren ran the Hotel Bellevue in Grindelwald and the Faulhorn Mountain Hotel. Somehow he managed to hike all the way up to the Faulhorn every morning — before the cable car existed — and would sled back down the mountain every evening. And now you can sled 15 km down the mountain following his same route.
- Rent a sled here
- Get a special day ticket for this ride
- Consider the Jungfrau Hiking and Sledging Pass
INSIDER TIP #12
And here’s a bonus tip. If you’re visiting during Winter, consider the Jungfrau Hiking and Sledging Pass, which often works out to be a better deal than the Jungfrau Travel Pass and has options available for just one or two days (which the Jungfrau Travel Pass does not).
And of course if you’re a skier, then Grindelwald First is a Winter playground. There are loads of ski routes, a snow park, and kids slopes. If you’re here specifically for skiing, check out the Jungfrau Region Ski Pass and take note that kids under the age of 16 ski for free on Saturdays!
What to know before you visit Grindelwald First
How to reach Grindelwald First (by train or car)
So how do you reach this awesome mountain destination? If you’re not staying in Grindelwald, then you’ll need to take the train to the Grindelwald main station (which is one stop past Grindelwald Terminal). For context, this is just a 36 minute ride from Interlaken Ost.
Once in Grindelwald, there are 2 ways to reach the Grindelwald First station. You can walk 10 minutes along Dorfstrasse, the main street in town. Or you can take a bus. If you’re staying in Grindelwald and have the Grindelwald Guest Card, the bus ride is free!
By the way, this is cool, plans are currently underway to update the Grindelwald First gondolas by 2030. So in the future, you’ll leave directly from the Grindelwald train station.
If any of these details are confusing, you can find step-by-step navigation instructions and loads more tips for your visit to Grindelwald First in our 1-Week Guide to the Jungfrau Region.
If you’re coming by car, it’s ultra important to know that you cannot drive up to Grindelwald First and there is no parking directly at the cable car station. So you will need to park your car at one of the parking lots in Grindelwald, and you can even check the live parking status and make a parking reservation online in advance.
Grindelwald First Tickets
Once you’re at the First valley station, you can use the bathroom, check the weather, view live webcams, or buy tickets.
Speaking of tickets, there are automated ticket machines and ticket counters. And of course you can buy them online as well.
The ride is 100% covered by the Jungfrau Travel Pass. Otherwise you’ll need to pay full price or a discounted rate based on your train pass.
INSIDER TIP #13
We highly recommend that you buy your tickets before arriving at the station! And in our opinion, the easiest way to do so is using the SBB Mobile App.
This means you can avoid waiting in the long line for tickets and just hop in the long line for the cable car. I mean, hopefully you’re taking our advice to ride up first thing in the morning to avoid long waiting times!
You’ll scan your ticket at the turnstile and then board the cable car. Each one fits up to 6 people, but don’t hold up the line by trying to wait for an empty gondola — please just board and enjoy the ride with other travelers, which will speed up the process for everyone!
Grindelwald First Intermediary Stations
INSIDER TIP #14
Once you start the ride, just admire the wide spacious valley below. You’ll pass by a few intermediate stations. There’s not much at Schreckfeld other than a restaurant with a nice lounge area, and the Glider and Mountain Cart activities.
However, we think it’s worth a stop at the lower intermediate station of Bort. You can dine at the 2 panoramic restaurants, run around on the 700-square-meter alpine playground, or rent the trottibikes from here. Or, one of our favorite things to do, is to walk back to Grindelwald through the foothills.
In fact, there are so many things we love about Grindelwald. You can find all of our personal recommendations in our 1-Week Guide to the Jungfrau Region!