22 Things To Do In Grindelwald (2026 Guide): What’s Worth It, What Sells Out, What We’d Skip

This is part 2 in my 3-part series of Grindelwald planning guides. If you haven’t checked it out already, there’s the overview and planning guide and the where to stay recommendations. 

You can also download my actual planning spreadsheet I made while doing my research. I updated it with some post-trip notes, recommendations, and tips.

If you’ve read other guides for Grindelwald, you’ll come across the same top five or six top things to do. And they’re famous or worth mentioning for good reason.

Here’s the thing, it’s easy to recommend everything here, but Switzerland is also expensive.

For a lot of people, it comes down to what’s really worth doing, and how to make the most of your itinerary (without overstuffing).

So I’ll give you my honest take on it, some relevant tips, especially for things that you should definitely book in advance, what we’d consider skipping, and for those coming from social media – what the reels don’t show you.

What I’m trying to do differently here is to not only consolidate a lot of the information that we found during our own trip planning, but to give you my biased opinion on whatever it is I’m talking about.

Note: I don’t go into hikes or biking trails or any of the winter stuff. The Jungfrau Tourism website is actually very useful for that and easy to navigate and you can rent bikes any of the Intersport and other outfitters around the villages.

Quick Jump

1. First Mountain
2. Jungfraujoch
3. Glacier Canyon
4. Pfingstegg
5. Paragliding Over Lauterbrunnen Valley
6. Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata
7. Mannlichen and Royal Walk
8. Lauterbrunnen’s Waterfalls
9. Schilthorn
10. Aare Gorge and Reichenbach Falls

The Classic Top 5 Things To Do From Grindelwald

1. First Mountain’s Cliff Walk + 4 Thrill Activities On The Way Down

Worth it? Yes. Go up for the view or choose your own adventures. You can even stay overnight up here.

By the way, it’s pronounced ‘feer-st’. Like fierce with a hard ‘t’ at the end, or how you would pronounce the word FIRST with a bad Russian accent.

With one of the passes (Swiss Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass, or Bernese Oberland Pass), you can get up the mountain for as low as at CHF 19 one way. That’s the cost of a sandwich in Switzerland.

It’s worth it just for the free Cliff Walk and views of the mountains at the top. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can do one of the four activities that will progressively take you back down to Grindewald.

Getting To First Mountain

The gondola up to First leaves right from the edge of Grindelwald village, about a 15-minute walk from the train station, and takes around 25 minutes stopping at three stations. Grindelwald to Bort to Schreckfeld to First.

Once you get to the top of First mountain, my advice is to work your way down one activity at a time, weather permitting.

Tip #1: Yes, You can buy individual activity tickets for First Mountain, even though that information doesn’t seem to appear anywhere online. If you have already have a pass that includes the gondola ride, just buy the tickets at the First Bahn station.

If you don’t have one of the passes that include the gondola ride already, you can buy the Adventure Package that includes the gondola and 1-2 activities. Prices and details can be found here.

1. Cliff Walk

At the top, start with the free First Cliff Walk, a 300m suspended metal walkway jutting out along the cliff edge. The metal grating means you can see straight through down to the bottom. There’s a suspension bridge and glass viewing platform. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but when the weather is clear, you get a ridiculous panorama view of the Eiger and its neighboring peaks.

Tip #2: Get To the First Bahn Station early (they open at 8 Am during the summer) to buy your tickets because they definitely sell out and the wait times can easily reach 120 minutes for some activities.

It was full on snowing when we were up there, despite it being sunny and warm in the town. We didn’t get the views during our walk, but it was magical in a winter wonderland kind of way. Grab a coffee or a meal on your way out at the Berggasthaus restaurant (also the mountain top lodge I mentioned earlier).

When the weather cleared up, we got a clear look at the mountain range that surrounded us.

2. Lake Bachalpsee Hike

Next, do the Lake Bachalpsee hike. It’s roughly a 50-minute walk one way from the summit station to an alpine lake. One of my favorite side trips in Switzerland before this was to Lake Seealpsee, and I really wanted to see how this compared, but because of the weather, this path was closed for us.

3. Thrill Activities

Alright, now for all the fun ways to get down. Starting at the top, there’s the First Flyer, an 800-meter zipline where you sit in a swing-like seat and get to 80 km/h on the way down to the next station at Schreckfeld.

From here, you can get strapped in head-first-feet-up into an eagle-shaped glider (yes, it looks like a giant eagle), that shoots you backwards up to the station you literally just came from. But you’re not getting off here. At the top, you fly straight back down to Shreckfeld. If you thought it was fast going up at 70 km/h, you get to experience going down head first at 83 km/h.

Alright, still at Schreckfeld, you now can rent a little mountain cart and ride it down the 3 km self-driven track from Schreckfeld to Bort.

The last leg from Bort back down to Grindelwald can be done on something called a Trotti Bike, which is sort of a mix between a giant scooter and a bike.

Tip #3: You should always check the operating status and wait times of each activity, especially if there’s inclement weather.

When we were visiting, everything was closed. Luckily, the First Glider started operating just as we were starting to head down.

Tip #4: If you don’t have a pass that covers the gondola, you can buy a one way ticket up to First, and use a combination of the activities + hiking to get down. If you only want to pay for two activities, I would suggest the First Flyer and the Mountain Cart and then walk the last leg.

2. Jungfraujoch and the Top Of Europe

Worth it? For some, if you don’t mind spending between CHF 90 – CHF 240 to visit the highest train station in Europe.

This is the one we didn’t get to, and it’s one thing I regret, once I made the decision early on that it was worth it for me to just pay for the last leg up to the top.

During the peak summer season (May to October), it cost around CHF 240 (+ CHF 10 for seat reservation) to get from Grindelwald or Wengen up to Jungfraujoch.

Tip #1: No pass covers the entire trip up to Jungfraujoch, but if you have one of the aforementioned passes above, you can get up to Kleine Scheidegg (from Grindelwald) or Eigergletscher (from Grindelwald Terminal), and then pay a discounted fee of CHF 89 for the last leg via cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch.

Since we had the Swiss Travel Pass, we made it as far as the Eigergletscher stop for free. I would have gone the rest of the way, but we ran out of time after our Via Ferrata climb was pushed back due to the rain.

Here’s what I know. You’re spending a lot of money to go up here, so if you go, plan for around 3 hours to do everything. From the station, that includes the 360 Cine, Spinx Terrace observation point, the Ice Palace, and the Glacier Plateau. Give that about an hour.

And there’s the Mönchsjoch Hut hike that’s really the highlight of being up here. That takes about an hour, but give yourself a bit of extra time.

There are also other paid activities up like snow tubing and ziplining.

3. Grindelwald Glacier Canyon Walk + Canyon Swing

Worth It? Yes, for something completely different from everything else in the area. Can choose between this or Aare Gorge since they are similar.

What was once an impenetrable glacier, eventually receded and in the process, carved a deep canyon right by the town, just a 30 min walk or short bus ride away.

Entry for the Grindelwald Glacier Canyon is CHF 21. It’s not covered by any of the passes, but you can get a CHF 2 discount if you’re staying in Grindelwald or Interlaken.

The whole walk is just gorgeous and you go through carved tunnels right beneath waterfalls. Expect to get a little wet here. There’s also a large net suspended right over the water that you can walk, sit or lie down on, if you’re brave enough.

But really, if you’re looking to spike your adrenaline, you have to do the Canyon Swing. Imagine jumping off a 90-meter platform and free falling straight down to the canyon floor. But before you meet your maker, the rope catches and swings you forward 120 km/h right through the gorge. It’s like a swinging bungee jump. I’ve done both and I always prefer a swing to a bungee.

Tip #1: The Canyon Swing includes entry to the canyon, so you don’t have to pay for admission separately.

Note: The swing books up, so book ahead if you want a time slot that works with the rest of your itinerary. We were so lucky to be squeezed in last minute.

4. Pfingstegg + Rodelbahn and Flyline

Worth it? A lower (altitude) and less cold alternative to First Mountain with cheaper activities that are great for families with kids.

You can consider combining a visit to the Glacier Canyon with Pfingstegg because it’s on the way back into town.

With First Mountain, many people might skip Pfingstegg, but this is where you’ll find the famous Rodelbahn, a 736m alpine toboggan track, and the Fly Line, a suspended zipline track that cuts you back and forth across the tree line.

The activities here are cheaper than the ones on First Mountain. The Toboggan ride is CHF 8 and the Fly Line is CHF 14. We did the Toboggan ride a couple of times. You can buy a combo pack with the cable car, and 3 rides on both the toboggan and the fly line for CHF 78 so you about CHF 8 or $10.

I’d say Pfingstegg is great for families because both thrilling activities are suitable for kids and adults. If you’ve got a few hours free, this is an often overlooked mountain.

Tip #1: The cable car up cost CHF 28, but you can get a discount with most of the passes. The only one that covers the Pfingstegg is the Bernes Overland pass. It’s confusing I know.

We took the cable car up, and then did the switchback hike down in less than an hour.

5. Paragliding Over Lauterbrunnen Valley

Worth it? We were eager to hand over the money, but the weather had other plans.

Before coming, I saw a lot of reels of base jumpers dropping into a dense mist before the view opened up over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We actually passed by the very platform during our Via Ferrata.

If you don’t have your wing suit ready, the next best thing is a tandem paragliding trip over the waterfalls and cliffs of Lauterbrunnen.

This is probably the best way to see the famous Lauterbrunnen Valley, right up there with the Via Ferrata that I’ll talk about in just a minute.

We shortlisted this hoping to book it for right before or after the via ferrata, if the weather cleared, but unfortunately, the timing didn’t work out for us. Still on my list for the next time.

Day Trips + Other Things To Do In The Jungfrau Area

I say day trips, but really, you can get to any of these places within an hour or less from Grindewald.

1. Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata

Worth It? This was the reason we came to Grindelwald in the first place. 10/10.

This is the one big activity we planned our trip around, and it deserves its own section because it’s genuinely one of the best things we did in Switzerland, proposal aside.

The Via Ferrata is free if you have your own equipment, or you can rent it for about 30 CHF at Intersport in Mürren. You’ll need thick soled, treaded hiking shoes, or they can deny renting you the gear. Proper Via Ferrata shoes can also be rented for 20 CHF.

How To Get To The Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata

From Lauterbrunnen, take Line 141 bus to Stechelberg (~12 minutes) and ride the cable car up past Gimmelwald to Mürren. Make your way to the Intersport store, and there’s a sign pointing you to the start of the Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata. Note, they will close the course if they deem it too slippery or dangerous.

Tip #1: DEFINITELY reserve a head of time, because there’s a limited number of rental units and this has steadily become of the most popular activities for those traveling to Jungfrau.

Is The Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata Hard?

The via ferrata itself runs downhill, from Mürren to Gimmelwald, which is a little different as far as via ferratas go since you usually go up. It’s rated K3 on the standard difficulty scale (moderate), and while technical skills aren’t required, it’s not easy either for mentally and physically.

In my opinion, if you’re fit, you can get through it on your own, but a lot of people coming from social media reels might be underestimating how difficult this whole thing really is.

How Long Does The Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata Take To Complete?

Most of what you see online is the one dramatic cliffside stretch with the 600-meter drop below. What doesn’t usually make it into people’s photos is the rest of the route, repeating long ladder sections (some slight overhanging), narrow tightrope-style crossings, and the Nepalese bridge near the end, which will test your balance and composure more than anything else on the trail.

Plan for around 3 hours. Wear some grippy gardening gloves, and expect to tax your grip.

Can You Do the Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata Without A Guide?

You can do the Mürren-Gimmelwald Via Ferrata reasonably without a guide as long as you have some comfort with heights, exposure, and you’re in generally good shape.

That said, if you’re hesitant at all, going with an official guide that includes all safety equipment is the safer and smarter call. Once you pass the point of no return pretty early on, short of an expensive heli-rescue, you’ll have to make it to the end on your own.

And yes, this is where I (sorta) got down on one knee, over the Lauterbrunnen valley, with absolutely no plan for what I’d do if she said no. She said yes. I didn’t drop the ring. Win-win.

 

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Filming and Photos during the Via Ferrata

I filmed my via ferrata proposal and most of the climb using the Insta360 X5. I kept the included selfie-stick extended about about 1 m (3 ft) and mostly held it out and a little above my head. I occasionally brought it overhead or swept it below my leg. Those made for some great shots, especially since you can choose for POV and angle when you edit the footage.

I would recommend one of these 360 cameras over a normal GoPro just because you don’t have to worry as much about composing. It just captures everything.

Just before proposal, I handed the camera to my partner and told her to film herself for a bit. That freed up my hand to pull the ring box from my cargo pocket.

We also had a phone on a neck leash. I attached it to a carabiner that I clipped to my belt and kept the phone pocketed. My partner initially wore hers around her neck, but it got in the way, so I had to take it from her and put into one of my other pockets.

You used to be able to return you gear in Gimmelwald, but now you have to return your gear at the rental shop in Mürren. You can walk (roughly 45 minutes) or take the cable car back up from Gimmelwald. And then walk all the way back down to Stechelberg or take the cable car back down.

Tip #2: Just do it.

2. Mannlichen and the Royal Walk (via Wengen)

Worth it? It was nice and offered an alternative to get from Wengen back to Grindelwald. Also it was the only place we encountered where we could spot Jungfraujoch (in the distance). Included with our pass, but it’s skippable if you’re already visiting other high altitude view points.

We happened to be visiting during a cheese festival, which pulled us into Wengen for an afternoon we hadn’t originally planned. From there, it’s an easy hop up to Mannlichen via cable car, where the Royal Walk trail takes you along a ridge to a viewing platform with sweeping views across the valley.

It’s a mellow, non-technical walk, a nice change of pace if you’ve spent the previous day white-knuckling a via ferrata.

3. Lauterbrunnen’s Waterfalls

Worth it? Absolutely. Worth spending at least a night in Lauterbrunnen just to take in the surreal view of the Staubbach Falls especially when the day visitors are gone.

Even if you’re not staying in Lauterbrunnen, it’s worth a stop for the waterfalls alone. Trümmelbach Falls, a series of glacier-fed falls inside the mountain itself, is absolutely worth the visit.

Staubbach Falls is literally right in the town and requires zero effort to see. There’s a short walk and some stairs if you want to get right up behind the falls though. Worth doing since you can look back down on the town this way too.

4. Schilthorn

Worth It? If you’re an old Bond fan.

This is another one we didn’t make it to, mostly a casualty of trying to fit too much in. Schilthorn is famous for its revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, which was used as the villain’s lair in the 1969 James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’ Beyond the movie trivia, the summit gives you a 360-degree view across more than 200 peaks. If we’d had one more day, this would have been the priority.

5. Aare Gorge and Reichenbach Falls

Worth It? This is one of the highlights of the Jungfrau region, but it takes a bit more time to get to unless you’re already staying in Interlaken. We didn’t have time to make it out here, but we didn’t feel bad since we had visited the Grindelwald Glacier Canyon.

Another one we didn’t get to, and one I’d specifically flag as an option if you have a free day and don’t want to gamble everything on mountain weather. Both are about 50 minutes from Interlaken, heading east toward Meiringen. Reichenbach Falls has its own bit of literary fame, it’s where Arthur Conan Doyle sent Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty over the edge in ‘The Final Problem.’

A funicular gets you most of the way up. Nearby, Aare Gorge is a easy narrow path flanked by limestone, with walkways built right into the rock going along the turquoise glacial water. Good backup plan for a lower-altitude day if the mountains are socked in.

Aare Gorge vs Glacier Canyon

Location aside, I would choose Aare Gorge if you specifically want to see the turquoise water, and Grindelwald Glacier Canyon if you want to climb around the ‘spider web’ netting or to do the canyon swing. The latter is closer if you’re already in Grindelwald.

Final Thoughts

If I had to simplify this whole guide down to one piece of advice, it’s this.

1. Figure out your budget and timing.
2. Choose at least one major mountain viewpoint (First, Jungfraujoch, Mannlichen, or Pfingstegg)
3. Plan for a one or two bucket list or splurge experiences (Via Ferrata, Canyon Swing, or Paragliding)
4. Leave time to just take in the mountain air, go for some walks or hikes, and have time to enjoy the spa at your hotel.

The last one is definitely a recommendation and something I talk more in-depth about in my Best Village + Where To Stay guide. Also, check out my Primer Guide To Grindelwald + 9 First Time Mistakes. I promise it’s not gimmicky.

And once again, if you helps, you can download the spreadsheet I created when I was researching my trip. I added some post trip notes, tips, and recommendations and put all information in one place so it’s easier to remember.

Ultimately, the things we missed, we missed because of unpredictable weather and not having enough time. It’s fine. They’ll still be there, and it’s just a reason to come back.

Updated on July 29, 2026