Grindelwald is a mountain village in Bernese Oberland in SwissAlps.
Get in
Car, or regular train service from Interlaken are the main options. Train journey time is a little above half an hour and usually cost Fr. 8-12. Interlaken has connections to other major Swiss cities.
Charter/Tour buses, taxis, and car rentals are also possibilities. Mysterytours offer some options, as does Fun-rental Interlaken. Only 30 minutes by scooter to Grindelwald from Interlaken.
In summer and early fall, is also possible to hike into Grindelwald from well-marked Bernese Oberland trails, with or without the assistance of gondolas or cable-cars.
Get around
Grindelwald has two train stations: 1 Grindelwald and 2 Grund. The Grindelwald station is in the center of town; the Grund station is in the valley floor, on the way to Kleine Scheidegg. Wengernalpbahn trains (painted yellow and green) to Kleine Scheidegg generally stop at both stations. Berner Oberland Bahn trains (in blue and yellow livery) from Interlaken via Zweilütschinen stop only at Grindelwald. If you plan to walk between these stations, be aware that the two stations are about 1 km apart, and separated by roughly 100 m of vertical elevation.
A local bus service can get you to nearby destinations.
The gondola lift to Männlichen departs a few hundred meters west of Grund station. The gondola lift to First begins about ten minutes' walk east of Grindelwald station, while the cable car to Pfingstegg is about fifteen minutes' walk east of Grindelwald station.
See
There is an information centre in the village. There is also a local history museum.
Do
Grindelwald is a ski resort. Also a starting point for Eiger and Wetterhorn tails.
- If you enjoy dancing, go to the Plaza Night Club. They play great techno mixes of Rock, Pop, and Hip-Hop!
- 1 Grindelwald - Wengen ski area (155 km, 27 lifts), ☏ 41 33 828 72 33, ✉[email protected]. The ski area is shared with Wengen. Different parts of the ski area can be accessed from Grindelwald by two different cable cars or by train to Kleine Scheidegg. Day pass Fr. 63/32, it is also possible to get combined tickets for the whole Jungfrau area.
- Take a mountain train trip through Kleine Scheidegg (2061 m) up to Jungfraujoch (3454 m) where there is an observation terrace and "ice palace".
Hiking destinations (take cable car to make the hikes considerably easier):
- 2 Bachalpsee (Use the cable car to the "First" station, then follow the masses.).
- 3 Faulhorn (Continue past Bachalpsee.). A not too hard hike up a valley and small mountain, with a pleasant small restaurant and hotel at the top.
- 4 Schynige Platte. The hike can be further lengthened to the plateau and end at a train station stop, quite near Interlaken.
- 3 Faulhorn (Continue past Bachalpsee.). A not too hard hike up a valley and small mountain, with a pleasant small restaurant and hotel at the top.
- 5 Burg.
- 6 Eiger. A technically difficult - climbing equipment required - classic. Reachable via 1 Eiger-Ostegghütte and 2 Mitellegihütte huts.
- 7 Schwarzhorn. Regarded as one of the most stunning look-out peaks in the Bernese Oberland. Its summit can be accessed by a trail on the southern ridge.
- 8 Grindelwald First (Top of Adventure), 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland, ☏ 41 33 828 72 33, ✉[email protected]. A hub for adventure at the summit of a mountaintop from a cable car ride out of Grindelwald. Popular hiking destinations from First include Bachalpsee, Faulhorn and Schynige Platte. Attractions include mountain carts, zipline flyers, bike tours and gliders.
- Paragliding, ☏ 41 79 77 99 000, ✉[email protected]. Paraglide all throughout the valley that Grindelwald resides within, taking in the sights while whistling through the peaks of the mountains by parachute, down towards the farmland.
Buy
There are plenty of shops in the 1 village center, including groceries.
- Swiss Army knives. As anywhere in Switzerland you should buy a knife (or several as they make excellent gifts). Most places have the same prices and a decent collection. But Vogts Corner on Hauptstrasse stands out because here all knives are on display for you to touch, fondle and try out. Another good thing is that they have both Wenger and Victorinox knives on display if you are having trouble to decide. You'll find it by Hans Passage near Coop.
Eat
- Jasmine Garden (Center of town), ☏ 41 33 853-0733. Good Chinese food. Somewhat pricey (e.g., Fr. 2 for tap water), but so is most everything else here! Fr. 25-50 per plate.
- Marmorbruch, Marmorbruchstrasse 3, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland, ☏ 41 79 310 30 89, ✉[email protected]. Cold and warm dishes, such as fitness plates, bratwurst with hash browns or our meat specialty, the Töffsattel, as well as various delicious desserts are available to choose from. Has one of the best views of the valley from the patio.
- Ristorante-Pizzeria Da Salvi, Dorfstrasse 189, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland, ☏ 41338538999. Great Italian food with authentic cuisine and very welcoming staff.
Drink
- Espressobar, Dorfstrasse 136, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland, ☏ 41338548888. Bar with a fun atmosphere and very friendly service.
Sleep
Camping
A few camps are available south of the town, but within walking distance:
- 3 Eigernordwald.
- 4 Gletscherdorf.
Budget
- 5 The Downtown Lodge, Dorfstrasse 152, ☏ 41 33 828 77 30, ✉[email protected]. Typically you would want to book ahead of time during the winter versus the summer. From Fr. 60.
- 6 Youth Hostel, Geissstutzstrasse 12, ☏ 41 33 853 10 09, ✉[email protected]. Dorm from Fr. 32.
Mid-range
- Sunstar Grindelwald (Directly adjacent to First gondola, 100 m walk), ☏ 41 33 854 77 77, fax: 41 33 854 77 70, ✉[email protected].
- Hotel Gletschergarten (Ca. one km east of the train station(if booked, pick up possible.), ☏ 41 33 853 17 21, fax: 41 33 853 29 57, ✉[email protected]. A family run hotel in the 4th generation with a history of over 120 years. The hosts are very helpful, friendly and multilingual. The rooms are of a traditional style, clean and neat, so that this feels homely and cozy. Many rooms have views facing Mt Eiger and all include balconies or terrace. Free and reliable wi-fi, a laundry downstairs, clean and well cared for bathrooms and soft beds. High season: 18 Dec-07 Jan; 29 Jan-11 Mar; 03 Jul-28 Aug (2010). Single room High Fr. 150/Low Fr. 140; Double room High Fr. 230, Low Fr. 220.
Splurge
- Belvédère, fax: 41 33 853 53 23, ✉[email protected]. 4-star superior hotel 200 m from the railway station. Outdoor salt water jacuzzi. Double room from Fr. 340 (as of 2009).
Go next
- First-Bahn - Gondola to hiking/skiing.
- Consider the JungfraubahnenPass, which gives you six consecutive days of access to all regional trains and cable cars for Fr. 200.
- Lauterbrunnen