A brilliant one day in Grindelwald itinerary

Looking for a one day in Grindelwald itinerary? With my curated tips, you can plan the perfect day in the Swiss Alps.

Plan your trip to Grindelwald – Quick tips

Grindelwald is a small Swiss village enclosed by majestic mountains on each side. It’s beautiful all year round, but I was glad I visited in the spring because I got to experience both snow and emerald-green valleys with Alpine cows and thousands of blossoming dandelions.

If this was anywhere else than Switzerland, it would seem strange to write about snow adventures in June.

But that’s the beauty of the Swiss Alps; it can be 24 degrees in the valleys, and if you travel just 15 minutes north, you’ll find yourself in knee-high snow.

Ready for your one day in Grindelwald itinerary?

Let’s get to it!

🇨🇭 Read next: Jungfrau itinerary: 20 things to do in Jungfrau region

One day in Grindelwald itinerary

Grindelwald is a great place for outdoor activities, and it’s one of those places you can visit all year round. In the winter months, there’s lots of snow and winter activities while summertime is perfect for hiking. 

Even if a day trip is a short visit, you’ll still have time to experience the nature, the fun adventures and have a good time in the Swiss Alps.

Visiting Grindelwald in 1 day gives you time to explore the top attractions:

A map of Jungfrau region

Here is a map of Grindelwald town and area. To zoom in and out, use the + and – sign in the corner.

As you can see, Grindelwald covers a large area. You’ll arrive with train in Grindelwald village and then you can take the cable car, train or hike to other beautiful places in the region.

How to get to Grindelwald

The best way to get to Grindelwald is by train. The Swiss rail system is extensive, leaves on time, runs every 30 minutes and it’s extremely convenient.

Most trains pass through Interlaken on the way to Grindelwald. The train journey from Grindelwald to Interlaken Ost covers around 9 miles (15km) and takes about 34 minutes. There are usually 33 trains per day with tickets starting from $5.66 if you book in advance.

I’ve mentioned this before, but taking the train in Switzerland is an adventure in itself! On every single train ride, I was hanging out the window, my hair blowing all over the place. Those cute Swiss villages and the Alps are exhilarating!

When to visit Grindelwald

The best time to visit Grindelwald is between June and October. With average temperatures of 20°C (64°F) and very little rain, it’s the perfect time to explore all the magical sights in this beautiful part of the Alps.

Grindelwald First has a different climate than Grindelwald village, because it’s located higher (2167 meters / 7109 feet above sea level).

So, while it can be sunny in the town, there might be snow at First. In fact, Grindelwald First has some of the best snow conditions for skiing in the Bernese Oberland. It has 47 sunny days on average per season.

😎 REMEMBER: To bring sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.

🏔️ One day in Grindelwald itinerary

To get the most out of your time in Grindelwald, make sure to start your day early. Preferably at dawn if you want to experience those amazing mountain views at Bachalpsee.

Take the cable car to Grindelwald First

Begin your day by taking the six-seater gondola cable car from Grindelwald to First. It passes through Bort and Schreckfeld. This 25-minute journey offers a stunning panorama while you float through the air in the gondola.

Grindelwald-First

Grindelwald-First (pronounced Feerst) is a mountain and top attraction in the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland. You go hike here and have all sorts of fun adventures all year round.

I took the cable car from Grindelwald to Grindelwald First and from there it was a snowy hike up to the first stop.

Hiking in Grindelwald

Bachalpsee Lake

Difficulty: easy

From Grindelwald-First, hike directly to Bachalpsee (Lake Bachalp) – the most beautiful alpine lake in the region and the main attraction at First, if you ask me. It’s particularly beautiful in the morning!

The Bachalpsee hike is an easy 3km (one-way) hike with a gentle slope and 150 meter elevation gain. It takes about 1 hour each way, plus the time at the lake, so count at least 3 hours to visit Bachalpsee lake from Grindelwald-First.

switzerland itinerary

Grindelwald First Cliff walk

Once you’re back from your hike, head to the First Cliff Walk.

The First Cliff Walk is a suspended bridge-like structure that offers a thrilling experience as you walk along the side of the mountain, with incredible views of the scenery.

Despite being suspended, the walkway is sturdy and not wobbly so there’s nothing to worry about. The walkway is only a few hundred metres long, so it takes no more than 15 minutes to complete.

Time for lunch

You’re probably hungry about now, and there’s a restaurant (Berggasthaus First) a short walk from the First Cliff Walk.

If you’re up for it, you can also postpone lunch until you’re back in Grindelwald village where there are more restaurants to choose from.

One day itinerary For Grindelwald

Getting from First to Grindelwald

Now, it’s time to head back down to Grindelwald village. You have several ways of doing that and I’ll go though the options below.

You can go by:

• Cable car (the same way you got there)
• The ZipRider (zip line)
• Mountain carts
• Trotti bike

The Grindelwald ZipRider

The ZipRider is an 800-meter-long steel cable zip-line that goes from Grindelwald-First to the Schreckfeld intermediate station. From there, you can take a mountain cart or the cable car down the mountain.

You’ll fly down the mountain, over the ski runs below, at speeds up to 84 km/hour.

The price for a ride is 25 CHF.

Mountain carts

The Mountain Cart is the perfect mix of go-kart and sledge. It takes you safely along a rough track from Schreckfeld to Bort, where you can thunder over hills for three kilometres.

It’s fun for the whole family and free safety helmets are provided. Suitable for children with a minimum height of 135 cm.

Try trotti biking

On the way down, I chose trotti biking, which is a bike without a saddle. So basically you just stand up while racing down the mountain road. I felt like yodeling all the way down, but I think the cows appreciated my silence.

The trip can be done in 25 minutes, but it took me closer to 40 because I stopped repeatedly to take photos of Alpine cows and mountain peaks.

Imagine biking down a mountain road, breathing in the fresh air, surrounded by hills and cute huts to the sound of Swiss cow bells.

That’s Grindelwald.

Look for Swiss cows

The most charming part of Grindelwald is without doubt the Swiss Alpine cows. Make sure to go for a walk in the meadows or look for them on the way from Grindelwald-First to Grindelwald. You can hear the bells from afar!

Glacier Canyon Grindelwald – Gletscherschlucht

Once you’re back in Grindelwald and have had lunch, it’s time for another adventure. You’re going to the Gletscherschlucht, also known as the Glacier Canyon.

These series of tunnels, walkways and rocky outcrops lead you into the 250 million-year-old canyon where the Lütschine River roars through.

Inside the gorge, there is a 170 square meter spiderweb trampoline you can bounce on above the rushing water. You can even swing off the 300-meter high cliff on the canyon swing if you’re feeling particularly adventurous!

👉 Book your tickets to the glacier canyon and crystal museum here.

Things to do in Grindelwald village

After you’re done exploring the canyon, head back to Grindelwald village. It’s small and easy to walk around, and it has lots of cute houses. Although the village didn’t take my breath away like Lauterbrunnen did, I liked Grindelwald, especially the area surrounding it.

It’s got the Swiss Alps vibe 🚠

Where to stay in Grindelwald

If you’re staying the night in Grindelwald, these hotels are some of the best in town:

Boutique Hotel Glacier (⭐ 8.9) – Amazing view of Mount Eiger and only 350 m from the train station – this hotel has the perfect location. Rooms are modern and luxurious, and staff is very helpful. There’s spa and wellness, and hiking trails start at the hotel. Check the latest prices here.

Hotel Lauberhorn (⭐ 8.6) This hotel has direct access to ski slopes, hiking and biking trails. Rooms have balcony and a beautiful view of the Eiger. Check the latest prices here.

What to pack for Grindelwald

When I packed for Switzerland I didn’t expect to find snow. It was early June, after all. But there’s still snow at First and Jungfraujoch!

So – you might want to leave your mesh sneakers at home and bring waterproof boots and a warm jacket.

This is a packing list for visiting Grindelwald in one day:

• Sunglasses (to avoid snow blindness – important!)
• Hiking boots
• Warm clothes and layers (also in summer!)
• Fleece or zip jumper: I love my Colombia fleece
• Warm puffer or lightweight puffer jacket
• Gloves
• Lip balm
• Water bottle

Where to next?

Got a few extra days in the Jungfrau region? Make sure to explore the beautiful Lauterbrunnen waterfalls, the adventure capital Interlaken and Jungfraujoch – the top of Europe!

🙋‍♀️ Grindelwald itinerary FAQ

How many days do you need in Grindelwald?

If you’re planning a trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland, I recommend spending 1-2 days there.

In 1-2 days, you can have fun at Grindelwald-First, enjoy the stunning Swiss Alps, take a scenic train ride and visit popular attractions such as the Jungfraujoch or the Eiger Trail.

Is it better to stay in Interlaken or Grindelwald?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Larger adventure town with better train connections or small alpine town with hiking opportunities?

Here are the pros of staying in Interlaken vs Grindelwald:

Interlaken	Grindelwald
Larger town	Charming, small alpine town
More restaurants and hotels	Swiss countryside
Closer to popular attractions	Peace and quiet
An adventure hub with paragliding, river rafting, etc.	Great for hiking and skiing
The perfect base for exploring the Jungfrau region	Closer to Jungfraujoch

How long do you need in Grindelwald-First?

Plan on spending 4-6 hours to make the most of your visit. That way you can fully enjoy the panoramic views and the outdoor activities like hiking, zip-lining and mountain biking at Grindelwald-First.

Is Grindelwald Switzerland worth visiting?

Absolutely! Grindelwald is definitely worth visiting for its stunning mountain scenery, outdoor activities, and charming town.

What are the best months to visit Grindelwald?

You can visit Grindelwald throughout the year, but the best weather is between June and October.

In July and August, the average temperature is approximately 20°C (64°F), and there is generally very little rainfall.

Why is Grindelwald Switzerland so famous?

Grindelwald is famous for its mountain landscapes and wide range of outdoor activities that include skiing, hiking, and more.

Also, Grindelwald has been a popular filming location for several movies like Star Wars Revenge of the Sith.

Is Grindelwald connected to Harry Potter?

Yes, Grindelwald shares name with the dark wizzard Gellert Grindelwald from from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts.

The Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling often named her characters from real places, like Dursley, Flitwick, Bagshot, Lockhart, Runcorn and Dawlish.

She was also inspired by names on gravestones at Greyfriars kirkyard in Edinburgh. This is where she found the names Potter, Thomas Riddell and Crookshanks (Hermione’s pet cat) among others.

Many thanks to My Interlaken for hosting me in Switzerland. Whenever I travel, there will always be full disclosure about whether my stay was hosted by a tourism board. And even if I’m on a press trip, my view will never be swayed one way or the other.

Read more posts from Switzerland

• Jungfrau itinerary: 20 things to do in Jungfrau region
• Amazing things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland’s adventure hub
• 7 Lauterbrunnen waterfalls you can’t miss
• A spectacular one day in Lauterbrunnen itinerary
• The Ultimate Guide to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
• Visiting Spiez and Oberhofen castles in the Swiss Alps
• Where to stay in Interlaken

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