Grindelwald, the famous village in the swiss mountains is just a 1 hour drive away from our home. Well, it is indeed a very touristic place, nevertheless we love to spend some time there as the landscape is amazing and there are still places where you can escape from the crowds. With this blog we would like to give other travellers tips where to go and what to do in this area.
1. If you want to go hiking or mountainbiking - that is the perfect place to be. There are a lot of great hikes in amazing surroundings. Even though it is very touristic, the trails around the First are easy and you have an amazing view. The Bachalpsee is a great spot to relax in this scenery. Very recommended is a 4-6 hours walk from Schynigge Platte to first. As far as we know you can even get a round trip ticket in Wilderswil. From Wilderswil you can go up by train to Schynigge Platte, walk via Faulhorn and Bachalpsee to First and go down to Grindelwald with the gondola. From there you catch the train back to Wilderswil.
Walking up Pfingstegg to the mountain hut Bäregg is an easy walk and one has great views of some glaciers.
Going up Jungfrau is great - but for us, this is too touristic. Anyway, if you want to climb some mountain you should consider taking a guide. The climbs are difficult here unless you are really experienced. The easiest climb starts at Jungfrau Joch and leads to the summit of Mönch. But you should really take a guide if you are not trained in climbing in high altitude and on ice. For some easier climbs and tours it would be better to go to Kandersteg.
If you want to go rock climbing, you can go to Hintisberg. But it is not easy to climb there and you should be well equipped. Anyway, the views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are unbeatable. You can find easier climbs in the valley of Kandersteg as well. Schwarzhorn, which can be reached via first, has an easy via ferrata and a nice hut to stay there.
If your are off for some mountainbike fun, either First or Männlichen offer great trails. But you should avoid weekends, as the trails are covered with hikers. You might consiger to cross over the Scheidegg to Wengen. This is also a very nice valley and has great views.
We suggest not to sleep in Grindelwald if you are on a tight budget. Anyway, the campgrounds there are nice. You also might consider to rent an fully equipped appartment for at least a week, which comes "OK-expensive". It is cheaper to base yourself in Interlaken or even in Thun and take the train to easily get to Grindelwald.
One suggestion: if you travel through Switzerland for more than 2 weeks, you might consider to buy a Halbtax. With this card you can take the train for half the pice. Also a lot of gondolas are included in this offer with half price as well.
We definitely go to Grindewald again and again in summer or winter. But we never stay in the village center. A bit outside you can still get the "real swiss alpine feeling" and it is worth relaxing there.
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