Grindelwald-First is one of the top places to visit when traveling to Grindelwald in Switzerland. Just like many other places in the region, it’s a destination in itself and you can easily spend several days exploring this area alone. However, even if you only have a day in Grindelwald, this guide should help you make the absolute best of your time.
In this article, we cover some of the best adrenaline-rushing activities at Grindelwald-First, the best views including the famous Cliff Walk, and also some of the nicest hiking trails in the area.
Below, you can find a list of the best things to do in Grindelwald-First. Further down, you can find a map of the area and practical information for your visit. At the bottom of this article, we included four different itinerary suggestions for how to spend one day in Grindelwald. Take a look!
Good to know: While most outdoor activities at Grindelwald-First are possible in any season, some of the adventurous mountain attractions are only available in summer. For example, Mountain Cart and Trottibike are summer activities, but First Glider, First Flyer, and Cliff Walk are usually open in the winter as well (weather permitting). In winter, this area is very popular with skiers and snowboarders.
Keep in mind that you can only visit Grindelwald-First when the cable car is running, which is usually almost all year except for a few weeks in November to mid-December.
Here are the best things to do at Grindelwald – First:
1. Amazing Views from Grindelwald-First Cable Car
Grindelwald – First is located at the top of the mountain and can best be reached by cable car from Grindelwald. The scenic gondola ride from Grindelwald to First takes 25 minutes and the views along the way are simply phenomenal. You won’t know where to look first…
On your way up, you’ll pass two mountain gondola stations – Bort and Schreckfeld. For Trottibike, you’ll have to disembark at Bort. If you are planning to go on the First Glider, First Flyer, or Mountain Cart, you’ll need to disembark at Schreckfeld. For the First Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee Lake, remain seated all the way to the end, until you reach First.
Ideally, you first go all the way up and start with the activities at First. Then slowly make your way down the mountain. On the other hand, that’s what most people do and so if you want to avoid the queues at some of the most popular activities, you may want to start there first thing in the morning. More information below.
2. First Glider
I recommend starting your day with a flight over the mountains. If you ever wanted to see the world from a bird’s eye, this is your chance. First Glider is a recent attraction at the Grindelwald-First area and is an absolute must!
First Glider is a sort of a zip line experience, except that you are flying like a bird with your face down. At first, you are pulled 800 m backwards up the hill and then you fly down at a speed of 83 km/h.
Securely fastened and free as an eagle, you soar over an alpine valley with the most incredible views around you. It’s one of the most special things you can do, not just in Grindelwald, but anywhere in the world. And I strongly recommend you overcome any fears and uncertainties and give it a try.
We went on First Glider mainly because our kids absolutely wanted to do it. I was terrified and wasn’t sure until the last moment if I’d dare. When they buckled me up to the ‘bird’, I really thought of throwing in the towel. But there was no way back and so I decided to relax and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
As we were flying, I was looking all around me trying to absorb every single detail and every single moment of this short flight. I absolutely loved it and so did the kids!
First Glider with Kids
When we visited, we found conflicting information with regards to age/height requirements for First Glider. Some sources said that the minimum age is 10 years, whereas others said that the minimum height is 130 cm (4ft 3).
Our twins were just 8 so we weren’t sure if they could fly. Upon arrival, the staff told us that the only thing that matters is the height. Since our kids were taller than 130cm, they could go on First Glider.
Flying on First Glider is by far one of the most unique experiences ever and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The kids loved it as well! They wouldn’t stop talking about it for days to come. We all agreed that First Glider was the most remarkable experience of the summer.
Practical Information
First Glider starts and ends near Schrekfeld gondola station. The flight itself takes just a minute or two, but only 4 people can go at once, so the queues here can get really long. If you want to do this, I recommend coming here first thing in the morning.
The maximum allowed weight is 125 kg (275 lbs) per person. Bags are not allowed on First Glider. But since you start and end at the same place, you can easily leave all your belongings there.
First Glider requires a separate ticket. At the end of this article, you can find more information about the tickets.
3. First Cliff Walk by Tissot
First Cliff Walk by Tissot is the most popular thing to do in Grindelwald-First. It doesn’t require any special equipment, doesn’t take much time, and is free to enter. So if you do just one thing at Grindelwald-First, make it this one.
Cliff Walk is a metal walkway and a swinging bridge perched on the side of the First Mountain (2,168 m – 7,112 ft). There is also a viewing platform that stretches high above the ravine affording wonderful views of the region.
If you have a fear of heights, it might look a bit intimidating at first. But the views are amazing and it’s well worth beating your fears and taking a short walk here.
READ MORE: First Cliff Walk
4. First Flyer
First Flyer is another flight attraction at Grindelwald-First. It’s a zip line with one-person chairs, so you fly while seated. It’s a bit like a chair swing ride, but downhill and really fast. Secured with a harness, you fly down from First to Schreckfeld, enjoying incredible views along the way.
We didn’t do this because our younger kids were too small for the First Flyer, but it looked really fun.
If you have enough time, I think I’d do both flights – First Glider and First Flyer. But if you only want to do one, I’d go for the First Glider as it’s a much more unique experience that just can’t be compared to anything else.
Practical Information
First Flyer starts at First and ends at Schreckfeld. It’s also a very popular attraction and queues can get quite long.
Furthermore, backpacks or other bags are not allowed on the First Flyer. You have to leave them at the top gondola station in First. That means that after your ride, you’ll have to take a cable car back to First. Grindelwald Train Station also has luggage storage, but you’ll probably want to take a small backpack with you anyway, so keep this in mind when planning your day at Grindelwald – First.
The minimum weight for the First Flyer is 35 kg (77 lbs) and the maximum weight is 125 kg (275 lbs).
First Flyer requires a separate ticket – more info further below.
5. Bachalpsee
Picturesque Bachalpsee Lake is another popular thing to do at Grindelwald-First. This charming mountain lake is located within a short walking distance from the Grindelwald-First cable car station and is one of the most beautiful hikes in Grindelwald.
Not just the lake is pretty, but the scenery along the Bachalpsee trail is phenomenal. Furthermore, it’s a really easy hike with little elevation gain and is doable for most people.
The downside is that this hike is extremely popular and very busy. But don’t get discouraged by the crowds – there is plenty of space for everyone and the hike and the lake itself is very enjoyable.
READ MORE: Bahalpsee Lake
6. First Mountain Cart
Mountain Cart is another popular thing to do at Grindelwald-First. It’s a sort of a go-cart that’s adapted for the mountains, with big rubber tires and an efficient brake system. You need some skill to drive it, but it’s not too difficult and something that can be done with older kids as well.
You can find Mountain Carts at Schreckfeld cable car station. From there, you can drive down the mountain to Bort.
There is no minimum age, but kids have to be at least 135 cm (4ft 4) tall in order to drive this Mountain Cart. Keep in mind, however, that everyone sits on their own and have to be able to control the cart by themselves.
You need a separate ticket for the Mountain Cart – more info below.
7. First Trottibike Scooter
Somewhat more adventurous and requiring more skill is the scooter bike, First Trottibike. It’s a scooter bike with no seats or pedals and is suitable for kids from 125 cm (4ft 1). You can rent them at Bort cable car station and ride down the mountain all the way back to Grindelwald.
Our boys really wanted to give this a try and it looked fun. But when we asked the staff what they thought about letting kids do this, the guy working there said that he wouldn’t advise it. Some parts of the ride are quite steep and you have to be able to brake and steer really well.
I think it’s really fun for adults and teens, but we didn’t feel comfortable doing this with our kids (age 8, 8, and 10 at that time).
You also need a separate ticket for the Trottibike Scooter – more info below.
8. Hiking
In addition to the Bachalpsee hike mentioned above, there are many more hiking trails in the Grindelwald – First area. Further below you can find a map with an overview of all the hiking trails in the area.
Here are some of the most popular options, the best hikes starting at Grindelwald – First and passing Bachalpsee:
- Bachalpsee Trail (#1): First – Bachalpsee – First: 2 hrs
- Faulhorn Trail (#2): First – Bachalpsee – Faulhorn – Bussalp: 4 hrs
- Flower Trail (#4): First – Bachalpsee – Waldspitz – Bort: 2,5 hrs
- First – Schynige Platte (#62): First – Bachalpsee – Faulhorn – Schynige Platte: 6-7hrs
READ MORE: Best Hikes at Bachalpsee
9. Family-friendly Activities
While most activities at Grindelwald – First are quite adventurous, there are also some nice things to do here for families with young children.
To start with, the Bachalpsee Lake hike is family-friendly and First Cliff Walk can also be done with young children.
In addition, there is a nice playground for kids at Bort gondola station. Here, you’ll find swings, climbing and balancing frames, a kid-friendly mountain stream, and more.
You can also embark on the interactive Marmot Educational Trail (#17) that starts at First cable car station. Make sure to ask for kids’ booklet before you set on this hike – it’s available at the ticket desk.
Map of Grindelwald-First Area
This map should give you a better idea of where everything is.
You can also see all the hiking trails – I used those numbers to indicate the hikes mentioned in this article, so you know exactly which hike I mean.
Tickets & Prices
At the moment of the last update, the Grindelwald – First round trip gondola ticket costs 68 CHF per person, with 50% discounts available for Swiss Travel Pass holders. Kids pay half the price; kids under 6 travel free of charge. You can find the best deal for these tickets with flexible cancelation here.
First Glider and First Flyer tickets cost 31 CHF each (24 CHF for kids under 15). In winter, these activities are included with the multi-day Grindelwald ski pass.
Mountain Cart or Trottbike Scooter Bike rides cost 21 CHF per ride per person (17 CHF for kids under 15).
We used the Jungfrau Travel Pass during our visit – it’s a multi-day summer ticket that includes all the gondola and train rides in the area. But it doesn’t include any of the extra attractions at Grindelwald-First that require a separate ticket.
TIP: If you are in Grindelwald just for a day and are planning to do some of the additional activities at Grindelwald-First, it is probably better to get a combination ticket that includes cable car rides as well as extra attractions. It’s called Adventure Package and you can choose 1, 2, 3, or all 4 activities. There are further discounts available for Swiss Travel Pass holders and others. In that case, you may want to get the ticket on the spot (and ask them about all the possible activities and/or discounts).
Good to know: You can disembark at the intermediate gondola stations and take the gondola using your day ticket as many times as you want.
For up-to-date pricing and tickets, you can check the website of the Jungfrau Region. Please note that you don’t necessarily have to buy these tickets in advance and can just get them upon arrival. Keep in mind that they do not issue any refunds in case of bad weather.
READ ALSO: Swiss Travel Pass: What’s Included & Is It Worth It
One Day in Grindelwald – Itinerary Suggestions
There are so many ways to spend your time in Grindelwald. Even just at the Grindelwald – First area, you can spend a couple of days… Not even mentioning the rest of the beautiful Jungfrau Region.
Nevertheless, here are 4 different suggested itineraries for this area that should give you a good idea of how you can spend one day in Grindelwald. Whether you are visiting with kids, are looking for adrenaline-rushing activities, or something in between – Grindelwald-First area truly has something for everyone.
How to spend one day at Grindelwald-First:
I. Adventure & Hiking Itinerary
This itinerary is based on what we did last time we visited Grindelwald with our kids. In my view, this is one of the best and more relaxing ways to spend a day in Grindelwald. It has a nice combination of everything that this area has to offer.
- Take a cable car from Grindelwald to Schreckfeld.
- First Glider.
- Take a cable car to First.
- First Cliff Walk.
- Hike to Bachalpsee (#1) and picnic lunch along the way.
- Hike the Flower Trail (#4) to Bort.
- In Bort, time permitting, take a Trottibike Scooter down to Grindelwald (optional). Otherwise, take a cable car to Grindelwald.
One alternative is to hike Faulhorn Trail (#2) to Bussalp and take a bus down to Grindelwald.
Another alternative is to hike to Bachalpsee and back to First (#1) and do one or more mountain attractions there, e.g. First Flyer or Mountain Cart.
II. Adventure Itinerary
This itinerary is focused on all the mountain attractions that you can do at Grindelwald-First.
If you want to do everything from this itinerary, you’ll have to start early and plan well. Otherwise, skip one or two things (I indicated them as optional below) – that way you’ll have a more relaxing day.
- Take a cable car from Grindelwald to Schreckfeld.
- First Glider.
- Take a cable car to First.
- First Flyer (optional)
- Cable car back to First and lunch at the restaurant in First.
- First Cliff Walk.
- Bachalpsee hike (optional – count at least 2 hours).
- Take a cable car down to Schreckfeld and take a Mountain Cart down to Bort.
- In Bort, time permitting, take a Trottibike Scooter down to Grindelwald (optional). Otherwise, take a cable car to Grindelwald.
III. Hiking Itinerary
If you are not very interested in the Grindelwald – First mountain attractions, you can also opt for this option. However, keep in mind that it’s a strenuous hike and you have to start it very early in the morning.
- Take a cable car from Grindelwald to First.
- First Cliff Walk.
- Hike to Bachalpsee, Faulhorn, and all the way to Schynigge Platte (trail #62). It’s a rather strenuous 16km hike and you should count at least 6-7 hours for it (realistically 7-8 hours). Here you can find more info about First – Faulhorn – Schynigge Platte hike.
- Take a train from Schynige Platte to Wilderswil and from there back to Grindelwald or wherever you are staying.
IV. Itinerary for Families with Young Kids
This is an easy-going itinerary for families with young children.
- Take a cable car from Grindelwald to First.
- First Cliff Walk.
- Hike to Bachalpsee (#1) or Marmot Educational Trail (#17) and have a picnic along the way.
- Take a cable car to Bort and visit the playground.
- Take a cable car back to Grindelwald.
Where to Stay
Grindelwald has a big range of accommodations for different budgets. When looking for a place to stay, consider a few things: the season when you travel, transportation you’ll be using, accessibility of the hotel from the main roads, and – if driving – parking.
Here are some of the best-rated, centrally-located hotels for various budgets:
$$$$$ Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel
$$$$ Eiger Selfness Hotel
$$$ Sunstar Hotel & SPA
$$ Hotel Central Wolter
$ Eiger Lodge Chic
Good to know: If you want to stay on top of the mountain, there’s also a hotel at Grindelwald-First, Berggasthaus First. It’s a really special experience being here early morning and late evening when the gondolas are not running and there’s hardly anyone around.
FAQ
Grindelwald can be reached by car, by bus, or by train. If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to get to Grindelwald is by taking a train from Interlaken Ost station.
The easiest way to get to First from Grindelwald is by taking a cable car. The ride takes about 25 minutes and the views are spectacular! You can also hike from Grindelwald to First, but it’s a challenging hike of almost 9 km one way, with an elevation gain of about 1,200 m (4,000 ft).
The best thing to do in Grindelwald First is to admire the views from the First Cliff Walk by Tissot and the viewing platforms at the top cable car station. You can also hike to Bachalpsee Lake and there are many other nice hikes. In addition, there are many adventure activities, such as First Glider and First Flyer. In winter, you can go skiing here.
Grindelwald is one of the most popular mountain resorts in Switzerland. It’s famous for its stunning scenery of the surrounding mountains, a big variety of outdoor activities in all seasons, and also shopping. The main landmark in the area is Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe. The most beautiful mountain peaks nearby are Jungfrau, Mönch, Eiger, and Wetterhorn on one side and First and Oberjoch on the other side.
Grindelwald-First area has a lot to offer in every season and the scenery here is some of the most beautiful in the whole of Switzerland. No matter if you are visiting in winter or in summer, Grindelwald-First is definitely worth it. Plan to spend at least one full day here!
READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary For First Trip
So, this is our guide to the best things to do in Grindelwald-First and suggestions for how to plan your visit. Planning a trip to Grindelwald and have any questions? Leave a reply below and we’ll try to help.
Have a great trip!
More info for visiting the Jungfrau Region:
- Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe – a must-see in this region!
- Which is better: Mt Titlis or Jungfraujoch
- Schynige Platte – a hidden gem of Switzerland
- Best Hikes at Schynige Platte – including one of our all-time favorite hikes in Switzerland
- Day Trip to Interlaken – with several suggested 1-day itineraries
- Trümmelbach Falls – must-see underground waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen
- Jungfrau Region in Winter – just as beautiful as in summer
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Zermatt Must-Sees & Top Attractions & Best Day Trips from Lucerne
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Camacho
Friday 19th of July 2024
I'm going to visit Switzerland for 8 days with my car. I'll spend one of those days traveling to Grindelwald and from there, going up to Jungfraujoch to visit the Ice Palace and walk on the Aletsch Glacier. Then I want to go back down, go up to Mount First to walk on the First Cliff Walk, and ride the First Flyer before returning to the car and our apartment in Sachseln. Does that sound like too much for one day? Or should I skip one of the two and dedicate the whole day to just one mountain?
Thank you for all the information you provide on your blog.
Camacho
Monday 22nd of July 2024
@Jurga,
Thank you very much for your quick response. I have it clear now, I will follow your advice and unless my wife prefers the other option, we will go to the First only and enjoy the day there.
Thank you very much for your opinion and for your blog. You can't imagine how helpful it has been for me. For example, I am going to Zermatt for a day trip by car from Sachseln, and now I know that I will need to leave at 5:30 am to be able to arrive and hike up to Furi, then to the glacier, and later to Gornegrat. We’ll take sandwiches for lunch and enjoy both places.
And then there's the day I'm going to Stoos to do the hike just as you indicated. What I have thought of doing is to not buy the different funicular tickets for each day until a couple of days before, so that depending on the weather, I can choose one destination or another.
Well, I’ll leave you alone now. Thanks again. See you in Switzerland!!!
Jurga
Monday 22nd of July 2024
Hi Camacho, in theory, this is doable (in that case, start with the very first train in the morning). But in practice, I think you will have a much more enjoyable day if you just pick one mountain and explore it to the fullest rather than rush all the time. Both - Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald-First are extremely popular destinations, so it's going to be very busy everywhere. You need to factor in extra time and long queues, especially at attractions like First Flyer which are first come first served. And last but not least, each mountain peak requires its own ticket so doing both in a day would be very expensive for the little time you would spend at each of them. So I wouldn't recommend doing both of these on the same day. Often, less is more. Take the time to actually experience the stunning surroundings, do some hiking, or simply sit down for a drink at one of the mountain restaurants and enjoy the views. Have a great trip!
Kristin
Thursday 27th of June 2024
This may be a silly question but it seems that the adventure package only offers 2 adventures and the gondola ride now. Did you book elsewhere besides on the main site or did they just change the rules? Thanks!
Jurga
Friday 28th of June 2024
Hi Kristin, from what I hear, the queues at the Grindelwald-First attractions are crazy at the moment with people waiting 2-3 hours to do one ride (!), so that could be the reason why they don't offer more than 1 or 2 because you would simply run out of time... If you are traveling in the high season and are not keen on spending half the day queuing, I would just buy the simple gondola ticket, explore the cliffside walk, hike to Bachalpsee, and then decide on the spot if you want to pay for one or the other activity/ride based on how busy it is. It might be a bit more expensive but it gives you more freedom. I think that you will enjoy your day better this way rather than trying to do 'everything'.
Jeff
Monday 4th of March 2024
Hi Jurga,
Wonderful blog - thank you for including all the details and your personal experiences to make the most informed decisions.
I was curious in your multiple trips to Grindelwald, have you ever taken the gondola to Pfingstegg and done any of the activities (fly line and tobaggon) and/or hiking trails?
Thanks, jeff.
Jurga
Tuesday 5th of March 2024
Hi Jeff, no, somehow we never seem to get to that side of the mountain. It looks fun and should be much less busy than all the rest in the area though, so if you have some extra time, give it a try.
Brian
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
Dear Jurga,
Thank you for such an informative write up really appreciated it, Have you been there during winter and what are the available activities during winter?
Regards Brian
Jurga
Thursday 21st of September 2023
Hi Brian, yes, weather-permitting most of the things are open in winter too. The viewing platforms and First Cliff Walk are open and also First Glider and First Flyer. You can go skiing and sledding as well. Keep in mind that the summer season ends in the beginning of November and the winter season starts around mid-December. For a short period in between, everything is likely closed. Have a great trip!
Malee
Tuesday 19th of September 2023
Thank you for such an informative post about the Grindelwald-First region. Question for you...Do they have professional photos taken of all four people on the Glider while you're flying down? Are the photos in your blog actually of you and your family? If so, do you have the opportunity to buy the pictures at the end of the ride? Thank in advance!
Jurga
Thursday 21st of September 2023
Hi Malee, my husband took the pictures of us on the First Glider. There is no photo service as far as I know, but you can always ask someone else who is staying behind or maybe even the staff.