Grindelwald, Switzerland Travel Guide: Jungfraujoch, First Cliff Walk & Adventure Activities
Welcome to the beautiful alpine village of Grindelwald, Switzerland—a destination filled with soaring peaks, thrilling mountain adventures, and some of the most unforgettable scenery in the Swiss Alps. On our epic 11-day Oktoberfest road trip through Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein, Grindelwald quickly became one of our absolute favorite stops.
Come along as we fly down a mountain, climb to new heights around a mountain, venture inside a mountain, and even walk through a mountain above rushing glacier water. If you’re planning a trip to Grindelwald, this guide includes everything we experienced—plus tips to help you plan your own adventure.
A Quick Trip Recap: How We Got Here
Our journey began with renting a car in Zurich and driving through Switzerland and Austria before heading to Munich for our first Oktoberfest. From there, we continued on to tiny Liechtenstein, the valley of Lauterbrunnen, and finally made our way to Grindelwald—the perfect home base for exploring both the Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald First.
Grindelwald Day 1: Journey to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
We woke up to the most gorgeous mountain view outside our Airbnb window. But if there’s one thing to know about Grindelwald, it’s that the weather changes quickly—so flexibility is key!
Taking the Eiger Express
We started our day with an easy 10-minute walk to Grindelwald Terminal, where we boarded the Eiger Expressgondola. Because we were the first passengers of the day, we had the entire massive cabin to ourselves—with incredible 360° views as we ascended.
Jungfrau Railway: Swiss Engineering Masterpiece
At around 6,700 feet, we transferred to the historic Jungfrau Railway, which first opened in 1912. This cogwheel train climbs a 25% incline straight through the mountain—no views, but lots of excitement.
Once we stepped off the train, a mural commemorated the workers and miners who built this unbelievable railway through the Alps.
Exploring the Ice Palace
One of our first stops was the Ice Palace, carved by hand in 1930 using picks and saws. The entire floor is ice, so walk carefully—and bring a coat! We wandered through icy tunnels, nooks, carvings, and even had time for a little hide-and-seek.
Fun fact: A local distillery ages its Ice Label Whiskey inside the mountain.
Braving a Snowstorm at the Top
A quick check of the Jungfraujoch webcam showed clear skies earlier in the morning… but by the time we arrived outside, it was a full snowstorm. Still, we made the trek to the panoramic observation deck before warming up with hot cocoa and soup inside one of the restaurants.
Train Ride to Interlaken & Local Brewery Visit
With weather making mountain activities impossible, we hopped on a scenic two-hour train ride past Wengen and Lauterbrunnen—the views alone are worth the trip.
In Interlaken, we walked about 20 minutes through farmland (that “sick cow” sound was just Katie moo-ing!) to reach the local Rugenbräu brewery. A couple pints later, we headed back to Grindelwald for a quiet evening.
Grindelwald Day 2: Grindelwald First – Cliff Walk, Bachalpsee, Mountain Carts & Glacier Canyon
With a promising weather forecast, our second day was dedicated to the Grindelwald First area—just 30 minutes away from our Airbnb.
We used the Jungfrau website again to check webcams, tickets, and pricing. Instead of purchasing activities individually, we bought the Adventure Package, which bundled several mountain activities at a discounted rate.
Gondola Ride to First
Once again, we enjoyed a scenic gondola ride—this time rising above the clouds. And at the top? One of the most iconic experiences in Grindelwald…
First Cliff Walk by Tissot
The Cliff Walk is a metal walkway attached to the side of the mountain, with sweeping panoramic views. If heights aren’t your thing, there's also an observation deck and restaurant with fantastic views.
Hike to Bachalpsee Lake
From the Cliff Walk, we started the 2-hour round-trip hike to Bachalpsee. The trail is fairly easy, but muddy—so wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. The payoff is stunning: a crystal-clear alpine lake reflecting the Swiss Alps.
Lunch With a View
After the hike, we grabbed lunch at the mountaintop restaurant before starting our adventure activities.
Mountain Cart Ride
Our first activity included in the package was the Mountain Cart—basically a downhill tricycle. It’s very fast and surprisingly bumpy. A few tips:
Avoid if you get motion sickness or migraines
Take headache medicine beforehand if you’re prone to them
Stopping for photos is nearly impossible
Brakes… aren’t great
But it is fun!
Trottibike Scooter Ride
Next up: Trottibikes, a downhill scooter. Like the carts, they’re fast, so we pulled over often to enjoy the views—and even walked part of the path to fully take in the scenery.
You can also walk the entire trail for free if you don’t want to rent a scooter.
Glacier Canyon (Gletscherschlucht)
Our final activity of the day wasn’t part of the Adventure Package, but it was worth the extra cost. Glacier Canyon is a deep gorge carved by a melting glacier, with powerful water running beneath metal walkways. One of the highlights is the netting platform you can walk across—perfect for understanding just how strong the water flows beneath you.
A Relaxing Final Night
We finished the evening on our Airbnb patio, enjoying the mountain air and reliving the highlights of our Grindelwald adventure.
Bonus Adventure: Lucerne & the Milk Vending Machine
Before leaving Switzerland, I had to fulfill one quirky travel goal: trying fresh milk from a vending machine. The machine nearby only offered one-liter portions (not a single cup), so I filled up my bottle—and it was delicious!
From there, we drove to Lucerne for our final night. We splurged on a stay at Hotel Château Gütsch, a castle-like hotel inspired by Neuschwanstein. Built in 1879, rebuilt in 1901, and once accessible by a historic funicular, it was the perfect fairytale ending to our trip.
We explored Lucerne’s charming streets and the iconic Chapel Bridge, which dates back to the 17th century (although many paintings were destroyed in a 1993 fire).
Trip Stats
Total miles driven: 636
Countries visited: Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein
Highest elevation: Jungfraujoch at 11,300 ft
Trip length: 11 days
Cost: ~$2,900 per person (excluding airfare; paid with miles)
An adventure with friends? Truly priceless.
Is Grindelwald Worth Visiting?
Absolutely — yes. Whether you’re riding the Eiger Express, conquering the First Cliff Walk, hiking to Bachalpsee, or simply taking in the mountain views, Grindelwald delivers a perfect blend of adventure, nature, and classic Swiss charm.
If you love unique destinations and unforgettable outdoor experiences, Grindelwald needs to be on your Switzerland itinerary.
