Is Grindelwald First Worth Visiting?
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re researching the Jungfrau Region, you’ve probably come across Grindelwald First.
It’s one of the area’s most popular mountain destinations, famous for its dramatic Cliff Walk, the turquoise waters of Bachalpsee, panoramic hiking trails, and adventure activities like the First Flyer and Mountain Cart.
After spending two weeks exploring the Bernese Oberland, I can confidently say that yes, Grindelwald First is absolutely worth visiting—but I’d recommend experiencing it a little differently than most people do.
Instead of taking the gondola up for a few hours and heading straight back down, we stayed overnight at Berggasthaus First as part of our Bernese Oberland Traverse.
That single decision completely changed the experience.
Once the last gondola left around 7 p.m., the mountain became incredibly quiet. We watched the sunset without the daytime crowds, woke up above the valley, and walked to Bachalpsee before breakfast with only a handful of other hikers on the trail.
It ended up being one of the highlights of our entire Switzerland trip.
In this guide I’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting Grindelwald First, including the best things to do, hiking options, whether staying overnight is worth it, and a few tips I’d use if I were planning the trip again.
📍 Location Grindelwald, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
⛰️ Elevation 2,167 m (7,110 ft)
🚠 Access Firstbahn Gondola from Grindelwald or hiking trails
🥾 Best For Hiking, alpine scenery, Bachalpsee, Cliff Walk, adventure activities
⏰ Time Needed Half day minimum • 1 overnight recommended
🌼 Best Time to Visit Late June–September for hiking
🎟️ Cost Gondola tickets vary by season (50% off with the Swiss Half Fare Card)
🛏️ Where to Stay Berggasthaus First ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👨👩👧 Family Friendly? Yes! Great for families, but some hikes and activities are better suited to older children.
⭐ My Rating ★★★★★ (One of my favourite experiences in Switzerland.)
Where is Grindelwald First?
Grindelwald First is located above the mountain village of Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.
At 2,167 metres (7,110 ft) above sea level, it’s one of the area’s most popular mountain destinations and serves as the starting point for several incredible hikes.
Most visitors arrive via the First Gondola from Grindelwald, although it’s also possible to hike to First from several surrounding valleys and mountain passes.
It’s also a fantastic stop if you’re hiking part of the Bernese Oberland Traverse, as we did.
Is Grindelwald First Worth It?
In my opinion…
Absolutely.
But I’d recommend spending more than just a couple of hours there.
Most visitors arrive mid-morning, walk the Cliff Walk, grab lunch, maybe hike to Bachalpsee, then catch the gondola back down.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but I think you’re missing the best part.
The mountain feels completely different once the gondolas stop running.
The crowds disappear. The trails become quiet. The golden evening light hits the surrounding peaks.
Then, the following morning, you can enjoy Bachalpsee before everyone else arrives.
If your itinerary allows, I’d strongly recommend staying overnight.
How to Get to Grindelwald First
The easiest way to reach First is via the Firstbahn Gondola from Grindelwald.
The ride takes approximately 25 minutes and offers fantastic views over the valley.
If you’re travelling around Switzerland without a car (which I’d recommend), getting to Grindelwald is incredibly straightforward using the SBB rail network.
We used the Swiss Half Fare Card throughout our trip and booked all of our transportation through the SBB app.
The app stored our tickets, train schedules and Half Fare Card in one place, making travelling around Switzerland incredibly easy.
If you’re planning a hiking-focused trip, I’d definitely recommend reading my Ultimate Bernese Oberland Travel Guide for a complete breakdown of transportation, luggage transfers and costs.
Best Things to Do at Grindelwald First
Walk the First Cliff Walk
This is the attraction almost everyone comes for.
The metal walkway wraps around the cliff face before leading to a suspended viewing platform overlooking the valley below.
The views are spectacular, and best of all, it’s completely free once you’ve reached First.
I’d recommend visiting either early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
Admission: Included with your gondola ticket
Time Required: 15–30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Wheelchair Accessible: Mostly yes, depending on conditions.
Visit Bachalpsee
If you only do one hike from First, make it this one.
The trail to Bachalpsee is relatively easy and takes around an hour each way, making it accessible for most visitors.
The lake is famous for reflecting the surrounding peaks on calm mornings, and after seeing it for myself, I completely understand why it’s one of Switzerland’s most photographed alpine lakes.
We visited before breakfast after spending the night at Berggasthaus First, and having the trail almost to ourselves was one of my favourite moments of the entire trip.
If you can, go early. It’s worth setting the alarm.
Distance: 5.9 km return
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Sunrise or late evening
Can you swim? Technically yes, but the water is glacier-fed and extremely cold.
Ride the First Flyer
Unfortunately, this is the one thing we missed.
We had hoped to ride the First Flyer back down, but large hiking backpacks aren’t permitted, so we opted for the gondola instead.
If you’re visiting as a day trip, though, it looks like a fantastic way to finish your visit.
Hike Beyond Bachalpsee
Many visitors turn around once they reach the lake.
If you have the time and energy, I’d encourage you to keep exploring.
Some of the best scenery in the Bernese Oberland lies beyond the most popular viewpoints.
Should You Stay Overnight?
This is where my answer differs from most travel guides.
Yes.
One hundred percent.
For me, staying overnight transformed Grindelwald First from a busy tourist attraction into one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
Why I’d stay overnight
Sunset without the crowds.
Sunrise over the Bernese Alps.
Bachalpsee before breakfast.
Quiet hiking trails.
A much more relaxed pace.
We stayed in a private room at Berggasthaus First, and I’d happily book it again.
💡 Cassie’s Tip: If you’re already planning to hike in the Jungfrau Region, consider making First your first overnight stop. It breaks up the hiking nicely and lets you experience the mountain at its best.
Is Grindelwald First Good for Hiking?
Absolutely.
Whether you’re looking for a short walk or a multi-day adventure, First is one of the best hiking hubs in the Bernese Oberland.
Some of the most popular hikes include:
Bachalpsee
Faulhorn
Schynige Platte Traverse
Eiger Trail connections
Bernese Oberland Traverse
During our trip, we hiked into First before continuing through the Bernese Oberland over the following week.
How Long Should You Spend at Grindelwald First?
If you’re only interested in the Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee, you could comfortably visit as a day trip.
Personally, I’d recommend:
Minimum: Half a day
Ideal: One overnight stay
That extra evening and morning completely changed the experience for us.
My Recommended Overnight Itinerary
Day 1
Hike or gondola to First
Cliff Walk
Check into Berggasthaus First
Sunset
Day 2
Sunrise
Bachalpsee before breakfast
Gondola to Grindelwald
My Tips for Visiting Grindelwald First
✔ Stay overnight if your budget allows.
✔ Visit Bachalpsee early in the morning.
✔ Bring layers—it can be much cooler than the valley.
✔ Book accommodation well in advance during summer.
✔ Download the SBB app before arriving in Switzerland.
✔ Purchase a Swiss Half Fare Card if you’re exploring multiple mountain regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grindelwald First worth it?
Yes—especially if you stay overnight.
Can you visit Grindelwald First without hiking?
Absolutely. The gondola provides easy access to the main attractions.
Is Bachalpsee worth the walk?
Without question.
How long does the hike to Bachalpsee take?
Approximately one hour each way on a well-maintained trail.
Is the Cliff Walk free?
Yes. Once you’ve reached First, there’s no additional charge.
Who is Grindelwald First for?”
🥾 Hikers — Absolutely.
📸 Photographers — One of the best locations in the Bernese Oberland.
👨👩👧 Families — Great, especially the Cliff Walk and gondola.
🚵 Adventure seekers — First Flyer, Mountain Cart, Trottibike.
🚫 Those looking to avoid crowds — Stay overnight.
If I returned to the Bernese Oberland tomorrow, I’d stay at Grindelwald First again without hesitation.
Not because of the Cliff Walk or the adventure activities—although they’re great—but because of everything that happens after the last gondola leaves.
Watching the crowds disappear, waking up in the mountains, and hiking to Bachalpsee before breakfast turned an already beautiful destination into one of the highlights of our entire Switzerland adventure.
If you’re planning your own trip, I think that’s the experience worth chasing.
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