Grindelwald Holiday Itinerary

After flying into Zurich Airport, continue by train on a scenic journey of under 3 hours to Grindelwald. Sit back and relax as city views fade into rolling countryside, sparkling lakes and charming Swiss villages, with the mountains gradually rising in the distance.

As the train approaches Grindelwald, the landscape turns truly dramatic. Wooden chalets sit among green meadows, waterfalls tumble down distant cliffs, and the mighty north face of the Eiger dominates the skyline alongside the Mönch and Jungfrau. Arriving at the village station, you step out into fresh mountain air surrounded by breathtaking Alpine views - a spectacular welcome to the Swiss Alps.

Helpful links

Grindelwald resort and pages

Jungfrau Travel Pass

Bernese Oberland Pass

As the locals begin their day, you’ll wake to the crisp scent of fresh alpine air, ready to explore this extraordinary corner of Switzerland.

You might like to head into the village and stop by the local cheese shop, where a pre-booked fondue rucksack can be collected filled with locally produced cheese, fresh bread, and all the traditional equipment you’ll need. If you wish, you could also add a bottle of Swiss wine to perfectly complement your mountain picnic.

From the village centre, it’s a short, well-signposted walk to the Firstbahn gondola. In just 25 minutes, the gondola carries you to Grindelwald First, 2,166 above sea level. On arrival, step onto the spectacular First Cliff Walk by Tissot - a dramatic steel walkway leading to a panoramic platform suspended above the valley, with breathtaking views of the Bernese Oberland's highest peaks. From here, a network of well-marked hiking trails unfolds. One of the most rewarding is the walk to Bachalpsee, a stunning alpine lake reflecting the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau on calm mornings and spot the cow bells dotted around. After enjoying the lake, begin the hike back down to Grindelwald, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with scenic spots along the way perfect for a fondue picnic amid the alpine scenery. Alternatively, dine at the restaurant at the top, enjoying a coffee, pastry, or freshly prepared lunch with panoramic views.

For thrill-seekers, the adventure continues the First Flyer, an 800-metre zip line reaching up to 84 km per hour, or the First Glider, soaring face-down beneath eagle-like wings at around 70 km per hour.

Grindelwald offers a first taste of Swiss alpine life that can be as relaxed or as adventurous as you choose - the only question is how you want to experience it.

Spend a day exploring the natural and literary highlights of Meiringen, easily reached by train from Grindelwald in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Start at the dramatic Aare Gorge, where the lower Haslital is separated from the upper valley by a massive rock formation. Over thousands of years, the River Aare carved a gorge 1,400m long and up to 200m deep, with wooden pathways, tunnels, and galleries offering up-close views and scenic photo spots.

Continue to the legendary Reichenbach Falls, famous as the site of Sherlock Holmes’ final confrontation with Moriarty. A 20-minute walk from Meiringen main station brings you to the base of the Reichenbach funicular. The thundering waters of the falls guided the engineers who laid the tracks in 1899, and today the nostalgic wooden wagon - an exact replica of the original - carries visitors to the base of the 120m high waterfall. From there, short forest trails and viewing terraces let you feel the power of the cascading water while enjoying sweeping views over the Hasli Valley.

Scenic trails connect the gorge and the falls, offering a full day of hiking, history, and Swiss alpine scenery. As you stand at the edge of the waterfall, gazing down at the roaring waters, it’s easy to imagine the final, fateful struggle between Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty - a moment of literary legend frozen in the Swiss Alps.

On the journey back to Grindelwald, if time permits, stop in the picturesque village of Brienz for a late lunch by the lake, enjoying Swiss specialties like fresh fish or Rösti. Afterwards, stroll the cobbled streets and colourful wooden chalets, and browse the village’s famous woodcarving shops before continuing your journey.

Anyone staying in Grindelwald or nearby must visit the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe, reached via a spectacular train journey through the Alps - the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454m. Once at the top, you enter a high-Alpine wonderland of ice and snow, with breathtaking views from the Sphinx platform at 3,571m over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps and the towering Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau massif. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Ice Palace, where shimmering halls showcase lifelike ice sculptures of eagles, bears, and penguins, and the Alpine Sensation, a 250m adventure tour connecting Sphinx Hall to the Ice Palace with interactive displays on the history of the Jungfrau Railway and alpine tourism. The Jungfrau Panorama offers a 360-degree cinematic experience of the mountains throughout the year, while Lindt Chocolate Heaven reveals the secrets of Swiss chocolate-making and offers tempting treats. There is also a stop for refreshments, perfect for a quick break before continuing your exploration. The Snow Fun Park allows summer skiing, snowboarding, sledging, and the ‘Hole in One’ challenge, while the Sphinx viewing platform lets you experience the same awe-inspiring vistas as environmental scientists and meteorologists. Whether marvelling at glaciers, exploring ice tunnels, or enjoying alpine adventures, a trip to Jungfraujoch is a truly unforgettable experience. The journey from Grindelwald to the Jungfraujoch summit takes as little as 1 hour 15 minutes.

Once back in Grindelwald why not chill out for the rest of the day at your hotel spa? And if your hotel doesn’t have one, don’t worry - many local hotels welcome external guests for a rejuvenating experience. While you’re unwinding, plan your last evening: choose from the village’s many restaurants to suit any taste, or sip a glass of wine in a cosy, lively wine bar where there’s just enough hustle and bustle to feel the energy of the village. As you stroll back to your hotel under the crisp Alpine air, look up at the night sky. The stars shine so brilliantly here that you can’t help but wonder at how much you’ve experienced and accomplished on this trip - and feel grateful for every magical moment.

Time to say farewell Grindelwald. Before we head back to the airport take a morning stroll through the village and pick up some last minute souvenirs of your time in this magical part of the Bernese Oberland and enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafés and take in the scene around you one last time.