A Hiker's Guide to Grindelwald, Switzerland: Alpine Trails & Cheese Lockers

The History of Grindelwald

Grindelwald’s story runs deeper than the postcard views you’ll get on the Jungfrau railway. Long before hikers and tourists arrived, this valley was a quiet farming community, famous for its alpine cheese and wooden chalets. The first adventurous travelers showed up in the 18th century, lured by the sheer drama of the glaciers. By the mid-19th century, English mountaineers were here too, determined to conquer the Eiger. Later, WWI navigational systems were abandoned, leaving networks of alpine ladders and suspended walkways that have become popular with thrill seeking climbers in the form of via ferrata routes.

Fast forward to now, and Grindelwald’s mountains are more accessible than ever. Furniculars, cog railways, and buses form a network of transportation that makes it easy to step off, lace up your boots, and head straight for the trail, most of which feature alpine terrains that don’t require climbing gear to tackle.

But what struck me when I visited most wasn’t just the scenery—it was the way local life is woven into that landscape. “You can walk through green meadows with cows, tackle rocky climbs if you’re sporty, or just relax by lakes, all with the iconic mountains in view,” said Matthias Michel, co-owner of Hotel Fiescherblick, a Scandinavian-inspired boutique hotel in town, whose family has lived here for more than a century. “Sometimes it’s hard to even grasp the scale of Mother Nature here”

Swiss Tradition... And Cheese Lockers

The rhythm of Swiss tradition is everywhere in this region. Farmers still practice alpine transhumance, the seasonal herding of cows up to high summer pastures of Bach, Holzmatten, and Bussalp around Grindelwald. They also make cheese the old way—milking their cows right there on the mountain, often infusing the milk with the scent of local herbs. Once processed into cheese, it's made available to local villagers and visitors alike through the wonderful concept of communal cheese lockers.

“Distributed throughout the village and even higher in summer, they’re stocked with cheese and local products like jams and marmalades produced right here in these valleys,” Christian Rubi of Grindelwald Tourism tells me. “You just leave cash in the box—it’s a tradition that still works here.”

And the cheese? It's every bit as tasty as it is fun to procure. Just be sure to have some Swiss franc on hand for these honor system deposit boxes.

Hiking under the watchful eye of the Eiger can take many forms. Grindelwald has three via ferrata routes for those experienced adventurers looking for a proper adrenaline rush. These routes include near vertical ladders, rope systems, suspension bridges, and plenty of rock scrambling. Those with experience and climbing equipment will see Grindelwald from a perspective few others can. That said, there are also much easier ways to hike and see sights in this beautiful Swiss village.

Below, I break down the best easy, difficult, and the truly difficult hikes in Grindelwald.

The Three Best Easy Hikes of Grindelwald

Not every adventure in Grindelwald requires ropes and crampons. For Rubi, the magic of Grindelwald lies in its variety: “In just one valley you can have meadows, glaciers, lakes, and steep alpine terrain,” he said. “There’s something for everyone, whether you want a gentle walk or a real adventure.” Michel said something similar to me, noting that even after decades of walking the same paths, the valley still surprises him. “Every season changes the trails—the flowers, the colors, even the light. You can hike the same route in spring and autumn, and it feels like two different worlds.”

Romantikweg (Männlichen – Alpiglen)
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation gain: 68 ft

This is a gentle, 4.8 mile, two-hour, flower-filled trail leading downhill with the Eiger looming ahead. The seasonal colors are one reason Michel loves it: “In spring and early summer it’s colorful, and towards fall everything turns brownish red.”

Flower Trail: First – Bachalpsee – Waldspitz – Bort
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation gain: 518 ft

This classic hike begins with a gondola ride to First, then an easy walk to the picture-perfect Bachalpsee. It is best to start early to beat the crowds. From the lake, most visitors turn back, but if you continuing onward you can get the reward of alpine marshes and a hearty lunch at Restaurant Waldspitz. Michel recommends ordering the Käseschnitte Bachsee, an open-faced bread smothered in cheese: “If you’re not used to eating a ton of cheese, maybe share one,” he suggests. The descent to Bort makes this a three-to-four-hour excursion also doable via mountain bike.

Panoramaweg Trail (Männlichen – Kleine Scheidegg)
Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation gain: 193 ft

This hour-long hike delivers uninterrupted views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It is a perfect introduction to Grindelwald’s triple alpine natural amphitheater. To get to the start, take the cable car from Mannlichen or the gondola from Grindelwald.

The Two Best Moderately Difficult Hikes of Grindlewald

If you want a bit more terrain without committing to true alpine exposure, rest assured that Grindelwald has plenty of trails that feel adventurous yet accessible.

Eiger Glacier via Eiger Trail (Eigergletscher – Alpiglen)
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 308 ft (2,565 ft of descending)

This two-hour descent (or three-hour climb if you reverse it) runs directly beneath the Eiger’s forbidding north face. The trail starts in Alpiglen, a place that can be reached by train. “It’s one of the trails where you really feel the scale of the mountains,” says Rubi. “You’re just tiny beneath the wall.”

First – Schilt – Oberläger – Grosse Scheidegg Trail
Distance: 8.5 miles
Elevation gain: 2,480 ft

The First can be reached by cable car and from there a two+ hour route through alpine meadows where marmots are common. It’s a quieter alternative to Bachalpsee, rewarding patient hikers with wildlife encounters. And you can return to Grindelwald by bus.

The Two Best Truly Hard Hikes of Grindelwald

Grindelwald also has its share of quad-burners. These routes require good fitness, sure footing, and sometimes a head for heights, but the payoff is immense.

Gleckstein Hut
Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation gain: 2,837 ft

From Oberer Lauchbühl, it takes nearly three hours of steady uphill to reach a hut perched beneath the Wetterhorn, the house mountain of Grindelwald. Parts of the trail are exposed but secured with ropes; you’ll even pass under a waterfall. History buffs will appreciate the remains of the Wetterhornbahn, Switzerland's first aerial cable car built in 1908, while you may also be able to spot an ibex. Michel recommends ordering a Rösti (a potato cake which is a local delicacy) at the hut before descending the same way. “It’s tough, but the views of the Schreckhorn and Upper Grindelwald Glacier are well worth it,” he adds.

First – Schynige Platte
Distance: 10.3 miles
Elevation gain: 2,696 ft

This 10.3 mile full-day trek links two iconic viewpoints. Starting at First, which can be reached via gondola, you’ll pass Bachalpsee and climb to Faulhorn to catch your breath at the historic Faulhorn mountain hotel. From there, the trail rolls downhill to Schynige Platte, with sweeping views across the Bernese Oberland. For the return, you can use trains that connect back to Grindelwald.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Grindelwald ranges from rustic to refined. No matter what you're looking for, there are excellent options.

Hotels with Views: 19-room boutique Hotel Fiescherblick, named for its outlook onto the Fiescher peaks, and the neighboring, family-run Hotel Gletschergarten offer old-world charm with views of the Wetterhorn.

Mountain Huts: The Gleckstein Hut and Berghaus Bäregg Hut provide simple dorms and hot meals in spectacular settings.

Hostels: Naturfreundehaus Grindelwald is a backpacker-friendly stay in the village and caters to hikers and climbers.

Farm Stays: For a truly local experience, farms like Bei der Arve welcome guests with rooms to let, homemade breakfasts and views straight from the barnyard. Instead of an alarm clock, you just might wake up to cowbells.

Pro Tips for Exploring Grindelwald

Alpine hiking requires respect for the elements, even in a country with abundant marked trails. Here, Rubi and Michel share tips on being safe while adventurous in these mountains.

Start Early: Especially for popular routes like Bachalpsee and Romantikweg.

Ask Locals: Farmers, guides, and the tourism office know current conditions best.

Stay Flexible: “Don’t plan your hikes two months in advance if you don’t know the area,” advises Michel. “The weather changes quickly, and good conditions are essential to tackle these Alps.”

Carry Cash: Especially for cheese lockers and restaurants in the mountain huts.

Know Your Limits: Some hikes involve ladders, ropes, and exposed sections and altitude sickness can impact your trip.

Protect Hidden Gems: “Sometimes the most beautiful spots are luckily not on social media yet—keep it that way,” Michel reminds.

In Grindelwald, hiking isn’t just about ticking off trails but about stepping into a landscape where tradition, history, and nature intertwine. Whether you’re biting into a slice of Rösti at a hut, discovering marmots in an alpine meadow, or quietly buying local cheese from a farm fridge, you are one with the rhythm that has endured for centuries.