Grindelwald: From Breakfast with a View to Mountain Adventures

Imagine waking up, sitting down for breakfast and looking straight at snow-capped Alps.

No, this wasn't a fancy mountain restaurant or a specially arranged viewpoint. This was simply the view from our hotel. And that was how our day in Grindelwald began.

After arriving the evening before in the rain, we finally got to see what we had been missing. It was September, but there was still snow on the mountains, contrasting beautifully with the green meadows and traditional Swiss chalets below.

Honestly, it was hard to concentrate on breakfast.

We could have spent the whole morning just staring out the window, but with Grindelwald First, an alpine lake and a glacier canyon on our itinerary, there was plenty waiting for us outside.

Exploring Grindelwald

After breakfast, we took advantage of the free local bus and headed down into Grindelwald town.

This was one of the little perks of staying in Grindelwald. With the guest card from our accommodation, we could use the local bus without having to worry about paying for each short journey.

Grindelwald itself is charming and compact, with traditional chalets, hotels, restaurants and shops surrounded by an incredible mountain backdrop.

And no matter where you look, there's usually a mountain in the background. It is very difficult to take a bad photo here (unless you really sucks at taking photo like me 😂).

After our quick look around town, we walked over to the Grindelwald First gondola station. Time to head up into the mountains!

Up to Grindelwald First

We bought round-trip gondola tickets to Grindelwald First and headed up into the mountains.

The gondola ride is an experience in itself. As we climbed higher, Grindelwald became smaller below us while the surrounding peaks seemed to get bigger and more dramatic. We could even spot cows and sheeps grazing in the meadows below.

At one point, I kept hearing this soft, rhythmic clinking sound. I honestly had no idea where it was coming from. For some reason, I thought it was coming from a church somewhere nearby, or maybe even some kind of chanting. 😆

It wasn't until we were heading back down that I finally figured it out. The sound was coming from the bells around the cows' necks! So yes, even the cows had their own soundtrack in Grindelwald.

At the top, there's a whole range of things you can do, from easy walks to longer hikes and adrenaline-filled activities.

Our first stop was the famous First Cliff Walk.

First Cliff Walk by Tissot

The First Cliff Walk is a metal walkway built along the mountainside, with sections that cling to the cliff before leading to a suspended viewing platform.

It looks more dramatic than it actually feels, but once you're standing on the platform with the Alps stretching out in front of you, it's hard not to stop and admire the view.

And yes, this is definitely one of those places where you'll want to take photos.

We queued for our turn at the suspended platform, hoping to capture that classic photo with the majestic Eiger rising in the background. While waiting, I noticed thick clouds starting to build up around the mountains. At one point, we could even see a rainbow appearing below us, sitting on top of the clouds.

It looked pretty amazing...

But then, our luck ran out.

that alp should have been the background, like the below photo

There were only two or three small groups ahead of us when the clouds completely covered the mountain peak we had been waiting to photograph.

We waited for a little while, hoping the clouds would move away, but they weren't going anywhere. So, rather than spend more time waiting, we decided to just take our slightly unlucky photos and move on.

Lesson learned: mountain weather waits for no one.

A Little Timing Tip

If you want the clearest views from the First Cliff Walk, try to go earlier in the day. Clouds can roll in surprisingly quickly at this altitude and completely change the scenery within minutes.

And there's another interesting spot nearby for K-drama fans. The Bort area, just below First, was featured in Crash Landing on You and has become another popular stop for fans of the series. Even if you're not a K-drama fan, the surrounding Alpine scenery is beautiful and worth taking a look at.

Hiking to Bachalpsee

From Grindelwald First, we continued on foot towards Bachalpsee, one of the most famous alpine lakes in the area.

The hike takes around 1.5 hours round trip, depending on your pace and how often you stop. And you'll probably stop.

The trail takes you through beautiful Alpine scenery, with green meadows, mountain peaks, town's view from the top, and rocky paths along the way.

The lake wasn't the brilliant turquoise colour you may have seen in photographs when we visited, partly because of the cloudy weather. There was also still some snow along the trail and around the lake, which made the scenery even more interesting. But the hike itself was still worth doing.

Sometimes the journey really is just as enjoyable as the destination.

Did You Know?

Bachalpsee actually consists of two connected bodies of water separated by a natural dam. When the weather is clear and the water is calm, the surrounding mountains can be reflected beautifully in the lake.

Reminder:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring water
• Wear a light jacket or extra layer (of course except in winter)
• Pack snacks, especially if you plan to take your time

And don't forget that mountain weather can be very different from what you experience down in Grindelwald.

Coming Down: Gondola or Adventure?

After spending time at First, we took the gondola back down.

But if you're looking for a little more excitement, you can also make the descent part of the adventure. Depending on the season and availability, options include ziplining, mountain carts and Trottibikes.

We kept things simple and took the gondola, but watching others whizz down the mountain made it tempting to try one of them!

A Different Side of Grindelwald: Glacier Canyon

After coming back down from First, we stopped for lunch before heading to Grindelwald Glacier Canyon, or Gletscherschlucht.

This was a completely different experience from the wide-open mountain scenery we'd just enjoyed. Instead of panoramic views, you're surrounded by towering rock walls with glacial water rushing through the gorge below.

The walkways take you through the narrow canyon, with several viewing areas along the way. And then there's the Spiderweb.

The Spiderweb

Suspended about seven metres above the river is a large mesh net that you can actually walk onto. It's one of those attractions that looks completely harmless in photos.... Then you step onto it and look down.

Let's just say it gives you a very different perspective of the canyon.

If you're afraid of heights, you might want to think twice. For everyone else, it's a fun little adrenaline rush.

Reminder:

Even if it's warm and sunny in Grindelwald, the canyon can feel surprisingly chilly.

Bring a light jacket and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, especially if the walkways are damp.

Ending the Day in Grindelwald

After a full day of mountains, hiking and a little bit of adrenaline, we slowed things down with a leisurely walk around Grindelwald.

This was when we really got to appreciate the town beyond its famous attractions.

Green meadows, little streams, traditional chalets and the sound of cowbells in the distance — it was exactly the kind of Swiss scenery we had come to see.

And the best part?

We could simply take the free bus back up to our hotel, sit down and enjoy that incredible Alpine view all over again. After a day like this, I don't think we could have asked for a better place to stay.

Grindelwald gave us exactly what we had hoped for from Switzerland: beautiful scenery, a little adventure and plenty of moments where we simply stopped and admired the view.

And there was still another side of the Bernese Oberland waiting for us.

A Quick Food Tip

Grindelwald isn't exactly known for being a budget-friendly destination, especially when it comes to food. But we managed to find a restaurant in town that was reasonably priced and, even better, came with a lovely view, it is called Bebbis.

So yes, you don't necessarily have to spend a fortune to enjoy a meal with an Alpine backdrop.

And before heading back to the hotel, we made a quick stop at Coop to pick up some food and snacks for later. Because when you're travelling around Switzerland, having a few things from the supermarket is always a good idea for keeping the food budget in check!

24 Sep ' 24