It's not a movie set, but it probably should be. Its verdant pastures are sprinkled with chalets, and its serene backdrop — the snaggle-toothed Bernese Alps — is perpetually dusted with snow.
Nestled in a pristine alpine landscape about 3,400 feet above sea level, this village feels trapped in a snow globe, even on summer days. The quaint main street quietly snakes through town, luring in pedestrians with whiffs of dark chocolate and fondue.
With its Hollywood-worthy backdrop, why isn't Grindelwald, Switzerland's picturesque mountain refuge a household name in the North American market yet?
How to Travel to Grindelwald by Flight or Train
Perhaps Grindelwald sounds like it's farther away than it is. Heck, the name itself connotes some faraway fairytale imagined by the Brothers Grimm.
But thanks to Swiss ingenuity, escaping to this mountain town is more straightforward than one may surmise. Swiss Airlines has direct flights from North America to two of the country's metropolises, Geneva and Zurich. With Switzerland's immaculate train system connecting Zurich to Grindelwald via Bern in just three hours, the traveler's practicalities are sorted.
And, similar to all journeys onboard Swiss rails, snagging a window seat is itself an experience — the train winds through ice-blue glacial streams and pastures filled with lazing cows before pulling up to Grindelwald's central station, within walking distance of most hotels. In fact, the whole village is highly accessible for those on two feet, though the public transport system is timely and uncomplicated to navigate.
"The railway system around Grindelwald is outstanding,” said Jana Amacher of Jungfrau Region Tourism. “Wherever you want to go, you can hop on a train, gondola or bus. In summer, you can buy a Jungfrau Travel Pass and enjoy all this in one ticket. In winter, all the trains are included in your ski pass because the trains are part of our ski region."
Things to Do in Grindelwald: Skiing, Hiking, Ziplining, Jungfraujoch and More
Grindelwald radiates beauty in all seasons, making it a year-round mecca for adventurers. The region is revered for skiing (fun fact: skiing in Switzerland tends to be more affordable than in the United States), and legends routinely pay visits to Grindelwald, shredding powder on the world-famous Lauberhorn World Cup downhill run, into the town of Wengen.
Snow sports are a winter highlight in Grindelwald.
Credit: 2021 Jungfrau Region TourismAccording to Jungrau Region Tourism’s Amacher, it's not just adrenaline aficionados who thrive here.
"Besides skiing, you can also do a lot of non-skiing activities, like sledding," she said. "A fantastic run is the Eiger run, especially in the evening when it is illuminated."
Amacher believes that the shoulder seasons, fall and spring, may be the most enchanting times to hike around Grindelwald.
"One of my favorites is the Eiger Trail. You take the new Eiger Express, which brings you in 15 minutes to Eigergletscher, the starting point of this hike," she said. "The trail leads directly along the foot of the world-famous Eiger north face down to Alpiglen, where the train will bring you back to Grindelwald."
And, as the snow thaws, spring is the prime season to visit Jungfraujoch, charmingly nicknamed "the Top of Europe," with a railway station at more than 11,000 feet above sea level. The newly built Eiger Express, the world's most modern tricable gondola, transports guests from Grindelwald Terminal to Jungfraujoch.
Once at the top, intrepid explorers can venture into the powdery abyss; for a softer adventure, travelers can admire the panoramic landscape from the Sphinx Observatory, a glass of bubbly in hand.
Summer is just as ideal for activities as winter in the mountains, especially at Grindelwald's First Mountain. Gondolas whisk families 7,102 feet up the mountain from a starting point in Grindelwald’s town center. Once at the top, thrill-seekers can navigate the Cliff Walk, a harrowing path cusping the mountain, with a terrace rising 148 feet into the void. The gentle hike to Lake Bachalp rewards adventurers with breathtaking views of the mountains mirrored in the pristine water.
Warm-weather activity options include alpine ziplining.
Credit: 2021 Jungfrau Region TourismDescending the mountain presents a whole new menu of adventures: Guests can choose between the First Flyer, an alpine zipline reaching speeds up to 52 miles per hour; the First Glider, a four-person zipline that soars like an eagle over the landscape; mountain go-carts; or even Trottibikes, an upright scooter-bike.
Who Should Go to Grindelwald?
Grindelwald is a family-friendly destination, with themed hiking trails and unique playgrounds, such as the Sennenspielplatz on Mannlichen, tucked snugly in the mountains.
However, adults yearning for some quiet time can also find refuge in the Grindelwald region. In fact, at the foot of Jungfrau lies Wengen, a blissful escape from reality, ideal for a parents’ or couples’ retreat. This idyllic mountain getaway, imbued with tradition, is only accessible by train or gondola. That's right — the village is virtually car-free, creating a romantic ambiance.
Grindelwald Hotels
For such a quaint town, unique hotels are not in short supply. The Wengen Classic Hotels brand boasts three properties: the four-star hotel Wengener Hof, the four-star Hotel Silberhorn and the three-star Hotel Belvedere. Each property is decorated to resemble a winter retreat, boasting exceptional views of the valley below and — of course — steps away from premiere hiking and skiing trails.
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