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Grindelwald First is the adventure playground of the Jungfrau region, a sunlit plateau at 2,168 metres reached by gondola straight from Grindelwald village. Billed as the Top of Adventure, it pairs heart-pounding attractions, the cliff-hugging First Cliff Walk, the First Flyer zip-line, the First Glider and downhill mountain carts, with some of the most beautiful and accessible hiking in the Bernese Oberland, including the famous trail to the mirror-like Bachalpsee. With the Eiger, Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn filling the skyline, it is a place that thrills and soothes in equal measure.
This guide explains how to get to Grindelwald First, the activities and walks waiting at the top, the best time to visit, and the practical details that help you make the most of a day on the mountain.
Why visit Grindelwald First?
Grindelwald First earns its Top of Adventure nickname by offering more ways to play on a mountain than almost anywhere else in Switzerland. In a single visit you can edge along a walkway suspended over a sheer drop, fly down a steel cable at speed, soar like a bird head-first, and then race back towards the valley on a mountain cart.
Yet it is equally a haven for walkers, with gentle, well-marked trails leading to alpine lakes and grandstand views of the Eiger's north face.
That blend of adrenaline and serenity, all set against one of the most iconic mountain backdrops in the Alps, is what makes First so popular with families, couples and adventurers alike. It is also one of the easiest high viewpoints to reach in the region, rising directly from the centre of Grindelwald.
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How to get to Grindelwald First
Getting to First could hardly be simpler. A gondola lift departs from the heart of Grindelwald village and carries you up to the First station in around twenty-five minutes, with the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn unfolding beside you as you climb.
The gondola makes intermediate stops at Bort and Schreckfeld, which are the launch and landing points for several of the adventure activities, so you can break the journey to ride them.
Grindelwald itself is easy to reach by train from Interlaken, making First a straightforward day trip for anyone based in Interlaken or the wider Jungfrau region, as well as for those staying in Grindelwald.
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The First Cliff Walk by Tissot
The most photographed attraction at First is the First Cliff Walk by Tissot, a walkway bolted to the mountainside that leads out to a viewing platform projecting some 45 metres over the cliff edge.
Walking the railed path along the rock face, then standing on the cantilevered point with the valley falling away beneath you, is a genuine thrill and an unbeatable spot for photographs of the surrounding peaks. It is free to access with your First ticket and open whenever the gondola is running.
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Adventure activities at First
First has built its reputation on a quartet of signature rides that send visitors flying, gliding and rolling down the mountain. Each can be added to your ticket, and together they make for an exhilarating day.
First Flyer and First Glider
The First Flyer is an 800-metre zip-line on which you are strapped into a seat and sent whizzing from First down to Schreckfeld at speeds of up to 84 kilometres an hour, the mountains rushing past below. Its counterpart, the First Glider, straps up to four people beneath a model bird and pulls them up to First before releasing them to fly head-first back down, an unforgettable rush for the brave.
Mountain Cart and Trottibike
For a more hands-on descent, the Mountain Cart is a low three-wheeled go-kart you steer down the road from Schreckfeld to Bort, while the Trottibike is a chunky scooter for the next stretch down to Grindelwald. Both are enormous fun and let you control your own speed as you wind through alpine scenery.
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The Bachalpsee hike
For all its adventure, First is also the gateway to one of Switzerland's most beloved walks. A well-maintained trail leads from the First station to the Bachalpsee in under an hour, a serene mountain lake often called the blue jewel of the Alps.
On a still day, its surface mirrors the surrounding peaks perfectly, and it is an easy, rewarding hike suitable for most levels of fitness. Keen walkers can continue further into the high country beyond.
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Grindelwald First at a glance
The key facts are easy to remember: the altitude, the quick gondola ride, the cliff-edge walkway and the dreamy lake hike. The summary below pulls them together at a glance.
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Best time to visit Grindelwald First
First is a year-round destination, but it shows two very different faces. From late spring to autumn, the adventure activities are in full swing, the hiking trails to Bachalpsee and beyond are open, and the meadows are green and flower-strewn; this is the most popular and versatile time to visit.
In winter, First becomes a snow-sports area with skiing, sledging and snowshoe trails, and the Cliff Walk takes on a stark, frosted beauty. The adventure rides, such as the Flyer and Glider, are mainly summer attractions, so plan around them if they are your priority, and always favour a clear day for the views.
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Practical tips for your journey
The Bernina Express is wonderfully easy to enjoy, but a few essentials are worth knowing before you go, particularly because it is a reserved panoramic service that crosses an international border.
- ⢠A seat reservation is compulsory on the Bernina Express, in addition to your ticket or rail pass; book ahead, as seats sell out in peak season.
- ⢠Carry your passport or ID, since the route crosses the Swiss-Italian border into Tirano.
- ⢠Sit back from the glass for photos to reduce reflections, or step to the open platforms where available.
- ⢠Bring layers, as you travel from warm valleys to a high, cold pass within hours.
- ⢠Consider pairing the train one way with the Bernina Express bus to Lugano for a varied round trip.
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What to wear and practical tips
Even in midsummer, the temperature at the top is usually around or below freezing, and the thin air at 3,454 metres can leave you short of breath if you move quickly. A little preparation makes the day far more enjoyable.
- ⢠Dress in warm layers with a windproof jacket, and bring gloves and a hat even in summer.
- ⢠Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes; outdoor areas can be snowy and icy year-round.
- ⢠Bring sunglasses and sun cream, as glare off the snow at altitude is intense.
- ⢠Take it slowly when you arrive to let your body adjust to the altitude, and stay hydrated.
- ⢠Carry your passport, and check the summit weather and webcams before you set off.
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Tickets and the Swiss Travel Pass
As a scheduled train on the Swiss network, the Bernina Express route is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, so pass holders travel the Swiss portion without a separate fare. The compulsory seat reservation for the panoramic service is an extra charge on top of any pass or ticket. Booking your reservation early through an authorised seller is strongly recommended, especially in summer and around the winter holidays, to guarantee a panoramic seat on the day you want to travel.
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How long is the journey, and is it tiring?
The full Bernina Express run between St. Moritz and Tirano takes roughly four hours, while the longer service from Chur adds a couple more. Far from being tiring, it is one of the most restful ways imaginable to cross the Alps: you settle into a comfortable reserved seat, the panoramic windows do the work, and the onboard commentary points out the highlights so you never feel you are missing anything. Many travellers ride it as a relaxed day trip and return by a different route, while those short on time can experience just the most scenic central section over the Bernina Pass. Either way, it is a journey to be enjoyed slowly rather than rushed.
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Combining the Bernina Express with St. Moritz and Lugano
The Bernina Express rewards a little extra time on either end. The glamorous resort of St. Moritz makes a stylish starting point, with its lakes and mountain trails, while at the southern end, the Italian town of Tirano invites a wander through its streets and a stop at its famous pilgrimage church. From Tirano, the connecting Bernina Express bus carries you on through Italy to Lugano, the palm-fringed jewel of Italian-speaking Switzerland, turning the trip into a grand south-to-north loop. Some travellers also pair the Bernina Express with the Glacier Express for an unforgettable double bill of the world's most scenic railways.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does the Bernina Express go?
The Bernina Express runs between Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway over the 2,253-metre Bernina Pass. A connecting bus can extend the trip to Lugano.
Do you need a reservation for the Bernina Express?
Yes. A seat reservation is compulsory on the Bernina Express panoramic train, in addition to your ticket or rail pass, and it is wise to book ahead as seats fill quickly in peak periods.
Is the Bernina Express covered by the Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the journey on the Swiss network, but the mandatory panoramic seat reservation is charged separately. The Italian section beyond the border may require a supplement.
Is the Bernina Express worth it?
Absolutely. It is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, taking you from glaciers and high passes to palm-lined Italy through tunnels, viaducts and a famous spiral loop, all from a comfortable panoramic carriage.
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Final thoughts
The Bernina Express is far more than a way to get from Switzerland to Italy; it is a journey to be savoured for its own sake. Watch the glaciers slide past the panoramic glass, hold your breath on the Brusio loop, and feel the air warm as the larches give way to palms. Reserve your seat early, carry your passport, pick a season that suits your mood, and let one of the world's greatest railways carry you through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape that you will remember for a lifetime.
