Grindelwald First & Lauterbrunnen Day Trip from Zurich

Grindelwald: the Glacier Village beneath the Eiger

Grindelwald sits at about 1,000 metres in a wide green valley framed by the north face of the Eiger, the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. Chalets are scattered over the meadows, and the village is one of the most popular bases in the Jungfrau region, with gondolas climbing in several directions and trains linking it to Interlaken.

A Grindelwald day trip from Zurich is the easiest way to see the village if your hotel is in the city: the drive takes about two and a half hours each way, and our guide shares stories about Swiss history and the mountains along the route. If you prefer to travel independently another day, trains from Zurich take about two and a half hours with a change in Interlaken. Halal food is limited in Grindelwald, so many guests bring a packed lunch.

Gondola to Grindelwald First

From the village, a gondola climbs in stages past the Bort and Schreckfeld stations to First at about 2,170 metres. The ride takes around twenty-five minutes and is a highlight in itself: meadows with grazing cows give way to rocky slopes, while the Eiger and the Wetterhorn seem to grow taller across the valley.

At the top station there is a terrace and a restaurant with sweeping views over the valley and the glaciers. Many visitors ask whether Grindelwald First is worth it compared with higher summits; it offers a superb panorama, easy access and plenty of activities, making it ideal for families and groups with different energy levels. The cable car tickets are included in this tour.

First Cliff Walk and the Viewing Platform

The First Cliff Walk is a steel walkway fixed to the rock face just below the top station. It curves around the cliff, crosses a suspension bridge and leads to a viewing platform that juts out over the drop, with the valley floor far below your feet and the Eiger straight ahead.

The path is secure, with railings all the way, and takes about twenty to thirty minutes to complete at a relaxed pace. Even if you are a little nervous of heights, the views of the Schreckhorn and the glaciers are worth every step. Come early in the day for clearer skies, as clouds often build up in the afternoon in summer; mountain views always depend on the weather.

Optional Fun at First: Zipline, Carts and Scooters

After the Cliff Walk you have free time at First. Adventurous guests can try the First Flyer, a zipline that glides down the mountainside towards Schreckfeld, or ride a mountain cart, a low three-wheeled cart, on a gravel road from Schreckfeld to Bort. From Bort, a Trottibike scooter takes you all the way back down to Grindelwald village. These activities are not included and are paid on the spot.

Walkers can head along the panoramic path towards Bachalpsee, a mountain lake that mirrors the peaks, if the free time allows; it is about an hour each way. Others prefer to relax on the terrace with a hot chocolate. Our guide will remind you of the meeting time, so you can plan the free time with confidence.

Lauterbrunnen Valley and Staubbach Falls

In the afternoon the coach continues to the Lauterbrunnen valley, a deep U-shaped valley carved by glaciers, with limestone cliffs several hundred metres high on both sides. Waterfalls pour over the edges all along the valley, and the village of Lauterbrunnen is the perfect place to admire them.

The most famous is Staubbach Falls, which plunges almost three hundred metres from the cliff beside the village church, turning to mist before it reaches the ground. During the stop you can walk to its foot, take photographs of the classic view of the village with the falls behind, and enjoy the green meadows of the valley floor. Then the coach heads back to Zurich, arriving in the evening.