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The possibilities for exploring the wonderful world of mountains here are endless for both athletic and non-athletic types!
Grindelwald offers hiking against the world’s most beautiful backdrop! 300 km of marked walking, hiking and mountain paths for you to choose from. Numerous suggestions can be found on the 1:25,000 walking map of Grindelwald, on sale at Grindelwald Tourism.
Biking downhill is pure adventure. The start of two impressive downhill runs is near the First top station. Two runs are available to conquer the challenging terrain down to the Schreckfeld Station, with an altitude difference of 200 m. Once at Schreckfeld, you can board the gondola cableway to go back up to First and start again! Rental of top-class downhill bikes and gear is available at First.
Also attractive (for ambitious athletes as well as for leisure bikers) is the “Top Ten” (10 bike routes). Starting points are the tourist center and the Mountain Hostel, where you will receive a card at the starting point. This card contains 10 squares corresponding to the different runs. Before setting out for each new run, the corresponding field must be stamped. At the end of the run the card is again stamped to prove completion. Ask for the special brochure and map at the tourist center.
Grindelwald offers its guests a great deal of other outdoor activities, not only biking and hiking, but also trekking, climbing, mountaineering, tandem paragliding flights, tandem skydiving, bungy jumping, canyoning, river rafting and more. Ask at the tourist office or at your hostel.
The Mountain Hostel Active Team also offers a wide range of activities and excursions. Godi and Kurt are professional mountain guides and they integrate a wide range of activities and excursions into the Mountain Hostel program, all professionally led. For details call 033 854 38 38.
The wildly-romantic Glacier Gorge, with its mills, cuts and green marble slabs, is one of nature’s masterpieces. A specially-constructed wooden walkway leads from the hotel restaurant Gletscherschlucht over gushing waters and through galleries and tunnels over 1,000 m right into the gorge. On either side, the partly smooth walls rise overhead 100 meters. How to get there: 35 minutes walking distance from the village center or by bus from Grindelwald station. Open daily mid-May until mid-October.
The ascent to the Upper Glacier leads over a rather adventurous wooden staircase that winds its way up to the rock with over 890 steps. A 15 minute walk from the Hotel Wetterhorn takes one to the beginning of the climb. Admire the fantastic view at the foot of the glacier! Open daily from mid-May to mid-October.
From the upper Glacier it’s just about a 25 minute walk to the Alpine Bird Park. This small park with various alpine birds as well as an alpine garden and hut restaurant is set in idyllic surroundings 1,400 m above sea level at the foot of Wetterhorn between Grindelwald and the Grosse Scheidegg. Open daily, entrance free of charge (restaurant open Wed – Sun).
On a rainy day visit the sports center (Sportzentrum). There you’ll find an indoor pool, sauna complex, solarium, table tennis, badminton, fitness room, game room, Internet, the Sport Pub and the Tourist Office. The sports center is open daily (pool closed April 20th – May 29th).
Tip
Treat yourself to an exhilarating ride on the brand-new First Flyer - thrills and great time guaranteed! Originated in the USA (where it is known as a Zip Rider) Grindelwald-First has the only one of its kind in the whole of Europe (opening was on December 27th 2008)! With the First Flyer the dream of swishing through the air becomes reality. Whizz down 800 metres at speeds of up to 84 km/h and a maximum height of 45 metres above ground.
How to get to Grindelwald-First: The aerial gondola to First rises at the eastern edge of Grindelwald village (May 16th – Oct 25th ). Tickets cost one way CHF 32.-, return 53.-. “Swiss Passes” holders get a 50% discount
A flight with the First Flyer costs 25.-; but there are cheaper combi-tickets: up to First by cable-car, with the First Flyer down to Schreckfeld and from there back to Grindelwald costs CHF 75.-; or save money and book the “combi-special 09” for CHF 83.- (this includes one night’s accommodation incl. breakfast at the Downtown Lodge Grindelwald, the aerial gondola trip and a flight with the First Flyer.
For Jungfaujoch – Top of Europe - and more about the beautiful Bernese Oberland www.jungfrau.ch
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