Grindelwald First: The Top of Adventure
Direct Proximity to the North Face
Grindelwald First operates as the sunny, south-facing counterpoint to the imposing shadows of the Eiger North Face. Situated at 2,168 meters on the slopes of the Schwarzhorn, the viewpoint provides a broad, unshadowed panorama of the Bernese Alps. The visual array includes the Wetterhorn, the Schreckhorn (the northernmost 4,000-meter peak in Europe), and the Eiger itself. Because First is located on the opposite side of the Grindelwald valley from these peaks, the perspective is wide and expansive, allowing observers to comprehend the sheer vertical scale of the glacier-carved rock faces opposite them.
The topography at First is characterized by rolling alpine meadows that drop steeply into the valley, creating a distinct mid-ground that contrasts sharply with the jagged rock and permanent ice of the high peaks in the background.
The First Cliff Walk by Tissot
The most prominent architectural feature at the summit is the First Cliff Walk. This metal walkway is bolted directly into the sheer rock face of the mountain. It consists of a narrow suspension bridge, a cliff-side path, and a 45-meter-long observation walkway that extends out into the void, culminating in a glass-bottomed viewing area.
Walking the structure induces a pronounced sense of exposure. Below the metal grates, the terrain drops away vertically, offering views down to the alpine pastures and the town of Grindelwald thousands of feet below. The engineering emphasizes minimal visual interference, ensuring that the heavy steel construction does not detract from the natural panorama.
The Hike to Bachalpsee
For many, the gondola ride to First is merely the transit phase for the hike to Bachalpsee. This alpine lake is located at 2,265 meters, requiring a relatively gentle uphill hike of roughly 50 minutes to one hour from the First cable car station. The trail is wide and well-groomed, making it highly accessible.
Bachalpsee is famous for its visual composition: a pristine alpine lake divided by a natural dam, with the sharp, glaciated peak of the Schreckhorn perfectly mirrored in the water's surface. In peak summer months (July and August), the surrounding meadows bloom with alpine flora, providing high-contrast color foregrounds for photography.
First Area Activities Overview
| Activity | Description | Location / Route |
|---|---|---|
| Cliff Walk | Suspended metal walkway | First Summit Station |
| Bachalpsee Hike | Groomed mountain trail | First to Bachalpsee (1 hr one way) |
| First Flyer | Zip line reaching 84 km/h | First to Schreckfeld |
| Mountain Carts | Three-wheeled downhill carts | Schreckfeld to Bort |
| Trottibike Scooters | Stand-up downhill scooters | Bort to Grindelwald |
Logistics and Transport
Access to First is via a continuous multi-stage gondola system starting in the village of Grindelwald. The system passes through two intermediate stations—Bort and Schreckfeld—before terminating at First. The total journey time is approximately 25 minutes. Due to the modular nature of the transport, visitors frequently structure their descent by combining hiking with the various adventure transport options (First Flyer, Mountain Carts, and Trottibikes) at different altitudes.
Crowd management is a factor at Grindelwald First, particularly in July and August. The viewpoint and the trail to Bachalpsee experience high throughput. Arriving early in the morning via the first gondola ascents guarantees clearer skies and significantly fewer bottlenecks on the Cliff Walk.