Grindelwald
 

I will be traveling to Grindelwald in mid October. Unfortunately I will only have one and a half days there. What are the top things/hikes I should try to do during my short stay? How cold will it be?

IF, and it is a big IF, the First Gondola is still running, take it to the end station. First = ridge in German.

The mountain hotels start closing down about October 10, so whether or not the gondola will be operating I am not sure.
I know it runs in ski season.

The ride up gives some impressive views of the Eiger, and the view from the restaurant at the top is really something.

If the gondola is not running, perhaps the one from Grindelwald Grund to the top of the Männlichen is still functioning. It, too, leads to some great views.

If you have the money, a ride up to Kleine Scheidegg is also appealing.
Whether or not you go onto the Jungfraujoch depends on budget and weather.

In fact, if it is cloudy, you might as well stay down in the city and look at the shops.

It can be cold on those ridge tops.
But the gondola is enclosed and the station at the top is enclosed as in the walkway to the restaurant.

As usual, Bob Brown is right on with his suggestions for the area.
But the one thing I'd add is that assuming you can take the lift up to Mannlichen, I'd then do the walk to Kleine Scheidegg from there. It is not only a very pretty and scenic walk, but a surprisingly easy one as it is primarily pretty level.

You get a big "do it" on that walk to Kleine Scheidegg from the Männlichen.

It is gradual, and you get an eyefull of the north face of the Eiger.
Quite a view.

If the Indian Tipee is still at KS, I think you will find it amusing, particularly if you are a Michigan Wolverine.

The tipee was constructed from strips of white and green plastic.

I don't know if it is still there or not.

You get a big "do it" on that walk to Kleine Scheidegg from the Männlichen. "

We'll be there next month. After walking to Kleine Scheidegg from Mannlichen, what's the best way to return to Grindelwald? Thanks, I can hardly wait to go.
((H))

From Kleine Scheidegg you can certainly take the train down to Grindelwald. Otherwise and if you have the energy, you can simply walk down. The path is well marked. We did so, but unfortunately it poured rain on the last half. We arrived back at our hotel soaked, but still enjoyed the walk. I've done the walk between Mannlichen and Kleine Scheidegg several times and it always thrills.

Thanks Patrick. Since I always have to "sell" my wife on these hikes, could you give a rough estimation of time for the two hikes. We're in good shape and walk at a good pace (although with views, I'm sure we'll be stopping for vista oohs and aahs).

Thanks again for the feedback, and the mai tais are in the mail.
((H))

From the
First gondola station to the Faulhorn hotel on the summit, I would say 4 hours up, much less coming back. An extremely strong walker could do it in 3 probably.

The Pfingstegg to Stieregg is perhaps an hour. A litte gain in elevation, but not bad at all.

If somebody has to be sold on the Faulhorn hike, they need to go elsewhere! That hike is a classic.

"If somebody has to be sold on the Faulhorn hike, they need to go elsewhere! That hike is a classic."

Fortunately, my wife is an easy sell. She has her hiking boots packed already. Thanks for the info. We can hardly wait.
((H))

The trail to the Faulhorn is above tree line the whole way. There is no shelter availavle except for one little hut that is somewhat dilapidated.

There are limited sanitary facilites as well.

As you approach the top, look to the right. There are places where you can walk over to the edge and get great views of the Thuner See and the Brienzer See on either side of Interlaken.

Bob, sometime back I think you answered a question for me about how to do that Fulhorn hike downward (I'm not big on climbs). We never did manage to do it, but I still want to the next time in Grindelwald. As I recall it involved going up from the other side via train, less of a climb to the summit, following the ridge, and then hiking down to the First station. Or am I making that up???

The ridge that separates Grindelwald from the Brienzer See and Interlaken can be reached by a mountain train. The train leaves from Wilderswill which is about 1 k south of Interlaken Ost.
The entire route over to the Faulhorn and to First follows this ridge.

The rail stop for the train from Wilderwil is is known as Schynige Platted. You can get good views from up there too.

The train down from the Faulhorn can get a little steep in places. But the trail is generally without difficult stretches. There are no sections of trail where you scramble over rocks, use steps, or go up with a cable.

People who are in condition make short work of it. I cannot do it so fast anymore. Age caught me.

The total length of the trail from Schynige Platte to First is about 15K
The BOB sells a round trip ticket for hikers who want to go up to First and come down to Wilderswill.

Check the time of the last valley departure at both ends . In September the time of the last gondola coming down is about 6 pm.

But I am not sure about that time or when the shortened schedule begins.

If you hike it, take water because there are no approved sources that I know of. The creeks may look clear, but those hillsides are also pastures.

OOOPS Two wrong names need correction.
Schynige Platte
Wilderswil
(It has just one l.)

Dear Snorky- By all means take the train from Grindelwald to Grindelwald Grund- a short 5 minute ride. You'll need to walk 10 minutes to the Mannlichen cable station and then a 30 min. ride to Mannlichen which in my mind offers the best views of the glaciers from anywhere. I'd go early in the morning for the best views. The walk down to Kleine Scheidegg is a gentle 1000 foot drop with gorgeous views. There are no toilets along the way so be sure to use the facilities before you start down. It took us about 2 hrs with several stops along the way for photos. Enjoy the scenery, smell the flowers, have a picnic lunch. Or, you can get a bite to eat at the train station in Kleine Scheidegg. There are trains you can take back to Grindelwald although I didn't hike back.

I hear the hike to the Faulhorn is spectacular but be forewarned that your knees might hurt for a couple of days afterwards from hiking back downhill.

There is a self service laundromat in town if you need to do your laundry and a Migros and COOP store for groceries. Have fun.