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Good to know about Snowshoeing Grindelwald

Travel Guide

Snowshoeing Grindelwald - The best snowshoe tours
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald Scheidegg
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald Scheidegg (Foto: Jungfraubahnen AG)
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald (Foto: MySwitzerland)
Wetterhorn Trail 2 - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

The snowshoe tour Wetterhorn Trail 2 is also a beginner's tour. It starts at the summer bus stop Sibet Schirli and ends at Seegaden. It is officially signposted.

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Length: 1.8 km
  • Duration: 50 min
  • Altitude difference: 89
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.636377 N / 8.07537 E

You start the tour at 1.302 m.a.s.l.. In winter, the bus only goes as far as the Oberer Gletscher stop at the Hotel Wetterhorn. From the train station Grindelwald you reach the bus stop with the bus 121 in about 15 min. By foot you need one hour from Grindelwald to the starting point. From here you need another 17 min by foot (900 m) to the bus stop Sibet Schirli

Walk across snow-covered fields with your snowshoes to Schwendibiel and then keep to the right (east) until you reach the road at Unterer Lauchbühl. Here you turn right again (south) and cross the Briggbach to reach the Ischbodenhütte in an easterly direction

The post bus stop of the bird park is right next to the hut. The hut is open from Friday to Sunday, weather permitting. In a bend to the west, you skirt a small forest to reach the Seeboden via the Ischboden. The trail now leads south to the Hotel Wetterhorn

Here you can also stop for a bite to eat if you like. In the evening there is cheese fondue. Otherwise you come here to the bus or to your parked car

Practical information:

  • You can park your car in the public parking lot Oberer Gletscher opposite the Hotel Wetterhorn.
  • Attention: You will cross the valley descent Stepfi twice on your snowshoe hike
Mühlebach Trail - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

The snowshoe tour Mühlebach Trail starts at the church of Grindelwald and ends at the Hotel Wetterhorn. It is an easy tour for beginners where you enjoy a view of the Schwarzhorn, the Gemsber, the Grosse Scheidegg and the Wetterhorn.

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Length: 2.8 km
  • Duration: 1:10 h
  • Altitude difference: 170 (↑ hm)
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.625167 N / 8.046179 E

The Reformed Church Grindelwald is the starting point of your snowshoe tour. From the train station you can reach it in five minutes by bus line 123 or in 15 minutes on foot. The church is located at about 1055 m.a.s.l.. Over gentle hills and through narrow ditches your path winds up to the upper glacier. The path is not demanding and you don't need any special fitness for it This tour scores above all with beautiful views of an impressive nature. On your way you can let your gaze wander from the Schwarzhorn over the Gemsberg, to the Grosse Scheidegg and of course to the Wetterhorn. At the Hotel Wetterhorn you have the possibility to stop for a bite to eat. From here you can take the bus line 121 down to Grindelwald train station in 15 minutes. The bus stop is right next to the Hotel Wetterhorn.

Practical information:

  • You can park your car before the tour at the parking lot at the train station Grindelwald.
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald (Foto: Jungfrauregion)
Schneeschuhwandern Schweiz  Schneeschuh Tour
(Foto: Outdoor Interlaken)
Wetterhorn Trail 3 - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

The snowshoe tour Wetterhorn Trail 3 starts and ends like Trail 1 at the Hotel Wetterhorn. It is an easy, blue marked tour.

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Length: 1.7 km
  • Duration: 1 h
  • Altitude difference: 110
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.632161 N / 8.071091 E

You start this tour at the bus stop Oberer Gletscher at about 1230 m.a.s.l. Opposite the Hotel Wetterhorn there is a bus stop and a public parking lot, which you can use. You can reach your starting point from Grindelwald train station by bus 121 in about 15 min. On foot you need one hour from Grindelwald to the starting point.

You start your snowshoe tour with the ascent over the pass road for several hundred meters to the first hairpin bend. Here you turn straight into the forest and walk through snow-covered pastures to the Briggbach. Before crossing the stream, the blue trail branches off to the left and leads you back to your starting point via the Weidli area.

Practical information:

  • You can park your car in the public parking lot Oberer Gletscher opposite the Hotel Wetterhorn.
  • Attention: You will cross the valley descent Stepfi twice on your snowshoe hike.
Panorama Trail - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

The snowshoe tour Panorama Trail starts at the bus stop Bussalp and ends at the mountain restaurant Bort. Despite the 249 meters of altitude difference during the ascent, it is a rather easy tour where you enjoy a view of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Finsteraarhorn, Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn.

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Length: 7.28 km
  • Duration: 3 h
  • Altitude gain: 249 (↑ hm) / 485 (↓ hm)
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.649524 N / 7.991256 E

You start your snowshoe tour at the bus stop Bussalp of line 126. The bus takes about 40 min from Grindelwald train station. In winter it starts its service around the Christmas vacations and runs until the end of March. Bussalp is situated at 1800 m above sea level.

From Bussalp you already have a uniquely beautiful view of the snow-covered Bernese Alps. At the beginning you walk about 300 m parallel to the road and the toboggan run. Afterwards you cross the Bussalpbach. Shortly after this point the trail goes to the right (east) and you climb via Paffenegg up to the Steessiboden.

Through the firs you can see the Wetterhorn and also the Schreckhorn. This snowshoe hike is already very relaxing because of the almost constantly breathtaking view of the mountains. Now follows the descent over snowy mats to the late Boden and to the restaurant Rasthysi at 1560 m.a.s.l..

From here, the snowshoe hike continues via Holewang to the Nodhalten area, where you meet the First-Waldspitz-Bort sledding trail. You can stop for a bite to eat at the Berghaus Bort.

To get back to Grindelwald, take the Firstbahn, which descends from Grindelwald-First via Bort. The station is right next to the Berghaus Bort.

Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald Wetterhorntrail
Wetterhorntrail (Foto: Jungfraubahnen AG)
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald Panoramatrail
Grindelwald Panoramatrail (Foto: Jungfraubahnen AG)
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald Eigertrail
Eigertrail (Foto: Grindelwald.swiss)
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald Mühlebachtrail
Mühlebachtrail (Foto: Jungfraubahnen AG)
Aspen Trail - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

The snowshoe tour Aspen Trail starts at the Hotel Aspen in Grindelwald and ends at the middle station Holenstein. The rather short but moderately difficult tour requires good physical condition and experience in the technique of snowshoeing. But you will be rewarded with a stunning view to the Schwarzhorn group, the Grosse Scheidegg and the Wetterhorn.

  • Difficulty: medium
  • Length: 1.32 km
  • Duration: 45 min
  • Altitude difference: 219 (↑ hm)
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.618913 N / 8.005941 E You start your snowshoe tour at the Hotel Aspen. From the train stations Grindelwald and Grindelwald Grund you can take the bus line 123 to the hotel. From Grindelwald station the bus takes about 18 minutes, from Grund station about 9 minutes. The Hotel Aspen is situated at 1109 m above sea level. From the hotel you climb uphill on your snowshoe tour over snow-covered mats in the direction of Moosgaden. Walk parallel to the ski slope towards the edge of the forest until you reach the forest road. Continue along this road until you reach the lower part of the Itramenwald. The trail splits at Vorsassi in two directions, one towards Brandegg and one towards Holenstein.

If you go in the direction of Holenstein, the trail leads you further along the forest road through the Itramenwald. After about 1.5 km you come to the clearing at Unterbrand. Away from the forest road, the trail continues to wind its way upwards over snow-covered mats. At the edge of the forest, the trail meets the forest road again and now continues over it almost level.

You now come to the Waldstafel area and further up to the Holenstein middle station of the Grindelwald Männlichen gondola.

Take the cable car back to Grindelwald. If you have parked your car at the Hotel Aspen, you can get back to the Hotel Aspen from the valley station of the gondola lift by bus line 123.

Practical information:

  • You can park your car at one of the parking spaces at the Hotel Aspen.
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald
(Foto: MySwitzerland)
Schneeschuhwandern Grindelwald
(Foto: Jungfraubahnen AG)
Wetterhorn Trail 4 - Snowshoeing Grindelwald:

The snowshoe tour Wetterhorn Trail 4 starts and ends like Trail 1 and 3 at the Hotel Wetterhorn. It is a moderately difficult tour with views of the Wetterhorn and the Eiger.

  • Difficulty: medium
  • Length: 3.3 km
  • Duration: 2 h
  • Altitude difference: 220
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.632161 N / 8.071091 E

You start your snowshoe tour at the stop Oberer Gletscher opposite the Hotel Wetterhorn. From Grindelwald train station you can reach the stop by bus 121 in about 15 min. By foot it takes you one hour from Grindelwald to the starting point.

You start your snowshoe hike at about 1230 m.a.s.l., first take the pass road and leave it as in Tour Wetterhorn 3 at the first hairpin bend. After crossing the Briggbach stream, you continue to climb and enter the Ischboden area. Your path continues to the highest point in "Underen Loichbüel". The terrain is moderately ascending and also features steeper or exposed passages. The way back leads you across thickly snow-covered pastures and you have the Wetterhorn and the Eiger in view. Passing the alpine huts Schürli and Weidli you get back to the Hotel Wetterhorn.

Practical information:

  • You can park your car in the public parking lot Oberer Gletscher opposite the Hotel Wetterhorn.
  • Attention: On your snowshoe hike you will cross the Stepfi valley descent twice.
Alpwäg Trail - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

The snowshoe tour Alpwäg Trail follows in parts the Wetterhorn Trail or the Mühlebach Trail, but is overall classified as a medium-difficulty tour. It starts at the Hotel Wetterhorn and ends in Grindelwald at the church. The trail is signposted and offers you a view of the Grindelwald-First ski area and the Reeti.

  • Difficulty: medium
  • Length: 5 km
  • Duration: 45 min
  • Altitude difference: 200 (↑ hm) / 380 (↓ hm)
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.632165 N / 8.071036 E

The trail starts at Hotel Wetterhorn at 1230 m.a.s.l. You reach the stop Oberer Gletscher at Hotel Wetterhorn from Grindelwald train station by bus 121 in about 15 min. On foot you need one hour from Grindelwald to the starting point.

The trail leads you first north to the Sibet Schirli (stop "7. Schürli"). Here you will find a summer bus stop at 1302 m.a.s.l.. Now the trail goes to the left (west) and meanders over the Bärgelbach and the snowy Bärgelbachtobel through the forest and north via Eggweid over meadows to Alpwäg. On the way you enjoy the view of the winter sports area Grindelwald-First and the Reeti. To the left of the slope, the trail continues as a descent towards Stählisboden and you have a great view of the Wetterhorn and the Mättenberg. You will quickly reach the road Grindelwald - Grosse Scheidegg.

Swiss Activities Tip: As there is a bus stop here, you could stop the tour and take the bus line 121 to Grindelwald. Once you have parked your car in the parking lot at Hotel Wetterhorn, you have two options: take the bus the three stops to Oberer Gletscher or climb up with your snowshoes (keep left).

If you stay on the Alpwäg Trail, you cross the road and now come onto the Mühlebach Trail (in the opposite direction). You descend to the right and arrive at the church in Grindelwald. From here you take the bus line 123 to Grindelwald train station and you are there in five minutes.

Practical Information:

  • You can park your car in the parking lot at Grindelwald train station before the tour.
  • Attention: On your snowshoe hike you will cross the valley run Stepfi (run 23) and possibly the valley run Grindel (run 22)
Schneeschuhwandern Schweiz Spass im Schnee
(Foto: Outdoor Interlaken)
Schneeschuhwandern Schweiz Instruktor-
(Foto: Outdoor Interlaken)

As you can see, you have plenty of options for snowshoeing in Grindelwald. There are easy and medium-difficult trails available where you can enjoy the winter landscape and the mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland.

If you love winter with its snowy landscapes, a beautiful snowshoe hike is just what you need. All you really need besides warm clothing and a pair of snowshoes is minimal equipment, making this sport very easy to do.

Most winter sports areas now offer marked trails for snowshoeing if you're looking for a cozy alternative to the fast-paced runs on the slopes. We have written an Ultimate Guide to Snowshoeing for you, where you'll be thoroughly introduced to this popular sport.

You'll find an overview of the most beautiful snowshoeing tours in and around Grindelwald from December to March in the following table:

Snowshoeing in Grindelwald|Trail|Difficulty|Length (km)| |-------------|--------:|------:| |Wetterhorn 1 pink|easy|1.9| |Wetterhorn 2|easy|1.8| |Wetterhorn 3 blue|easy|1.7| |Wetterhorn 4 red|medium|3.3| |Mühlebach|easy|2.8| |Panorama|easy|7.3| |Eiger|easy|4.8| |Aspen|medium|1.3| |Alpwäg|medium|5.0|

Wetterhorn Trail 1 - Snowshoeing Grindelwald

This beginner tour takes 45 minutes and offers you a wonderful view of the ski area Grindelwald-First, the Wetterhorn, and the Schynige Platte. It begins and ends at Hotel Wetterhorn and is marked in pink.

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Length: 1.92 km
  • Duration: 45 min
  • Elevation gain: 114
  • Coordinates of starting point: 46.632161 N / 8.071091 E

You start at Hotel Wetterhorn, which is located above the town center at the Upper Grindelwald Glacier at an altitude of 1,229 m above sea level. From Grindelwald train station, you can reach the hotel by bus 121 to the Upper Glacier stop in about 15 minutes. Walking from Grindelwald takes about an hour to the starting point.

First, head towards Weidli. The path leads you over snowy fields to a small kiosk. Not long after, you'll enjoy a direct view of the winter ski area. The view stretches from Grindelwald First over the Schynige Platte to the Grosse Scheidegg. At Weidli, the path heads east and back to the hotel. On the way back, you'll have a fantastic view of the east side of the Eiger and the north face of the Wetterhorn.

Practical Information:

  • You can park your car in the public parking lot at Upper Glacier across from Hotel Wetterhorn.
  • Note: You will cross the Stepfi valley descent twice during your snowshoe hike.
Eiger Trail - Snowshoe Hiking Grindelwald

The Eiger Trail snowshoe tour is an easy hike with an incredible view of the Eiger North Face. The tour starts at the Holenstein middle station of the Grindelwald-Männlichen 10-person gondola and ends at the Brandegg mountain restaurant. The route is marked in pink.

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Length: 4.75 km
  • Duration: 1:50 h
  • Elevation gain: 81 (↑ m) / 363 (↓ m)
  • Coordinates starting point: 46.620816 N / 7.979675 E

At the Holenstein middle station, you begin your hike at an altitude of 1624 m. You can reach the gondola station from Grindelwald Grund train station in 6 minutes on foot (450 m). The Berner Oberland Bahn operates every 30 minutes between Grindelwald Terminal and Grindelwald Grund station, taking 4 minutes to travel.

From the Holenstein middle station, head south across open terrain towards Hubelwald, passing picturesque alpine huts and cheese stores along the way. While snowshoeing, enjoy the view from Faulhorn over Grosse Scheidegg, Wetterhorn, Finsteraarhorn, and the Eiger North Face.

The North Face impresses with its 1800 m height and unique mythology, especially when it's illuminated by the sun. Continue along the Tschuggen slope and then walk through the Itramenwald until you reach the Brandegg mountain restaurant. The entire path is marked in pink. The mountain restaurant is also open in winter, and they often serve fondue in the evenings.

To return to Grindelwald Grund, take the cogwheel train of the Wengernalpbahn from Brandegg.

Practical Information:

  • You can park your car in one of the parking lots at Grindelwald Grund train station.

Frequently asked questions

Snowshoeing Grindelwald · answered by the editorial team

How do I prepare for a tour in snowshoeing?

On a snowshoe tour you have to overcome very different terrain. In order to make good progress and save energy, different walking techniques are recommended. In our Snowshoe Hiking Guide all the walking techniques are explained. You can also do your first snowshoe hike in a guided tour or even be instructed in special courses. There you will also learn how to be best prepared for avalanches.

Why should you never snowshoe alone?

Not only the first snowshoe hike you should never do alone, but at least in pairs. That way, in case of an emergency, someone is there to get help or provide first aid. In deep snow, you can also save additional energy by taking turns in tracking.

What clothing and equipment do I need for an extended snowshoe hike?

For the clothing, the tried-and-tested onion technique is important at first. This way, you can take off or put back on pieces of clothing as needed. Breathable functional clothing is the best choice, you should not shy away from this investment. In addition to weatherproof clothing, which includes waterproof mountain boots or winter hiking boots, a jacket and overtrousers for weather protection, a hat and 2x gloves, as well as spare underwear or gaiters if necessary, you will also need the following equipment:

  1. Snowshoes (by the way, you can also rent them)
  2. Ski/telescopic poles with adjustable winter plates
  3. Backpack 20-30 liters
  4. Sun protection (sunglasses and if necessary ski goggles, headgear, cream, lipstick)
  5. Flashlight, preferably a headlamp
  6. Compass, altimeter, if necessary GPS incl. spare battery
  7. First aid kit, if necessary incl. own important medication)
  8. Map, guide
  9. LVS equipment (avalanche transceiver incl. spare batteries, avalanche probe, shovel)
  10. Cell phone with stored emergency number (112)
  11. Bivouac bag (for two people at a time)
  12. If you plan to spend the night in one of the huts: Hut sleeping bag, small towel, washing kit)
  13. Repair kit for snowshoes and poles
  14. Food and drink
  15. Unbreakable drinking/thermos bottle (filled)
  16. Pocket knife
How do I find the right snowshoes for my snowshoeing?

For your first tours it is well worth renting snowshoes. For example, you can get very good snowshoes from Intersport Graf. If you want to continue with this sport, you should carefully choose the right snowshoes for you. Snowshoes are available in plastic and aluminum.

Important for alpine snowshoeing are

  1. Prongs on the bottom of the frame
  2. Gripping claws on the bottom of the binding (at the level of the foot)
  3. Climbing aid for steep terrain with gritty snow
What size snowshoe is right for me when snowshoeing?

The snowshoe size has nothing at all to do with your normal shoe size. The binding is flexibly adjustable. The right size of snowshoe depends on your weight (including equipment). A rough rule of thumb is: size 22 for a maximum of 70 kilograms, size 25 for more than 70 and less than 100 kilograms and size 30 for more than 100 kilograms. Meanwhile, there are also special women's and men's models.

What weather conditions are favorable/unfavorable for snowshoeing?

For snowshoeing, you should be prepared for possible weather conditions. Strong winds and heavy snowfall can hinder you and make a snowshoe tour very tedious. Avalanche risk is especially important. As soon as you move off secured routes, you must assess and monitor the avalanche situation. One of the most important bases for this is the current avalanche situation report for the area you are hiking. The avalanche situation report is published by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF

As a snowshoe hiker, it may be life-saving to know how to use your avalanche beacon equipment correctly in an emergency. In a special avalanche course, you will be taught the relevant skills by an expert

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