Travel
Where to today: Grindelwald (Switzerland): a great resort all year round!
Ah what would be Switzerland without Grindelwald! The perfect picture postcard village.
The first time I drove there, it was in the middle of the winter. I had left Frankfurt in Germany under snowfall, traveled the entire distance with a snow blizzard and after hours finally arrived in the early evening.
mountain view from our hotel – credits Vivamost
Tired with the weather conditions and the drive, I had become anxious. Would Grindelwald be as I had imagined it to be?
I enjoyed my stay. Grindelwald met my expectations. I knew i would go back someday. When I moved to Switzerland, that was one of my first destinations to visit. My first time back was in the Fall for an agricultural fair, then later in the Spring and finally in the Summer.
Aletsch glacier taken from the Jungfraujoch – credits Vivamost
Before my first stay in Grindelwald, when I thought of the village, beautiful chalets, the Jungfraujoch, the Aletsch glacier, the Eiger summit and the famous climber Reinhold Messner came to mind.
Visit after visit I got to know better the village and its surroundings. I recently hiked to the Bachalpsee, skied near Mürren, where in 1969 a James Bond movie was filmed. Scenes of “On her majesty’s secret service” with Sean Connery were filmed at the Schilthorn. The views of the snowy pearks such as Piz Gloria from there on the terrasse and revolving restaurant are unforgettable.
Snowy panorama from the Schlithorn – credits Vivamost
About Grindelwald:
But where is Grindelwald? It is in the Jungfrau region in the Bernese Alps in the German speaking part of Switzerland. What does it mean? It comes from the word “Grindel” meaning lock out and “Wald” meanings forest.
Grindelwald, with its 4000 inhabitants, is located at 3392 feet/1034 meters. It is not too high up but you can do a variety of activities at higher altitudes. For instance there are nearby places to visit such as Wengen at 4265 feet/1300 m, Kleine Scheidegg at 6794 feet/2061 m, Männlichen at 7216 feet/2200m and the Schlithorn at 9514 feet/2900 meters.
Sports in Grindelwald:
You can ski on 105 miles/169 km of slopes: around Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen up to 8202 feet/2500 meters and up to 9747 feet/2971 meters at the Schlithorn. Sledging is also a common activity in the winter months with the longest sledge slope in the Alps (9 miles/15km) at First-Faulthorn. If you want to take a break from skiing you can go to the sport center centrally located. You can try iceskating, hokey, climbing or go to the inside swimming pool, the Hallenbad with a waterslide. There you can use the sauna and turkish bath. In the summer, Grindelwald opens an outside swimming pool, a Freienbad. Otherwise you can go to many hotel wellness center by paying a fee.
beautiful mountains of Grindelwald in the Spring – credits Vivamost
You can do some snowshoeing in the winter on the wanderwege but there are more trails available in the summer about 186 feet/300km. As well I noticed something unique for adventurous people, the Firstflyer. You fly for 2694 feet/800 meters at a speed of more than 49 miles/80 km/hr. Really not something for me but people where queing for it last summer and seemed to have fun. It is doable all year long.
Grindelwald BORT – credits Vivamost
You can also take at train to Kleine Scheidegg from Grindelwald especially if you want to go to the Jungfrau. It is a long trainride, but beautiful.
Two glaciers called Under and Obere gletsher are visible from Grindelwald.
Children in Grindelwald:
Children are very welcomed in the village. There are a couple places which are good for them. For instance:
- Bodmi – the Snowli Kinderclub from 3 years all day or half day
- Männlichen – Snowli Kinderhort Sunshine from 6 months to 8 years old
- Snowtubing at Bussalp
- Bort middle station: a great alpine playground facing the glaciers
view from the alpine playground at the Bort middle station in Grindelwald – credits Vivamost
Grindelwald does not have a long shopping street like in Davos but there are enough shops to keep you busy from interior decoration, souvenir, sport, chocolate and regional shops.
You will not be bored even if you happen to go when you the least expected it. Last time we happened to be there the day of the Snow Open Air and another time during the live filming of the Swiss show SF Bi de Lüt. We got to listen to some good Swiss music gratis!
Where to stay in Grindelwald:
If it is your first time in Grindelwald, you may have troubles deciding on where to stay. There is a large choice between camping near the river, appartment rentals, bed and breakfast, mountain huts and from 1 to 5 star hotels.
While vacationing in Grindelwald you may want to check out other places such the open air museum in Ballenberg, the town of Interlaken and the Jungfraujoch.
How to get to Grindelwald:
Drive from Geneva or Zurich Airport or take a train to Interlaken and then to Grindelwald.
I hope this will help you decide to go to Grindelwald and plan your next visit.
