Grindelwald First and the Cliff Walk

Grindelwald First is the mountain above the village of Grindelwald, reached by a six-person gondola from the valley station on Dorfstrasse. The ride takes around twenty-five minutes with intermediate stops, and the top station is above 2,000 metres, facing the Eiger, the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. The First Cliff Walk by Tissot is a steel walkway bolted to the rock face and a free attraction at the summit, so it is included once you have paid for the lift. In summer the mountain also has activities such as the First Flyer zip line and trails to Bachalpsee, a lake that mirrors the peaks on still days. In winter the same slopes are a ski area and a winter walking area, with winter sport planned to start on 19 December 2026 if snow allows. The mountain is the most popular half-day trip from Grindelwald and the best one for people who want a big view and some adrenaline without a long journey.

The key fact for a November visit is that First is closed. A Swiss lift-closure calendar updated in September 2026 lists the Firstbahn as closed from 26 October to 27 November, so it reopens just before December. That is a third-party source, so check the Jungfrau Railways page before you plan around it. Winter sport on First is planned from 19 December depending on natural snowfall, and the Cliff Walk and walking paths operate when conditions are safe. Treat it as a trip to book once the lift reopens.

When it runs, the best plan is a morning ride up, a walk along the Cliff Walk for the view, and a hike to Bachalpsee if the weather and the ground allow. The hike to the lake is moderate, and the path can be icy or snowed in late in the year, so ask at the top station about conditions. Dress for wind, because the Cliff Walk is exposed, and keep children close. If the weather is cloudy in the valley, look at the webcams, because the top is often in sunshine above the fog.

A concession renewal project for the Firstbahn, with a new gondola route planned, is under study for the long term, but no construction dates have been published, so there is nothing to plan around now. For a Grindelwald day you can pair First with a walk through the village, a meal at the Grindelwald Terminal or a trip up the Eiger Express. While First is closed, the Eiger Express and Jungfraujoch, the Männlichen area when it reopens, and the Harder Kulm funicular are the alternatives for views.