Grindelwald First – Bachalpsee Lake Hike
The Bachalpsee Lake hike is one of the most scenic and accessible mountain walks above Grindelwald. Starting at Grindelwald First, the trail leads through open alpine landscapes to a peaceful mountain lake with panoramic views of the Bernese Alps.
Quick Facts
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 8.5 km (loop)
Elevation gain: 450 m
Duration: 2.5–3 hours
Best season: June–October
How to Get There
Take a train to Grindelwald via Interlaken Ost. From the railway station, it’s a pleasant 10–15 minute walk through the village to the Firstbahn gondola station.
The gondola ride to First (2,166 m) takes around 25 minutes, passing the intermediate stations of Bort and Schreckfeld. Even before you start hiking, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Eiger, Wetterhorn, and the surrounding Bernese Alps.
By Car
If you’re driving, follow signs to Grindelwald and park in one of the public parking garages near the village center or the Firstbahn valley station. During summer weekends and holidays, parking fills up quickly, so arriving before 9:00 AM is highly recommended.
Once you arrive at the First mountain station, you’re only a few steps from several of the area’s highlights:
- First Cliff Walk by Tissot – 2 minutes
- Bachalpsee – about 1 hour on a wide, well-maintained trail
- First Flyer & First Glider – directly at the station
- Faulhorn – approximately 2.5 hours one way for experienced hikers
Parking
Paid parking is available at the valley station of the First gondola in Grindelwald. Spaces fill up quickly in summer, so arrive early. Parking costs CHF 1.00 for 20 minutes, and the daily rate for 2 to 24 hours is CHF 15.00. Multi-day options are available, such as CHF 45.00 for 2 days and CHF 85.00 for 3 days.
By Public Transport
Switzerland’s rail network makes reaching Grindelwald First simple from anywhere in the country.
From Zurich: Take a train from Zürich HB (or Zurich Airport) to Interlaken Ost, usually with a change in Bern. Continue by train to Grindelwald, then walk to the Firstbahn gondola. Total travel time is approximately 3 hours.
From Bern: Take a direct train to Interlaken Ost, then transfer to the Berner Oberland Railway (BOB) to Grindelwald. From Grindelwald station, walk about 10–15 minutes to the Firstbahn gondola station. The entire journey takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
Swiss Unlocked Tip
Swiss Unlocked Tip: If you’re visiting the Jungfrau Region, think of Interlaken Ost as your central hub. Whether you’re heading to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, or Kleine Scheidegg, most routes start from here, making it the perfect base for exploring the region.
Hike Route Description to the Bachalpsee
This scenic circular hike starts at the First mountain station (2,166 m) and follows the classic trail towards Bachalpsee, one of Switzerland’s most photographed alpine lakes. The first section is easy to follow, with wide mountain paths crossing open alpine meadows and offering spectacular views of the Eiger, Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and the surrounding Bernese Alps.
About halfway to the lake, make a short detour to the Scenic Viewpoint at around 2,300 m, where you’ll enjoy one of the best panoramas over Bachalpsee and the surrounding peaks. It’s an excellent place for photos before continuing to the lakeshore.
After reaching Bachalpsee, instead of returning along the same trail as most visitors, continue along the quieter southern path. This section immediately becomes much more peaceful, leaving the crowds behind as it traverses beneath the Hirtenspitz ridge.
The trail then gradually descends through beautiful alpine pastures towards Bachläger, passing traditional mountain huts, grazing cows, and seasonal wildflowers. Along the descent, you’ll also pass the picturesque Bachläger Waterfall, one of the hidden gems of this route that many visitors to Bachalpsee never see.
From Bachläger, the route climbs gently back to First, completing a rewarding circular hike that combines the region’s most famous attraction with quieter mountain scenery and varied landscapes.
Highlights
- Turquoise alpine lake reflecting the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn peaks
- Gentle, mostly flat trail suitable for families
- Marmots and alpine flowers along the way
- Option to continue further to Faulhorn for panoramic views
Map & GPX
Gallery
Hotels Nearby
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- Hotel Belvedere, Grindelwald
- Hotel Spinne, Grindelwald
- Backpackers Grindelwald – Alpenhof