Glacier Canyon Grindelwald: walk through a rugged gorge below the Eiger

Are you in Grindelwald and wondering whether the Gletscherschlucht is worth visiting? I totally understand the doubt. Grindelwald is full of expensive cable cars, impressive views and famous places such as First and Jungfraujoch. So you quickly start wondering: is such a short gorge walk really still worth it?

We went there without very high expectations, but afterwards we were mainly surprised by how different this place feels from the rest of the region. No high viewpoint, no gondola, no long hike to a mountain lake. Here, you walk between the rocks, deep inside a gorge where a glacier once flowed.

And that is exactly what makes Glacier Canyon Grindelwald so fun. It is short, easy to reach and yet shows you a completely different side of Switzerland. In this blog, I’ll tell you exactly what to expect, including our experience, tips for tickets, visiting with a stroller, the Spiderweb and where to stay in Grindelwald.

What makes Glacier Canyon Grindelwald unique?

The Gletscherschlucht Grindelwald, also known as Glacier Canyon Grindelwald, is a narrow glacier gorge on the edge of the village of Grindelwald. The gorge was carved out by the Lower Grindelwald Glacier, which used to reach much further down into the valley.

You can no longer see that glacier from the gorge today. It has retreated further and further and now lies much higher and further away. So what you mainly see here is the trace the glacier left behind: high rock walls, meltwater, carved-out stone and a narrow passage between the mountains. Along the way, you do still see many photos of what it used to look like. It is almost hard to imagine that people really stood here looking at a glacier at the end point.

In some places, the rock walls are up to 300 metres high. The Lütschine flows through the gorge, and you hear it constantly during the walk. That sound, together with the cool wind and damp rock, makes this a place you really feel for a moment.

Our experience in the Gletscherschlucht

We drove to the gorge by car. And in Grindelwald, that is actually quite pleasant, because many of the well-known places here can only be reached by cable car or train. At the Gletscherschlucht, you can simply drive right up to the entrance and park there. Paid parking, of course. It is still Switzerland.

From the car park, you walk straight to the entrance. You can buy tickets on the spot, but you can also book your ticket for Glacier Canyon Grindelwald online in advance. That is especially useful if you are visiting during a busier period and don’t feel like waiting at the ticket desk.

Once inside, you walk along a well-maintained path, past wooden walkways, tunnels and rock walls. It is not a difficult walk. You walk about one kilometre into the gorge and then return the same way. In total, you will usually spend 1 to 1.5 hours here if you walk at a relaxed pace, take photos and linger for a while at the Spiderweb.

It feels completely different from, for example, Grindelwald First, where most tourists in Grindelwald go. There, you look out over the mountains. Here, you are standing right between them. You get fewer “big panoramas”, but you do get a rugged, close-up feeling of the mountains. Okay, First is cooler, but it is also much more expensive and you need good weather.

Colder than you think

One thing we immediately noticed when we entered the gorge: it is much colder here than outside. Outside, we had sunshine and perfectly pleasant temperatures, but inside the gorge it really felt a few degrees cooler.

There is a kind of constant wind blowing through the gorge and you walk mostly in the shade. At the entrance, they even rent out jackets for around CHF 7. That may sound exaggerated, but if you arrive in a T-shirt on a just-about-summer day, you will understand pretty quickly why.

Tip: bring your own cardigan or jacket, even if it is warm outside. Especially with children, that is useful. The walk is short, but cold and damp enough to make you regret thinking: “Oh, it’ll probably be fine.”

The history of the glacier

What makes this place extra interesting are the information boards along the way. You can read how the glacier has moved over the centuries. Around 100 to 200 years ago, it was still much closer to the gorge. Today, it is no longer visible from here.

We actually found that quite impressive. You are standing in a place where there was once ice, but now you mainly see rocks, water and air. It makes climate change and retreating glaciers suddenly feel a lot more concrete than when you only read about them.

A funny detail we found was that ice from this glacier used to be sold commercially. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, ice from the Alps was used as a kind of natural fridge. According to the information boards, it was even exported to other countries. Pretty bizarre, really, when you now see how far the glacier has disappeared.

Because of the glacier’s retreat, the walking path was extended several times in the past. But at some point, of course, that becomes impossible to keep up with. As a result, the gorge has mainly become a kind of open-air story about what used to be here.

The Spiderweb above the gorge

One of the best-known parts of Glacier Canyon Grindelwald is the large net above the gorge: the Spiderweb. This is a huge net of around 170 m² that hangs 7 metres above the Lütschine.

You can simply walk across it, lie down on it or bounce around a little while the water flows through the gorge below you. It is safely built, but still feels just exciting enough to be fun. Especially with children, I think this would be a big success.

We thought it was a nice change during the walk. Not so much because it is extremely thrilling, but because you suddenly see the gorge from a different perspective. You are literally hanging above the water, between the rock walls. That is not something you experience every day.

Light effects have also been added, giving the net a bit of extra atmosphere. Don’t expect a theme park show, but it does make the place more playful than a regular gorge walk.

Is the walk difficult?

No, the walk through the Gletscherschlucht is not difficult. The path is mostly well laid out and easy to follow. You do not need to be an experienced hiker and you do not need any special equipment either.

However, the path becomes a little rougher in some sections. You walk through carved-out rock, over wet parts and along narrow sections. Good shoes are therefore useful. Sneakers are fine, but I would not do this in flip-flops.

The route is about 2 kilometres there and back. Because you return the same way, you can more or less decide for yourself how slowly you take it. We spent about 1 to 1.5 hours inside, including taking photos and looking around at the Spiderweb.

Gletscherschlucht with children or a stroller

With children, Glacier Canyon Grindelwald is a fun place to visit. The walk is short, there is plenty to see along the way and the Spiderweb makes it just a bit more adventurous. The combination of water, rocks and tunnels also tends to appeal to children quickly.

With a stroller, however, I would not do it. We saw people struggling with a stroller and it did not look relaxed. The path is narrow, wet and uneven in some places. At that point, a stroller becomes something you are dragging along rather than actually using.

With a baby carrier, it is much easier. Especially if you are travelling with a baby or toddler. Do keep in mind that it is chilly in the gorge and some sections can be damp. Layers are your friend here.

Tickets for Glacier Canyon Grindelwald

A ticket for the Gletscherschlucht costs around CHF 21 per adult. Children up to 6 years old can enter for free and children up to 16 pay less. If you have a Grindelwald guest card or a discount pass, you may receive a discount.

You can buy tickets at the entrance, but you can also arrange them online in advance. Especially in high season, we would recommend booking your ticket for Glacier Canyon Grindelwald ahead of time. That way you know it is already sorted and you have less to arrange on the spot.

The gorge is usually open from late April or May until November. The exact dates can vary each year due to snow and weather conditions. So always check the current opening hours before you go, especially if you are travelling early or late in the season.

Parking at Glacier Canyon Grindelwald

You can park directly at the entrance of the Gletscherschlucht. We found that very convenient, especially because many other places in Grindelwald involve a bit more hassle with cable cars, trains or busy car parks. Parking here is paid. You can also take the bus if you park at Grindelwald Terminal.

The advantage of this place is that you don’t need to plan half a day around it. You park, walk in, stroll through the gorge and are back outside after about 1 to 1.5 hours. Ideal if you want to do more in Grindelwald.

Combining Grindelwald First with the Gletscherschlucht

During our trip, we also visited Grindelwald First. We stayed in this region for several days. That is a completely different experience: busier, more expensive and more touristy, but also truly impressive if you do it well. For us, the magic there was mainly in the walk to Bachalpsee, not only in the famous First Cliff Walk.

The combination with the Gletscherschlucht works well because the two places are so different. First is high, open and grand. The Gletscherschlucht is narrow, cool and rugged. If you have several days in Grindelwald, I would do both. We will write a separate blog about Grindelwald First later, because that one deserves its own story.

What else can you do in Grindelwald?

Grindelwald is one of those places where you can easily fill several days. The Gletscherschlucht is fun, but not enough for a full day. So combine it with something else in the area.

• Grindelwald First: for the Cliff Walk, Bachalpsee, First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibike.
• Jungfraujoch: expensive, busy and touristy, but still a bucket list place for many travellers.
• Männlichen: great for views and hikes, also fun with children.
• Pfingstegg: close to the Gletscherschlucht and fun for active things such as the toboggan run or Fly Line.
• The village of Grindelwald: touristy, but beautifully located and practical for food, groceries and accommodation.

Want to arrange your ticket for the gorge already? You can book your Glacier Canyon Grindelwald ticket here.

Booking activities in Grindelwald

If you want to do more in Grindelwald, you can check in advance which activities are available. Especially for popular things such as First activities, booking ahead can be useful. For the Gletscherschlucht, it is mainly nice if you simply want to get through quickly on arrival.

Staying overnight in Grindelwald

If you want to combine the Gletscherschlucht with Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee, Jungfraujoch or Männlichen, staying overnight in Grindelwald is very convenient. You can then head out early, and that really makes a difference here. Especially in summer, when car parks and cable cars quickly get busy.

Grindelwald is not cheap, so book early if you still want to have some choice. Especially affordable hotels and apartments fill up quickly.

More affordable places to stay in Grindelwald

By Swiss standards, more affordable options include Jungfrau Lodge and Hotel Residence. Don’t expect huge luxury, but you do get a practical base in or near the village.

Mid-range hotels

If you want a bit more comfort, look at Hotel Hirschen Grindelwald, Derby Swiss Quality Hotel or Hotel Spinne. Especially if you want to stay close to the station, restaurants or cable cars, these are convenient options.

Luxury hotels in Grindelwald

If you want to make it a bit more special, Grindelwald also has plenty of options. Boutique Hotel Glacier, Eiger Mountain & Soul Resort and Bergwelt Grindelwald are beautiful options if you are looking for more comfort, wellness or a special view.

Special: sleeping on the mountain

If you also want to visit Grindelwald First later, you can even sleep on the mountain. Think of Berggasthaus First or Berghaus Bort. This is not a standard hotel experience, but it is unique if you want to be early at Bachalpsee or avoid the crowds.

Should you visit the Gletscherschlucht Grindelwald or not?

Honest answer: yes, but with the right expectations.

Don’t go here for a spectacular glacier, because you won’t see one. Also don’t expect a long hike or the absolute highlight of your Switzerland trip. Places such as First, Bachalpsee or Jungfraujoch are of course bigger and more impressive for that.

But are you looking for a short, special walk that is just a bit different from the standard viewpoints? Then the Gletscherschlucht is definitely fun. You walk between high rock walls, hear the water rushing through the gorge, learn something about the vanished glacier and have the Spiderweb as a playful highlight along the way.

For us, it was mainly a nice change of scenery in Grindelwald. Not something you set aside a whole day for, but definitely a place that makes your trip a bit more varied. And sometimes that is exactly what you need between all the cable cars and mountain peaks.

Practical tips for your visit

• Bring a cardigan or jacket. It is colder in the gorge than outside.
• Wear shoes with grip. The path can be wet and slippery.
• Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. That gives you time to walk calmly and take photos.
• It is not ideal with a stroller. A baby carrier is a better choice.
• Book your ticket in advance if you go in high season. You can do that via this ticket link for the Gletscherschlucht.
• Combine it with something else in Grindelwald. The gorge is fun, but not a full-day activity.