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Season: early January to late October and mid December to late December
Recommended season: early January to late October and mid December to late December
Max. altitude: 2168 m (7113 ft)What is Grindelwald-First? 
The mountain First (to be pronounced as "Feerst") can be accessed by gondola from Grindelwald.
From the top, you’ll have beautiful views of the Bernese Alps. Most prominent are the Wetterhorn, the Schreckhorn, and the famous Eiger. You’ll also see Kleine Scheidegg on the other side of the Grindelwald Valley: a starting point for train rides to Jungfraujoch.
You can watch the mountain panorama from the restaurant, walk the spectacular Cliff Walk, fly down to mid-station Schreckfeld with the First Flyer or First Glider zip lines, and get back to the valley on mountain carts and Trotti bikes.
➤ About prices, gondola and activity tickets, and pre-booking
Grindelwald-First - price overview 2025 and 2026
| View more prices and discounts | Price high season (June-August 2025 and May-October 2026) | Price low season (September-December 2025, January-April 2026 and November-December 2026) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| View ticket prices and discounts (swissactivities.com) | CHF 38 | CHF 36 | Return trip with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, or Swiss Half Fare Card |
| View Berner Oberland Pass prices (swissrailways.com) | CHF 38 | CHF 36 | Return trip with a Berner Oberland Pass |
| View Jungfrau Travel Pass prices (swissrailways.com) | CHF 0 | CHF 0 | Return trip with a Jungfrau Travel Pass |
| View ticket prices and discounts (swissactivities.com) | CHF 76 | CHF 72 | Return trip with a normal ticket, full fare |
| More details | 2025: CHF 73 / 2026: not confirmed yet | 2025: CHF 73 / 2026: not confirmed yet | Adventure Package for unlimited gondola rides + 2 activities with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Half Fare Card. |
| More details | 2025: CHF 101 / 2026: not confirmed yet | 2025: CHF 101 / 2026: not confirmed yet | Adventure Package for unlimited gondola rides + 2 activities, full fare. |
Tickets for the Grindelwald-First gondola
- In 2025, a standard return ticket for the gondola costs CHF 76 in June-August, and CHF 72 in the other months.
- In 2026, a standard return ticket costs CHF 76 in May-October, and CHF 72 in the other months.
- You'll get a 50% discount with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, Swiss Half Fare Card, or Berner Oberland Pass, and free travel with the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
Find a detailed overview of rail pass discounts here.
How often can I use the gondolas with a normal return ticket?
A regular gondola ticket allows just 1 journey up and 1 journey down. You can get out at mid-stations Bort and Schreckfeld and resume your journey later, but you're not allowed to repeat stretches. Only Adventure Packages allow unlimited gondola rides.
Tickets and Adventure Packages for the Grindelwald-First activities
What exactly is an Adventure Package?
Access to the Cliff Walk is included in all gondola tickets. But for the other activities, you need additional tickets. This concerns the First Glider, the First Flyer, the mountain carts, and Trotti bikes.
You can pay for them separately, or buy an Adventure Package. An Adventure Package includes unlimited access to the gondola Grindelwald-First for a full day, plus access to either 1 or 2 activities. You don't have to select those in advance: just choose during your day at First.
When can I buy Adventure Packages?
Adventure Packages are available from 12 April to 26 October 2025. Dates for 2026 aren't available yet.
What does an Adventure Package cost?
The packages are discounted for holders of a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, and Swiss Half Fare Card. The other rail passes don't provide discounts.
I've listed prices for the high-season months June, July, and August 2025. In the other months, each price is CHF 4 to CHF 2 lower. 2026 prices aren't available yet.
Prices for an Adventure Package with 1 activity in June-July-August 2025:
- CHF 86 for adults
- CHF 56 for adults with a Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) or Swiss Half Fare Card
- CHF 45 for children
Prices for an Adventure Package with 2 activities in June-July-August 2025:
- CHF 101 for adults
- CHF 73 for adults with a Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) or Swiss Half Fare Card
- CHF 59 for children
Where to buy your tickets
I advise buying your tickets online, so that you don't have to spend time purchasing them before boarding the gondolas. Alternatively, you can get your tickets at the Grindelwald railway station or the cableway valley station.
When to buy your tickets
I recommend buying your tickets as soon as you've chosen a date for your excursion. First is a popular destination, and tickets for the adventure activities can get fully booked. This especially applies to days with beautiful weather in high-season months: June, July, and August.
The activities can be booked by 10:00 am on your day of traveling at the latest. But if you can, make your bookings earlier. In low-season months such as April and October, it's less important when you get your activity tickets.
How to board the gondolas with your ticket or pass
You'll have to pass electronic turnstiles before boarding the gondola. Scan your digital ticket from your phone, or your paper ticket, to open them. If you have a discounted ticket because of your rail pass, the personnel may want to check that rail pass as well.
Some rail passes, such as the Jungfrau Travel Pass, allow a free gondola ride. Scan your digital pass or printed pass in that case.
➤ Discounted First tickets with your rail pass
The below passes get you discounted or even free travel to First. In some cases, the adventure activities are discounted too.
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Berner Oberland Pass | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: no discount |
| Day Pass | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: no discount. |
| Eurail Global Pass | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: no discount |
| Interrail Switzerland Pass | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: no discount |
| Jungfrau Hiking and Sledging Pass | Free:
Adventure activities: no discount |
| Jungfrau Travel Pass | Free:
Adventure activities: no discount |
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: discount varies |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: discount varies |
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Discount 50%:
Adventure activities: discount varies |
How to reach Grindelwald-First: directions and map
How to travel to First
You'll first have to get to the village of Grindelwald. My Grindelwald guide explains how.
The gondola valley station is a 10-minute slightly uphill walk from the railway station, along Grindelwald’s main shopping street. The route is indicated. Alternatively, you can use one of the frequent buses from the rail station. This ride takes only 3 minutes.
Then board the 6-seater gondolas. The ride to the top takes 25 minutes. You can also get on or off the gondolas at the mid-stations Bort and Schreckfeld, where several activities are available.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
2025 and 2026 operating dates for Grindelwald-First
The gondolas to First operate:
- from 30 November 2024 to 26 October 2025
- from 29 November 2025 to 25 October 2026
- from 28 November 2026, very likely until late October 2027
There are revision breaks from late October to late November:
- from 27 October to 28 November 2025
- from 26 October to 27 November 2026
The availability of activities at First, Bort and Schreckfeld varies by season. Check the links below.
The gondola schedule
The gondolas operate continuously and start at 08:00.
- In winter, the last ride up from Grindelwald is at 16:15; the last ride down from the top is at 16:45.
- In summer, the last ride up from Grindelwald is at 17:30; the last ride down from the top is at 18:00.
Planning your mountain trip in the timetable
You can use the Grindelwald-First timetable (see the links below) or consult the general Swiss timetable. This is what the relevant destinations are called:
- "Grindelwald" for the main train station of Grindelwald
- "Grindelwald, Bahnhof" for the bus stop at the main station
- "Grindelwald, Firstbahn" for the bus stop closest to the gondola valley station
- "Grindelwald (Firstbahn)" for the gondola valley station
- "First (Grindelwald)" for the gondola top station
- "Bort (Firstbahn)" and "Schreckfeld (Firstbahn)" for the gondola mid-stations
Best season to visit Grindelwald-First
Grindelwald-First can be visited from early January to late October and mid December to late December. I think each month is fine for a visit:
- Late December to February is the winter season, so it's likely that the mountains are snow-covered and that you get to enjoy winter hiking, sledding, and more. The gondolas can be crowded in the early morning, as that's when most skiers and snowboarders travel up.
- March is the end of the snow season. Depending on how many pistes are still open, it may or may not be busy in the morning. If not much winter sports activity is going on, this is a great month for a quiet visit.
- In April-May, spring will set in and you'll get to see amazing contrasts between green valleys and snowy mountain tops.
- June-October is when nearly all activities at Grindelwald-First are operational. Especially in June, July and August, things can get busy.
Weather info and forecasts for Grindelwald-First
Check weather forecasts before you leave to Grindelwald-First. If you get up for the views or for hiking, clear skies are best. Most adventure attractions can be done in clouds or light rain too, but they may shut down in case of bad weather.
If you want to hike, make sure you have sunglasses, solid shoes and other appropriate gear.
All about the adventure activities: Cliff Walk, First Glider, First Flyer, Trotti bikes, and more
1. The Cliff Walk
What to expect
The Cliff Walk is a 20-minute roundabout walk from the summit station of First. Turn left after leaving the gondola building to get to the start.
The metal walkway is attached to steep rocks, so it’s a thrilling experience. A single-rope hanging bridge and spiraling catwalk are part of it too. On your way, you’ll have impressive views of the Eiger North face, the valley deep down, and the Bachläger waterfall.
The last part of the route is also accessible directly from the terrace of the mountain restaurant. It leads to a wonderful vantage point with a glass balustrade, from which you can overlook the valley of Grindelwald and the mountains.
Is it worth it?
The walk is included in your cable car ticket, so if it’s not too busy: yes, go for it! I love the route and the views, but only at reasonably quiet times. It’s not much fun if the narrow path is crowded.
I wouldn’t recommend this if you have a genuine fear of heights either. In that case, you can also admire the views from the comfort of the mountain restaurant.
The First Glider and First Flyer
The First Flyer is a zipline from First to mid-station Schreckfeld. It takes off a bit below the gondola station at the top. You’ll be seated in a solo seat. The staff makes sure you’re safely secured before you get released. You can reach impressive speeds, up to 84 km/h!
The First Glider is a 4-person zipline in which you can fly like a bird. You’re first pulled up from the station of Schreckfeld to First, and then you’re released for a headfirst-flight down.
My tips:
- The rides are fun, but short. Consider if you’re willing to wait pretty long for a quick ride, especially in high season.
- Enjoy the activities as early in the day as possible. Waiting times go up in the course of the day.
- Check which activities are suitable for your travel party. For some, a minimum height and/or maximum weight applies.
Activities at Bort and Schreckfeld
Bort and Schreckfeld are the two mid-stations on the gondola route between Grindelwald and First.
- Bort offers a guesthouse, restaurant and children’s playground. You can also rent kid-friendly scooters called “Trotti bikes” there (available from 1 May until 26 October 2025), with which you can have a fun ride down to Grindelwald. The scooter path is well-paved.
- Schreckfeld is your starting point for the mountain carts (available from 1 May until 26 October 2025) and for the First Glider. The 3 km-mountain cart path is an adventurous way to descend to mid-station Bort.
More summer and winter options at Grindelwald-First
In summer, the First area is great for scenic hikes. Many beautiful trails start directly from the summit of First. My personal favorites are:
- the relatively easy walk to the Bachalpsee;
- the challenging and famous panoramic trail to Schynige Platte;
- the gentle hike to Grosse Scheidegg.
You won’t get bored in winter either, even though not all activities are available:
- The Cliff Walk, First Flyer, and First Glider can be enjoyed in winter too.
- You can explore the area on one of the groomed winter hiking trails, such as the route from First via Waldspitz to Bort.
- You can enjoy the world’s longest sledding run, on a 15-km downhill route from Faulhorn to Grindelwald.
- There are several skiing and snowboarding areas, for both beginners and professionals.
Duration of the excursion and nearby activities to combine it with
How long an excursion to Grindelwald-First takes
Allow at least 2 to 3 hours for your visit to First. The gondola ride takes 25 minutes (one way), and you need some time at the summit to stroll around and enjoy the views. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities, you can easily spend half a day to a full day at First, Bort and Schreckfeld.
Which other excursions to do on the same day
If you don’t spend more than half a day at Grindelwald-First, you can add more activities. Here are my suggestions:
- Travel down to Grindelwald and take the train or bus to Grindelwald Terminal. There, you can board the gondolas to Eigergletscher (en route to Jungfraujoch) or to Männlichen for more beautiful views.
- Get down to Grindelwald after your visit to First, board the cogwheel train to Grindelwald Grund and to Kleine Scheidegg, and enjoy the views there. You may travel to Jungfraujoch or make a scenic round trip via Wengen and Lauterbrunnen in the adjacent valley.
- Get down to Grindelwald and visit Pfingstegg with its toboggan run.
- Hike to Grosse Scheidegg and enjoy the bus ride to Meiringen via Schwarzwaldalp, which takes you through the Rosenlaui Valley. Add side trips to the Rosenlaui Gorge, the Reichenbach Falls, or the Aare Gorge if your schedule allows.
➤ Where to buy Grindelwald-First tickets: reliable sellers
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
- www.jungfrau.ch: snow and winter activities at Grindelwald-First
Schedules
- www.jungfrau.ch: operation dates and hours of transport in the Jungfrau Region, including Grindelwald-First
- www.jungfrau.ch: operation dates for the Grindelwald-First adventure activities
Prices
- www.jungfrau.ch: Jungfrau Region prices for transportation, including Grindelwald-First
- www.jungfrau.ch: Grindelwald-First Adventure Packages
Itineraries that include the Jungfrau Region
Hiking in the Alps
Hike First-Grosse Scheidegg
Hike First-Bachsee
Hike Grosse Scheidegg-Meiringen
Männlichen
Pfingstegg
Jungfraujoch
Grindelwald
