Hiking from Grindelwald to First/Bachalpsee
A traveler named Farisha is planning a trip to Lake Bachalpsee from Grindelwald. She wants to know if she can hike straight to the lake, how long it takes, and if it's possible to hike back down to Grindelwald, seeking the best route to take.
- Taking the gondola up to First and hiking down to Grindelwald is a good option, but be aware that hiking downhill can be tough on your knees.
- You can also consider hiking to the mid-station Bort if you want a gentler route.
- Check the schedule for the last gondola and bus down, as they leave around 1700 and 1743, respectively.
- The panorama trail from First to Grosse Scheidegg offers stunning views, and it's easier to take the bus back to Grindelwald from there.
AI-generated summary-
Hi, what is the best way to get to Lake Bachalpsee from Grindelwald.It is said to take the Gondola to First and hike up to Lake Bachalpsee. However, is it possible to hike up straight to the Lake Bachalpsee? and how long does it take?
From Lake Bachalpsee is it possible to hike down to Grindelwald? What is the best route?
Thanks.
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Hi Farisha –
The map in this link may help you get a sense of the topography.
You will note that the climb from Grindelwald to First is about 1100 meters. Pretty steep.
I am not a very good hiker, especially uphill at high altitude, so that would take me substantially more than 2 hours, and I’d be out of breath about half way up. 😉
Hi Slowpoke! Thanks for your advice. we are not really good hikers either 🙂
Can we choose an option to go up by gondola and then return by hiking down? will it be easier then to hike downhill? or should we go to and back by gondola? What would you suggest?
<<“Can we choose an option to go up by gondola and then return by hiking down? will it be easier then to hike downhill? or should we go to and back by gondola? What would you suggest”>>I think that walking 1000 meters down will ruin your knees and leg muscles for 2-3 days unless you are used to steep down hill hiking. Up is actually easier on your legs than down.
You might plan use the lift in both directions, and take a look at the topography on the way up. If you really want to try it after you have looked, then think about the fitness of your leg muscles.
Last lift down is at 1700 hours.
You may want to consider to hike to or from the mid station Bort (700 vertical meters below the Bachalpsee).
If you are not really good hikers then I think you may find the First to Bachalpsee hike a good outing. There is some uphill involved in the first stretch
After your return to First you may choose to walk the rather flat panorama trail from there to Grosse Scheidegg. The advantage of doing this is that you can then take the positively stunning bus ride down from there to Grindelwald. Very different views than those riding up on the gondola from Grindelwald to First. Highly recommended.
Looks like the last bus down from Grosse Scheidegg (in the Summer) is at 1743.
I’ve hiked from the top of the First to Bachalpsee many times, it’s a lovely walk, but for me would be far too much from the bottom at Grindealwald. To extend the walk I usually walk on from the lake to Waldspitz. At this point there are several options, either to wait for the bus back down to Grindelwald, or I’ve walked through the alpine garden (quite steep) and back across to Bort where I’ve got on the gondola back down to the bottom.
Welcome to MySwissAlps, Jayjay! And thanks for your valuable tips.
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