The most beautiful and easiest hike in Switzerland from Grindelwald to Lake Bachalpsee

Sit back, because I have just found one of the most beautiful and easily accessible places in Switzerland and I want to tell you all about it! It would seem that this is an oxymoron because usually, we need to deserve the most beautiful, panoramic mountain views by hours of climbing, sweating, and straining to reach the top. But not this time!

I officially add Lake Bachalpsee, located in the region of Jungrfau, to one of the most stunning alpine lakes in Switzerland. On each side, it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and endless clearings, making it enchanting at any time of the year. Moreover, although it is situated at an altitude of 2265 m above sea level, it takes only an hour to get from the cable car station to the lake.

The most important information

Hiking distance: From the First cable car station, the hike to Bachalpsee is 3 km one way, which is a total of 6 km both ways.

Hiking time: 2 hours both ways, but including time for photos, breaks, or having  a little picnic with a view of the mountains – about 3 hours.

Level of difficulty: It really is a very easy trail with a well-maintained path all the way. Accessible for people of all ages and families with children.

Slope of the trail: the slope on this trail is slight, approx. 188 m

Weather: Unfortunately, the hike to Lake Bachalpsee is not possible all year round. Due to the altitude of 2265 m above sea level, the trail is covered in snow during winter. When winter is over, it takes some time for the snow to melt and for the trail to be easily accessible.

In addition, I would highly recommend you choose the right day for the trip. A sunny day and good visibility guarantee breathtaking views along the way and the reflection of the mountains in the lake. It is a pity to lose such an opportunity because of rain or fog.

I recommend you check the weather around First on Meteoblue the day before. Additionally, you can check the webcams in First. There is no point in paying and going to the top only to see restaurant because there will be no point in going any further

How to get to Lake Bachalpsee 

The easiest and most scenic way to reach Lake Bachalpsee is to take the cable car from Grindelwald to First, followed by a really easy hike up to Lake Bachalpsee that should take no more than an hour. Of course, you can walk from Grindelwald to the lake if you want, but it takes a few hours, and the climb itself is not particularly picturesque. You actually walk directly under the cable car line, so you’re not missing a lot.

To get to the starting point, go to the Firstbahn station in Grindelwald, buy a ticket and ride all the way to First, then follow the trail to Lake Bachalpsee.

The cable cars start to run at 9 a.m., and the last one goes down at 5 p.m. (you can check the current schedule HERE). I advise you to keep an eye on the time. Otherwise, you will have to walk down for several hours, and it will not be that easy.

Below I also share information on how to get there from the main cities of the Jungfrau region, that is, Interlaken, Wengen, and Murren:

From Interlaken

1) Train – Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald
2) Walking – Grindelwald Station to cable car station
3) Cable car – Grindelwald to First

Note, depending on where you are in Interlaken, it may be easier to take the bus to Winderswil station and then take the train to Grindelwald.

From Wengen

1) Train – Wengen to Lauterbrunnen
2) Train – Lauterbrunnen to Zweilutschinen
3) Train – Zweilutschinen to Grindelwald
4) Walking – Grindelwald station to cable car station
5) Cable car – from Grindelwald to First

There are two alternatives to get from Wengen to Grindewald (via Mannlichen or via Kleine Scheidegg), however, these cable cars/trains will be much more expensive.

From Murren

1) Train – Murren to Grutschalp
2) Cable car – Grutschalp to Lauterbrunnen
3) Train – Lauterbrunnen to Zweilutschinen
4) Train – Zweilutschinen to Grindelwald
5) Walking – Grindelwald station to cable car station
6) Cable car – from Grindelwald to First

Transportation Tip: Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half-Fare Card 

It goes without saying that traveling in Switzerland is expensive, but you can play it smart by purchasing the Swiss Half-Fare Card, which gives you a 50% discount on every regular train, bus, and many cable cars. It costs USD 150, but overall it will save you more money than you’d need to spend not having the Swiss Half-Fare Card.

The second option that I always choose when I’m in Switzerland is the Swiss Travel Pass, which allows unlimited travel on trains, buses and ships, and a 50% discount on many cable cars (e.g., the one to First), but also free museum passes. In a word, it has a lot of advantages and with intensive travel, frequent changes of means of transport, it is an expense that  quickly pays off. Depending on your travel plan in Switzerland, you can also consider the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass, which allows you to buy 8 days of travel, but activation can be made one day before the trip. In this way, you can simply activate your FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass only on days when you plan to travel a lot. Both Passes can be purchased online HERE. Just download the QR code on your phone, and you are ready to go.

From Grindelwald to Firstbahn 

The first thing you need to do is get to the Firstbahn in Grindelwald by cable car. The train ride itself is a truly beautiful experience! The views are stunning, so this 25-minute ride is already a pleasure itself and gives you a bit of what you are about to see.

A ticket to First costs CHF 32 (USD 34) one way. This is where the Swiss Travel Pass comes in handy because it let you pay only half the ticket price. You can also book a ticket in advance online HERE, although it is unnecessary in the low season because there are no queues. The cable car runs every 30 minutes. Check the full schedule HERE to be sure.

Arrival at the First Station and its attractions 

Before you start your hike to the lake, you can have lunch in a Swiss-style restaurant with an outstanding view. A great place. I had my coffee here, waiting for the fog to clear because the morning was a little foggy.

In addition to the restaurant, there is a viewpoint called the First Cliff Walk. In practice, it is a scaffold attached to the rock with views of the mountains around. You can also see the drop under your feet through the floor. It’s definitely not a place for people with altitude sickness, but everyone else – don’t hesitate, it’s epic.

My advice is as follows – do the First Cliff Walk on your way back as the last point on the agenda, as it won’t be as crowded, plus you won’t lose the light at the lake, which is the most important place here.

There is also a zipline and other attractions at the top of First, including the option to go-kart or scooter back down the hill as an alternative to the cable car.

Hike from First to Bachalpsee – incredibly easy and picturesque hike 

The hike to Bachalpsee from First is, as I mentioned, 6 km both ways on a slightly sloping path. This is a very popular trail because, let’s face it – how often can you admire a lake in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of over 2000 m, just taking a pleasant walk?

The most wonderful part is that you are surrounded by unbelievably beautiful views of the mountains and valleys from the very beginning of the trip. I can honestly say that this is 100% Switzerland in Switzerland. Epic experience every step of the way (literally!). All the more, reserve more time than just a standard hike because I am sure that you will stop at every step to soak up every moment. Being in this place is truly a privilege of communing with nature in its purest form.

Along the way, you can also see (and certainly hear) whistling marmots. A very Swiss view and they are very friendly.

Lake Bachalpsee – welcome to the Swiss fairytale! 

After an hour’s hike from First (okay, it took longer because I was taking a lot of photos), I got to the Bachalpsee lake. The view turned out to be an absolute idyll because the sky became crystal clear, making the area extraordinarily transparent. The lake itself, surrounded by snow-capped peaks with its deep blue shade – a Swiss fairytale!

Lake Bachalpsee is actually two lakes that are connected at some points. It’s best to get here in the afternoon because that’s when most tourists are already on their way back, which makes it an excellent chance to be alone in this place. I got there in the afternoon, and in fact, there were only 3 people.

However, from the bird’s eye view, what you can see here is just out of this world! Thank you, technology for a drone that gives the chance to go beyond human capabilities. See for yourself and look at these photos. Isn’t that an epic Alpine frame?

From Bachalpsee, you can head back 3km down to First Station and take the cable car (or hike) back to Grindelwald. You can also climb 500m higher up to Faulhorn, which takes about an hour and a half. From Faulhorn, you can return to First or take a different trails down to Bussalp.

Have a look on this video, it says more than a thousand words…

One thing is certain: add this hike to your travel list because it is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland (and I’ve seen a lot of them – see for yourself HERE).

The material was created in cooperation with Switzerland Tourism Organization and the Swiss Embassy in Poland

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Welcome on my blog about traveling, active lifestyle and chasing all the crazy dreams. I have been on 6 continents and in more than 100 countries so far, but I still have so much to explore :)

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Author picture

Welcome on my blog about traveling, active lifestyle and chasing all the crazy dreams. I have been on 6 continents and in more than 100 countries so far, but I still have so much to explore :)

< read more >