Grindelwald is a village at 1,050 metres in the Bernese Oberland, set in a valley beneath the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau — three of the most famous peaks in the Alps. The north face of the Eiger, one of mountaineering's great challenges, looms directly above the village. Tourists have been coming here since the 17th century, and it remains one of Switzerland's most popular mountain resorts.
In winter, Grindelwald is a base for skiing and snowboarding across the Jungfrau region's extensive network of lifts. In summer, the hiking is superb — trails lead to the Upper Grindelwald Glacier, across high alpine meadows, and up to viewpoints that take in the whole Bernese Oberland. The Eiger Trail, a path along the base of the north face, is one of the most dramatic walks in the Alps.
The Jungfraujoch railway, which climbs through a tunnel inside the Eiger to the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres, departs from Kleine Scheidegg. It is expensive but the views from the top — across the Aletsch Glacier and into the heart of the Alps — are worth it on a clear day. Along the way, Bahnhof Eismeer offers an eerie window through rock onto glacial ice.
The gondola to Männlichen is one of the longest in Switzerland, and the ridge walk from there to Kleine Scheidegg is the classic Grindelwald walk. First (2,168 m) is the summer activity hub above the village, with zip lines, a cliff walk, and the photogenic Bachalpsee lake.
Grindelwald is accessible by train from Interlaken in about 35 minutes, with no need for a car.