The Eiger is the mountain that gives Grindelwald its edge. Its north face rises like a wall above the valley, famous in mountaineering history for its danger and for the long obsession it inspired among climbers. You do not need to climb anything to feel its presence; the mountain is part of the view from streets, trains, and terraces all around town.
For most travelers the best encounters are from the Eiger Trail, the Kleine Scheidegg railway, or viewpoints around Grindelwald First and Mannlichen. The peak also gives context to the region's mountain railways, which turn a once-remote high alpine landscape into something remarkably accessible while leaving the face itself as severe as ever.