The Gletscherschlucht (glacier gorge) at the base of the Upper Grindelwald Glacier is one of the most accessible glacial landscapes in Switzerland. A trail from the village leads through a narrow gorge carved by glacial meltwater, with sheer marble-smooth walls rising on both sides. The walk to the end of the gorge takes about 45 minutes and ends at a viewpoint below the glacier snout.
The glacier itself has retreated dramatically — photographs from the 1870s show ice reaching almost to the village — and the ongoing recession is stark and visible. The Wetterhorn Elevator, a restored historic gondola above the gorge, gives access to a higher viewpoint with views across to the Eiger's north face. The gorge is open May to October; a small admission fee is charged for the path through the ravine section.