Meiringen – Grosse Scheidegg – Grindelwald

This is a long hike. With lots of height meters. But it is worth it and it can be shortened or split into several days if needed, so it’s easily possible to be done by anyone. Besides stunning views all the way along, the hike features the Reichenbach waterfall (of Sherlock Holmes fame), the option to visit a gorge at Rosenlaui, and the amazing panorama at Grosse Scheidegg.

Start in Meiringen, which can be reached by train, bus or car, and make your way to the Aare river. Cross the river and follow the signs to the Reichenbachfall waterfall. Very quickly the path becomes very steep. But this will be the most exhausting part of the hike. The uphills will become gentler later on.

Soon you will reach the Reichenbachfall waterfall. Don’t read the plaques to Sherlock Holmes if you still plan to read the books (spoilers there). Instead enjoy the view of this impressive waterfall.

Shortly after the waterfall you will reach Zwirgi. There is a restaurant and hotel here, which may be welcome for a refreshment after this steep uphill. Now the path becomes a bit more gentle and leads into the trees, which will be welcome in the heat of summer.

Continue along the path, which stays close to the river and meanders in and out of the woods, opening up beautiful views.

After a while the path will flatten off completely and soon you will reach Rosenlaui. There is the stunning old Hotel Rosenlaui here, plenty of parking and the entrance for the Rosenlaui glacier gorge.

Continue along the valley with only slight uphill sections. From Schwarzwaldalpe there are two path up to Grosse Scheidegg, take the path on the left, which leads through lovely shady woods on a path, rather than the road. You will cross the river a couple times on your way up.

When you get to Schwandboden you will already see Grosse Scheidegg ahead of you. The path now runs consistently but gently uphill, crossing the road occasionally, until you arrive at Grosse Scheidegg.

Up at the pass, you will find the Hotel Grosse Scheidegg, wonderful views, a bus stop and a kiosk. A few meters below there is a little wooden hut in which you can buy cheese.

From the Grosse Scheidegg pass, make your way down towards Grindelwald. The path leads through lush green meadows and the views of the surrounding mountains are stunning. As on the way up, the route will cross the road in many places, but the road is quiet and only the bus is allowed on it.

Once you get past Mühlebach, the path turns West and now leads almost evenly into Grindelwald. You can walk all the way to the train station to make your way back to the start of the hike or hop onto the bus to get into the village.

As mentioned, this hike is long and has many height meters, but it’s possibly the best scalable hike that you may find. There is a bus route all the way along this hike. So you can hop on a bus anywhere you like when done with a days worth of walking and then come back the next day to continue. There are also three hotels along the way that would allow you to stay the night and continue the next day.

If you would like to spend only one day and not do the entire hike, best is to take the bus to Rosenlaui and walk from there up to Grosse Scheidegg and then down into Grindelwald.