From the Village Streets to the Alpine Heights
Our day began not in the clouds but on cobblestone and pavement. Grindelwald, nestled deep in a green valley under the towering shadow of the Eiger, invites us to slow our pace before the adrenaline rush began.
Wooden chalets line the main street, each balcony heavy with bright geraniums. The scent of fresh bread drifts from a tiny bakery, while the gentle ring of a cowbell somewhere up the slope mingles with the murmur of conversation from café terraces.
As we walked through the heart of the village, the mountains teased us between rooftops—flashes of snow-dusted rock and gleaming ice. A pause in the church square rewards us with a first wide-angle view of Wetterhorn, jagged and proud at the valley’s edge. Shops tempted us with wedges of alpine cheese, neat rows of Swiss chocolate, and polished wooden souvenirs. The air feelt cool yet sweet, a reminder that the day’s adventure will be played out between two seasons: summer meadows below, eternal snow above.
Reaching the Firstbahn gondola station, we took one last look back toward the rooftops before stepping into a cabin. The gondola hums to life, lifting us above the patchwork of chalets, gardens, and green slopes. As the valley droped away, the panorama began to unfold—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau forming a legendary trio, joined by the jagged silhouettes of Schreckhorn and Fiescherhorn. Higher still, the ice-clad Wetterhorn dominates the view, almost close enough to touch.
High Above the Valley – First View and Cliff Walk
Twenty-five minutes later, we step out at First, around 2,168 m above sea level. Just behind the station lies the First View Platform, a modern steel structure shaped like an open flower, offering sweeping views over the glacial valley. It’s one of the best photo stops of the day—here, wide-angle shots capture both the mountain giants and the village now far below.
The Cliff Walk by Tissot was our first taste of high-altitude thrill. A narrow metal walkway clings to the rock face, winding toward a suspension bridge and ending at a glass-railed terrace that juts into empty space. From here, we were nearly face-to-face with the North Face of the Eiger, while the Bachläger waterfall spills somewhere beneath our feet. It’s a mixture of exhilaration and awe—the perfect start before the more daring rides ahead.
The Adventure Package – Playing with Gravity
Strapped into the First Flyer, we felt the harness take our weight. The signal comes, and we shot forward—800 metres of zip-line flight down to Schreckfeld, the wind roaring past as alpine meadows blur into green streaks beneath us.
At Schreckfeld, the First Glider awaits. We clipped into a bird-shaped harness, pulled backward at speed, then launched forward face-first over the mountain slope. For 800 metres we flew like an eagle, the sensation so pure it erases everything else for a few moments.
Still grinning, our swap wings for wheels. The Mountain Cart—a sturdy three-wheeled go-kart—takes us 2.5 km down a winding gravel track to Bort. Hydraulic brakes keep things safe, but the laughter comes from leaning into curves and stealing glances at the Wetterhorn, framed perfectly between stretches of green meadow. This section is pure, controlled joy, with plenty of chances to stop for action shots against a backdrop of alpine drama.
The Long Glide Home – Trottibike Descent
At Bort, we trade our cart for a Trottibike—a chunky, stable kick scooter built for mountain roads. Over 5 km and a descent of about 566 m, the route shifts from gravel to smooth tarmac.
We passed farmhouses with stacked firewood, cross streams that glint in the sun, and sweeped around bends that opened suddenly onto wide views of the Grindelwald valley. The ride got faster, freer, and tinged with a sense of return—each turn brings us closer to the village, but we almost wish it wouldn’t end.
By the time we roll back into Grindelwald, the circle was complete. From its quiet, flower-framed streets to its soaring cliff walks, from the high-speed flights to the gentle freewheel down, the day has been stitched together with moments of wonder. The mountains have been our backdrop, our playground, and our compass—and they remain there still, watching as we walked once again through the heart of the village.
For movies of the Mountain Cart and Trottibike, you have to click on the line down, and than on the pop-up