Hiking the Eiger Trail in 2026: Grindelwald to Alpiglen
Six kilometres at the foot of the Eiger North Face, with one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Alps. The 2026 guide.
Six kilometres at the foot of the Eiger North Face, with one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Alps. The 2026 guide.
Walking Beneath the Most Famous Wall in the Alps
The Eiger Trail traces the base of the 1,800-metre Eiger North Face — the wall that defined modern alpinism in the 20th century. From Eigergletscher station (2,320 m) the path drops 730 m over 6 km to Alpiglen, where you catch the train back to Grindelwald. It is one of the most accessible ways to experience high-alpine scale without a rope or an ice axe, and in 2026 it remains a free, well-marked, white-red-white Swiss alpine path that takes around 2.5 hours one way.
Getting to the Trailhead
From Grindelwald, take the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher (15 minutes, CHF 39 in 2026, free with Swiss Travel Pass + supplement). Alternatively, ride the Wengernalpbahn cogwheel railway via Kleine Scheidegg. Most hikers do the trail downhill, ending at Alpiglen. The reverse direction (uphill) is harder but rewards you with the wall growing slowly above your head.
What to Expect on the Trail
The path begins on barren scree directly below the North Face and gradually softens into grass meadows full of marmots, wildflowers and grazing cattle by the time you reach Alpiglen. Several sections are exposed but never narrow; the gradient is steady rather than steep. There are no technical scrambles. You will hear rockfall above you in the warmer months — it is harmless if you stay on the path.
Best Time to Hike
The trail is typically snow-free from late June to mid-October. July and August offer the best wildflowers and longest light. Early September delivers crisp air, fewer hikers and the chance of an early dusting on the upper face. Avoid in heavy rain — runoff can wash gravel onto the lower switchbacks.
Combine With the Jungfrau Railway
A clever single day combines the Eiger Trail with a morning visit to Jungfraujoch. Take the first train up, an hour at the Top of Europe, then descend to Eigergletscher and walk down to Alpiglen for a late lunch at the Berghaus before catching the train back.
- Distance: 6 km / Descent: 730 m / Time: 2.5 h
- Difficulty: T2 (mountain hiking, basic experience)
- Trailhead: Eigergletscher station (2,320 m)
- Endpoint: Alpiglen (1,615 m), train back to Grindelwald
- Bring: 2 L water, sun cream, layers, sturdy boots
Where to Eat at Alpiglen
The Berghaus Alpiglen, perched directly under the wall, has been serving rösti to climbers and walkers since 1899. Its sun terrace is one of the great alpine lunches in Europe — book ahead in summer.
Final Thoughts
Of the dozens of marked walks in the Bernese Oberland, none combines accessibility with wow-factor like the Eiger Trail. If you do only one Swiss day hike, do this one.