Bachalpsee Hike from Grindelwald First: A Firsthand Guide
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If you want the biggest payoff for the least effort in the Jungfrau region, the Bachalpsee hike is it. An easy walk from Grindelwald First leads to a mirror-still alpine lake that throws the peaks straight back at you — it’s the photo you’ve already seen of Switzerland, and it’s genuinely beginner-friendly. Here’s everything from doing it firsthand, including the small mistake that left me sunburned.
Bachalpsee hike: the quick version
| Distance | ~6 km round trip (about 3 km each way) from First |
| Time | Roughly 1–2 hours each way, depending on your pace and how often you stop (you’ll stop a lot) |
| Elevation | Gentle — around 190 m of gain, with one steeper stretch at the start |
| Difficulty | Easy / beginner-friendly (but not stroller-friendly) |
| Start | Grindelwald First, reached by gondola from Grindelwald |
| Season | Roughly June to September, once the snow has melted |
| The views | The Wetterhorn (3,690 m), Schreckhorn (4,078 m) and Finsteraarhorn (4,274 m) mirrored in the lake |
How to get to the trailhead (Grindelwald First)
The hike starts at First, the mountain station above Grindelwald at about 2,168 m. Take the Firstbahn gondola up — it’s roughly a 25-minute ride through Bort and Schreckfeld — then follow the signs from the top station toward Bachalpsee. A return gondola ticket is around CHF 76 in summer (CHF 72 off-season, 2026), but it’s half price with a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or Berner Oberland Pass, and free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass. The first gondolas run from about 8:00 a.m. — go early to have the lake to yourself.
First is also an adventure hub with a cliff walk, a zipline and more — I cover whether all that is worth your time and money in Is Grindelwald First worth it?. And if you’re still deciding where to base yourself for all of this, start with Grindelwald vs Interlaken: where to stay.
What the Bachalpsee hike is actually like
The first kilometre is the only real effort — a gentle uphill that feels like a bit of a slog — and then it mellows out onto an easy, well-trodden alpine path. Before long the lake appears, and on a still day the big peaks reflect off the surface so perfectly it doesn’t look real. We spread out a blanket, had a picnic, and I happily fell asleep by the water for an hour. The views are genuinely out of this world. Strong hikers can carry on past the lake up to the Faulhorn (2,681 m), and even continue the long ridge walk all the way to Schynige Platte as a full-day outing — but the lake alone is a perfect, low-effort half-day.
⭐ Things nobody tells you about the Bachalpsee hike
- Bring a blanket and a picnic. The lake is made for lingering, and there’s nothing to buy once you’re out there. This was the best slow hour of my trip.
- Wear sunscreen — and reapply. I napped by the lake and woke up genuinely sunburned. The sun at altitude is brutal even when it doesn’t feel hot.
- It’s not stroller-friendly. Kids who can walk will love it, but bring a carrier rather than a pram.
- The first stretch is the hardest part. Don’t let it put you off — it eases up quickly into a flat, easy walk.
- Go in the morning for the stillest water (best reflections) and fewer people on the path.
- Pack a layer. Mountain weather changes fast, even on a sunny morning.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes (trainers are fine for most)
- A blanket + picnic, and plenty of water
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- A light layer or rain shell
- Your gondola ticket or pass in your phone wallet
Best time to do it
The trail is generally walkable from about June to September, once the snow clears. Aim for the morning: the lake is calmest then (which means the best reflections), and you’ll beat both the crowds and the afternoon clouds that often build over the peaks.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Bachalpsee hike?
About 6 km round trip from First — roughly 1 to 2 hours each way depending on your pace and how long you stop at the lake (and you’ll want to stop).
Is the Bachalpsee hike hard?
No — it’s one of the easiest “wow” hikes in the region. Only the first kilometre involves any real climbing; after that it’s a gentle, well-marked path suitable for beginners.
Can you do it with kids?
Yes, for kids who can manage a gentle walk. It’s not stroller-friendly, though, so bring a carrier for little ones.
Can you swim in Bachalpsee?
The water is freezing alpine meltwater, and the lake sits in a protected natural setting — most people come to picnic and photograph rather than swim. Tread lightly and take everything back out with you.
Is the Bachalpsee hike worth it?
Completely. If I could only recommend one easy walk in the Jungfrau region, the Bachalpsee hike would be it — the reward-to-effort ratio is unbeatable, and a slow picnic by that mirror lake is the kind of moment you plan a whole trip around. Just pack the sunscreen, bring a blanket, and give yourself time to do nothing at all.
More Jungfrau guides to build out your trip: the Wengen to Lauterbrunnen hike, whether Grindelwald First is worth it, and where to stay in Grindelwald vs Interlaken.
New to planning Switzerland? Start with my full guide: how to plan a trip to Switzerland.
— Monali
