Bachalpsee, or also called Bachalp is one of the most picturesque mountain lakes in Switzerland.
It is therefore a popular hike when visiting Grindelwald-First in the Jungfrau Region.
Surrounded by stunning Swiss mountain peaks, this is a popular winter hike in Grindelwald.
Bachalpsee hike is an easy 3km long hike (roundtrip 6 km) where at the beginning you will encounter some uphill.
Count one and a half hours each way for this winter hike to Bachalpsee (probably only one hour if you hike it during the summer months). This will give you plenty of time to make it a half-day activity from Grindelwald.
Another great reason why you should hike to Bachalpsee at Grindelwald First is that you can combine it with the epic First Cliff Walk by Tissot. Also at Grindelwald First summit station is the First Flyer Grindelwald experience. More to that later.
Anyway, the point is if you are asking yourself whether Bachalpsee in the winter is worth the hike, then our answer is definitely yes. Combine it with other great activities at Grindelwald First to make a memorable day in the Swiss Alps.
Why visit Bachalpsee in late winter – early spring
Bachalpsee is a very famous summer hike because of its beauty. Many hike to Bachalpsee for the sunrise or sunset as the views and reflection of the mountains on the waters of lake Bachalpsee during these hours is just magnificent. It is also the start or end point of the incredible summer hike to or from Schynige Platte.
And because of all these reasons we believe this beauty is also somewhere to be discovered during a winter hike to this most magnificent Swiss alpine lake. Of course, we did not anticipate finding mirror reflections, but the contrast with the snow and the blue semi melted ice water of lake Bachalp where immensely satisfying and well worth the hike.
On top of that you may already see some alpine Enzian flowers and herds of mountain Chamois feeding on the lower snow free meadows.
All in all, a winter hike to Bachalpsee at Grindelwald First will be a completely different experience to a summer visit, but well worth your time and effort. I hope these photos prove it.
How to get to Bachalpsee – in Winter?
Bachalpsee is an alpine lake near Grindelwald in the Jungfrau Region – To be more precise it is near Grindelwald First the mountain station. And the only way to get to this beautiful Swiss lake is on foot – yes, you need to hike to Bachalpsee.
Grindelwald can be reached by car or on the scenic train ride from Interlaken or Zweilütschinen, but the latter location has very limited car parking space.
At the Grindelwald Terminal car park, normally you will find lots of spaces even during busy times..
In general, when travelling to the Jungfrau Region it is highly recommended at peak times and weekends to arrive by train.
PARK & RIDE; Another great option to get to Grindelwald would be to make use of the Park & Ride in Wilderswil. There you will find a large car park at a rate of Chf 5.- per day. A train ride will take you all the way to Grindelwald Village.
This train runs every 30 minutes and it will take 29 minutes to reach Grindelwald. Wilderswil is only 4 minues drive away from Interlaken making it an ideal parking option when visiting Grindelwald First,.
But should this not be possible check out the Grindelwald Terminal carpark for more information and prices to park your car.
When you have arrived in Grindelwald make your way to the Firstbahn – Gondola station to Grindelwald First located at the upper end of the village.
The easiest way to get to Bachalpsee is by taking the Firstbahn cable car from Grindelwald. Followed by the easy 1 ½ hours hike to the Bachalpsee along the panorama trail #1.
A more strenuous approach is to hike up to First from Grindelwald via the Eiger Ultra Trail. Count around 3 hours for the 7.4 km uphill hike. And then you still need to hike to lake Bachalpsee.
Take our word for it, the gondola ride is extremely scenic and offers fantastic views over Grindelwald Village, the Wetterhorn and beyond. You would be missing out by not riding the 25 minutes to Grindelwald First summit station.
Travel Tip. If you only want to come for a day trip to Grindelwald, whether it is from Zürich or Interlaken, you can get your Tickets here with get your Guide.
On the Bachalpsee Hike – Early Spring with snow
Whether you are hiking to Bachalpsee during the winter months or on a nice summer day the trail direction is the same.
The trail starts at First (2168m above sea level) and is very well signposted.
You will also pass the entry to the First Cliff Walk which we suggest doing on the way back from the Bachalpsee.
Start by heading up a short steepish path. Right next to it is the Grindelwald First snow park, therefore watch the youngsters do their tricks and jumps whilst hiking up this steep path in the snow, and you will be up at the flat and at the Gummihütte in no time.
A few more ups and downs and you will have reached the Bachalpsee and hopefully the ice on the lake has started to melt already because this will give you some great photography.
Good to know: During the winter you will find the Bachalpsee hiking path No 1 is groomed making it a designated winter hike in Grindelwald.
If you are hiking it during a warm spring day, the snow may be a bit softer and this will make the hike harder on your legs.
In this case just go slower and enjoy the surrounding breathtaking views even more. You could always bring snowshoes, but honestly this may not be necessary.
Best not to attempt any short cuts as you are risking to sink into the deep snow. Stay on the path, you will save energy and in the end, time also.
Hiking tip: Look up on the snow free rocks and meadows for the 1st alpine flowers especially the Enzian. You may also see Chamois and even Steinbocks in close proximity as they seek the snow free meadows to feed on.
Hiking to Bachalpsee with kids – snow path
As the path is groomed in late winter early spring it is a great family hike and you can bring the sledge instead of a pushchair to give the kids something to sit on when they are tired.
And if you are visiting during the summer then of course Bachalpsee is an ideal family hike in Grindelwald. And it is pushchair friendly. Bring a picnic and have the kids play by the lake whilst you can’t get enough of the most beautiful Swiss mountain views.
At Lake Bachalpsee
Bachalpsee is a Swiss alpine lake with NO Restaurants or shops. At least not during a winter visit. Hiking to Bachalpsee is probably the most hiked trail in Switzerland. Summer or winter.
And it is understandable, as it is simply gorgeous.
So therefore, bring your picnic or have lunch on your way back at the Gummihütte, or in the restaurant at First after completing the First Cliff walk.
Back to the lake… You will actually find two lakes there and depending on how much snow there is still laying on the ground, you may not be able to walk around them. But even just being in the area is beautiful.
If you are a photographer, the time is right and the ice has started to melt on the lake, then you will find many different angles to capture some amazing patterns between the turquoise ice-cold water, the ice and the snow.
During the summer you can walk around the lakes, and even go swimming if you are brave. But be careful swimming in Swiss alpine lakes as they can contain seriously cold water.
Hiking from Bachalpsee
During the winter you could do some snowshoes hikes or touring with your skis from Bachalpsee up the Faulhorn or hike down to Bort. But check the avalanche conditions especially if you wish to hike up to the Hotel Faulhorn which will be closed during winter but we have seen ski-tourers heading up. Again, you need to have some experience in taking on such a winter alpine snow tour.
Hiking down to Bort will be possible with snowshoes and most probably you will lose the snow half way down, especially if you are hiking during the spring.
The hike is quite steep with some switchbacks through the forest all the way to Bort. If you would like to do it, take the hiking route number 4 on the map.
Our suggestion if you are hiking to Bachalpsee in winter is to hike back the way you came.
Summer Hikes from Bachalpsee
Different in the summer, The Hotel Faulhorn offers accommodation and the view is just stunning. This hike would be an 11km round trip from Grindelwald First – to Hotel Faulhorn via Bachalpsee. The elevation is about 530m and you would have to count a good 4-5 hours round trip. More would be better for sure.
Another classic summer hike in Grindelwald would be the hike from Grindelwald First to Schynige Platte via Bachalpsee and Faulhorn. This is a long 17km hike with about 850 meters elevation change and has to be done as a one-way hike. You need to count a good 6-7 hours for this spectacular hike.
Grindelwald Bus & Hiking Map
To get full access to the bus & hiking map of Grindelwald click on it. The bus stops are conveniently distributed to allow a one way hike. This gives you great opportunity in extending your hike from Bachalpsee especially if you are visiting during the summer months. Always a good idea to check with the bus company that they are running before starting your hike.
Grindelwald First Cliff Walk – By Tissot
If you are decide to walk from Bachalpsee down to Bort station keep in mind that you will NOT be returning to First and in this case, you may want to walk the First Cliff Walk by Tissot before heading to Bachalpsee.
On your hike to or from Bachalpsee you will find the entry gate to the First Cliff Walk by Tissot just below the cable car station.
The walk is free of charge and a definite must do when visiting Grindelwald First.
It is a short but very impressive walk way built in to the cliff with breathtaking views over the Jungfrau Regions mountain peaks and down the valley.
Good to know: On the First Cliff Walk no strollers or push chairs are allowed plus it is a one way walk finishing at the panorama bridge by the restaurant.
Photography tip: If you are there during a day where you have to queue for your spot at the edge make sure you leave quite a nice gap between the person in front of you and the end of the platform. This way when it is your turn, you can make nicer pictures capturing the longer walkway, and videoing the “walk of fame”.
Sometimes people stand so close at the end you have less than 2 metres and your perfect photography opportunity at the First Cliff Walk is ruined. So don’t forget to make this gap!
Practical information about the Cable Car from Grindelwald to First
The Grindelwald First gondola is at the upper end of the village opposite the Hotel Sunstar.
The Gondola runs nonstop all day long from Grindelwald via Bort and Schreckfeld to First.
Enjoy this beautiful panorama that opens up whilst riding the 25 minutes up to First.
The ride passes through two stations before reaching First.
BORT station. The first possible stop is Bort and you should definitely disembark the gondola here and let the kids play at the amazing playground either on the way up or down. If you are stopping on the way down to Grindelwald at the end of your day make sure you are checking at what time the LAST gondola leaves Bort to Grindelwald. Otherwise you would have to hike back down.
It is also here where you can rent the downhill scooters and ride back down to Grindelwald. There are no double scooters, therefore it would not be an activity for families with younger children. Check with them if this activity is offered if you are visiting Grindelwald in Spring as it will depend on the snow level.
SCHRECKFELD Station; The second station is Schreckfeld and from here you could race down the mountain with the Grindelwald First Mountain Carts (summer or spring only). This is also the area from where you find the Grindelwald First Glider. Another exhilarating adventure where you can fly like an eagle.
FIRST station; You have reached the summit and the start for your hike to Bachalpsee. But not only the hiking trail starts from here it is also the area from where you can find the First Flyer Grindelwald.
Secured in the harness, up to four persons fly along the 800-metre-long cable from First to Schreckfeld. Speeds of up to 84 kilometres per hour can be reached on this adrenaline zip-line adventure.
Travel tip: Check directly with the cable car company whether all these different First activities mentioned above are open. And at the same time, you can check the Gondola Grindelwald First Opening Hours.
Make sure the gondola to First is operating when you visit for a peaceful journey with no bad surprises. Normally their opening dates are from June to end of October and mid of December to April.
Tickets to Grindelwald First
It is best to get your ticket to Mount First in advance and online
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, Bernese Oberland Pass or an SBB half fare card you will qualify for a discounted price.
If you wish to add some First mountain activities like the First Glider, then it is maybe best to go to the ticket office and explain what you would like to have included and which travel pass you have. They will then give you the right ticket.
Travel Tip: if you do have some time you may want to get this ticket the day before. Like this you can just go on the cable car in the morning and do not need to stand in the queue.
Travelling with children to Grindelwald First
If you have a SBB junior card, or a child’s Bernese Pass then children from 6 -15 are travelling free of charge with a paying parent. Younger kids are free anyway. This is a great saver as it will make a trip to Grindelwald First and Lake Bachalpsee very affordable for families.
If you are staying several days (minimum 3 days) within the Jungfrau Region and are planning on visiting as many mountain tops as possible, then you might be better off getting a Jungfrau Travel Pass.
With this multi-day-pass you have unlimited access to all the gondolas and trains within the area.
Best Places to stay in Grindelwald
When you are planning on hiking to Bachalpsee we recommend you are plan to also stay in Grindelwald and explore a bit more of this beautiful Swiss region. Here are some great Hotels in Grindelwald
- Hotel Spinne, this hotel offers quiet rooms and a very nice infinity pool with uninterrupted views of the Eiger.
- Sunstar Hotel & SPA Grindelwald is in a quiet yet central location with beautiful unspoilt panoramic views of the famous North Face of the Eiger and the Wetterhorn. Opposite the First cable car station.
- Chalet CARVE – Apartments EIGER, MOENCH and JUNGFRAU features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Grindelwald, 1.1 km from First.
- Apartment Chalet Abendrot-24 is situated in Grindelwald, 200 m from Grindelwald-First, as well as 2.8 km from Grindelwald-Wengen.
FAQ about Grindelwald-First & Bachalpsee
Is Grindelwald first included in a Swiss Travel Pass?
You need a Swiss Travel Pass to enjoy a free ride on the train to Grindelwald. Whereas on the gondola to First you will get a 50% reduction.
Can you drive to the Bachalpsee in Grindelwald?
No, the Bachalpsee in Grindelwald can only be reached on foot or by bike and this is the beauty of it. But be assured the Bachalpsee hike in Grindelwald is an easy hike for the whole family and every ability.
Is Grindelwald First worth visiting?
After reading this Swiss travel blog we hope that you can answer this question with a big YES. Grindelwald First is definitely worth visiting in any season.
Can you swim in Lake Bachalpsee?
During the summer Lake Bachalpsee is crystal clear but also super cold. If you do have some experience in cold alpine lake swimming then yes, you can swim at Lake Bachalpsee.
Is First Cliff Walk free?
Yes everyone can walk the “walk of fame” at the First Cliff Walk by Tissot but it is not pushchair friendly. However, it is only a short walk and you can carry your child.
Can I bring dogs in the Grindelwald First gondola?
In spring 2022 it was allowed to bring dogs on the gondola and they are free of charge.
Can I transport my e-bike on the First cable car?
Unfortunately not. However, you can bring your normal bike at a cost of Chf 12.-
Can you stay at Grindelwald First?
Yes, and it is actually highly recommended to stay at the Berg Gasthause First ! As you will be up the mountain you can enjoy the First Cliff Walk, the sunset and sunrise nearly alone as the day tourists will start to depart at the end of the afternoon and not arrive again until the next day.
Can we camp at Bachalpsee?
No, as wild camping is officially not allowed in the Bachalpsee area. When you arrive there is a sign saying camping is forbidden and you may get fined. If you wish to camp there are some great campsites in Grindelwald.
Day Trips & Tickets around the Jungfrau Region
You will be in such a great area when visiting Grindelwald, make the most out of it and try to plan to see as much as possible. Here are some suggestions and day trips from Grindelwald that may interest you.
Beautiful day trip itineraries from Grindelwald
Lauterbrunnen is only a short and very scenic train ride away from Grindelwald and the trip is well worth your time. 17+ Things to do in Lauterbrunnen
If you are heading to the Lake Brienz region we highly recommend visiting The Powerful Giessbachfalls by boat
More Swiss Hikes
- Valais – Panorama Hike in Lötschental
- Family Hike from the Hotel Grimsel Hospiz to the Oberaarlake and Glacier
- Grimsel Valley – Hiking the Gelmersee & Gelmersee Bahn. A beautiful Alpine Lake
- Kandertal – Oeschinensee Hike – Most Amazing Alpine lake
- Meiringen – What makes the SwissPeak resort such a great accommodation
I hope that the information provided here when you are planning to Hike to Bachalpsee will prove itself useful.
If I have left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below and share your experience, so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries and stories as well.
Thank you & Never forget to explore
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