Grindelwald First Marmot Trail

The Marmot trail at Grindelwald First passes through high alpine meadows that are full of marmots, which you are likely to see if you are patient. 

Much quieter than the popular Bachalpsee lake hike, you quickly leave the crowds behind and traverse a peaceful mountain landscape with wildflowers and trickling streams.

You end at the Grosse Scheidegg pass, where you can ride a special mountain bus back down to Grindelwald.

Note: The Grindelwald First website lists the “Marmot trail” as closed, but this is referring to the theme trail elements like the kids’ activity booklet and info sign boards, not the walking path which follows the “Via Berna” route, which is open. For trail closures, check SchweizMobil or Swiss Topo for up-to-date info.

Quick info

Region	Jungfrau Region • Bernese Oberland Switzerland
Address:	Grindelwald First gondola Dorfstrasse 187, 3818 Grindelwald
By car:	Parking at Parkhaus Sportzentrum: Dorfstrasse 110, 3818 Grindelwald From Interlaken 25 mins, Bern 1h, Luzern 1hr30, Zürich 2hr
By public transport:	Bus stop: Grindelwald, Firstbahn (or 10 min walk from Grindelwald train station) From Interlaken 38 mins, Bern 1hr40, Luzern or Zürich 2hr40

Trail:	7 km one way • trail map
Duration:	about 2 hours
Difficulty:	moderate • 234m up, 434m down (starting at First)
Condition:	narrow dirt path with uneven terrain
Highest point:	2200 m

Open:	mid June thru late October • check trail status
Cost 2025:	Mountain transport CHF 63/adult
Discounts:	Free with Bernese Oberland Pass, partially covered by Jungfrau Travel Pass Discounts for Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card & GA
Services:	restaurant and playground at end of trail
More info:	grindelwald.swiss • webcam • weather

Gallery 

Trail overview

This trail starts at the top of the Grindelwald First gondola. It hike a bit higher into the mountains, then traverses across to the Grosse Scheidegg pass. You can catch a mountain bus here back to Grindelwald.

Suggested itinerary: 

1. Ride Grindelwald First gondola to the top (First station).
2. Before hiking, enjoy the First Cliff Walk and Vantage viewpoint.
3. Then follow signs for the Marmot trail (aka “Murmeltierweg”), direction Grosse Scheidegg.
4. The trail ends at the Grosse Scheidegg bus stop, where you will also find a restaurant at the Berghotel Grosse Scheidegg.
5. The Grindelwald Bus picks here about once an hour. See timetable.

Hiking map

Here is the trail map. The path is a typical mountain trail with uneven terrain and loose rock. No dangerous sections, suitable for children. Best done with sturdy shoes with good tread.

Get interactive map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

Longer option:

If you want to keep walking, you can continue on the Via Alpina route down towards Grindelwald or hike down the other side of the mountain to the Rosenlaui valley.

How to get there

This trail starts at the First mountain above the Grindelwald village in the Jungfrau Region. See Grindelwald on Google Maps. 

This trail starts at the top of the Grindelwald First gondola – Dorfstrasse 187, 3818 Grindelwald. At the end of the one-way hike, you can ride a mountain bus back to the Grindelwald village.

By public transport

Take a train to Grindelwald (the main station in the village, not Grindelwald Terminal or Grindelwald Grund).

Transfer to bus 121 (bus depot is across the street from the train station). Ride the bus to the Grindelwald, Firstbahn stop, a 3 min ride. Or you can walk 10 mins down the main street to reach the gondola station. 

By car & where to park

As you approach Grindelwald, follow signs to the Firstbahn. The closest parking to the First gondola is Parking First near Dorfstrasse 193, 3818 Grindelwald, which is a 1 min walk from the gondola station. But this small lot is usually full and it’s expensive.

We suggest parking at the parking lot next to the Pfingstegg cable car at Graben 3818, 3818 Grindelwald. It’s about a 7 min walk uphill to the gondola station.

We suggest paying with the mobile parking app, which allows you to add time to the meter remotely if you are gone longer than you planned.

If you can’t find a spot there, you can usually park at the Parkhaus Eiger+ and Sportzentrum parking garages – right next to each other at Dorfstrasse 110, 3818 Grindelwald. 

Planning your day

This is a one way trail, with a gondola on one side and a bus on the other.

First Gondola Tickets

You’ll need a one-way gondola ticket to the First station, which you can buy at the station. See current prices.

The gondola ride is free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and Bernese Oberland Pass. Discount on gondola with Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.

Grindelwald Bus

The trail ends at the Grosse Scheidegg pass, where you can catch the special GrindelwaldBus back to the Grindelwald village.

You’ll need a one-way ticket for this bus, valid from Grosse Scheidegg to Grindelwald, Bahnhof. Best to buy this ticket on the SBB mobile app. But you can buy it on the bus if necessary.

The mountain bus is more expensive than regular buses, similar like a gondola ticket. In 2025, this one way ticket costs CHF 27.

This bus is free with the Bernese Oberland Pass, but not covered by the Jungfrau Travel Pass. You get a discount with the Swiss Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass or GA (not a free ride like regular buses).

> Learn more about the Grindelwald Bus.

Opening times

This trail is typically open for summer hiking from mid-June to mid-October.

The gondola operating times vary throughout the season. From May to early October, it opens at 8:00 and last ride down at 18:00. See current operation times.

The mountain bus only runs once an hour. In 2026, the last bus down is 17:23. Check bus timetable so you don’t have to wait long or miss the last bus.

Photo Story of Trail

1. Riding gondola to First

View of Grindelwald as we ride the gondola up to First.

Before starting the trail, visit the First Cliff Walk, which only takes about 15 mins.

2. Starting the trail

The trail starts directly as you exit the First gondola station, starting on a gravel path.

Then you descend on some wood lined switchbacks.

Then the gravel service road for awhile, leading to the peaks ahead.

3. Fork onto mountain path

At this sign, the trail leaves the road and hikes up into the alpine meadows.

Going uphill, but not too strenuous.

Looking back at the road we just left.

Nice streams flowing down the mountain in early July.

The trail has several wooden animal sculptures, mostly of marmots.

Reaching the high point of this section.

Loved this spiky peak.

4. Marmot territory

This area is where you’re likely to see marmots. You can hear them peeping but it’s hard to see them unless you patiently scan the meadows. A couple people had binoculars, which would be a good idea.

Another nice stream flowing down the other side of the mountain.

If you’re really lucky, you might see one of these Steinbocks on the trail.

Lots of wildflowers in early July.

Looking back at the marmot area. I was lucky to see two marmots romping around for a few minutes. But I was too far away to get a good pic of them.

Looking towards the Grosse Scheidegg pass where we’ll end the hike.

5. Joining “Via Berna” trail to Grosse Scheidegg

At this sign, you briefly join the service road again. From here, you could walk back to First or the Schrekfeld gondola stations. But we continued to Grosse Scheidegg, which I recommend.

The walking path forks left from the service road and traverses the mountain above the road.

You cross a couple more streams and little waterfalls.

Gorgeous peaks in every direction.

Looking back on the trail.

Keep following signs to Grosse Scheidegg.

Arriving at Grosse Scheidegg with this impressive peak right above you.

Looking over the pass towards the Rosenlaui valley. If you want to keep hiking, you can follow the Via Berna trail down that valley (which I did).

Looking back towards First.

Perhaps the nicest bench in this area.

6. End of trail at Grosse Scheidegg

Arriving at Grosse Scheidegg, where the bus picks up. It only leaves once a hour, so time your arrival carefully.

Next to the bus stop, there is a restaurant with a nice terrace and a kiosk selling snacks with picnic tables.

Looking down the winding mountain road that the bus takes. If you need a ticket, buy it on the SBB mobile app or from the bus driver.

Hope you enjoy this hike!