This scenic winter trail near Grindelwald offers breathtaking views of the iconic Eiger, a nice option for non-skiers who enjoy hiking.
The groomed snow means no snowshoes are necessary, just waterproof hiking boots. While the first section crossing a couple busy ski runs, the rest of the hike is quite peaceful. More than a stroll, it’s a rewarding two-hour hike with a mix of ascents and descents, best for those with moderate fitness.
After the hike, you can finish your day with a fun sled ride down the mountain, keep hiking on other trails, or take the easy way down on a scenic mountain train.
Keep reading for everything you need to know to plan your perfect winter day on this unforgettable hike.
| Region: | Jungfrau Region, Berner Oberland, Switzerland |
| Starting point: | Wengen-Männlichen cable car OR… Grindelwald Terminal-Männlichen gondola |
| By car: | Parking: Grindelwald Terminal near Grundstrasse 32, 3818 Grindelwald From Interlaken 30 min, Zürich 1hr50 |
| By public transport: | Wengen or Grindelwald Terminal From Interlaken 35 min, Zürich 2hr40 |
| Trail: | 6.5 km one way • trail map |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Difficulty: | moderate |
| Condition: | groomed snow |
| Elevation: | 180m up, 340m down |
| Open: | mid Dec to early April • check trail status |
| Cost: | hiking ticket for mountain railways Discount with Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card |
| Extras: | restaurants at both ends of trail |
| More info: | Jungfrau Region website • webcam • forecast |
Gallery
Trail description
The winter map below shows the important elements of this outing. The trail starts at Männlichen (3), which can be reached by cable cars from Wengen or Grindelwald.
The trail ends at Kleine Scheidegg (4), where you can ride a mountain train down to either Wengen/Lauterubrunnen or Grindelwald. Or you can continue the fun, by sledding or hiking down on trail 64 towards Grindelwald or trail 66 towards Wengen.
Trail map
The trail map linked below shows the route. But the path may different slightly based on current snow conditions. In any case, follow the light purple signs direction Kleine Scheidegg Trail 63. The winter trail is clearly marked with pink poles on the side of the trail.
See trail map on Komoot
Trail conditions
The snow on this path is groomed with machines, making it possible to walk on the trail with regular hiking boots. No snowshoes required.
However, depending on current conditions, the snow could be icy or wet and slushy. Best to have waterproof shoes and bring traction cleats and hiking sticks.
Longer hike & sledding
When you end the trail at Kleine Scheidegg, you can optionally join winter trail 64 or 66. Both trails are mixed use for hiking or sledding. You can rent sleds at the Wyss Sport shop at Kleine Scheidegg, but they may be sold out in the afternoon, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Trail 64 “Eiger Run” is 5.5km long, leading to Alpiglen, where you can catch the mountain train down to Grindelwald.
Trail 66 “Fox Run” leads towards Wengen. Since the trail parallels the mountain train route, so you can walk/sled partway down the mountain and catch the train at one of the stations along the way: 2km to Wengernalp, another 5.5 km to Allmend, another 5.5 km to Wengen.
How to get there
This winter hike is near Wengen and Grindelwald in the Jungfrau Region (see on Google Maps).
The trail starts at Männlichen on the mountain. You can access the trail with mountain railways from either Wengen or Grindelwald.
By public transport
If you are arriving by public transport, we prefer to to access the trail via Wengen, which is a bit quicker. In this case, ride a train to Lauterbrunnen. Transfer to the yellow Wengeneralpbahn mountain train and ride up to Wengen, a 13 min ride.
Then 1 min through the village to the Wengen-Männlichen cable car (follow signs with gondola symbol). If you don’t have a cable car ticket yet, you can purchase it here. The cable car leaves every 15 mins. It’s a 5 min ride.
Note: If you have a SBB Day Pass or Swiss Travel Pass, your pass covers the mountain train between Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, saving you a bit of money.
By car
If you are arriving by car, it’s easier to park at Grindelwald Terminal (near Grundstrasse 32, 3818 Grindelwald), which usually has more open parking spaces than Lauterbrunnen.
From the parking, walk into the gondola station. You can purchase gondola tickets at the ticket office. Make sure to board the gondola going to Männlichen, not Eiger Express.
The trail ends at Kleine Scheidegg. Here you can ride a mountain train down to Grindelwald Grund, which is a short walk from the Grindelwald Terminal parking. This mountain train only goes every 30 mins, so check the schedule so you can avoid a long wait. The journey takes 32 mins. Make sure to board the train going to Grindelwald, not the yellow train going to Wengen.
Costs
You’ll need a pedestrian ticket for the mountain railways accessing the trail. They sell a combo ticket for this trail, which includes a one-way ticket on the cable car to Männlichen and one-way ticket on the mountain train from Kleine Scheidegg.
In 2024, this combo ticket costs CHF 60 from Wengen and CHF 63 from Grindelwald. See current prices.
Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, Eurail, Interrail, GA. Free with Jungfrau Winter Pass.
Children under 6 ride free. Children 6-15 CHF 20. Dogs ride free.
You can purchase tickets at the cable car stations. You can also purchase via the SBB Mobile app, then scan the QR code at the cable car turnstile.
Opening times
The trail is usually open and maintained from mid December to mid April. But it can close due to poor snow or weather. Check trail status.
The mountain transport runs every day, starting around 8:15. The last ride down from Kleine Scheidegg is 17:30, don’t miss it! Check current schedule.
Photo story of trail
Riding up to Männlichen
In this photo story, we access the trail via Wengen. From Lauterbrunnen, we rode this yellow train to Wengen.
Then a short walk through the village to the Männlichen cable car station shown below. You can buy tickets here if you don’t have them already.
The cable car takes you to the top of the cliffs shown here.
Arriving at Männlichen
The cable car drops you off here.
If you peer over the cliffs, you get this view of the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Detour to Royal Walk viewpoint
We started with a detour up to the Männlichen peak, the highest point in the pic below.
To reach the peak, you follow the path shown below, short but steep. Learn more about the Royal Walk.
It takes about 20 mins to reach this crown viewpoint. Then walk back down toward the Männlichen cable car to start the trail.
Near the cable car stations, there are a couple restaurants and toilets.
Starting the hike
To start the hike, walk towards the Eiger and Jungfrau peaks as shown here.
Follow the purple signs for trail 63 direction Kleine Scheidegg.
At the start, you sometimes share the path with skiers. Stay on the side of the trail.
View of the ski hills, looking down towards Grindelwald.
This part parallels a ski run and is a bit steep. Be careful!
You’ll see this sign when you need to cross the ski run. It’s warning you to yield to skiers.
Despite all the signs, we lost the trail once and had to check the trail map on our phone to get back on track. Make sure to follow the pink poles and head towards the Eiger, the tallest peak shown in the pic below.
This little section was so steep and slippery. The two people ahead of us fell down and decided to slide down instead. We took it very slow.
Peaceful section through the forest
Now we’ve left the ski runs behind and it’s an easy stretch on this quiet path.
Looking back on the trail towards Männlichen.
One of my favorite views on the trail.
Dipping into the forest for a bit.
Leaving the forest and heading towards the ski runs near Kleine Scheidegg.
Passing the Bustiglen Bar, a little mountain cafe bustling with skiers taking a break.
It gets a little busy again, crossing more ski runs and trails headed in different directions. Keep following the purple signs pointing to Kleine Scheidegg.
The trail curves up towards the mountain train tracks.
In the below pic, you can see our trail joining the Eiger Run trail. We kept walking up to Kleine Scheidegg. But you could turn here and hike down the mountain on the Eiger Run. If you want to sled, keep hiking up to Kleine Scheidegg and rent a sled. Then sled down this trail.
You walk parallel to the train tracks the rest of the way to Kleine Scheidegg.
Arriving at Kleine Scheidegg
Here is the end of the hike at Kleine Scheidegg. It’s a busy hub for skiers and day trippers visiting the Jungfraujoch viewpoint. There are a few restaurants here and free toilets.
The red train up to the Jungfraujoch glacier viewpoint leaves from here. Learn more.
More hiking or sledding
If you want to sled or keep hiking, two other winter trails start at Kleine Scheidegg – Eiger Run 64 and Fox Run 66. Both trails are mixed use for hiking or sledding.
You can rent sleds at the Wyss Sport shop at Kleine Scheidegg, but they may be sold out in the afternoon, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Trail 64 “Eiger Run” starts through the arch shown below. It’s 5.5km long, leading to Alpiglen, where you can catch the mountain train down to Grindelwald.
Trail 66 “Fox Run” leads towards Wengen. In the photo below, you can see the trail on the far right, near the train tracks. Since the path parallels the mountain train route, you can walk/sled partway down the mountain and catch the train at one of the stations along the way: 2km to Wengernalp, another 5.5 km to Allmend, another 5.5 km to Wengen.
Mountain train to Wengen/Lauterbrunnen
From Kleine Scheidegg, we rode the yellow mountain train from Kleine Scheidegg down to Lauterbrunnen. There is also a train going down the other side of the mountain to Grindelwald. Make sure you get on the right one.
It’s a spectacular train ride. You’ll see the Fox Run Trail 66 parallel to the tracks, used for winter hiking and sledding.
We were on the 17:00 train, almost the last train of the day.
FAQ
What to wear
This hike is best done with sturdy waterproof hiking boots. I prefer to bring traction cleats in case conditions are icy. I always bring hiking sticks to help with balance on uneven snow.
Although temperatures may be chilly, you will probably warm up on the hike, especially on a sunny day. Best to dress in layers so you can easily adjust. We typically wear a long sleeve sport shirt and bring a medium weight fleece, light down jacket, and windproof shell.
Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses.
What to bring
There are restaurants on both ends of the trail and one in the middle. But we still suggest bringing at least 1 L of water per person and snacks.
Can I bring dogs on this trail?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the trail and ride the gondolas for free. Dogs must be on the leash when near the ski hills.
