I have a thing for small mountain lakes.
I hiked in the Peruvian Andes to see the wonderful Laguna Churup with its crystal-clear water. In Switzerland, I crossed the meadows to the lovely blue Arnensee and I reached the pond where the magnificent Matterhorn was reflecting like in a mirror.
Thus, I couldn’t miss the hike from Grindelwald to Bachalpsee – in the stunning Jungfrau Region.
Even if you’re not a hiker, the view from atop the Grindelwald First gondola station will take your breath away. From the restaurant terrace you’ll face one of the most beautiful alpine scenery in Europe and I can’t imagine anyone not feeling moments of pure bliss.
The hike is truly suitable for anyone – included families with children – and does not require to be particularly fit, although a good pair of walking shoes is always recommended. The path ascends gently, offering more views of the valley and the surrounding glaciers, the green meadows and the colorful wildflowers.
An easy walk to an idyllic setting. A must-do in Grindelwald
After about an hour, here comes the lovely Bachalpsee. Indeed, although referred to as a single lake, a natural dam divides a smaller puddle from the pond.
The spot is so idyllic that it invites to sit down for a while, admiring the green marshland all around and the stunning mountain views in the background.
Being an easy walk, Bachalpsee is one of the most popular hikes in Grindelwald, but it was unexpectedly not overcrowded and I could rest peacefully, enjoying the silence and the enchanting scenery.
The hike can be extended up to Bussalp (from where one can take the bus back to Grindelwald) but with Erika – the lovely lady who joined me on this wonderful day – we headed back to the First Restaurant for a lunch on the terrace with a superb view on the Eiger.
Erika, who comes up there quite often, suggested to eat the Satay which was absolutely delicious, as seemed all the food served, definitely refined for a mountain restaurant.
I seriously doubted that the 2 hours hike to and from Bachalpsee were enough fat-burning exercise but I couldn’t turn down one of my favorite desserts: a scrumptious mousse au chocolat.
On the way back to Grindelwald, I was excited at the idea of taking the First Flyer, the 800 m steel cable that literally flies you down to Shreckfekd, the intermediate station of the cableway. The queue was however too long, so I decided to come back the following day in the morning and I have to say that it was a lot of fun.
Practical Information:
Getting there:
Grindelwald is easy to reach by train from Interlaken. It is on the Jungfraubahnen railway network, one of the most scenic in Europe. There are many packages to choose from, depending on the length of stay and interests.
Lodging:
In Grindelwald you’ll find a broad range of accommodations, from apartments to budget hotels and upscale, luxury hotels. I stayed at the Central Hotel Wolters, a 3 stars hotel with a good value for money a few steps away from the railway station and in the center of the town.
BOOK YOUR STAY
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Note: I was kindly invited by the Jungfrau Mountain Railways to discover this beautiful region through some unforgettable train rides. As always, my enjoyment is genuine and the opinions are only mine.
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beautiful photos! the tips at the end were also really helpful. Thanks for sharing!
We will be there in March and will do it twice and eat everything that you have shown. How seriously stunning it looks in your photos, so I am excited to see it in person.
It is indeed a stunning place although I was also very lucky with the weather. a sunny day and blue skies make a big difference :-). I’d be curious to see how the area looks like in March, with the meadows likely still covered with snow.
The whole Jungfrau Mountain Railway network is stunningly beautiful!
Getting a pass so you can backtrack (like you did here) is definitely the way to go when the scenery from the train and cable cars is sooooo jaw dropping!
I visited last year and we had to go over the top via Kl. Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen twice as once was not enough!!
I hear you when you say that once is not enough, Linda! The Jungfraujoch is one of the most beautiful mountain sceneries in the world, a place where one would like time to stop.