Day 6 – Grindelwald First Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee Lake Trek : An Unforgettable Day in the Swiss Alps (Sep’26)
12 September 2026 | Wilderswil – Grindelwald – Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee Lake Trek
Switzerland has many beautiful mountains and lakes, but some places become memorable not just because of their beauty, but because of the journey it takes to reach them.
On 12 September 2026, our sixth day of the Europe trip, we planned one of our longest and most physically demanding days in Switzerland. Starting from our peaceful Airbnb in Wilderswil, we travelled by train to Grindelwald, took a gondola up to Grindelwald First, experienced the famous First Cliff Walk, and trekked to the stunning Bachalpsee Lake.
It was a day filled with sunshine, mountain views, countless photographs, tired legs, and beautiful memories.

A Sunny Morning at Our Airbnb in Wilderswil
Our day started with beautiful sunshine in Wilderswil, a peaceful Swiss village where we were staying during our Switzerland trip.
The morning weather was perfect. Before leaving for our mountain adventure, we spent some time outside our Airbnb home taking photographs and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Our Airbnb was located in a lovely Swiss village, surrounded by traditional houses and beautiful mountain scenery. Staying here gave us an opportunity to experience a quieter side of Switzerland, away from the busy tourist areas.
I really enjoyed these small moments of our journey. Sometimes, even the place where you stay becomes an important part of your travel memories.
But today, we had a big adventure waiting for us.
Our plan was to visit Grindelwald First, enjoy the mountain views, experience the First Cliff Walk, and complete the trek to Bachalpsee Lake.
We knew it would be a long and tiring day, but we were excited.

Travelling from Wilderswil to Grindelwald by Train
After taking a few photographs around our Airbnb, we headed toward the railway station to begin our journey to Grindelwald.
One thing I really appreciated about travelling in Switzerland was the convenience of its public transport system. Even small villages are well connected to popular mountain destinations.
The train journey from Wilderswil to Grindelwald generally takes around 35–45 minutes, including a change at Zweilütschinen.
The route passes through beautiful valleys surrounded by mountains and traditional Swiss villages.
As we travelled toward Grindelwald, we were looking forward to the mountain adventure ahead.
Grindelwald is one of the most popular mountain villages in the Jungfrau region, famous for its Alpine scenery, hiking trails, cable cars, and outdoor activities.
After reaching Grindelwald, we started walking toward the Grindelwald First gondola station.

A Delicious Indian Lunch at Golden India Restaurant
By the time we reached the area near the gondola station, it was almost lunchtime.
Since we had a long trekking day ahead, we decided to have a proper lunch before going up the mountain.
While walking around, we found an Indian restaurant called Golden India.
We decided to stop there for lunch, and it turned out to be a very good decision.
The food was really tasty, and we enjoyed our meal.
Finding delicious Indian food in a Swiss mountain village was a pleasant experience, especially before starting a physically demanding mountain trek.
After finishing lunch, we walked toward the gondola station, ready to begin the next part of our journey.

Taking the Gondola to Grindelwald First Mountain
The gondola ride from Grindelwald to First was another beautiful experience.
Grindelwald First is located approximately 2,167 metres above sea level and is one of the famous mountain attractions in the Jungfrau region.
The gondola journey takes approximately 25 minutes and passes through the intermediate stations of Bort and Schreckfeld.
As the gondola climbed higher, the surrounding mountain scenery became more impressive.
From the cable car, we could enjoy views of the green mountain slopes and the beautiful Alpine landscape.
Finally, we reached Grindelwald First.
After getting off the gondola, we spent some time walking around, exploring the mountain area, and taking photographs.
The weather was sunny, and the mountain views were absolutely beautiful.
Everywhere we looked, there was something worth photographing.
But the real adventure was still ahead.

Experiencing the Famous Grindelwald First Cliff Walk
After exploring the mountain area, we headed toward one of Grindelwald First’s most famous attractions — the First Cliff Walk.
The First Cliff Walk is a metal walkway built along the mountainside, offering dramatic views of the surrounding Swiss Alps.
One of its most exciting features is the viewing platform that extends out from the mountain, creating a spectacular experience high above the valley.
Walking along the Cliff Walk was an unforgettable part of our visit.
The surrounding mountains looked incredible, and the views made the experience even more special.
Naturally, we stopped to take photographs and enjoy the scenery.
It was a wonderful combination of mountain beauty and a little adventure.
After completing the First Cliff Walk, we were ready for the most physically demanding part of our day — trekking to Bachalpsee Lake.

Starting Our One-Hour Trek to Bachalpsee Lake
Our next destination was Bachalpsee Lake, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes near Grindelwald First.
The hiking trail from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee is approximately 3 kilometres one way, and the usual walking time is around one hour, depending on your pace.
For us, the trek felt quite demanding.
The mountain trail required effort, and we decided not to rush.
Instead, we walked slowly, taking our time and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
This turned out to be the best way to experience the journey.
Every few steps, we discovered another beautiful view.
Sometimes it was the mountains in the distance. Sometimes it was the open Alpine landscape. And sometimes, the entire scenery looked so beautiful that we simply wanted to stop and take another photograph.
We took many pictures along the way.
Although the trekking was physically tiring, the beauty of the landscape kept us motivated.
For me, this was one of those travel experiences where the journey itself was just as memorable as the destination.
We were not trying to finish the trek as quickly as possible.
We wanted to enjoy every moment.

Finally Reaching the Beautiful Bachalpsee Lake
After approximately one hour of trekking, we finally reached Bachalpsee Lake.
And the effort was absolutely worth it.
Bachalpsee is a beautiful Alpine lake located at approximately 2,265 metres above sea level, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
After the long walk, reaching the lake felt like a small achievement.
We spent around one hour at the lake, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and taking photographs.
The combination of the lake, mountains, and open Alpine landscape created a beautiful atmosphere.
It was the kind of place where you could easily spend much longer, simply sitting and enjoying nature.
After all the walking, it felt wonderful to spend some time appreciating the scenery.
For me, this was one of the highlights of our Switzerland trip.
The trek had been tiring, but standing beside Bachalpsee Lake made every step worthwhile.

The Return Trek – Racing Against the Gondola Closing Time
Although we wanted to spend more time at the lake, we had to keep an eye on the time.
We needed to return to Grindelwald First before 6 PM because the last gondola was scheduled for 6 PM that day.
Missing the final gondola was not an option.
So, after spending around one hour at Bachalpsee Lake, we started our return trek.
By this time, our legs were already tired from the earlier walk.
We still had to cover the trail back to the gondola station.
The return journey required more effort, but the beautiful mountain scenery continued to make the experience enjoyable.
We kept moving toward Grindelwald First, making sure we had enough time to catch the gondola.
Finally, we reached the gondola station and made our way back down to Grindelwald village.
It was a relief to complete the mountain adventure successfully.

Back in Grindelwald – Time for Ice Cream!
After returning to Grindelwald village, the first thing we did was enjoy some ice cream.
After hours of mountain walking and trekking, it felt like a well-deserved treat.
Sometimes, the simplest things become the most enjoyable moments during a long travel day.
We had completed the First Cliff Walk, trekked to Bachalpsee Lake, and returned safely before the final gondola.
Now we could finally relax a little.
After enjoying our ice cream, we started walking toward Grindelwald railway station.
It was almost 7 PM.
The long day had made us tired, but we were happy with everything we had experienced.

Evening Train Journey Back to Wilderswil
We boarded the train from Grindelwald and began our return journey to Wilderswil.
After spending the entire day in the mountains, it felt nice to sit down and enjoy the journey back.
When we reached our village, we took a few more photographs of the surroundings in the evening.
Wilderswil looked beautiful in the softer evening light.
It was a lovely contrast to the busy mountain adventure we had experienced throughout the day.
In the morning, we had photographed our Airbnb village under bright sunshine.
Now, in the evening, we were capturing another side of the same beautiful place.
These simple village moments became some of my favourite memories of staying in Switzerland.

A Simple Dinner at Our Airbnb – Ramen and Noodles
After such a long and tiring day, we had no plans to go out for dinner.
We had already bought some dinner items from Coop supermarket in Grindelwald.
Once we returned to our Airbnb, we prepared a simple dinner in our kitchen.
We cooked ramen and noodles.
Nothing fancy, just a quick and comforting meal after a physically demanding day.
One of the advantages of staying in an Airbnb with a kitchen is the freedom to prepare your own food, especially when you return tired after a long day of sightseeing.
After dinner, it was finally time to rest.
Our legs were tired, but our hearts were full of beautiful memories.
My Experience – Was the Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee Trek Worth It?
Absolutely.
This was one of the most memorable days of our Switzerland journey.
The day had everything — a sunny morning in Wilderswil, a scenic train journey, tasty Indian food, a beautiful gondola ride, the exciting First Cliff Walk, a demanding mountain trek, and the peaceful beauty of Bachalpsee Lake.
The hike was not easy for us, but we completed it at our own pace.
And that made the experience even more enjoyable.
One thing I learned from this day was that mountain trekking is not always about reaching the destination quickly.
Sometimes, walking slowly, stopping for photographs, and appreciating the scenery creates the best travel memories.
If you are planning to visit Grindelwald First and Bachalpsee Lake, I would recommend allowing enough time to enjoy the complete experience without rushing.
And most importantly, check the last gondola departure time before starting your trek.
For us, 12 September 2026 was a tiring but unforgettable day in the Swiss Alps.
Some travel days are remembered for the places we visit.
Others are remembered for the effort, the journey, and the feelings we experience along the way.
This day was a beautiful combination of both.
Keep walking, keep exploring, and keep creating memories.

FAQs
These are specific to your Day 6 experience, with practical details useful to readers planning the same journey.
1. How do you travel from Wilderswil to Grindelwald?
You can take a train from Wilderswil to Grindelwald, normally changing at Zweilütschinen. The journey usually takes approximately 35–45 minutes.
2. How do you reach Grindelwald First mountain?
From Grindelwald village, take the First gondola. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and passes through Bort and Schreckfeld.
3. Is the Grindelwald First Cliff Walk worth visiting?
Yes. We enjoyed the Cliff Walk and its spectacular mountain views. It was one of the highlights of our visit to Grindelwald First.
4. How long does the trek from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee Lake take?
The hike is approximately 3 kilometres one way and normally takes around one hour. We walked slowly and stopped frequently to enjoy the scenery and take photographs.
5. Is the Bachalpsee Lake trek difficult?
The trail is generally considered an easy-to-moderate mountain hike, but we found it physically demanding. Your experience will depend on your fitness, the weather, and the trail conditions.
6. How much time should you spend at Bachalpsee Lake?
We spent approximately one hour enjoying the lake and taking photographs. Allow additional time for the return hike.
7. What time is the last gondola from Grindelwald First?
On our visit on 12 September 2026, we planned to return before the 6 PM final gondola. Operating times vary by season and date, so always check the official timetable.
8. Can you find Indian food near the Grindelwald First gondola station?
We enjoyed a delicious Indian lunch at Golden India in Grindelwald before taking the gondola up the mountain.
9. Can you visit the First Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee Lake on the same day?
Yes. We completed both experiences on the same day. However, it is important to plan enough time for the gondola ride, Cliff Walk, trekking, lake visit, and return journey.
10. Is Grindelwald First and Bachalpsee Lake worth visiting in September?
We visited on 12 September and enjoyed sunny weather and beautiful mountain views. September can be a wonderful time to visit, although Alpine weather and trail conditions can change quickly.

