Ultimate 10-Days Family Itinerary – Switzerland Adventure Day 6 – Exploring First Cliff Walk

The next day, we spent the entire day at First Cliff Walk.

Itinerary

Day 1 and 2: Minster Cathedral Square, Barfusserplatz, Visit Christmas Markets. Overnight at Hotel Victoria, Basel Day 3 to 5: Jungfraujoch, Kleine Scheidegg, Lake Brienz, Isetwald, Lauterbrunnen, First Cliff Walk. Overnight at Boutique Hotel Glacier Day 6:  First Cliff Walk. Overnight at Boutique Hotel Glacier Day 7 to 10: Mount Pilatus, Swiss Museum of Transport, Luzern Lunch Cruise. Overnight Hotel des Balances

The First Cliff Walk by Tissot, located in the picturesque village of Grindelwald in the Swiss Alps, is a must-visit attraction for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. This exhilarating walkway, which opened in 2015, offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the stunning beauty of the Bernese Oberland from a breathtaking vantage point.

The First Cliff Walk is easily accessible via the Grindelwald-First gondola, which departs from the center of Grindelwald village. To get there from Hotel Glacier, we walked to the Grindelwald Terminal and took the gondola up to First. The gondola ride itself was a hit with the kids, offering stunning views of the valley below and the snow-covered peaks above. Once at the top, the cliff walk is just a short walk from the gondola station.

Personally, I preferred First Cliff Walk over Jungfraujoch, which I found quite crowded. First Cliff Walk offered a more relaxed and scenic experience, perfect for a family outing. Read our post here for our adventure at Jungfraujoch.

Here’s an overview of the different gondola stops on the way to First Cliff Walk:

1. Grindelwald (Valley Station):
   • Starting Point: This is the base station located in the village of Grindelwald. It’s the starting point for the gondola journey up to First. The station is easily accessible from the village center, and tickets for the gondola ride can be purchased here.
2. Bort:
   • First Stop: The first gondola stop on the way up is Bort. This stop is popular for its family-friendly activities, including a large playground and picnic areas. In winter, it’s a great starting point for toboggan runs.
   • Activities: Bort also offers access to several hiking trails and is a great spot for mountain biking during the summer months.
3. Schreckfeld:
   • Second Stop: The next stop is Schreckfeld. This station is a hub for various alpine activities and offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks.
   • Activities: At Schreckfeld, visitors can engage in activities such as zip-lining with the First Flyer and mountain carting in the summer. There are also hiking trails leading to beautiful viewpoints and other attractions.
4. First (Top Station):
   • Final Stop: The final stop on the gondola line is First, also known as Grindelwald-First. This is where you’ll find the entrance to the First Cliff Walk by Tissot.
   • First Cliff Walk: The highlight of the area, the First Cliff Walk offers an exhilarating experience with its narrow walkways, suspension bridge, and panoramic viewing platform.
   • Activities: Besides the cliff walk, the First area offers a range of activities including the First Glider, the First Mountain Cart, and the First Flyer. In winter, it’s a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding. There are also several hiking trails that start from here, including the famous hike to Bachalpsee, a beautiful alpine lake.

The gondola ride from Grindelwald to Bort takes about 10 minutes. We decided to make our first stop at Bort to let Hengboi try out the toboggan. It was a blast, though Hengboi2 was too young for the ride and enjoyed playing in the snow instead. The boys had a great time in the snowy playground, but they were still too young for the First Flyer.

For lunch, we headed to Restaurant Alpinhotel Bort. We chose to sit indoors because it was quite chilly outside. They have a kids’ area with a small indoor playground and a ball pit, which kept the boys entertained. The food was delicious, and the view from the dining area was spectacular, making it a memorable meal.

After lunch, we boarded the gondola again to head up to First (Top Station) which takes about 15 minutes. The boys continued playing in the snow, and we went for the First Cliff Walk, with Hengboi2 napping in my carrier. The view was absolutely stunning.

We then took a break at the restaurant, enjoying some beer and finger food while soaking in the incredible scenery.

After a full day of exploring and playing, we made our way back to Grindelwald, tired but happy. Each day in Grindelwald brought new adventures and unforgettable moments, making our stay at Hotel Glacier truly special.