The Bachalpsee at a glance
The Bachalpsee is a mountain lake at 2,265 metres on the north side of the Grindelwald valley. There is no road or lift to the shore. You take the First gondola from the village centre to the top station at 2,168 metres and walk from there.
The trail is easy and family-friendly. The Jungfrau Railways give a good hour each way and about 2 hours for the round trip. The route described by Grindelwald Tourism is 5.8 km there and back, with 1 hour 40 minutes of walking time.
The Bachalpsee hike from First
The key figures, as published by the Jungfrau Railways and Grindelwald Tourism.
| Figure | Bachalpsee from First |
|---|---|
| Start and finish | First top station, 2,168 m |
| Distance | 5.8 km there and back |
| Walking time | 1 hour 40 minutes; a good hour each way with stops |
| Ascent and descent | 202 m up and 202 m down over the round trip |
| Difficulty | Easy, family-friendly |
| Lift needed | First gondola, CHF 76 return in 2026 |
Getting to the start
The First gondola leaves from the village centre, about 8 to 10 minutes on foot from Grindelwald station, and reaches the top in 25 minutes. In 2026 an adult return costs CHF 76, or CHF 38 with a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass. It is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
Grindelwald First →On the trail
The lake sits about 100 metres above the top station, but the path goes up and down on the way, which adds up to 202 metres of climbing for the round trip. You return the same way to the top station.
What to bring
Proper walking shoes, a warm layer and a rain jacket. At over 2,000 metres the weather changes quickly, even on a sunny morning in the valley.
Tours and tickets for First and the Bachalpsee
Gondola tickets, guided trips and activities at First, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Best time of day and season for the Bachalpsee
When you go makes more difference to the experience than which shoes you wear.
Time of day
Go up early. If you only want to see the lake, go early and keep the rest of the day free. If you also want the rides at First, do them first: the Jungfrau Railways recommend activities before noon because there are no time slots. The walk then fits around midday. Check the last gondola down on the day.
Best months
High trails in the region are usually free of snow from mid-June. Late June to September is the most reliable time for a snow-free path.
Autumn
The First gondola runs until 25 October 2026 and is then closed for revision until 27 November. From mid-October many mountain huts and hotels close, including the Berghotel Faulhorn from 5 October 2026.
The Bachalpsee with kids
The Jungfrau Railways describe the trail as easy and family-friendly, which makes it a good first mountain hike for children. Allow more than the official hour each way with small children, and plan breaks at the lake.
Many families combine the walk with a ride at First. Check the limits before you promise anything: the Glider needs 130 cm, the Mountain Cart 135 cm and the Trottibike 125 cm, while the First Flyer has a minimum body weight of 35 kg. In summer 2026 children aged 6 to 15 pay CHF 26 for the Flyer or the Glider and CHF 19 for the cart or the Trottibike. Children aged 6 to 10 buy Flyer and Glider tickets on site, not online.
A good family day: gondola up, walk to the lake and back, then the Mountain Cart from Schreckfeld to Bort and the Trottibike into the village.
Continuing to the Faulhorn
Above the lake rises the Faulhorn at 2,681 metres, another 416 metres higher than the Bachalpsee. The summit can only be reached on foot. On top stands the Berghotel Faulhorn, open since 1830. For 2026 it closed for the winter on 5 October.
There is no official summer walking time from First to the Faulhorn, so we do not give one here. It is clearly a longer and steeper outing than the lake walk, so plan a full day, check the weather and turn back in good time.
The long version is the ridge hike from Schynige Platte via the Faulhorn to First: 16 km, about 6 hours, graded medium. It ends at First, where you take the gondola down. Details on our hiking page.
Combining the lake with the First activities
The walk and the rides share the same gondola, so one day covers both.
Free extras at the top
The Cliff Walk and First View need no extra ticket. Walk the Cliff Walk before or after the lake, it takes about 20 minutes.
Ride down instead of the gondola
After the lake, take the First Flyer to Schreckfeld (CHF 35 for adults in 2026), the Mountain Cart to Bort and the Trottibike to Grindelwald (CHF 25 each). With all three, a one-way gondola ticket up is enough.
Adventure Package
Unlimited gondola rides plus one activity cost CHF 90 for adults in 2026, or CHF 60 with a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass. Sold only at the valley station, daily quota.
All prices at First →The Bachalpsee in winter
What we could verify for winter 2026/27, and what we could not.
Lift and season
The First gondola reopens after its revision on 28 November 2026. The ski pass is valid from 21 November 2026, but the start of the ski season had not been fixed when we checked.
Winter walking at First
The area between Bussalp and First has 48 km of groomed winter paths. The best-known winter hike from First goes to the Faulhorn in about 2.5 hours. The winter hiking and sledging pass starts at CHF 61.
The lake itself
We could not confirm a groomed winter route to the Bachalpsee. Ask at the First valley station which paths are open on the day, and stay on marked winter trails.
Grindelwald in winter →More walks and sights near Grindelwald
If the Bachalpsee was too easy, or the weather turns, try these.
Grindelwald First
Gondola prices, the free Cliff Walk and the rides back down to the village.
Hiking in Grindelwald
Royal Walk, Panoramaweg, Eiger Trail and more, compared in one table.
Männlichen
The Royal Walk and the panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg.
Glacier Canyon
A walkway into a gorge with 300-metre rock walls, close to the village.
Bachalpsee: frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to the Bachalpsee?
From the First top station it is 5.8 km there and back, with 202 metres of ascent and descent. Grindelwald Tourism gives 1 hour 40 minutes of walking time, the Jungfrau Railways about 2 hours return including stops.
Is the Bachalpsee hike easy?
Yes. It is graded easy and described as family-friendly. You need walking shoes and some warm clothes, but no mountain experience.
Do you need a ticket for the Bachalpsee?
The lake and the trail are free. You only need the First gondola, which costs CHF 76 return for adults in 2026, half price with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, and is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
When is the best time to visit the Bachalpsee?
Late June to September, when the high trails are usually free of snow. Start early in the day. The First gondola runs until 25 October 2026 and is then closed for revision until 27 November.
Can you walk from the Bachalpsee to the Faulhorn?
Yes, the Faulhorn at 2,681 metres is reached on foot only. It is a longer and steeper hike than the lake walk. The Berghotel on the summit is closed for the winter from 5 October 2026.