Männlichen at a glance
Männlichen is the ridge between Grindelwald and Wengen. The gondola leaves from the Grindelwald Terminal, stops at the middle station Holenstein and reaches the top station at 2,225 metres after 19 minutes. From up there you look down into two valleys at once and straight across to the Eiger north face.
Most visitors do two things on Männlichen: the short Royal Walk to the summit, and the panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg. The trail is one of the easiest high walks in the Jungfrau Region, mostly gentle and with the Eiger in front of you the whole way. A train takes you back down to Grindelwald from Kleine Scheidegg.
Gondola tickets and passes 2026
Summer 2026 prices for adults. Check the pass column first, because many visitors ride for free or at half price.
| Ticket | One way | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal to Männlichen | CHF 34 | CHF 68 |
| Terminal to Holenstein | CHF 19 | CHF 38 |
| Round trip ticket for the panorama trail | CHF 74.60 (gondola up, train down from Kleine Scheidegg) | |
| Children 6 to 15 | special price of CHF 5 | |
Free
The gondola is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass, the Berner Oberland Pass and the Unlimited Jungfrau Summer Pass. If you hold one of these, simply show it at the gate.
Half price
50 % off with a Half Fare Card, GA, Swiss Travel Pass, AlpsPass or Eurail/Interrail. A return ticket then costs CHF 34.
Guest card
If you stay overnight in Grindelwald, your guest card gives 30 % off in summer. It cannot be combined with other discounts.
Where to stay in Grindelwald →Männlichen and Grindelwald tours
Cable car tickets, guided day trips and hiking tours around Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg, with live prices and availability.
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Season and opening hours
The summer season 2026 runs from 23 May to 25 October. After that, the gondola closes for its annual revision from 26 October to 11 December 2026.
| Period 2026 | Operating hours |
|---|---|
| 23 May to 3 July | 08:30 to 16:30 |
| 4 July to 23 August | 08:15 to 17:00 |
| 24 August to 13 September | 08:30 to 17:00 |
| 14 September to 25 October | 08:45 to 16:30 |
The last ride down to the valley is at 17:00 or 17:30, depending on the period. The winter season runs from 12 December 2026 to 4 April 2027. Bikes are not allowed in the gondola.
The Royal Walk to the summit
The Royal Walk starts at the top station and climbs to the Männlichen summit. It is about 1 kilometre each way with 120 metres of ascent. Allow 25 minutes up and 15 minutes down. The path is open from May to October.
From the summit the view opens up in all directions: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on one side, the Lauterbrunnen valley and Wengen below on the other, and Grindelwald and the Wetterhorn behind you. If you only have a short time on Männlichen, this is the walk to do.
Panorama trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
The panorama trail is 4.5 kilometres long and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. In the other direction it takes around 2 hours, because you walk uphill. It is a wide path that most walkers manage easily, including families with children used to walking.
Walking in this direction, you head straight for the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, so the best view is always ahead of you. It opens around mid-June, once the snow has gone, and stays open until October.
At Kleine Scheidegg you can take the Wengernalpbahn train back down to Grindelwald Grund in the valley. That is why the round trip ticket for CHF 74.60 is useful: gondola up from the Terminal, walk, then train down from Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald Grund.
A simple day on Männlichen
This plan works from late June to the end of the summer season, when the panorama trail is free of snow.
Morning: gondola up
Take the gondola from the Grindelwald Terminal early, ideally in the first hour of operation. The light on the Eiger is best in the morning, and the trail is still quiet.
Getting to Grindelwald →Royal Walk
Walk up to the summit and back, about 40 minutes. Then return to the top station, where the panorama trail starts.
Panorama trail
Walk to Kleine Scheidegg in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Take breaks: there is no reason to hurry on this trail.
Hiking in Grindelwald →Train down
Ride the Wengernalpbahn back to Grindelwald Grund. Fit walkers can instead continue on foot, or come back another day for the Eiger Trail.
Eiger Trail →Männlichen in winter
From 12 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, the gondola runs for skiers, winter walkers and sledgers. Männlichen is part of the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area in the Jungfrau Ski Region. A day ski pass costs CHF 79 for adults, CHF 83 in high season. Two sledge runs lead from Männlichen down to Holenstein: a faster one from the top station and an easier one. With enough snow you can sledge all the way down to the village. For the full winter picture, including the sledge runs at First, see our winter guide.
Grindelwald in winter
Ski areas, sledge runs and winter walks, plus the cable car dates for the 2026/27 season.
Grindelwald First
The other big summer area, with the cliff walk, the First Flyer and the walk to the Bachalpsee.
Things to do in Grindelwald
All the main sights and activities in and around the village in one place.
Männlichen: frequently asked questions
How long does the gondola to Männlichen take?
The ride from the Grindelwald Terminal to the top station takes 19 minutes, with a stop at the middle station Holenstein. The Terminal has its own train station and a large car park.
How much does the Männlichen gondola cost in 2026?
An adult return ticket costs CHF 68 in summer 2026, or CHF 34 one way. With a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass you pay half. With the Jungfrau Travel Pass or the Berner Oberland Pass the ride is free.
How hard is the walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg?
It is an easy walk of 4.5 kilometres on a wide path, about 1 hour 20 minutes in the downhill direction from Männlichen. Going the other way takes about 2 hours. Good shoes are enough, and it is open from mid-June to October.
Is the Royal Walk worth it?
Yes, if the weather is clear. It only takes 25 minutes up and 15 minutes down from the top station, and the summit gives you a full view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau as well as both valleys.
When is Männlichen closed?
In 2026 the gondola stops after 25 October and is closed for revision until 11 December. The winter season starts on 12 December 2026.