A PERFECT DAY AT THE TOP OF ADVENTURE
The place is Grindelwald First: Top of Adventure, and it had us saying “How did we forget the GoPro?”
Grindelwald is a small town not far from Interlaken, nestled in the magnificent Swiss Alps. A gondola in town will take you high into the Alps to a mountainous wonderland for adventurous spirits.
There are three gondola stations, each with a choice of experiences suitable for travelers of any type. You’ll learn everything there is to know below!
THE STATIONS & ACTIVITIES
1: First
Aptly named, First is the highest station and the first place you should stop. The ride up takes 25 minutes; stay in the cable car through Bort and Schreckfeld to reach it. You’re now almost level with the gargantuan Alp peaks surrounding you, with the prospect of nothing but adventure on the agenda! There are tons of things to do here, and only some require payment.
Bachalpsee - Hike up to see the world-famous “blue jewel” of the Alps, a serene lake glimmering a brilliant blue-green hue. The walk takes about an hour each way, so plan for it: it’s worth it! No activity pass required.
Cliff Walk - A metal pathway affixed to First's cliffsides provides a spectacular view of your surroundings. It’s complete with a catwalk viewpoint to take photos from if you’re brave enough to walk out to the end! No activity pass required.
Paragliding - Kick off the adventures by simply sailing off the mountainside. Paragliding is immensely popular here, and you’ll quickly spot colorful parachutes flying off of a grassy knoll and slowly fading into the distance of the town below you. If you don’t feel like taking the leap yourself, walk down to watch the flyers leap and float off into the beautiful scenery. Watching is free, gliding requires reserving beforehand and is not included in the activity pass.
First Flieger - Ready to move on? Strap into a zipline that whips you down the hill at over 50 mph! Spread your wings and feel the wind in your hair as you swoop down to the next stop, Schreckfeld, in style! Activity pass required.
2: Schreckfeld
Surely your heart is pumping now, and we’re just getting started! If you took the First Flieger you’re now at the second gondola station with new activities to enjoy.
First Glider - Fly under a giant eagle that can seat up to four people. You’ll be strapped in a prone position like in a hang glider and dragged slowly back up the way you just came from First. Once there, you’ll release and fly back down to Schreckfeld at blinding speed once again, this time face-first! Activity pass required.
Mountain Cart - Let’s get grounded with this simple but exhilarating activity for guests of all ages! These are low-riding 3-wheeled carts with nothing to operate except handlebars and brakes (just like a tricycle with no pedals). Let gravity keep doing all the work as you cart at your own pace through wooded areas and rolling hills painted by a sea of wildflowers. You’ll stop at the final station, Bort. Activity pass required.
3: Bort
You’re almost back to town, but there’s plenty more fun to be had with the last activity!
Trotbike - Throw on a helmet and hop on these big scooters to glide down the remainder of the road. This is about twice as long as the mountain cart, and the scooters go faster. The last stretch does ride roadside, so be careful as you glide back to town and return the scooter at the gondola station. You’ve come full circle! Activity pass required.
By the time you reach the base, you’ve surely had a perfect day at the Top of Adventure!
You’ve hiked, flown, carted, and scooted in one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
Revel in your accomplishment and rest up: there’s surely more adventure ahead!
TIPS & PRICING
The gondola starts running at 8am. If you get to town early, it’s tough to find breakfast. We recommend Ringgenberg for great service and delicious baked goods.
Pre-purchase your ride and activities. Once you have your tickets, add them to the Wallet on your phone for ease of access, simply scan to board the gondola or do any of the activities. We’ll get into the activities below!
Here’s the pricing for an Activity Passes (includes the gondola ride):
1 Activity: $74 Adult; $43 Child
2 Activities: $89 Adult; $57 Child
3 Activities: $106 Adult; $71 Child
4 Activities: $120 Adult; $84 Child