Bachalpsee is a high-Alpine lake above Grindelwald in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland. Sitting at about 2,265 meters (7,431 feet), it is reached most easily by taking the First cable car from Grindelwald and then following the marked hiking route from First. The walk combines open mountain scenery, alpine meadows, and memorable views toward peaks such as the Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn.
Quick Answer
The standard Bachalpsee hike starts at Grindelwald First and is about 5.8 km (3.6 miles) round trip with roughly 202 m (663 ft) of ascent. Allow about 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes of walking, plus extra time for photos, breaks, and enjoying the lake.
Key Takeaways
- Bachalpsee sits at about 2,265 m above Grindelwald and is normally approached from the First mountain station.
- The verified First-Bachalpsee-First route is about 5.8 km round trip with approximately 202 m of ascent and descent.
- The standard route is rated easy, although altitude, uneven ground, snow, rain, and changing mountain weather can make it harder.
- Take water, food, sun protection, a warm or waterproof layer, and suitable walking shoes.
- Check cable-car operations, trail conditions, and the mountain-weather forecast before leaving Grindelwald.
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 1 hr 40 min to 1 hr 50 min walking, plus stops |
| Distance | About 5.8 km (3.6 miles) round trip |
| Elevation Gain | About 202 m (663 ft) |
| Difficulty | Easy in normal snow-free conditions |
| Gear Needed | Suitable walking shoes, water, food, sun protection, layers, rain protection, and a charged phone |
| Cost | The hiking trail itself is free; cable-car fares vary by ticket type, discounts, and season |
Grindelwald has a long connection with Alpine guiding and mountaineering. Climbers and local guides made many important first ascents in the surrounding mountains during the 19th century, helping establish the region as one of Switzerland’s classic mountain destinations. Today, Bachalpsee provides a much easier way to experience this landscape without undertaking a technical climb.
How to Get to Bachalpsee
Most visitors begin in Grindelwald village. If you arrive by train, continue to the main Grindelwald station rather than getting off at Grindelwald Terminal. According to Jungfrau Railways, the First Aerial Cableway valley station is roughly a 10-minute walk from Grindelwald railway station.
The gondola travels from Grindelwald through Bort and Schreckfeld to First in about 25 minutes. First is around 2,166 m above sea level, so the cable car saves a substantial climb before the Bachalpsee hike begins.
If you are using public transportation, check your connections through the SBB timetable. Drivers should review the current parking advice on the Jungfrau Railways website because parking immediately beside the First cableway is limited and official parking arrangements can change.
Note: Cable-car schedules, trail conditions, and seasonal operations can change. Check the official Jungfrau operating information on the day of your visit rather than relying on an old timetable.
First to Bachalpsee Route
From the First mountain station, follow the marked route toward Bachalpsee. The current route published by Grindelwald Tourism through its verified Outdooractive listing measures about 5.8 km (3.6 miles) for the complete First-Bachalpsee-First walk, with around 202 m of ascent and the same amount of descent.
The opening portion includes some climbing, after which the route continues over more gently rolling terrain. The path is generally broad and straightforward in normal summer conditions. The standard route returns to First along the same way.
The verified First-Bachalpsee-First route is about 5.8 km round trip, with roughly 202 m of ascent and an estimated walking time of about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Warning: “Easy” describes the standard route in suitable conditions, not every day of the year. Snow, ice, thunderstorms, fog, strong wind, or heavy rain can change the hike considerably. Check MeteoSwiss weather and hazard information before heading into the mountains.
What to Expect on the Hike
The Bachalpsee hike crosses an open Alpine landscape rather than dense forest. In the snow-free season, you may pass grassy slopes and seasonal mountain flowers, with broad views across the Grindelwald mountains.
The first part of the walk requires some uphill effort, but the route soon becomes more gradual. Because you are already above 2,100 m, visitors who live near sea level may notice the altitude even though the trail itself is not technically difficult. Walk at a comfortable pace and take breaks when needed.
As you approach Bachalpsee, the lake appears below rugged mountain scenery. On calm days, the water can reflect the surrounding peaks. The Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn are especially prominent from this part of the route.
Once at the lake, many hikers stop for photos, a snack, or a picnic before retracing the route to First. Your total outing can therefore take considerably longer than the official walking-time estimate.
Is the Bachalpsee Hike Good for Beginners and Families?
The standard route is officially rated easy and is family-friendly for people who are comfortable walking several kilometers on an outdoor mountain path. However, “easy” does not mean completely flat or paved. Children should be supervised, and families should allow extra time for breaks.
The trail includes natural and uneven surfaces, so standard wheelchairs and ordinary city strollers should not be assumed suitable. Travelers with mobility needs should check current accessibility information before making the trip.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Hike
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Plan your route | Use the First-Bachalpsee-First route and check current trail information before leaving. |
| Check the weather | Review the mountain forecast and official weather warnings, not only the forecast for Grindelwald village. |
| Stay hydrated | Bring enough drinking water for your complete outing instead of assuming water will be available beside the lake. |
| Wear appropriate footwear | Choose comfortable shoes with dependable grip for natural mountain surfaces. |
| Carry navigation | The main route is marked, but an offline map or downloaded route is useful if visibility deteriorates or your mobile signal becomes unreliable. |
| Tell someone your plan | If hiking alone or extending the walk beyond Bachalpsee, share your intended route and return time. |
| Pack essentials | Carry snacks, sun protection, a warm layer, rain protection, a charged phone, and basic first-aid supplies. |
| Respect wildlife | Watch animals from a distance and never feed or pursue them for photographs. |
| Leave no trace | Take all rubbish, food packaging, and other belongings back with you. |
Mountain weather deserves special attention. Conditions around Bachalpsee can be very different from those in Grindelwald because the lake is more than 1,200 m higher than the village. Carry layers even when the valley feels warm.
Thunderstorms are particularly important to take seriously. MeteoSwiss advises avoiding exposed terrain and bodies of water when thunderstorms threaten. If the forecast is poor or conditions deteriorate, turning around is better than trying to complete the hike simply because you have already traveled to First.
Hydrate regularly and eat before you become tired. If you are hiking with children or less experienced walkers, use their pace rather than the pace suggested by an online route planner.
Pro Tip: Add at least 30 to 60 minutes beyond the listed walking time if you want a relaxed picnic and photography stop at Bachalpsee. Also work backward from the last cable car so you are not rushing on the return walk.
Wildlife and Flora at Bachalpsee
The mountains around First support a variety of Alpine plants, birds, and mammals. What you actually see on the Bachalpsee hike depends on season, time of day, weather, and luck, so wildlife sightings should be treated as a bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the trip.
You may encounter mountain birds or spot mammals such as marmots elsewhere in the wider Grindelwald-First area. Larger Alpine animals are generally harder to see, especially on a busy hiking route. Keep your distance and avoid approaching animals for photographs.
During the warmer months, Alpine vegetation and seasonal wildflowers add color to the slopes. The exact species vary with elevation and habitat. Enjoy flowers where they grow rather than picking them, and remain on established paths where possible to reduce damage to fragile vegetation.
Best Times to Visit Bachalpsee
For most hikers, the simplest time to visit Bachalpsee is during the snow-free hiking season, generally from summer into early autumn. This is when the standard walking route is most likely to resemble the easy hike described by Grindelwald Tourism.
Do not assume that May or early June will always provide summer trail conditions. Snow can linger at this elevation, and conditions change from year to year. Likewise, autumn weather can bring cold temperatures and fresh snow earlier than expected.
Summer usually provides the warmest walking conditions and the greatest chance of seeing green meadows and seasonal flowers, but it is also a popular period. Starting earlier in the operating day can make the trail feel quieter.
September can be attractive for cooler temperatures and fewer peak-summer visitors, but shorter days and colder weather make checking the forecast and cable-car schedule even more important.
Note: Calendar month alone does not determine whether this hike is suitable. Check the current First cable-car status, trail information, snow conditions, and MeteoSwiss forecast immediately before your visit.
Photography Tips for Capturing Bachalpsee’s Beauty
Bachalpsee is particularly photogenic when the wind is light because a calmer water surface gives you a better chance of capturing mountain reflections. Rather than photographing only the lake, include rocks, grasses, or flowers in the foreground to give the scene more depth.
Morning and late-afternoon light can produce softer shadows than the middle of the day. However, sunrise and sunset do not necessarily match First cable-car operating hours. If you depend on the gondola, check the first and last departures before planning a golden-hour shoot.
Try both wide views and tighter compositions of the peaks and reflections. A polarizing filter can help control some glare, although rotating it too strongly can make skies or reflections look uneven with a wide-angle lens.
Clouds are not automatically bad for photography. Broken cloud can add texture and changing light to the mountain landscape, provided the weather remains safe for hiking.
Other Activities and Attractions Near Bachalpsee
Bachalpsee can easily be combined with other activities around Grindelwald First. The First Cliff Walk and First View are close to the mountain station, while Jungfrau Railways also operates adventure attractions such as the First Flyer and First Glider when conditions and seasonal operations allow.
Grindelwald is also a recognized destination for tandem paragliding. Availability depends heavily on weather, so travelers interested in flying should use established operators and confirm conditions on the day.
More ambitious hikers can continue beyond Bachalpsee toward destinations such as Faulhorn or follow longer high-altitude routes toward Schynige Platte. These are significantly more demanding than simply returning from Bachalpsee to First and require separate route planning.
Elsewhere in the region, Grosse Scheidegg, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and other Jungfrau destinations provide additional mountain scenery, railway journeys, village walks, and opportunities to experience the area’s traditional Alpine landscape.
Whether you visit Bachalpsee mainly for walking, photography, a picnic, or a broader day at Grindelwald First, the strongest experience comes from allowing enough time to enjoy the landscape rather than treating the lake as a quick photo stop.
If you are preparing food for a picnic at Bachalpsee, choose something that travels safely in your backpack and carry all waste back with you.
A simple picnic can be part of the Bachalpsee experience, but pack food securely and never leave scraps or packaging beside the lake.
If homemade picnic food suits your plans, you may also find this homemade cottage cheese recipe useful when preparing food before your trip.
Whatever you bring, choose food that can be transported safely and remember that responsible hiking includes carrying everything you bring back out with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bachalpsee hike?
The Bachalpsee hike is an out-and-back mountain walk from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee and back. The standard route is about 5.8 km round trip and reaches the lake at approximately 2,265 m above sea level.
How do I get to the Bachalpsee hike?
Travel to Grindelwald village, walk roughly 10 minutes from the railway station to the First Aerial Cableway, then take the gondola to First. The gondola journey takes about 25 minutes. The marked Bachalpsee trail begins near the First mountain station.
Is the Bachalpsee hike suitable for beginners?
Yes, in normal snow-free conditions the standard route is rated easy. Beginners should still be prepared for natural mountain surfaces, about 202 m of ascent, an altitude above 2,100 m, and rapidly changing Alpine weather.
How long does the Bachalpsee hike take?
The verified route takes about 1 hour 40 minutes of walking, while Jungfrau Railways lists approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. Allow additional time for photography, rest breaks, or a picnic beside the lake.
How far is the Bachalpsee hike?
The standard First-Bachalpsee-First route is approximately 5.8 km, or 3.6 miles, round trip with about 202 m of ascent and descent.
What should I bring for the Bachalpsee hike?
Bring comfortable walking shoes with good grip, water, snacks, sun protection, a warm layer, rain protection, a charged phone, and basic first-aid supplies. An offline map is also useful even though the standard trail is marked.
What is the best time to hike to Bachalpsee?
For most visitors, the snow-free summer-to-early-autumn period offers the simplest hiking conditions. Exact conditions vary each year, so check the current trail status, cable-car operation, snow conditions, and mountain forecast instead of relying only on the calendar.
Can I hike to Bachalpsee in winter?
Winter conditions require different planning from the normal snow-free hike. Only use routes that are officially open for the current conditions, check lift operations and avalanche or weather warnings, and do not assume the ordinary summer trail will be suitable.
Sources
- Jungfrau Railways: Hike to Bachalpsee — Bachalpsee elevation, official hike information, and trail-responsibility guidance.
- Jungfrau Railways: Grindelwald-First — cable-car travel time, First elevation, Grindelwald access, activities, and Bachalpsee walking-time information.
- Grindelwald Tourism verified First-Bachalpsee-First route — 5.8 km distance, 1:40 walking time, 202 m ascent/descent, difficulty, and route description.
- MeteoSwiss: Weather Hazards — current Swiss mountain weather and natural-hazard warnings.
- SwitzerlandMobility: Hiking in Switzerland — official marked-route and hiking information.
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) — current public-transport timetables and journey planning for Grindelwald.
