Grindelwald is an idyllic Swiss village located in the Bernese Oberland, at the foot of Eiger’s iconic North Face. Next to it, the Mönch and Jungfrau form an enormous wall stretching southwest. Like a postcard come to life, this community charms visitors with the gentle song of cowbells and the smell of self-service cheese and milk stands lined up in front of wooden houses, their ornate balconies wreathed in flowers.
Blessed with an abundance of straightforward, relatively flat trails, Grindelwald is my top pick for new runners looking to acquaint themselves with the sport. After finding the right tempo and getting used to the elevation gain, you can simply transition to more challenging ridge lines and high-altitude plateaus.
Like many Alpine towns and villages, Grindelwald is car-free, but the train system allows trail runners to move between towns and transport their luggage with ease. During your stay, you’ll experience a relaxing and fuss-free environment.
Go for convenience and culture in Grindelwald
I’ve had some of my favorite runs on the Panorama Trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, and the trail from Grosse Scheidegg to First (pronounced in German, not like the English cardinal number)—both beautiful and easy routes that provide sweeping views of the glacial features the Grindelwald Valley is known for.
Another popular option is the wide and smooth gravel path to Lake Bachalp, which cuts across a landscape punctuated by U-shaped valleys and glistening waterfalls.
For more advanced runners, the Hardergrat Trail offers a thrilling ridge line run with endlessly Instagrammable views of Lake Brienz, one of Switzerland’s finest. Last but not least, we have the Eiger Trail—a classic every runner should try. The path works its way through an open meadow, undergoes a series of steep uphills, then finally drops down to the Eiger Glacier.