Eiger Trail, from Eigergletscher to Alpiglen

What it is

The Eiger Trail is the path that runs along the foot of the Eiger north face, the wall of almost 1,800 metres that is one of the most famous in the Alps. You walk along the base of the rock, sometimes so close that you have to tip your head back to see the summit, with the Grindelwald valley at your feet and the Wetterhorn opposite. It is one of the most spectacular routes in the region for how little it demands for what it shows.

The route step by step

1. Start at Eigergletscher (2,348 m): you reach the station on the Eiger Express from Grindelwald Terminal, in about 15 minutes, or by train from Kleine Scheidegg. As you leave the station, follow the signs for the Eiger Trail towards Alpiglen.
2. First stretch, beneath the wall: the path is almost flat, at around 2,300 m, over scree and meadows at the foot of the north face. This is the most impressive part: the wall rises right above you.
3. Descent to Alpiglen: the path starts to lose height in bends down the hillside, among alpine meadows, with Grindelwald getting ever closer.
4. Arrival at Alpiglen (1,616 m): a station on the Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald line. You take the train down.

According to Jungfraubahnen it is 6.1 km, with 78 m of ascent and 779 m of descent, and about 2 hours of walking in this direction. In the opposite direction, from Alpiglen to Eigergletscher, it is 779 m of ascent and about 2 and a half hours. The difficulty is medium: a well-marked mountain path, with loose stone and descents that are hard on the knees.

Signposting

Paths in the region are signposted with the yellow Swiss signs, which give the destination and the time. The Eiger Trail appears on them from Eigergletscher and from Alpiglen.

When to go

The path opens in summer, once the snow has gone: MySwitzerland gives the season as July to October, and warns that depending on the year and the weather it may be closed. In early July there may still be snow on the first stretch. Check the state of the path on the Jungfraubahnen website before going up.

Go in good weather: with low cloud you cannot see the wall, which is the only thing that matters here. If fog closes in or a storm arrives, from Eigergletscher you can return by train and, once you are on your way, heading down to Alpiglen is quickest.

Water, shade and what to bring

There is hardly any shade on the route: take water and sun protection, and warm clothing, because at 2,300 m and in the shadow of the wall it is cold even if it is hot in Grindelwald. Walking boots or mountain trainers with a good sole.

With children and with a dog

With children who can already walk for an hour at a stretch without trouble it is a good excursion, in the downhill direction. It is not suitable for pushchairs. Dogs are allowed, on a lead and with water for them.

Combine it

It is easy to link with the Jungfraujoch: on the way back, get off at Eigergletscher and do the Eiger Trail instead of returning on the Eiger Express. Another good walk in the same area is the panoramic path from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg.