Paloma
Table of contents
Fallbodensee isn’t the most popular Swiss lake, but it probably should be. Granted, it’s a man-made lake, so it’s not an alpine lake for the purist, but hands down, it was stunning, and I could have stared at it all day.
The best part is how easy it is to reach. This short, mostly downhill hike takes you from Eigergletscher past the lake to Kleine Scheidegg in about 45 minutes to an hour, with the Eiger north face right in front of you. It sits in the Jungfrau region between Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, and you can reach it easily from either village.
In this article, you'll find everything you need to plan your day hike to Fallbodensee, including the trail map, how to get there, and the cost.
The hike at a glance
Moderate- Distance
- 1.5 miles (2.4km), point-to-point
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours total
- Elevation gain
- 899 feet (274m) downhill
- Starting point
- "Grindelwald- Terminal" cable car station
- Parking
- Parkhaus Grindelwald Terminal
- Cost
- 40 CHF one-way Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher+ 46 CHF one-way from Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen
- Crowds
- Medium
- Sun exposure
- High
Trail overview
Area Map
Eigergletscher to Kleine Scheidegg Hiking Map
Difficulty
Since this is a short hike and it's all downhill, it's on the easier side.
However, I agree with the official medium rating because some parts are particularly steep, and although they're not slippery with hiking shoes, they can be hard on the knees.
Variations
Option 1: For a longer hike, continue past Kleine Scheidegg and follow the train line to Wengernalp, Allmend, or Wengen. For more details, see the hiking map below.
Option 2: Combine this hike with a visit to Jungfraujoch or the Eiger Trail.
How to get there
By car & where to park
This journey starts at Grindelwald Terminal station and ends at Lauterbrunnen train station.
For parking, your first option is to park near the starting point at Parkhaus Grindelwald Terminal and take a train from Lauterbrunnen back to Grindelwald Terminal (45 minutes) at the end of your hike.
Your second option is to park at Wilderswil, take a train to Grindelwald Terminal, hike, and in the end take a train from Lauterbrunnen back to Wilderswil
By public transportation
From Grindelwald train station, you can easily reach the Grindelwald Terminal train station.
If you're coming from the Interlaken area, Grindelwald Terminal station comes before Grindelwald.
If you want to hike uphill instead
From Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg:
Take a train straight from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg.
From Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg:
Take the direct train from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen.
Where to stay
Grindelwald Terminal
If you want to stay closest to the start of the journey, Grindelwald Terminal is the right place. Accommodation options right next to the train station include Eiger Lodge Chic, and Grindelwald Swiss Vacances.
Grindelwald
Alternatively, if you're planning to stay longer in Grindelwald and want a more central location that's still convenient for exploring the area, stay close to the Grindelwald Train Station. Here are some options: Hotel Kreuz & Post Grindelwald and Hotel Central Wolter - Grindelwald.
Lauterbrunnen
Another great base for exploring the area is Lauterbrunnen. If you want to follow the exact itinerary I describe in this guide and choose to stay in Lauterbrunnen, you will need to take the train to Grindelwald Terminal in the morning.
Practical planning
Operating hours
The Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher goes up daily from 07:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in high season. Double-check the current timetables on the official website.
Trains from Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen run daily from 8:14 a.m. to 6:31 p.m. in high season; double-check the current timetables on sbb.ch before you go.
Cost & Discounts
For this hike, you need a one-way ticket for the Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher, which costs 40CHF for adults.
Different discount cards offer different discount levels: Half Fare Travel Card 20.30 CHF; GA Travel Card 18.80 CHF; Swiss Travel Pass 30.60 CHF; Eurail, Interrail 28.20 CHF. Tickets are free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
Book your tickets on the official Jungfrau website.
On the way back, you'll need a one-way ticket from Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen, which costs 46 CHF for adults without discount cards, 23 CHF for adults with a Half-Fare pass, and 18.80 CHF with the GA (SwissPass). You can buy them directly in the SBB app, on the SBB website, or at the train station. Double-check the current prices on sbb.ch.
Best time of the day to visit
Arriving early helps you beat the crowds, but the lake is most beautiful after about 10:00 a.m., when it's fully lit.
The trail in pictures
1 Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher
Grindelwald Terminal Station is an experience on its own, as it's really more of a modern mini mall.
The cable car cabins are HUGE, they have 26 seats!
The ride to Eigergletscher station lasts 15 minutes and offers panoramic views.
When you get off the gondola, Eigergletscher station welcomes you. This is also hands down one of the most beautiful alpine views I've ever seen from a cable car station.
2 Eigergletscher to Fallbodensee
Step out of the cable car station and enjoy the landscape.
Start the 20-minute descent towards Fallbodensee. Soon you will see Fallbodensee in the distance on your right.
For about two-thirds of the way, the impressive Eiger Glacier will be on your right. The trail is steep but not particularly slippery.
3 Fallbodensee Lake
Once you're at the lake, walk around it to take in its best angles!
4 Fallbodensee Kleine Scheidegg
The way down to the Kleine Scheidegg train station is downhill, but less steep than the hike from Eigergletscher to the lake.
Along this trail, you'll still get great views of the Eiger Glacier, and there's even an unofficial viewpoint that's perfect for snapping a photo.
After that photo stop, the glacier will be behind you, and you'll have a perfect view over the trains and train station.
5 Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen
If you thought the journey was over, buckle up, because this train journey is totally worth it.
Sit on the right side until Wengen for the best views of the Eiger Glacier. You'll get the same views as if you walked down to Wengen. Look closely at the top of the mountains, because you can even see the Jungfraujoch building from your seat.
After Wengen, you'll get the best views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Fallbodensee Hike FAQ
1. Can you walk from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg?
Yes, but it's a long day. The valley route from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg is about 9.6 km, takes roughly 4 hours, and climbs about 1,120 m. The Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher takes about 15 minutes and saves most of that climb, which is what this guide does.
2. Is this the same as the Eiger Trail?
No. The Eiger Trail runs from Eigergletscher down to Alpiglen, about 6 to 8.5 km, mostly downhill. This hike goes from Eigergletscher past the Fallbodensee to Kleine Scheidegg and is much shorter, about 2.4 km and 45 minutes to an hour. Both start at the same station, so you can do one or, if you have more time, link them.
3. What does "Kleine Scheidegg" mean?
"Scheidegg" means a mountain pass ridge, and "kleine" means small, so the name roughly means "small pass." It's the famous railway junction between Grindelwald and Wengen, below the Eiger North Face.
4. How do I get from Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher?
Take the Jungfrau Railway, which stops at Eigergletscher on its way up to the Jungfraujoch. You can also walk up, but it's a tough climb with roughly 330 m of gain, so this guide covers the downhill hike. Check the current train timetable and fare on the Jungfrau Railway site before you go.
