Switzerland Day 8: Grindelwald First, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren

12 June 2024

DAY 8: ALPINE ADVENTURES ACROSS GRINDELWALD FIRST, LAUTERBRUNNEN & MÜRREN

I started the day at Grindelwald First, taking the gondola up into the mountains. The walk from Grindelwald train station to the Firstbahn gondola station was nothing short of scenic — lined with cosy chalets, flower-filled meadows, and stunning alpine backdrops at every turn.

Golden hour in Grindelwald — where charming alpine streets meet misty mountain silhouettes

Morning views like these — lush valleys, pine-covered slopes, and nature’s calm before the alpine thrill.

A classic Swiss postcard scene — meadows, chalets, and mountains wrapped in swirling clouds.

Jungfrau’s gondolas waiting to whisk visitors up to Grindelwald First.

WARNING: RANT AHEAD

The views on the way up were breathtaking, but unfortunately, I also encountered my first and only unpleasant experience in Switzerland. When we arrived at the top station, myself and several other tourists were confused about where the exit was — there were no clear signs, and the staff did not try to assist us. One tourist eventually climbed over the taped-off barrier, trying to find a way out.

A staff member soon appeared — but instead of calmly assisting or reprimanding the person who crossed the barrier, he came charging over and directed his anger at me, even though I was simply standing there, looking lost like everyone else. Without warning, he shoved me hard and began shouting at me repeatedly — yelling “HERE!”, “Are you stupid?”, “Blind?” It was jarring and humiliating, especially since I hadn’t done anything wrong. To be honest, it felt targeted, and I couldn't help but wonder if me being an Asian had something to do with the way I was treated. Among the group, I was the one he chose to physically push and verbally humiliate, which was completely uncalled for. There is absolutely no excuse for getting physical, especially with someone who had done nothing to provoke it. His behaviour was not only extremely rude, but it also felt blatantly racist.

This incident really spoiled the experience at Grindelwald First for me, which is a pity because the views were beautiful. Thankfully, it was the only negative encounter I’ve had in Switzerland — every other staff member I’ve met has been respectful, kind, and welcoming.

So, enough of the rant, here are some photos of the beautiful views on the way up to the top station, Firstbahn Bergstation.

Swiss chalets nestled in lush meadows, beneath a rugged curtain of clouds.

Dramatic alpine silhouettes kissed by golden sunlight.

Tiny streams snake down the misty and snow-dusted hills of Grindelwald First.

GRINDELWALD FIRST

After arriving at Firstbahn Bergstation, I was immediately greeted by a thick blanket of fog that gave the entire mountaintop an eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. I had been really looking forward to the Bachalpsee hike, which leads to a beautiful alpine lake known for its crystal-clear reflections of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. From the photos online, the contrast of the vibrant blue water, lush green meadows, and the dramatic mountains behind it makes it look like something out of a dream — or as many have described, a blue gem nestled in the mountains. I was really looking forward to that. Sadly, the trail was closed due to snow and weather conditions, and I had to shelve that plan for another time.

I continued on to the iconic First Cliff Walk, a suspension walkway built along the cliff edge, meant to showcase sweeping views of the valley below and the dramatic Bernese Alps. It’s also the filming location of a famous scene in Crash Landing On You, where Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri walk together against the breathtaking alpine backdrop. I even found the red heart-shaped photo frame marking the spot — although in my case, everything else was hidden in fog! That said, there was a silver lining — I couldn’t tell how high up I was, so my usual fear of heights didn’t kick in. Despite the missed views, the soft silence of the misty mountain top and the surreal whiteness all around made it feel like I was wandering through the clouds — peaceful, quiet, and strangely magical in its own way.

A surreal scene at the edge of the world — the famous First Cliff Walk disappears into a blanket of fog.

The fog was so thick I could barely see beyond the railings. Safe to say, no fear of heights when you can’t see how high up you are!

An up-close look at the cliffside section of the First Cliff Walk.

A cloudy perch high above the valley. Even without the views, standing here can still make your heart race a little.

The iconic “Crash Landing on You” photo spot at Grindelwald First.

I was initially disappointed to find that the Bachalpsee trail was closed — I had been looking forward to seeing that iconic gem-like lake nestled among the snowy peaks. Not wanting to waste the trip, I decided to take a little walk around to see where my feet would take me. To my surprise, I found myself heading toward the next gondola station, Schreckfeld.  The initial part of the walk involved trudging through snow, which was quite an experience in itself. Along the way, I bumped into another female solo traveller from Japan, and we hit it off almost instantly. We decided to take a short hike together, enjoying the crisp air, misty scenery, and the quiet camaraderie that only two strangers with the same adventurous spirit could share. The walk was serene and offered stunning views of the surrounding Alps, making it a memorable part of my trip. Funny how a missed trail led to an unexpected trailmate.

Some greenery peeks through the thin layer of snow as the weather battles between seasons.

Grindelwald First in full fog mode.

A snow-dusted ridge that looks like it leads the way into the clouds.

Grindelwald First’s friendliest greeter! It's so cute, I love it! ❄️🐻

A scene with snow patches and cable lines just peeking through.

Trudging through snow in June — the snow remains thick despite summer’s presence.

A scenic contrast of spring greens and winter whites blanketing the undulating landscape.

Vibrant paragliders drift over the lush Lauterbrunnen valley below, a dream for adrenaline seekers.

Freedom at 2000 m.

Swiss cow family photo op.

We paused here for a bit outside Schreckfeld station to admire the pristine view of the snow-kissed Bernese Alps and emerald meadows below.

On the gondola ride down from Schreckfeld, we were stunned by the breathtaking views that opened up before us. The fog that had blanketed the mountains in the morning began to lift, revealing layers of alpine beauty.

As the gondola descended, the clouds parted to reveal a dreamy valley straight out of a storybook—rolling green meadows dotted with alpine huts, cradled by the mighty snow-capped peaks.

Spurred by the scenery, we spontaneously decided to alight at the next station, Bort, where many of the fun activities like ziplining and mountain carting take place. We didn’t try them, but the area was bustling with excitement.

As we continued our hike downhill, we passed by several people on trottibike scooters. They looked fun, but also a little precarious. We witnessed two people take a tumble, and one lady unfortunately fell hard enough to need medical attention for what looked like a sprain — or worse. So if you’re tempted to try them, do take extra care.

The rest of the walk was simply magical. Rolling green hills, picture-perfect wooden chalets, free-roaming cows, and meadows bursting with wildflowers—it was like stepping into a Heidi storybook. I couldn’t stop snapping photos. It felt like the Switzerland I had always dreamed about. And somehow, all of this made up for the sour experience with the gondola staff earlier in the day. The mountain air, the good company, and the unexpected moments of beauty reminded me of why I travel.

There are just too many photos to caption individually — so here comes the photo spam!

LAUTERBRUNNEN

After bidding goodbye to my new hiking buddy, I made my way to Lauterbrunnen, which is said to be home to 72 waterfalls.

Spotted this adorable bear sculpture blending right into the ivy-covered stone wall — like a secret forest guardian.

I loved how whimsical these playful bear sculptures looked!

I took a quiet walk toward Staubbachfall, one of Europe’s highest free-falling waterfalls. Watching the water stream down from the cliff, drifting like mist in the breeze, was mesmerising. It’s no wonder this valley inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Rivendell — it felt otherworldly. The gentle sound of water tumbling down made for such a serene moment.

Lauterbrunnen with Staubbach Falls in the background.

Looking up at the majestic Staubbach Falls, one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in Europe.

There's a trail that leads behind Staubbach Falls, allowing visitors to experience the thundering cascade from within the cliffside — an iconic Lauterbrunnen moment!

It was quite an experience watching the waterfall pouring down in front of me with the Lauterbrunnen valley stretching out below.

MÜRREN

Wanting to soak in more alpine charm, I took the train and cableway up to Mürren, a peaceful, car-free village perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The moment I arrived, the mountains felt dramatically closer—the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau weren’t just part of the scenery anymore; they were towering right in front of me. At over 1,600 metres above sea level, Mürren offers a unique perspective where you feel almost eye-level with the peaks. The village itself was quiet and quaint, lined with wooden chalets and framed by cliffside views that drop steeply into the valley below. Though my time there was brief, walking through Mürren felt like pausing in a pocket of alpine serenity — raw, majestic, and humbling all at once.

One of Mürren’s closest mountain neighbours, its rugged face peeking through a swirl of alpine clouds.

Towering cliffs and dramatic greenery make Mürren feel both cozy and colossal all at once.

An awe-inspiring panoramic view from Mürren, where the valley stretches far and wide beneath snow-dusted peaks.

Met this sweet kitty as I was exploring.

Even the bike racks here are sweet – literally. A quirky Toblerone-themed stand that made me smile!

A cute little woodland watcher nestled in a meadow of wildflowers.

Chalet-lined streets, wooden façades, and the gentle hum of hikers.

LOOKING BACK…

What started with disappointment and a discouraging encounter at Grindelwald First gradually transformed into one of the most rewarding days of my trip. The Bachalpsee trail may have been closed and the views obscured by fog at first, but a spontaneous hike with a fellow solo traveller from Japan reminded me that some of the best travel moments are the ones we don’t plan for. From snowy paths to alpine meadows, from paragliders in the sky to wildflowers underfoot, the journey down revealed the Switzerland I had always imagined. The day wrapped up perfectly with the serene beauty of Lauterbrunnen and the up-close grandeur of Mürren’s mountain peaks. It was a powerful reminder that even the roughest starts can lead to the most unexpectedly beautiful endings.

That’s all I have~ Till we meet again in the next post!

Love,

Shu