To the oldest mountain hotel in Europe

11.27 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: easy
Great panorama
Hiking Trail
  • 4:15 h
  • 11.27 km
  • 550 m
  • 550 m
  • 2,157 m
  • 2,639 m
  • 482 m
  • Start: Grindelwald/First
  • Destination: Faulhorn

For 175 years, the Faulhorn has captivated visitors. As an excellent viewpoint mountain with an impressive view of the Bernese Oberland mountain giants, the Brienzergrat, and the Thuner and Brienzer lakes, it has lost none of its appeal. The winter hiking trail from First to Faulhorn is also very popular. The described hike offers everything: magnificent views of the Schreckhorn group and the catchment area of the two Grindelwald glaciers, a deep blue mountain lake reflecting the majestic peaks of the Oberland four-thousanders, and a welcoming mountain hotel from which magnificent sunrises and sunsets can be experienced.

The viewpoint First alone (after Bachläger–Waldspitz–Bort 1h30) should already justify a trip here. The landscape is shaped by the rugged north face of the Eiger. A well-built path leads to the Faulhorn trail coming from the Grosse Scheidegg and on this with slight ups and downs to the shore of the Bachalpsee (after Bachläger–First 1h10; after Spitzen–Bussalp 2h; after Spitzen–Holzmattenläger 2h15; after Spitzen–Waldspitz 3h). “Dr uusser u dr inder Spitz” is what the people of Grindelwald call the small rock teeth on the opposite Reetihorn chain. Above the water surface, the Schreckhorn group, Finsteraarhorn, and Fiescherhörner appear in incomparable beauty. Behind the lake it goes steeper uphill. Passing two mountain huts, you reach Gassenboden. The old Faulhorn mountain hotel is just a few turns further up. The view from the summit is magnificent: the crown of white peaks contrasts wonderfully with the green of the valleys. The return can be made on the same route (1h 40min) or down to Busalp (1h 30min).

Berner Wanderwege
Berner Wanderwege

Good to know

Pavements

Trail
Path

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Grindelwald/First - Bachalpsee - Faulhorn

Equipment

We recommend the following equipment: sturdy mountain boots, medium-sized backpack with hip belt, sun protection, rainwear, hiking poles, pocket first aid kit, picnic, sufficient fluids.

Additional information

Bernese Hiking Association, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, E-mail: info@beww.ch, homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch

Literature

Hiking suggestion from the Bernese Oberland hiking book series by BWW

License (master data)

Safety guidelines

This route runs wholly or partly on marked trails of the category mountain hiking trail

Map

Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 254T Interlaken

Nearby

Address

To the oldest mountain hotel in Europe
Grindelwald