Grindelwald Gondola Ride: 25-min Cable Car to 2,168m

The gondola climbs the sunny side of the valley in one unguided journey, no hiking required.

The Mount First gondola is a 25-minute cable car ride from Grindelwald's upper village center to First at 2,168 meters, with round-trip access and included entry to the First Cliff Walk. The ride is unguided. You board at the valley station and float up on your own schedule. Groups stay under 15 travelers. Once at the top, optional activities like the First Flyer, First Glider and mountain carts are available to book separately. In winter, the aerial rides run but the cart and scooter-bike options close.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gondola ride and activities at First

• Board gondola at Grindelwald
• Enjoy 25-minute ride to First
• Explore First Cliff Walk
• Hike to Lake Bachalpsee
• Try First Flyer or Glider
• Enjoy scooter-bike or mountain cart rides

The experience

Grindelwald First sits on the sunny side of the valley, and the cable car carries you there in 25 minutes with views the whole way up. The valley station is in the upper village center, easy to find on Google Maps or the Jungfrau Railways website. You simply board when you're ready: no guide, no fixed departure time, no group assembly. The gondola does the work while you watch the glacier village drop away and the peaks open up around you.

At 2,168 meters, First is built for movement. The First Cliff Walk by Tissot edges out over the rock face if you want that kind of thrill. The hike down to Lake Bachalpsee, known locally as the pearl of mountain lakes, takes most travelers a couple of hours and ends at water you can actually reach. If you want something faster, the First Flyer and First Glider let you drop back down the mountain in a different way. Mountain carts and scooter-bike rides are also there to book on the spot. In winter, the aerial rides keep running, but the carts and bikes close. Restaurant First sits at the top with 350 seats indoors and a sun terrace that holds 300 more, so you can eat without leaving the mountain.

The round-trip cable car is included. Food, drinks and any of the adventure activities cost extra. Wheelchair access runs through the station, the cable car itself and all areas at the top, so mobility is not a barrier. Children need an adult with them. The whole thing can take anywhere from an hour if you ride up and back down to five hours if you hike or do multiple activities, so the day stretches or compresses depending on what you choose to do once you're there.

What’s included

• Round-trip cable car access from Grindelwald to Mount First.
• entry to the First Cliff Walk.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10 · max 9 per booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Grindelwald-First - Top of Adventure

Is this one for you?The ride itself is passive (the gondola carries you), so the only effort is what you choose to do once you reach the top. If you want mountain views without a hike or a guide, the cable car and the cliff walk deliver both in a morning. If you want to spend a full day hiking or trying the aerial activities, the mountain holds that too.

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Top questions

How long does the cable car ride itself take from Grindelwald to Mount First?

The First cableway takes about 25 minutes to climb from the valley station in Grindelwald's upper village center to First at 2,168 meters, with views across the sunny side of the valley the entire way.

What is included in the Mount First ticket?

The ticket includes round-trip cable car access and entry to the First Cliff Walk. All taxes, fees and handling charges are built in. Food, drinks and optional activities like the First Flyer, First Glider, mountain carts and scooter-bike rides are not included and can be purchased separately at the top.

Do I need a guide for this cable car ride?

No, the ride is unguided. You board the gondola at the valley station on your own schedule and ride up without a guide. The station is located in Grindelwald's upper village center and is easy to find using Google Maps or the Jungfrau Railways website.

What can I do once I reach Mount First?

Mount First has the First Cliff Walk, which edges out over the rock face; a hiking trail down to Lake Bachalpsee; and optional adventure activities like the First Flyer, First Glider, mountain carts and scooter-bike rides available to book on-site. In winter, the aerial rides operate but the carts and bikes do not. Restaurant First with indoor and terrace seating is also at the top.

Is the Mount First cable car accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the valley station, the cable car and all areas at the top of Mount First are wheelchair accessible, including the restaurant and terrace.