Adventure Activities in Grindelwald: Paragliding, Canyoning, Via Ferrata, Biking and the First Rides

By Ramon Stüdeli, who lives in Grindelwald and LucerneLast updated: 31 October 2026

Quick answer: Grindelwald has plenty of adventure with an Eiger view. At First, you can ride back down on the First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibike. On top of that there's tandem paragliding, canyoning, glacier trekking, two via ferratas and a 15 km (9.3-mile) bike descent. You buy the First rides directly from Jungfrau Railways. For guided experiences, we arrange offers from local partners on request.

Key facts at a glance

No guide needed: First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart, Trottibike, First Cliff Walk, the First–Grindelwald bike descent, via ferratas (only with experience and gear).
With a guide or pilot: tandem paragliding, canyoning, glacier trekking, guided Eiger Trail. We arrange these, price on request.
First adventure season: Adventure Package 2027 from Apr 12 to Oct 24, 2027 according to jungfrau.ch (check before you travel). Flyer and Glider also run in winter.
Maintenance closure: First gondola closed Oct 26 – Nov 27, 2026.
Weather: flights, canyoning and via ferratas only go ahead in suitable conditions. The guide or pilot decides.

How to pick your adventure

Adrenaline with no experience: First Flyer (up to 84 km/h / 52 mph) or tandem paragliding.
With kids from about 125 cm (4 ft 1 in): Trottibike, Mountain Cart (from 135 cm) or First Glider (from 130 cm).
Water and action: canyoning, strong swimmers only.
Mountains and ice: glacier trekking or the Eiger Trail with a mountain guide.
Climbing on a protected route: the Rotstock via ferrata (grade B) or the Schwarzhorn (B–C, harder).

Adventure activities at a glance

Activity	Where	Duration	Requirements	Official price or partner offer
First Flyer	First → Schreckfeld, 800 m cable	about 10 min	35–125 kg (77–275 lb), kids 6–10 need 130 cm	CHF 35, kids CHF 26 (Jungfrau Railways)
First Glider	starts and ends at Schreckfeld, up to 4 people	about 15 min	min. 130 cm, max. 125 kg	CHF 35, kids CHF 26 (Jungfrau Railways)
Mountain Cart	Schreckfeld → Bort, 3 km	about 30 min	min. 135 cm, summer only	CHF 25, kids CHF 19 (Jungfrau Railways)
Trottibike	Bort → Grindelwald	about 30 min	min. 125 cm, free helmet required, summer only	CHF 25, kids CHF 19 (Jungfrau Railways)
Adventure Package	First, 1 or 2 activities plus unlimited gondola rides	half to full day	Apr 12 – Oct 24, 2027	from CHF 60 with Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass (Jungfrau Railways)
Tandem paragliding	from First	weather dependent	pilot decides on the day	Tandem paragliding from First, on request
Canyoning	gorge in the Jungfrau Region	about 2 hrs in the gorge	must be a confident swimmer	Canyoning from Grindelwald, on request
Glacier trekking	glaciers in the region	depends on the tour	with a mountain guide	Glacier trek with mountain guide, on request
Guided Eiger Trail	Eigergletscher → Alpiglen	about 2 hrs	summer	Eiger Trail with mountain guide, on request
Rotstock via ferrata	from Eigergletscher up to 2,663 m	about 2 hrs total	grade B (K2), via ferrata kit	no fee, lift ticket
Schwarzhorn via ferrata	from First up to 2,928 m	about 5 hrs	grade B–C (K2–3), via ferrata kit	no fee, lift ticket
Bike descent First → Grindelwald	natural trails from First	15 km, 1,100 m descent	for keen mountain bikers	lift ticket

Prices as of October 2026. Sources: jungfrau.ch (First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart, Trottibike, Adventure Package, Grindelwald), interlaken.swiss (Rotstock and Schwarzhorn via ferratas). Offers on request are partner offers that we arrange. For "on request," we confirm availability and price with the partner before you book.

First rides: Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart, Trottibike

The four rides link up: Flyer from First to Schreckfeld (the Glider starts and ends at Schreckfeld), Mountain Cart to Bort, then Trottibike down to the village. Even with one activity, the Adventure Package with unlimited gondola rides is usually cheaper than single tickets. Jungfrau Railways doesn't hand out fixed time slots and recommends coming in the morning. In bad weather or when it's very busy, an activity may be temporarily unavailable. All prices and a worked example are in our First guide.

With a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass, the Adventure Package with 2 activities costs from CHF 81, without a discount CHF 109–113 (2027 season, as of October 2026).

Tandem paragliding

On a tandem flight, you take off with a pilot who handles takeoff, flight and landing. No experience needed. Whether you fly depends on wind and weather. We arrange flights from First in summer and winter. We confirm minimum age, weight limits and price with the partner on request.

Canyoning

Canyoning means rappelling into a gorge, sliding down smooth rock and jumping into pools. You need to be a confident swimmer. Trips are postponed in high water or thunderstorms, and the guide makes the safety call. More on Canyoning from Grindelwald.

Via ferratas

	Rotstock	Schwarzhorn
Start	Eigergletscher station	First
High point	2,663 m (8,737 ft)	2,928 m (9,606 ft)
Duration	about 2 hrs total (45 min approach, 1 hr 15 min climb, 45 min back)	about 5 hrs
Length	2.89 km (1.8 mi)	4.32 km (2.7 mi)
Grade	B (K2, moderately difficult)	B–C (K2–3, moderately to fairly difficult)

Source: interlaken.swiss. For both, you need a via ferrata kit, gloves and sturdy mountain boots. The Rotstock is strongly discouraged in snow, heavy rain or ice. If you've never done a via ferrata, go with a mountain guide.

Biking

The bike route from First runs about 15 km over natural trails and paths down to Grindelwald, with 1,100 m (3,600 ft) of descent (jungfrau.ch). It's aimed at keen mountain bikers. For families, the Trottibike from Bort is the easier choice.

Keep reading

FAQ

What's the best adventure in Grindelwald?

For most visitors, the First Flyer or a tandem flight from First. Neither needs any experience, and both come with an Eiger view.

How much is the First Flyer?

CHF 35 for adults, CHF 26 for kids 6–15 (as of October 2026, jungfrau.ch). In the Adventure Package with unlimited gondola rides, from CHF 60 with a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass.

First cable car and Cliff Walk ticket →

Can you go paragliding in Grindelwald?

Yes, as a tandem flight with a pilot from First, in summer and winter when the weather allows. We arrange flights on request.

Do I need experience for canyoning?

No, but you must be a confident swimmer. The guides provide the wetsuit, helmet and harness.

Are there via ferratas in Grindelwald?

Yes, the Rotstock from Eigergletscher (grade B, about 2 hours) and the Schwarzhorn from First (B–C, about 5 hours). You need a via ferrata kit and experience, or a mountain guide.

What happens in bad weather?

Flyer and Glider may close temporarily, and flights and canyoning get postponed. For rainy-day ideas, see Grindelwald on a rainy day.

How tall do kids need to be for the First Flyer?

Kids aged 6 to 10 need to be at least 130 cm (4 ft 3 in), and riders must weigh between 35 and 125 kg. In that case, kids' tickets are sold on site only.

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About the author

Ramon Stüdeli is the owner of Grindelwald Experiences. He lives in Grindelwald and Lucerne, brings broad experience from tourism and other industries and has traveled to more than 60 countries.