Snowshoeing in Grindelwald 2026/27: Signposted Trails, Rental, Guided Tours and Avalanche Safety

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

Quick answer: There are several signposted snowshoe trails around Grindelwald. The best known is the Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail below the Eiger North Face (5.4 km, about 2 hrs 15 min, according to jungfrau.ch). There are also the Aspen Trail, the Panorama Trail Bussalp–Bort, the Wetterhorn Trail and the Alpwäg Trail. The trails are marked, but not specially groomed and not secured against avalanches. Check the avalanche bulletin on slf.ch before every outing.

Winter hiking in Grindelwald Sledding in Grindelwald

Key facts at a glance

Starting point: The Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail starts at Holenstein, the mid-station of the Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola, and ends at the Brandegg mountain restaurant (jungfrau.ch).
Season: weather dependent. The Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola runs in winter 12.12.2026–04.04.2027 (jungfrau.ch, subject to change).
Cost: The trails themselves are free. You need train or bus tickets, for example the Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass from CHF 61 (as of October 2026).
Safety: According to interlaken.swiss, the routes are signposted as snowshoe routes, but not specially groomed. Off the trails, you need avalanche training and emergency equipment.
Rental and guides: You can rent snowshoes in the village. Guided tours are offered, for example, by the Outdoor mountain sports school.

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Snowshoe trails compared

Trail	Start → finish	Length	Time	Elevation	Difficulty	Getting there
Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail	Holenstein → Brandegg	5.4 km	about 2 hrs 15 min	1329–1623 m	medium, easy fitness level	Männlichen gondola to Holenstein, back on the Wengernalp Railway from Brandegg
Aspen Trail	Aspen → Holenstein	4.30 km	about 2 hrs 30 min	1108–1623 m	medium, easy fitness level	train to Grindelwald Grund
Panorama Trail	Bussalp → Bort	7.21 km	about 3 hrs 10 min	1552–1814 m	medium, medium fitness level	bus to Bussalp, back by gondola from Bort
Wetterhorn Trail 2	loop from Oberer Gletscher	3.48 km	about 2 hrs	1229–1436 m	medium, easy fitness level	ski bus to Oberer Gletscher
Alpwäg Trail	Hotel Wetterhorn → Grindelwald church	5.00 km	about 2 hrs 30 min	1060–1402 m	medium, easy fitness level	Grindelwald Bus to Oberer Gletscher
Grosse Scheidegg–Schwarzwaldalp	Grosse Scheidegg → Schwarzwaldalp	4.48 km	about 2 hrs 50 min	1450–1962 m	medium, easy fitness level	from the Hasli Valley side by PostBus from Meiringen
Via Alpina snowshoe trail	Schwarzwaldalp → Oberer Gletscher	12.06 km	about 5 hrs	1229–1995 m	difficult, very demanding fitness level	PostBus from Meiringen, book the trip in advance

Sources: jungfrau.ch (Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail), interlaken.swiss (tour pages of each trail), as of October 2026. For the Holenstein–Brandegg trail, interlaken.swiss gives 5.18 km and about 2 hrs 20 min. Elevation shows the lowest and highest point according to the tour page.

Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail below the Eiger

Take the Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola from Grindelwald Terminal to the Holenstein mid-station. The red-marked trail runs through the Hubel and Itramen forests. On the last stretch, the Eiger North Face comes back into view, and the trail ends on the terrace of the Brandegg mountain restaurant (jungfrau.ch). You return to Grindelwald Grund on the Wengernalp Railway. According to interlaken.swiss, take care where the trail crosses the ski slope.

Wetterhorn and Alpwäg: trails at Oberer Gletscher

The Wetterhorn Trail 2 is a loop from Oberer Gletscher with a blue, easier variant and a red, more demanding one. The Alpwäg Trail goes from Hotel Wetterhorn to Grindelwald church. To get to the start, take the Grindelwald Bus or the ski bus to Oberer Gletscher (interlaken.swiss).

Panorama Trail: from Bussalp to Bort

The Panorama Trail links Bussalp with Bort on the First gondola. Take the Grindelwald Bus from the village center to Bussalp. From Bort, you ride the gondola down to the valley or up to First (interlaken.swiss).

Renting snowshoes

In the village: Snowshoes are rented, for example, by Graf Sport at Dorfstrasse 95. Check the season and prices with the provider before your trip.
What else you need: According to interlaken.swiss, sturdy waterproof boots, protection from cold and sun, and a mobile phone. You can also rent poles.

Guided tours

We list these providers for information only, without prices:

Outdoor mountain sports school (Outdoor Switzerland AG): guided snowshoe tours in the Bernese Oberland, according to interlaken.swiss from late November to early April depending on snow, 2 to 4 hours. In Grindelwald, Outdoor offers the «Snowshoe Tour Wetterhorn» with guide and equipment (outdoor.ch).
Mountain guides: For tours off the signposted trails, a mountain guide with avalanche training is the safer choice.

Avalanche safety

Check the bulletin: Before every outing, check the SLF avalanche bulletin on slf.ch.
Stay on the trail: The signposted trails aren't specially groomed. For the Via Alpina trail, interlaken.swiss says the trails aren't secured against natural hazards like avalanches or rockfall and aren't checked daily.
Off the trails: Only with avalanche training and emergency equipment (avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel), as wegwandern.ch recommends.
Wildlife: The Via Alpina trail passes a wildlife reserve where night and twilight activities are prohibited (interlaken.swiss).
Emergency: ambulance 144, Rega 1414.

Keep reading

FAQ

Where can you go snowshoeing in Grindelwald?

On the signposted Holenstein–Brandegg, Aspen, Panorama (Bussalp–Bort), Wetterhorn and Alpwäg trails. The best known is the Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail below the Eiger North Face.

How long is the Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail?

According to jungfrau.ch, 5.4 km and about 2 hours 15 minutes. interlaken.swiss gives 5.18 km and about 2 hours 20 minutes.

Does the snowshoe trail cost anything?

The trail itself is free. You pay for the train or bus, for example with the Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass from CHF 61 per day (as of October 2026).

Do I need a guide?

Usually not on signposted trails, if you check the avalanche bulletin and trail status first. Off them, we recommend a mountain guide, because avalanche risk and route finding take experience.

Are the snowshoe trails safe from avalanches?

No, not guaranteed. The trails are marked, but not specially groomed. Check the avalanche bulletin on slf.ch before every outing.

Where can I rent snowshoes?

In sports shops in the village, for example at Graf Sport at Dorfstrasse 95. Check prices with the provider before your trip.

Which trail suits beginners?

The Wetterhorn Trail 2 has a blue, easier variant. According to interlaken.swiss, the Holenstein–Brandegg trail also has an easy fitness level.

When is snowshoe season?

It depends on the snow. The Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola runs in winter 12.12.2026–04.04.2027, and according to interlaken.swiss, guided tours run from late November to early April depending on snow.

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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.