ROUTE 8

Meiringen (595m) – Schwarzwaldalp (1458m) – Grosse Scheidegg (1962m) – Grindelwald (1034m)

Start	Meiringen (595m)
Distance	21km
Height gain	1367m
Height loss	928m
Grade	2–3
Time	7½hrs
Location	Southwest of Meiringen

This is the classic walker’s route to Grindelwald; a trek that’s well worth tackling, either in its entirety or, if you consider the distance too far for one day, by breaking the journey with an overnight spent at some midway point (several gasthofs are passed en route). Alternatively you could take the bus to Rosenlaui or Schwarzwaldalp and walk from there. The whole route between Meiringen and Grindelwald is served by bus, so with several halts along the way, it’s perfectly feasible to cut the walk short at almost any given point, should the weather turn bad or you become too tired to continue.

Follow Route 7 as far as Gschwantenmad, where you have two routes to choose from on the way to Schwarzwaldalp. The first continues (as per Route 7) to Rosenlaui, wanders on towards the Glescherschlucht glacier gorge, then swings to the right above the road. Shortly before reaching Schwarzwaldalp (1454m; 45–50mins from Rosenlaui) the path forks by a bridge. For refreshment or accommodation cross the bridge to Hotel Chalet Schwarzwaldalp (beds & dorm places Tel 033 971 35 15 www.schwarzwaldalp.ch), otherwise remain left of the stream and continue ahead.

Alternative Route: Gschwantenmad to Schwarzwaldalp

At Gschwantenmad leave the road and take the farm track off to the right across the pastures. A footpath soon leaves this, heads through a collection of trees, crosses more pasture and rejoins the farm track at Rufenen, an open region of grazing land with fine mountain views. A signpost now directs you away across the meadows on the left in the direction of Broch and Schwarzwaldalp. Meadowland leads to forest, and out again to rejoin the valley road at the hamlet of Broch. Bear right and follow the road a short distance to Schwarzwaldalp. A few paces beyond the hotel leave the road, cross a bridge over the Reichenbach stream and turn right on the main path which leads to Grosse Scheidegg.

A pleasant stretch of path continues upvalley among trees and shrubs, then over rough pasture before crossing the stream once more. Here you wander up a track to meet the road yet again. Here a continuing path mounts the slope ahead beside the road, before crossing and recrossing it several times on the way to Grosse Scheidegg (1962m; 5hrs). This is a true saddle on a grassy ridge between the massive Wetterhorn on the left, and insignificant-looking Schwarzhorn to the right. From it you gaze across the rich meadowland basin in which Grindelwald is scattered, to the Männlichen ridge, while the Eiger is seen side-on in profile. Beside the road on the pass stands Berghotel Grosse Scheidegg which has both hotel beds and dormitory accommodation (Tel 033 853 67 16 www.grosse-scheidegg.ch).

The way down to Grindelwald needs little description. It begins directly below the hotel, and is adequately signed and waymarked all the way to Hotel Wetterhorn. On the way it cuts through pastures and crosses the twisting road on a number of occasions, as well as keeping to the road here and there. About 1¼hrs from Grosse Scheidegg you come to Hotel Wetterhorn opposite a parking area. The hotel has beds and dormitory places (Tel 033 853 12 18 www.hotel-wetterhorn.ch).

The Eiger is seen in dramatic profile from a wayside pool above Hotel Wetterhorn

At the bottom left-hand corner of the car park follow a track sloping downhill through mixed woodland. After about 8mins turn right on a path which descends to a footbridge. Across this the way rises, emerges from woodland and crosses a meadow with glorious mountain views. Turn left at a crossing tarmac path, then right between buildings. Through more pasture and a strip of woodland, cross another stream and shortly come to a narrow service road. Follow this all the way down to Grindelwald among chalets bright with petunias and geraniums at their windows.

Other routes from Meiringen

The proximity of the Hasliberg cableway complex adds much to Meiringen’s appeal as a walking centre, but even without exploiting this attractive upland area there will be no shortage of outings to consider. Leaflets are available from the tourist information offices in Meiringen and Hasliberg, which outline some of the possibilities. But even a brief study of the map of the area shows the vast range of outings for walkers of all degrees of commitment here.

• One full day’s walk makes a high traverse of the southern wall of the valley to the west of the town. It visits the quaint scattered hamlet of Zaun, goes to the terrace of Wirzenalp (1246m) and the secluded tarn of Hinterburgseeli (1514m) and on to Axalp (1535m) where the postbus can be taken down to Brienz. This walk, graded 3 on account of its length and height gain, will take about 5hrs to complete.
• A less strenuous walk, keeping in the bed of the valley throughout, goes to Brienz by way of Unterheid and Unterbach. This Grade 1 outing will take about 3½hrs.
• On the Hasliberg terrace there are no end of walks to be made with tremendous panoramic views. Try the Panoramaweg that leads in 3hrs from Reuti to the Brünig Pass by way of Wasserwendi. Higher still, the so-called Murmeliweg between Käserstatt and Mägisalp (1hr), and the Giebelweg which goes from Käserstatt to Giebel and steeply down to Lungern on the edge of the Lungernsee on the far side of the Brünig Pass. This last is a route of about 3½hrs. And, of course, there are others; study the map for ideas.
• As for the Reichenbachtal (the valley which leads to Rosenlaui and on to the Grosse Scheidegg), there are plenty of options here too. One fine loop trip goes to the Kaltenbrunnen Alp and up to Oberer Stafel, then on a little further to a famed moorland region on the northern slopes of Tschingel. Return once more to the huts of Oberer Stafel where you veer left to Seilialp (1465m) to find the trail leading back down to Kaltenbrunnen once more. This Grade 3 circuit will take about 4hrs, with a height gain of something like 600m.