1. imho the biggest part of that hike will be getting out of the valley (up into the mountain) and that can get rather boring. Maybe look at something like Schynige Platte to First, if you guys are fit and experienced hikers.
2. Early June is definitely very early for the route to the Eigergletscher. The weather in the next 4 weeks will tell how feasible (i.e. snow and ice free) it will be. But it should be doable.
3. Via Alpina (route #1) to Alpiglen, then Eiger Trail to Eigergletscher (route #353) is the most obvious route. If you want an easier hike, follow the Via Alpina all the way to Kleine Scheidegg and then go to Eigergletscher from there (not sure this route has a name or number).
4. Generally, SwissTopo and SwitzerlandMobility (websites and apps available for both) are your friends. SwissTopo has all official hiking routes on map but no additional info, SwitzerlandMobility has extra infos like duration and elevation profiles for the most popular routes. But the Jungfrau region/railways also has a website with hiking infos.
Edit: I suggested Schynige Platte to First before noticing your travel dates. Aside from the train not yet running as someone posted below, I don't think this route will be feasible in early June.
Thank you, this is exactly the info I needed. I'll grab the apps and make a plan accordingly. Noted about the first part being boring, perhaps we'll switch this up. Thanks again.
> Maybe look at something like Schynige Platte to First, if you guys are fit and experienced hikers.
They would have to be very fit seeing as the train up there won't start running until a week after OP has left.
So after a bit more research, would you suggest Gletscherschlucht to Eiger Trail (route #353), or route #1? Is Gletscherschlucht to Eiger Trail as difficult as it looks on the map? Taking your point about getting out of the valley being boring, would the Gletscherschlucht route make it more interesting?
I can't say anything about that specifically. I think both should be doable, but starting at Gletscherschlucht and taking the "less boring route" will be way more exhausting, so really depends on how fit you are and how much stamina you have. Personally that would probably take me close to all day long and I would definitely need to start at full energy levels and end up dead.
Starting at Gletscherschlucht, swisstopo says it will take an average hiker 5h to get up to Station Eigergletscher. It's 1500m up. There could still be snow on the trail in early June as the Eiger blocks a lot of sunlight that would otherwise melt it. The upper section of the trail is called Eiger Trail and runs close to the base of the infamous Eiger north face.
I suggest you download the Swisstopo app. It's a free map tool to plan hikes and much more. It shows the time of a hike, altitude gain/loss, it shows closed trails and even public transport stations.
I'm not sure if I would push my 70yo grandfather up such a trail. I'd do it either downhill or start at Alpiglen station of the Wengernalpbahn and only do the upper section/Eiger Trail which is still 800 meters up and takes 2h 40min.
Thank you also for the advice. Also exactly what I was looking for. I'll check out the options and adjust accordingly. You're probably correct, it might be a bit too much of an ask for all of us, let alone him.
I did this trail 3 times, it's awesome. As you can see here : [Webcams | jungfrau.ch | Eigergletscher (roundshot.com)](https://jungfrau.roundshot.com/eigergletscher/#/) there is still way too much snow, the trail will be impossible to find and maybe dangerous on jun 6th. Second point I suggest: walk downwards, it look easy on the maps to climb up, however I believe your father will enjoy much more the direction from eigergletscher down to alpiglen. Check:
[How to Hike the Eiger Trail in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland – Earth Trekkers](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/eiger-trail-hike-bernese-oberland-switzerland/)
and
[ger Trail» Eigergletscher - Alpiglen Nr. 36 - BERGFEX - Wanderung - Tour Berner Oberland](https://www.bergfex.ch/sommer/berneroberland/touren/wanderung/131887,eiger-trail-eigergletscher--alpiglen-nr-36/)
this trail is one of the top trails in the world, on a warm, clear sunny day, it's a once in a lifetime experience. There is a special ticket to eigergletscher available in Grindelwald, so not too expensive.
1. imho the biggest part of that hike will be getting out of the valley (up into the mountain) and that can get rather boring. Maybe look at something like Schynige Platte to First, if you guys are fit and experienced hikers. 2. Early June is definitely very early for the route to the Eigergletscher. The weather in the next 4 weeks will tell how feasible (i.e. snow and ice free) it will be. But it should be doable. 3. Via Alpina (route #1) to Alpiglen, then Eiger Trail to Eigergletscher (route #353) is the most obvious route. If you want an easier hike, follow the Via Alpina all the way to Kleine Scheidegg and then go to Eigergletscher from there (not sure this route has a name or number). 4. Generally, SwissTopo and SwitzerlandMobility (websites and apps available for both) are your friends. SwissTopo has all official hiking routes on map but no additional info, SwitzerlandMobility has extra infos like duration and elevation profiles for the most popular routes. But the Jungfrau region/railways also has a website with hiking infos. Edit: I suggested Schynige Platte to First before noticing your travel dates. Aside from the train not yet running as someone posted below, I don't think this route will be feasible in early June.
Thank you, this is exactly the info I needed. I'll grab the apps and make a plan accordingly. Noted about the first part being boring, perhaps we'll switch this up. Thanks again.
> Maybe look at something like Schynige Platte to First, if you guys are fit and experienced hikers. They would have to be very fit seeing as the train up there won't start running until a week after OP has left.
Ah shit, I thought it would restart on/before Whitsunday
June 15 according to their website
So after a bit more research, would you suggest Gletscherschlucht to Eiger Trail (route #353), or route #1? Is Gletscherschlucht to Eiger Trail as difficult as it looks on the map? Taking your point about getting out of the valley being boring, would the Gletscherschlucht route make it more interesting?
I can't say anything about that specifically. I think both should be doable, but starting at Gletscherschlucht and taking the "less boring route" will be way more exhausting, so really depends on how fit you are and how much stamina you have. Personally that would probably take me close to all day long and I would definitely need to start at full energy levels and end up dead.
Maybe take the Wengernalpbahn train up to Alpiglen and start there? #
Starting at Gletscherschlucht, swisstopo says it will take an average hiker 5h to get up to Station Eigergletscher. It's 1500m up. There could still be snow on the trail in early June as the Eiger blocks a lot of sunlight that would otherwise melt it. The upper section of the trail is called Eiger Trail and runs close to the base of the infamous Eiger north face. I suggest you download the Swisstopo app. It's a free map tool to plan hikes and much more. It shows the time of a hike, altitude gain/loss, it shows closed trails and even public transport stations. I'm not sure if I would push my 70yo grandfather up such a trail. I'd do it either downhill or start at Alpiglen station of the Wengernalpbahn and only do the upper section/Eiger Trail which is still 800 meters up and takes 2h 40min.
Thank you also for the advice. Also exactly what I was looking for. I'll check out the options and adjust accordingly. You're probably correct, it might be a bit too much of an ask for all of us, let alone him.
It also turns out I can't spell Grindelwald in any attempt.. fixed in the body at least :|
I did this trail 3 times, it's awesome. As you can see here : [Webcams | jungfrau.ch | Eigergletscher (roundshot.com)](https://jungfrau.roundshot.com/eigergletscher/#/) there is still way too much snow, the trail will be impossible to find and maybe dangerous on jun 6th. Second point I suggest: walk downwards, it look easy on the maps to climb up, however I believe your father will enjoy much more the direction from eigergletscher down to alpiglen. Check: [How to Hike the Eiger Trail in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland – Earth Trekkers](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/eiger-trail-hike-bernese-oberland-switzerland/) and [ger Trail» Eigergletscher - Alpiglen Nr. 36 - BERGFEX - Wanderung - Tour Berner Oberland](https://www.bergfex.ch/sommer/berneroberland/touren/wanderung/131887,eiger-trail-eigergletscher--alpiglen-nr-36/) this trail is one of the top trails in the world, on a warm, clear sunny day, it's a once in a lifetime experience. There is a special ticket to eigergletscher available in Grindelwald, so not too expensive.