Duration: Approximately 2 hours of narrated hiking Distance: 6.2 km (one way) Elevation Gain: 170 m ascent / 690 m descent Starting Elevation: 2,320 m (Eigergletscher station) Ending Elevation: 1,800 m (Alpiglen station) Difficulty: T2 (moderate mountain hiking) Trail Number: SAW 35 Best Season: Late June to October GPS Start: 46.5744N, 7.9744E (Eigergletscher) GPS End: 46.6128N, 8.0053E (Alpiglen)
Introduction
Welcome to the Eiger Trail, one of the most dramatic day hikes in the entire Swiss Alps. I will be your audio guide for the next two hours as we traverse the base of one of the most feared and revered mountain faces on Earth: the Eiger North Face, or Eigernordwand.
You are standing at the Eigergletscher station, at an elevation of 2,320 metres above sea level. You arrived here on the Jungfraubahn railway, the same engineering marvel that bores through the heart of the Eiger itself on its way to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Take a moment to look around. Behind you, the Jungfrau massif gleams white with glacial ice. To the south, you can see the Moensch, that elegant peak standing between the Eiger and the Jungfrau. And directly above you, rising nearly two vertical kilometres, is the most notorious wall in mountaineering history.
The Eiger Trail is not a difficult hike by Swiss standards. It descends gradually from 2,320 metres to about 1,800 metres at Alpiglen station, covering 6.2 kilometres in roughly two hours. The path is well-maintained, marked with standard yellow hiking signs, and rated T2 on the Swiss Alpine Club scale. What makes this trail extraordinary is not its physical challenge but its visual spectacle. For nearly the entire route, you walk directly beneath the North Face, close enough to hear rockfall echoing off the limestone cliffs, close enough to trace the routes that climbers have battled since the 1930s.
Before we set off, a few practical notes. The trail is mostly downhill but includes some rocky sections and short uphill stretches. Wear proper hiking boots with good ankle support. Carry water and sun protection, even on cloudy days, as the reflection off the rock and ice can be intense at this altitude. The path is exposed in places, so if thunderstorms are forecast, postpone this hike. There is no shelter between the start and Alpiglen.
Let us begin. Follow the yellow signs marked "Eiger Trail" and "Alpiglen."
Waypoint 1: Eigergletscher Station (2,320 m)
GPS: 46.5744N, 7.9744E
As you leave the station platform, look directly ahead and slightly upward. That massive grey wall of limestone, stretching 1,800 metres from base to summit, is the Eiger North Face. The summit sits at 3,967 metres, just 33 metres shy of the 4,000-metre mark, a fact that has always slightly vexed the Eiger in the company of its taller neighbours.
The name "Eiger" has debated origins. Some linguists trace it to the old German "Aiger," meaning sharp or pointed. Others connect it to the Latin "acer" with a similar meaning. A romantic folk etymology pairs it with "Ogre," and looking at that dark, brooding face, you might find that interpretation the most fitting.
The rock you see is primarily Jurassic limestone, laid down as sediment on an ancient seabed roughly 160 million years ago, then thrust skyward during the Alpine orogeny when the African tectonic plate collided with the European plate. The distinctive dark bands you can see running horizontally across the face are layers of harder and softer limestone, which weather at different rates, creating the ledges and overhangs that define the climbing routes.
Begin walking now along the gravel path heading northeast. The first section traverses a gentle alpine meadow dotted with wildflowers in summer.
Next waypoint: 400 metres, approximately 8 minutes.
Waypoint 2: The Glacier Viewpoint (2,290 m)
GPS: 46.5768N, 7.9776E
Pause here and look back to the south. Below you, you can see what remains of the Eigergletscher, the Eiger Glacier that gives the station its name. If you have old photographs of this area, the comparison is sobering. In the mid-nineteenth century, the glacier extended much farther down the valley. Today it has retreated dramatically, losing roughly half its surface area since systematic measurements began in the 1890s. The recession has accelerated markedly since the 1980s, and glaciologists estimate that at current rates, most of what you see will be gone within a few decades.
This is not unique to the Eigergletscher. Swiss glaciers have lost more than sixty percent of their total ice volume since the 1850s, with the pace of loss doubling in the twenty-first century. The grey moraine fields you see below the ice are newly exposed landscapes, raw rock and rubble that the glacier sculpted and then abandoned.
Now turn your attention back to the North Face above you. You are looking at the lower portion of the wall, where the rock is steeper and smoother. This section is called the "Vorbau," the lower buttress, and it is the first major obstacle for climbers attempting the classic 1938 route.
Continue along the trail as it begins a gentle descent over rocky terrain. Watch your footing here, as the path crosses some loose scree.
Next waypoint: 500 metres, approximately 10 minutes.
Waypoint 3: The First Pillar Viewpoint (2,250 m)
GPS: 46.5793N, 7.9812E
You have now moved far enough along the base to see the full architecture of the North Face. Look up and try to identify the major features.
Starting from the lower left, you can see the dark entrance to the Stollenloch, one of the gallery windows blasted through the face during the construction of the Jungfraubahn between 1896 and 1912. These windows were originally created to dump excavated rock, but they later played a dramatic role in several rescue attempts on the face.
Above the Stollenloch, trace your eye upward through a series of ice fields. The most prominent is the White Spider, that distinctive web of ice high on the face that converges at a single point, sending ice-filled cracks outward like the legs of a spider. The White Spider is one of the most dangerous sections of the climb. Ice and rockfall funnel through it like water through a drain, and climbers must cross it quickly or risk being swept away.
The first serious attempts on the North Face began in 1934, during an era when unclimbed Alpine walls were seen as national challenges, particularly in Germany and Austria. The face earned the grim nickname "Mordwand," the murder wall, a dark play on "Nordwand," the north wall, after a series of fatal attempts. In 1936, Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser were among four climbers who died in a particularly harrowing tragedy. Kurz survived the longest, dangling from a rope just metres from rescuers at the Stollenloch window, but succumbed to exhaustion before he could be reached.
The face was finally conquered on July 24, 1938, by a German-Austrian team: Anderl Heckmair, Ludwig Voerg, Heinrich Harrer, and Fritz Kasparek. Their ascent took three days and is still considered one of the greatest achievements in mountaineering history. Harrer later wrote about it in "The White Spider," the book that brought the Eiger North Face to international fame.
Continue along the trail. The path narrows slightly here and passes through some boulder fields.
Next waypoint: 600 metres, approximately 12 minutes.
Waypoint 4: Alpine Meadow and Flora Zone (2,200 m)
GPS: 46.5825N, 7.9853E
The trail now passes through one of the most beautiful stretches, a high alpine meadow that, in July and August, transforms into a carpet of wildflowers. Despite the harsh conditions at this altitude, the biodiversity here is remarkable.
Look at your feet and around the edges of the path. The low-growing purple cushions are alpine asters, one of the toughest wildflowers in the Alps, capable of surviving at elevations above 3,000 metres. The bright yellow flowers on long stems are arnica, historically prized for its medicinal properties and still used in homeopathic preparations. If you see a deep blue, trumpet-shaped flower, that is the gentian, specifically Gentiana acaulis, one of Switzerland's most iconic alpine plants and the source of a traditional herbal liqueur.
The short, tough grasses in these meadows are adapted to extreme conditions: intense ultraviolet radiation, high winds, rapid temperature swings, and a growing season that may last only ten to twelve weeks. Many alpine plants grow in cushion or rosette forms to minimise wind exposure and trap warmth. Their leaves are often thick and waxy to reduce water loss, and many have deep taproots that can extend a metre or more into the thin soil.
Listen carefully and you may hear the sharp whistle of marmots. These large rodents, relatives of the groundhog, live in extensive burrow systems beneath the meadows. An adult Alpine marmot can weigh up to eight kilograms by autumn, when it has fattened itself for a hibernation that lasts six to seven months. Their warning whistle, a single piercing note, alerts the colony to predators, primarily golden eagles and foxes.
Speaking of golden eagles, scan the sky above the North Face. Pairs nest on cliff ledges throughout the Bernese Oberland, and the updrafts along the Eiger provide excellent soaring conditions. A golden eagle has a wingspan of over two metres and can spot a marmot from nearly two kilometres away.
Next waypoint: 500 metres, approximately 10 minutes.
Waypoint 5: The Rockfall Zone (2,150 m)
GPS: 46.5858N, 7.9889E
You will notice the trail now passes through an area with larger boulders scattered across the meadow. These are not glacial erratics. They have fallen from the North Face above.
This is worth pausing to consider. The Eiger North Face is an active geological feature. Freeze-thaw cycles, where water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands, and gradually pries rock loose, send debris tumbling down the face regularly. Most rockfall occurs in the warmer months, particularly during afternoon hours when temperatures peak. You may hear it: a distant crack followed by a clattering roar as rocks bounce and shatter on their way down.
The trail has been routed to avoid the primary rockfall zones, but this section passes through the outer edge of one. There is no need for alarm, but this is not a place to linger or stop for a long picnic. Keep moving at a steady pace through the next few hundred metres.
As you walk, notice the variety in the rock around you. Most of the boulders are grey Jurassic limestone, but you may spot some with visible fossil imprints. The Eiger's limestone was formed from the accumulated shells and skeletons of marine organisms in a warm, shallow sea. Occasionally you can find the spiral shapes of ammonites or the ribbed shells of brachiopods embedded in the rock. These creatures lived roughly 150 to 170 million years ago, and now their remains sit at over 2,000 metres elevation, a testament to the immense forces that built the Alps.
Next waypoint: 700 metres, approximately 14 minutes.
Waypoint 6: Mid-Trail Panorama (2,080 m)
GPS: 46.5894N, 7.9925E
This is one of the finest viewpoints on the entire trail. Stop here, face south, and take in the panorama.
To your left, the Eiger North Face now fills nearly your entire field of vision. You are roughly at the halfway point of the trail, and from here you can see the face in its full terrifying grandeur. The wall rises 1,800 metres above the base, nearly the same height as the entire mountain of Ben Nevis in Scotland, but compressed into a near-vertical plane. The scale is almost impossible to comprehend until you try to spot a climbing party on the face. Even with binoculars, climbers appear as mere specks against the enormity of the rock.
Now look to your right, to the west and northwest. The valley of Grindelwald spreads below you, one of the classic Swiss alpine villages. The patchwork of green meadows, dark forest, and scattered chalets creates the quintessential Swiss postcard scene. Beyond Grindelwald, you can see the Wetterhorn, a striking pyramidal peak of 3,692 metres that was one of the first major Alpine summits climbed, in 1854.
If you look carefully to the northeast, you may spot the blue-green waters of the Brienzersee, Lake Brienz, roughly 20 kilometres away. On clear days, the visibility can extend to the peaks of central Switzerland.
This is an excellent spot for photographs. The late morning light is particularly good for capturing the texture of the North Face, as the low-angle sun creates deep shadows in the couloirs and on the ledges.
Next waypoint: 400 metres, approximately 8 minutes.
Waypoint 7: The Forest Edge (2,020 m)
GPS: 46.5918N, 7.9950E
The trail now begins to approach the upper treeline. You will notice scattered larch and Swiss stone pine appearing among the boulders. These are among the hardiest trees in Europe.
The Swiss stone pine, or Arve in local dialect, is a remarkable species. It can live for over 1,000 years and survives at elevations up to 2,500 metres. Its wood is soft and aromatic, traditionally used for carved furniture and wall panelling in Swiss homes. The distinctive scent is said to lower heart rate and promote restful sleep, and scientific studies have shown measurable reductions in heart rate among people sleeping in Swiss stone pine rooms.
The larch is the only European conifer that sheds its needles in autumn. Before dropping them, the needles turn brilliant gold, creating one of the most spectacular displays in the Alps during October. A larch forest in autumn, set against the grey rock and white ice of the high peaks, is one of nature's great visual gifts.
As you descend into the trees, notice how the microclimate changes. The air feels slightly warmer and less windy. The soil is deeper here, nourished by centuries of needle fall and decomposition. The forest floor is carpeted with mosses, bilberry bushes, and the occasional orchid.
Next waypoint: 500 metres, approximately 10 minutes.
Waypoint 8: The Mittellegi Ridge View (1,980 m)
GPS: 46.5942N, 7.9978E
As the trail curves around a rocky spur, a new perspective of the Eiger opens up. You can now see the Mittellegi Ridge, the sharp arrete that defines the northeast edge of the mountain. This was the route of the second ascent of the Eiger, completed in 1885 by a party guided by Christian Almer and Peter Bohren, legendary Grindelwald mountain guides.
The Mittellegi Ridge is still climbed today and has a small bivouac hut perched improbably on its knife-edge at 3,355 metres. If conditions are clear, you might spot the tiny hut as a dark dot against the sky on the ridge. Spending a night there, with sheer drops on both sides and the wind howling, is an experience that even seasoned alpinists describe as unforgettable.
The Grindelwald mountain guides deserve special mention. Since the dawn of alpine tourism in the eighteenth century, local farmers and chamois hunters transformed themselves into professional guides, leading wealthy visitors to the summits. The Grindelwald Bergfuehrerverein, the mountain guides' association, was founded in 1856 and continues to operate today. These men and women carry on a tradition of skill, courage, and deep knowledge of these mountains that spans generations.
Next waypoint: 500 metres, approximately 10 minutes.
Waypoint 9: The Waterfall Crossing (1,920 m)
GPS: 46.5970N, 8.0005E
The trail crosses a small stream here, fed by snowmelt and seepage from the cliffs above. In early summer, this can be a vigorous flow, and the rocks may be slippery. Step carefully on the stones and use the fixed chains if they are present.
This water began its journey as snow falling on the upper reaches of the Eiger, percolated through the porous limestone, and emerged here as a spring. The limestone acts as a natural filter, and the water is exceptionally pure and cold, typically around four to six degrees Celsius even in midsummer.
The sound of running water is a constant companion in the Swiss Alps. Switzerland has been called the water tower of Europe, and with good reason. The country's glaciers, snowfields, and abundant rainfall feed four major European river systems: the Rhine, the Rhone, the Inn flowing to the Danube, and the Ticino flowing to the Po. The water you see here will eventually join the Luetschine river, flow into Lake Brienz, and from there into the Aare, the Rhine, and finally the North Sea.
Continue along the path as it re-enters open meadow. You are approaching the lower sections of the trail now, and the character of the landscape becomes gentler.
Next waypoint: 400 metres, approximately 8 minutes.
Waypoint 10: The Alp Pasture (1,880 m)
GPS: 46.5995N, 8.0025E
You are now walking through traditional alpine pasture land, or Alpweide. If you are hiking between June and September, you will likely encounter cows grazing here, their bells creating that distinctive alpine soundtrack.
The system of alpine farming in Switzerland is ancient, dating back at least to the Bronze Age. Each summer, farmers drive their cattle up from the valley to graze on these high pastures, a tradition called Alpaufzug. The cows spend roughly 100 days at altitude, feeding on the rich alpine grasses and wildflowers that give Swiss alpine cheese its distinctive flavour. In autumn, they are brought back down in the Alpabzug, a festive procession with decorated cows, flower garlands, and traditional costumes.
The large cowbells are not merely decorative. Known as Trycheln or Glocken depending on the region, they serve a practical purpose: helping farmers locate their animals in fog, forest, or darkness. The largest bells, called Senntumsschellen, weigh up to fifteen kilograms and are handcrafted by specialized bell makers, a craft that has been practised in Switzerland for centuries.
Look at the pasture itself. The grass here is not a monoculture but a complex community of dozens of plant species. The diversity of alpine meadows is one of the reasons Swiss alpine cheese has such complexity of flavour. Cattle grazing on biodiverse meadows produce milk with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a broader range of aromatic compounds than cattle fed on cultivated grassland.
Next waypoint: 600 metres, approximately 12 minutes.
Waypoint 11: The Final North Face View (1,850 m)
GPS: 46.6030N, 8.0042E
As the trail rounds this final bend with an unobstructed view of the North Face, take one last long look at the wall that has loomed over your entire hike.
From here, you can appreciate the face from a different angle and see features that were hidden before. The Exit Cracks, near the top of the classic route, are visible as dark lines running up toward the summit ridge. These cracks represent the final challenge for climbers on the 1938 route, and many have come to grief here, exhausted and hypothermic after days on the wall, fumbling with frozen ropes just metres from safety.
Modern climbing has transformed what was once a multi-day epic into a speed challenge. In 2015, Ueli Steck, the legendary Swiss alpinist, soloed the face in two hours and twenty-two minutes, a time that would have been inconceivable to the pioneers. The fastest known time has since been pushed even lower. These speed ascents are extraordinary feats of fitness and technical skill, but they also highlight how far climbing standards have advanced in less than a century.
Yet the Eiger still commands respect. Despite modern equipment and weather forecasting, the North Face claims lives regularly. The mountain has taken over sixty lives since attempts began, and even experienced climbers approach it with caution. The combination of objective dangers, rockfall, ice avalanches, sudden weather changes, and the sheer scale of the wall makes it perpetually serious.
Next waypoint: 700 metres, approximately 12 minutes.
Waypoint 12: Approach to Alpiglen (1,820 m)
GPS: 46.6075N, 8.0048E
The trail now descends more steeply through mixed forest and meadow toward Alpiglen station. The character of the landscape has changed completely from the high alpine terrain where we started. You are now in the montane zone, with spruce, beech, and maple joining the larch and pine.
As you descend, you may notice your ears adjusting to the pressure change. You have dropped roughly 500 metres from the starting point, equivalent to the height of a 150-story building. The air is noticeably thicker and warmer here.
Listen for birdsong. The forests at this elevation are home to a variety of species that you would not encounter higher up. The coal tit, the crested tit, the Eurasian treecreeper, and the spotted woodpecker are all common. You might also hear the distinctive yodelling call of the black woodpecker, the largest woodpecker in Europe.
The trail becomes well-graded now, a gentle descent through pleasant forest. The Alpiglen station is visible below.
Next waypoint: 500 metres, approximately 8 minutes.
Waypoint 13: Alpiglen Station (1,800 m)
GPS: 46.6128N, 8.0053E
You have reached the end of the Eiger Trail. Welcome to Alpiglen, a small station on the Wengernalpbahn railway at 1,800 metres elevation.
This is a place with its own history. From this station, spectators have watched climbing dramas unfold on the North Face through telescopes for nearly a century. In the 1930s, crowds gathered here with binoculars to follow the attempts on the Nordwand, sometimes cheering, sometimes watching in horror as climbers fell. Journalists filed dispatches from the station, and it became a kind of theatre where the audience watched real life-and-death drama play out on the wall above.
Today, Alpiglen is peaceful. The small restaurant serves local dishes and cold beer, and the train will take you down to Grindelwald in about twenty minutes, or up to Kleine Scheidegg in about fifteen.
Closing
You have completed the Eiger Trail. Over the past two hours, you have walked 6.2 kilometres beneath one of the most storied mountain faces in the world, descending 520 metres from the Eigergletscher station to Alpiglen.
For your descent to Grindelwald, simply take the Wengernalpbahn train from Alpiglen. Trains run approximately every thirty minutes, and the journey takes about twenty minutes to reach Grindelwald Grund station.
If you prefer to continue walking, a trail descends from Alpiglen to Grindelwald in about one hour, dropping through forest and meadow. The path is well-marked and not difficult, but it does add another 400 metres of descent to your day, so consider the condition of your knees.
Whatever you choose, I hope the Eiger Trail has given you a sense of the grandeur, the history, and the raw power of this extraordinary mountain. The North Face will continue to brood above Grindelwald long after we have gone, a monument to both the forces that built the Alps and the human spirit that dared to challenge them.
Thank you for hiking with ch.tours. Safe travels, and enjoy the rest of your time in the Bernese Oberland.