Bachalpsee

The Bachalpsee is located in the Bernese Oberland, the Alpine region of the Canton of Bern, above the village of Grindelwald and facing some of the most imposing mountains of the Bernese Alps. We are in the Jungfrau Region, where glaciers, rock faces and green valleys shape the landscape; the lake occupies a basin 2265m asl and can only be reached on foot, after taking the cable car that connects Grindelwald to the First panoramic area.

This passage is important to understand the visit: the Bachalpsee is not located next to the arrival point of the cable car and does not appear as soon as you exit the cable car. From First you have to walk to about fifty minutes, crossing high-altitude pastures and open slopes overlooking the valley. The lake arrives at the end of the route almost as a reward, with two bodies of water close together and a panorama which, on clear, windless days, reveals the outlines of the peaks and the Grindelwald glacier on the surface.

The most famous photograph is of the perfectly still lake, but Bachalpsee is worth the time even when the reflection isn't complete. The walk, the view of Grindelwald from above, the benches along the way, and the opportunity to stop for a drink. a picnic in front of the mountains They transform the climb to First into a real mountain day, very different from a simple cable car ride to a viewpoint.

The lake above Grindelwald

The name used by the inhabitants is Bachalpsee, although in Switzerland the abbreviated form Bachsee is sometimes encountered. The lake is located beyond the First station, in an area without hotels, roads open to traffic or buildings dominating the shore; around it remain Alpine meadows, paths and slopes which rise to higher altitudes.

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From the village, attention is drawn above all to the Eiger, the great mountain that dominates Grindelwald with its north face; climbing to the Bachalpsee, however, the direction of the gaze changes, which meets the Wetterhorn, the Schreckhorn and the Finsteraarhorn, three prominent mountains of the Bernese Alps. When the water is calm, the Grindelwald Glacier also appears alongside the peaks, creating the image that has made the lake famous far beyond Switzerland's borders.

During the day, a little wind is enough to break the reflection, while clouds can hide the mountains and the light changes the color of the water. Check First's webcam Before buying a ticket, it's useful, especially when the view is the main reason for the climb. However, once you reach the lake, it's worth avoiding the rush: walking along the shore, choosing a bench, and waiting a few minutes can reveal changes that a photograph taken upon arrival can't convey.

From Grindelwald to First

By public transport, the journey begins at Interlaken Ost, the main station in the city of Interlaken, where the Bernese Oberland Railway departs for the valley. You'll need to get off at the final stop. Grindelwald, in the centre of the village, and not at the previous Grindelwald Terminal, which was mainly used for the lifts going up to the Männlichen, the panoramic mountain on the opposite side of the valley, and towards the Eiger glacier.

From Grindelwald train station it is a ten minute walk through the village to the Firstbahn, the cable car that goes up to FirstThe system uses six-person cabins and takes approximately 25 minutes, with two intermediate stations: Bort, home to restaurants and a large alpine playground, and Schreckfeld, the starting or finishing point for some adventure activities. To reach Bachalpsee, you stay on board until the top station of First, at 2166 meters above sea level.

The cable car ticket represents the main expense of the day, as the trail and access to the lake do not require a separate entrance. The official website lists the Grindelwald-First ride as a fare. starting from 38 CHF, while the total round-trip fare varies based on the available fare, regional passes, discounts, and any combined fares. Fares and schedules are variable: before departure, it is advisable to check the price in the Official ticketing system and the status of Firstbahn, also checking the last useful descent.

The path to Bachalpsee

Leaving First station, follow the signs for Bachalpsee along a wide, well-maintained dirt road. The first section is the most surprising: the route it rises quite sharply at the beginning, while your legs are still getting used to the altitude, then continues with gentler ups and downs through the meadows. It's therefore not a flat walk, although the width of the path makes it easy to follow.

The official First-Bachalpsee-First route is 5,1 kilometers in total and takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes of walking alone. Reaching the lake usually takes about 50 minutes; the return journey follows the same route to the cable car. Photographs, breaks, and a stop on the shore can easily increase the actual duration to over three hours, so half a day It is a more credible measure than the time alone reported on the hiking card.

The wide surface makes it easy to follow the direction, while the panorama accompanies almost the entire route: Grindelwald remains lower and lower, pastures occupy the slope and in front of you the mountains of the Jungfrau Region open up. For times, route and conditions you can consult the First-Bachalpsee-First route connected by Jungfrau Railways.

Since the entire journey is above two thousand meters, you need water, sun protection and a lightweight mountain rain jacket, while on the feet they are useful shoes with a sole suitable for dirt roadsThe weather at high altitudes can change, while in Grindelwald the valley floor remains bright. Early in the season, snow or wet patches may remain, so the opening of the cable car alone doesn't guarantee that the trail will be in the desired conditions.

Reflections and photographs

The most famous photographs are taken with little wind, when the lake becomes a mirror and the Schreckhorn rises above its surface. The Wetterhorn and Finsteraarhorn complete the profile of the Bernese Alps, while the Grindelwald Glacier adds a bright band between the rocks. The best spot isn't necessarily where the trail ends: moving respectfully along the two bodies of water changes the alignment of the mountains, the presence of the meadows in the foreground, and the depth of the scene.

Early morning often offers clearer light and allows you to get there ahead of some visitors, but it's important to check the timetable for the first cable car. Sunrise and sunset can be magnificent, but they don't always coincide with the lifts' normal operation and shouldn't be planned without a safe return. For most people, the best option remains go up with one of the first races, reach the lake without immediately stopping at the attractions of First and save the Cliff Walk for the return.

When the peak hours are crowded, especially on clear days, it's a good idea to move a little further from your starting point and look at both sides of Bachalpsee for less crowded views. The landscape isn't just about reflections: the paths crisscrossing the meadows, the people sitting on benches, and the succession of peaks clearly convey the basin's size, even when the water is choppy.

Stop at the lake

Along the path and near the water there are several panoramic benches, while the grassy stretches allow you to stop for a picnic without turning the visit into a photo op. It's a good idea to bring something to eat and drink, remembering to take any waste back down.

Continuing beyond the first observation point you also reach the second body of water and, near a bench, you may happen to find a small notebook where you can leave a thought dedicated to SimoneIt's a simple detail, created outside of official tourist services, and for this very reason, it can't be guaranteed to always be present; when it is, it adds a sense of the people who have passed through, with messages written in different languages ​​before the same view.

Between the picnic, the photographs and the tour of the two bodies of water, it is necessary to keep an adequate margin for returnThose who arrive counting only the fifty minutes of the outward journey risk constantly checking their watches, while the value of Bachalpsee also lies in the anticipation: a moving cloud, a dropping wind, or a different light on the mountains can change the scene in a matter of minutes.

With the children

For a family, the lake offers a concrete and easily imaginable goal, while the wide path makes walking together easier. However, there's still the initial climb, the altitude, and the distance that can be challenging for children unaccustomed to walking, as well as the need to get back in time for the last cable car.

With children already trained in mountain walksBreaks, picnics, and practicing your reflexes can make the day very enjoyable. For the little ones, it's best to start early, avoid overcrowding the program, and keep a warm layer and rain protection in your backpack. Bort, the middle station of the cable car, has an alpine playground of approximately 700 square meters and can become a separate stop during the descent, if time and energy permit.

The trail is often described as passable with off-road strollers, but width and good surface don't guarantee accessibility: gradient, residual snow, mud, and day-to-day conditions can change. Before climbing with a very young child, it's wise to ask for updated confirmation from the lifts and only use a stroller that's already been tested on mountain trails.

First Cliff Walk and activities

Next to the mountain station, before or after the walk, you can walk along the First Cliff Walk, a walkway fixed to the rock that ends on a platform extending 45 meters. In the same area is First View, another vantage point built to observe the Grindelwald valley and the mountain profile from different angles.

The Cliff Walk and First View require less time than the lake and can be included before or after the hike. On busy days, the boardwalk can be slow, so those considering Bachalpsee as their main destination can head straight to the trail and return to the platforms before descending.

First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibike belong to the sportier part of the area. They are separate activities, with their own availability, conditions and ticketsSome connect First to Schreckfeld, others connect Schreckfeld to Bort, or Bort to the village. Trying them all at the same time at Bachalpsee completely changes the pace of your day and can take much longer than half a day.

Towards Faulhorn and Bussalp

From Bachalpsee the trail does not end, but the continuations belong to longer excursions and require different preparation. Faulhorn It is the panoramic peak that rises to 2681m above sea level beyond the lake; the itinerary continues on an ancient path, reaches the historic mountain hotel near the summit and can then descend towards Bussalp, an alpine pasture above Grindelwald served by buses.

This crossing allows you to avoid returning on the same road, but it is not an improvised variation of the walk: it increases distance, elevation gain, and dependence on bus schedules. Those wishing to take it should check the First-Bachalpsee-Faulhorn-Bussalp tab and the status of the track.

Even wider is the high route between First and Schynige plate, the scenic location reached from Wilderswil by a historic cogwheel railway. The route passes by Bachalpsee and Faulhorn and requires about six hours of walkingIt can also be followed in the opposite direction, reaching the lake towards the end of the day. It's one of the most popular routes in the region, but it has little in common with the classic outward and return hike from the lake.

Another option descends towards Waldspitz, an area with a refuge and restaurant on the slope leading to Bort. Here too, you must choose the exact route beforehand, as the arrival point and return route do not coincide with those of the First-Bachalpsee-First route.

When to go

The easiest time to visit Bachalpsee on foot is generally from early summer to autumn, after the snow melts. However, there's no set date every year: in May or June, the town may already be green while the trail still has snow, and in autumn, the facilities may enter their maintenance period.

Before purchasing the ticket it is useful to check together Webcam, Firstbahn status and trail conditionsThe webcam helps us understand the actual visibility on the peaks, while the operational bulletin prevents us from confusing a beautiful day in the valley floor with equally favorable conditions at 2265m above sea level.

For photographs and tranquility it is best to choose the first hours of opening, but without turning an early morning departure into a promise of a deserted lake. Bachalpsee is one of Grindelwald's most popular destinations, and its accessibility draws many people; leaving early offers more time to walk, wait for the right light, and return slowly.

A day in the Jungfrau Region

Bachalpsee shows the green and open face of the Jungfrau Region: pastures, lake and paths in front of the great mountains. jungfraujoch, the famous high-altitude railway station built between the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, leads to a world of glaciers and snow; visiting both destinations on different days allows you to appreciate the diversity of the landscape around Grindelwald.

A well-balanced day It can include the ascent on the Firstbahn, a walk to the lake, a picnic, a return trip, and a Cliff Walk. Bort can be added on the descent for families interested in the playground, while the sports activities require more time and careful planning. Trying to combine Bachalpsee, Jungfraujoch, and other valleys on the same day would miss out on the most beautiful part of the visit.

On a multi-day holiday, Grindelwald allows you to alternate Bachalpsee with the glacier and high altitudes of the Jungfraujoch, the glacial gorge carved by the Lütschine River near the village, and the views of the Männlichen, a mountain reachable from the terminal on the opposite side of the valley. Lauterbrunnen, the valley of the great waterfalls west of Grindelwald, deserves a separate day.

Where to sleep

To visit Bachalpsee, Grindelwald is the most convenient baseYou can reach the Firstbahn on foot. You can choose a day with the best visibility and take one of the first runs without having to add a train ride. Stopping here makes particular sense if your holiday also includes Jungfraujoch, Männlichen, the glacial gorge, and other excursions on both sides of the valley.

Interlaken, located between lakes Thun and Brienz, offers more connections to the various valleys of the Bernese Oberland and can be suitable for a regional itinerary. To reach Bachalpsee, however, requires taking the train to Grindelwald, a short drive through the village, and then a cable car ride. Those who want to spend several days in the mountains around Grindelwald will find the village a more convenient base and have more leeway to adapt their itinerary to the weather.