Alpiglen - Eigergletscher - Kleine ScheideggWalk 8011
Canton - Bern / Berne - Jungfrau Region
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 8.0 km / 5 miles
Ascent - 710 metres / 2343 feet
Descent - 260 metres / 858 feet
Time - 3.50 hours
Grade - moderate
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This is a straightforward route that takes you beneath the famous north wall of the Eiger. The route is well marked with "Eiger Trail" signs and providing you have good footwear you should not experience any difficulties.
Click thumbnails for larger images.
Start - Alpiglen station which can be reached by regular train service from Grindelwald and Wengen. See Transport Map for the Jungfrau Region.
End - Kleine Scheidegg station from where there is a regular train service to Grindelwald and Wengen.
From Alpiglen station take the clearly signed path east. After a short way the "Eiger Trail" is signed to the right. Take this path and start to climb. Above you rises the sheer face of the North Wall. You progress past some delightful waterfalls as the path twists and turns through rocks and grass.
Nowhere is the ascent too steep, although on a hot day you will certainly feel warm by the time the path traverses across scree. Despite the dominating presence of the Eiger on your left, there are beautiful views to the right as well with the Männlichen ridge dominating the scene.
The path gets very close to the Eiger's sheer cliffs before reaching Eigergletscher station. Close by is the Eiger Glacier which can be viewed from the moraine behind the station. You may not see the marmots but you will almost certainly hear their whistles.
If you are tired or short of time then you can take the train from Eigergletscher but the descent to Kleine Scheidegg is worth completing with fine views ahead. The recommended path is the one that follows the railway. The alternative, descending down a moraine, is not so easy and best avoided unless you are very sure-footed.
Suggested Maps
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5004 - Berner Oberland
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:25000 - Sheet SW 2520 - Jungfrau Region
Wanderkarte - Wengen, Mürren & Lauterbrunnental - 1:40000
Recommended Books
The Swiss Alpine Pass Route - Via Alpina Route 1
Guidebook to the Alpine Pass Route following the Swiss Via Alpina 1, a 360km trek east-west across Switzerland, from Sargans, on the border of Liechtenstein, to Montreux, including prologue from Liechtenstein. A demanding 3-week trek described in 18 stages, crossing 16 passes including the 2778m Hohtürli. Requires good fitness and experience.
Trekking in the Silvretta and Rätikon Alps
This guide describes three treks, between 5 and 8 days, in the Silvretta and Rätikon Alps starting near Klosters, and 12 half-day hut-to-hut routes. These contrasting ranges form a line on the borders of Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein. The Tour of the Silvretta, the Prättigauer Höhenweg and the Rätikon Höhenweg.