Getting there
- Flights to Bern (BRN) 50 km from the start
- Flights to Zurich (ZRH) 110 km from the start
Treks / Switzerland
Eiger Trail
Switzerland · Nearest city: Bern (also Interlaken, Grindelwald)
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 6 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point2,320 m
A short, spectacular path right under the Eiger North Face, from Eigergletscher station down to Alpiglen. Mostly downhill, with huge views.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonLate June to early October
High pointEigergletscher
Watch out: Rockfall is possible under the face. Check the trail is open before you go.
Why people choose it
It puts you at the foot of the Eiger North Face, one of the most famous walls in climbing history, on a trail most walkers can manage.
What makes it different
- Mostly downhill from a railway station
- You can watch climbers on the North Face
- A short walk with a huge mountain atmosphere
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
EU 'roam like at home' doesn't apply in Switzerland, and many plans charge extra there. A Europe data eSIM covers Switzerland too.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,320 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping rules are set by each canton. A single night above the tree line is often tolerated; it's banned in the Swiss National Park and nature reserves.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (5.7 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Eigergletscher → Alpiglen
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: Late June to early October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Bern.
- Trains or buses reach the trailhead, so you don't need a car.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: Late June to early October
June to early July
Early season
Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes and high passes. Huts are just opening, meadows are full of flowers and paths are quieter.
Bring
- Microspikes or light crampons for snow patches
- Gaiters
- Warmer layers for cold mornings
Mid-July to August
Peak season
Most reliable weather, but also the busiest huts and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hot in the valleys.
Bring
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Rain jacket for storms
- Hut bookings made months ahead
September
Late season
Clear, stable days and fewer people, but shorter daylight, cold nights and some huts closing mid to late September.
Bring
- Down jacket for cold evenings
- Headlamp for early starts
- Check hut closing dates
Be ready for
Rockfall
Don't linger under steep faces, and consider a helmet on sections with loose rock above.
Long descents
Long downhills are harder on your knees than the climbs. Poles, well-laced boots and slow steps make a big difference.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Eiger Trail
Photo credits: North face by Terra3, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Grindelwald View by Cristo Vlahos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Gletscherschlucht seen from Grindelwald village by Leonhard Lenz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Eiger-Nordwand seen from Wärgistal by Leonhard Lenz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Grindelwald, Switzerland - panoramio - Michal Gorski by Michal Gorski, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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