Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald: The best of the Jungfrau Marathon
Trail running through some of the most iconic Swiss Alps locations
This Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail Runs
→ 25km
↑ 1678m
Δ 2339M
♦ Medium
Θ Point to Point
We're lucky enough to live in Interlaken, making this run home turf. As such, I use it as my go to run when friends visit and want to see the Jungfrau Region, and get a day in on trails.
If you've never been to the Jungfrau Region, your day may go something like this...
The trail starts in Lauterbrunnen Valley, unarguably one of Switzerland's most scenic and iconic areas thanks to having 3000 meters of relief and 72 waterfalls pouring down it's sides. To make things more ridiculously beautiful, there are all the glaciers hanging above to provide stark contrast to the green hillsides you'll start running up on your way to the car free village of Wengen.
After gaining about 1000 meters, you'll leave a short section of dirt road behind for singletrack. This is where things get even better. Now, you're beneath the ice covered north walls of the Jungfrau and Mönch yet still cruising up flowing singletrack which finally accesses one of the most famous pieces of trail in all the Alps: the moraine trail which serves as the final climb of the Jungfrau Marathon. Here, things get dramatic as the landscape is simply surreal thanks to 2000 meters of vertical ice and rock above.
This trail leads to the Eigergletscher Station, the final stop before the train bound for the Jungfraujoch enters the Eiger.
Does this all sound bizarre? 2000 meters of vertical still above you? Glaciers? A train going into the Eiger?
What??
But wait, there's more! Once you've rolled over the top at Eigergletscher you'll begin the long cruise down to Grindelwald on the Eiger Panorama Trail. You've now traded cascading glaciers hanging above you for the world's most infamous alpine north wall, the Eiger Nordwand. You'll surely stop and stare at this ominous mass of wicked looking stone and marvel at the idea of Ueli Steck's 2:22 ascent.
Now it's time to continue down to Grindelwald, much of it on flowing singletrack with views that begin to take in new alpine peaks, like the Wetterhorn, which rises behind town. Once you arrive to Grindewald, you've made the journey that reveals most of what the Jungfrau Region has to offer.
While you're in the region, don't miss the Lauterbrunnen Obersteinberg loop and Schynige Platte to Grindelwald.
Detailed GPX Track
Download the GPX File and import the route into your phone's mapping app and/or your watch for the full turn-by turn.
The tracks for the Run the Alps Switzerland runs are free for download with book purchase. We hope you’ll support what we do and buy our guidebook prior to downloading these tracks.
TIPS
Save this run for the best possible weather. It truly is about the views.
- If the run is too much for you, there are many bailout options. You'll be running near the Kleine Scheidegg train line with many opportunities to jump on board. Consider the stations Kleine Scheidegg and Alpiglen as ways to shorten the day.
- Our Run the Alps Switzerland guide book has lots more info!
Guided and self-guided trips. Come run with us.
This is our home turf, so sure we're biased... but this landscape is stunning.
Headed up the Jungfrau Marathon course with the Jungfrau itself looming above. Not many marathons look like this.
Starting on the descent to Grindelwald beneath the Eiger Nordwand.
Kim opening it up on the way down to Grindelwald with the Wetterhorn visible ahead.
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Comments 18
Hi –
I will be in the Bern/Interlaken area Nov. 20-22 and would love to see lakes, mountains, etc. and this seems perfect.
However, I think this is around the time y’all receive snow? Would this be available during the time I am there? Or do you recommend something else?
Thanks,
Renee G.
Author
Hi Renee, While it’s likely there will be snow throughout the region – it is still possible to at least do the same route via the train…. and if there isn’t too much snow you can still walk on the dirt road that is kept groomed for walkers. It’s just the trails that will be buried, but there are always walking routes. Have a great time, there is always something fun to do.
I will be in Lauterbrunnen end of March and would like to run to Grindelwald – can this be done regards weather?
Cheers from Australia
David
Author
Hi David,
For the end of March the weather is unknown, but for sure it’ll be deep in snow. That’s not the time of year for running in the Alps, but… there are snowshoe routes if you are into that as an option. Otherwise, everyone is skiing! From Lauterbrunnen, winter hiking/snowshoeing routes will get you up high so you do have the option. Have a great visit!
Hi there!
We wanted to do this trail in the middle of June this year, do you think that most of the snow will be melted by then?
Thank you!
J from Wisconsin
Author
You should be okay but will probably have a few patches of snow beneath the Eiger.
I’d like to purchase your 30 Must Do Trail Runs Book. Are there detailed enough maps in the book to be able to complete the runs without needing to purchase other maps? Thank-you for time! The books sounds fabulous!
Author
Hi Jenna, The book itself does not have maps in it, but with the book you can get the GPS tracks for use on your phone. We recommend using the Switzerland Mobility app for on trail, and their browser version for planning. They are the official Swiss Topo maps and superb. You can get the book at https://www.helvetiq.com/run-the-alps-switzerland?___store=sw_en&aff=21
Amazing run, just did it today. Not easy but worth the effort. Just a note for anyone else there is quite a bit of construction taking place around the restaurant at Eigergletscher making it not possible to follow the trail as outlined in the book. You can get back on it with a bit of a detour. Thanks for mapping out this run!
Author
Excellent! Did you have much snow on the Eiger panorama trail descent? And ya, that construction zone is pretty obnoxious. Glad you enjoyed it, I was just across from you above Lauterbrunnen today, funky weather.
Yes, it is and with the weather up there it was indeed a bit strange. There was a bit of snow on the way down but nothing too problematic. Beautiful coming down towards Grindenwald. First run I tried from the book, so will be looking to see whats next! Hope you enjoyed the run today too!
Did this wonderful run last Saturday. Left early because the weather wasn’t too stable. But early start gives also empty trails and that in combination with the awesome view of Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger was a super experience. With some good meters up, the downhill section underneath Eigers north face is a thrill you won’t forget easily. The route gives a variety of green sections through forrest, open field and of course some alpine parts. At Eigerstation is currently a big construction going on, so you have to take a little detour, before getting on the Eiger Trail. But all is signed pretty well, so no fear to get off the track. Back in Grindelwald it’s worth to have a coffee or a cold beer on one of the many terraces with view to the Eiger. Now you can completely see the whole trail from Eigerstation down to Eiger Schlucht. Truly worth to do this run!!
I am so excited to run this route. I am from South Africa and we will be staying in Lauterbrunnen for 11 days next year.. Does anyone have a GPX file from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald for me please?
Author
Hi Martin, Yes, you should be excited about all the runs in Lauterbrunnen – it’s the best place to be in the region – well chosen! You can get the GPX file from the run page if you go to the book publisher’s page from the run – just go through the steps to buy the files, but they are free.
Awesome, just downloaded it. Man, I am excited for this trip..
Author
As you should be! Keep me posted and maybe we will cross paths when you are here.
This looks amazing. Have you ever done this in the opposite direction – Grindlewald to Lauterbrunnnen? Is the elevation profile skewed very much in one direction vs the other? (or…would all the views be behind you??)
Thanks for any tips!
Author
Hi Stephanie, you can totally do this in either direction. Going up from Lauterbrunnen does have more direct views and would be my preference.