Kleine Scheidegg in Bernese Oberland is a mountain pass that runs between the famous Eiger and the Lauberhorn. It is located above the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys at a height of 2062m and the two cogwheel railways from these places meet here. Because of that the area serves as a popular meeting point for hikers and climbers from all over the world and is open the entire year.
When you are visiting the Jungfraujoch, Kleine Scheidegg is the station where you change to the Jungfrau train and you begin the remarkable journey up to the Top of Europe.
Nature resides very close to Kleine Scheidegg on all sides. So, you have a lot of choices in what you can do here. You can go to Jungfraujoch. Or hike the Eiger Trail. Or explore the Lauberhorn. The choice is yours!
In this travel guide to Kleine Scheidegg, we will talk about how you can get here, the things to do, and all that you can see.
How to get there
Depending on where you start your journey from, you have several options to get to Kleine Scheidegg.
If you are on the Lauterbrunnen and Wengen side, it is best to take the cogwheel train. From Lauterbrunnen it takes about 38 minutes to get to Kleine Scheidegg by train.
From Grindelwald you can also take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, the trip takes about 32 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the super modern Eiger Express cable car from the Grindelwald terminal. It takes 15 minutes to get to the Eiger Glacier station, from there you can change to the train or walk down to Kleine Scheidegg.
From both Wengen and Grindelwald there is also the possibility to take a cable car up to Männlichen mountain and from there doing the « Panorama Trail » hike within 1.5 hours on foot to Kleine Scheidegg.
Hiking around Kleine Scheidegg
When it comes to hiking, there are a wealth of options. Hikes go all the way to the nearby Lauberhorn (1 hour), down to Wengen (2 hours) and Grindelwald (4 hours). Most of these trails are easy to conquer. But a tougher walk is the one leading up to the Eigergletscher train station (1 hour uphills). This hike, however, is well worth it given the emerging views of the massive ice sheet from it.
Eiger Trail Hike
Breathtaking views of the Eiger North Face are known to come with their challenges. However, Kleine Scheidegg allows you to get a good glimpse of the mountain without requiring you to become a mountaineer. It does so through a trail known as the « Eiger Trail.”
This trail is thoughtfully planned and greets you with rare views of the Lauberhorn. The Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald valley lead you right along the edge of the towering North Face of the Eiger. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy this walk as it doesn’t last very long.
For added charm, you can grab a pair of binoculars and take a look at the climbers scaling the north face.
The Eiger Trail begins at the Eigergletscher station of the Jungfrau Railway and ends at Alpiglen. The trail is an easy one and can be completed in approximately 2 hours. On days with bad weather and heavy snowfall, the pathway is closed.
During the walk, you will come across stations that provide historical insight into the tragic events and triumphs that took place here. This adds to the sophistication of the hike and takes you back in time while you make your way through the trail, surrounded by the most breathtaking of views.
Kleine Scheidegg to Eiger Glacier Hike
This hike gives you the best of both worlds. It is a humbler walk upwards yet it gives you the opportunity to marvel at the Eiger North Face. The trail is very well-developed and stretches 2 and a half kilometers.
It starts from Kleine Scheidegg and goes towards the Eiger glacier station and vice versa. Therefore, you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy this walk.
During the walk, you will come across stations that provide historical insight into the tragic events and triumphs that took place here. This adds to the sophistication of the hike and takes you back in time while you make your way through the trail, surrounded by the most breathtaking view.
Lauberhorn Trail
The Lauberhorn downhill ski race slope is the longest descent in alpine skiing. In Summer visitors can walk at a comfortable pace during the summer while soaking in the view around them.
As the hikers head downwards, they are able to enjoy the amazing views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Kleine Scheidegg to Männlichen Hike
The trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is a great hike for beginners as it is virtually flat from start to finish. Despite its ease, this hike offers nothing short of spectacular views.
From Männlichen, visitors can take the cable car down to Wengen or Grindelwald. For fans of a good, long hike, going back down by walk is worth the while.
Enjoy a break
With all the great hikes surrounding Kleine Scheidegg, one is bound to get tired. However, this is nothing to worry about as there are many great options available for visitors looking to take a break.
The Bahnhof restaurant is one of those options. It is located at the train station and is known for its regional cuisine and friendly ambiance. This is a great spot as you get to enjoy delicious food whilst admiring the surrounding views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfraujoch.
The Hotel Bellevue des Alpes is another great place that has a sun terrace giving you views that are nothing short of glorious.
Lounging on the sun terrace while you gaze up at the gigantic wall rock of the Eiger North Face is as peaceful a situation as can be. You wouldn’t want to miss it for the world!
Sledging and other winter sports
Kleine Scheidegg offers its fair share of fun activities and winter sports to its visitors. Take, for example, the Alpiglen. This is a starting point for the Eiger Run. Being one of the most exciting toboggans in Switzerland, the Eiger Run continues on for 13km. Along the way, you get views that are an interesting contrast to each other in Grindelwald Grund.
The adventure doesn’t stop as the evening approaches. You can still get the benefit of a lightened-up descent to Brandegg after dark. This allows you to end your sledging adventure with the decadent fondue at the Restaurant Brandegg.
If you don’t happen to have your sledge with you, you can easily rent one at the Kleine Scheidegg.
In December, the skiing season begins. Visitors ski and snowboard down the graceful slopes of the Kleine Scheidegg. Skiers of all abilities can also ski in the Grindelwald-Wengen skiing area.
FAQ
Best time to visit Kleine Scheidegg?
The best time to visit Kleine Scheidegg is really any time.
The average temperatures in the months of December, January, and February fall between -2° and -8° C, placing the area consistently in the frost range.
However, even if no snow falls, approximately three-quarters of the slopes around Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen, Wengen, and Grindelwald can be covered in artificial snow. So, skiers don’t have to worry about snow here.
The winter sports season usually runs from November till the mid of April. The summer months of June to August, on the other hand, are perfect for mountain hikes. The average temperature hovers around 4° to 11° C during summers but the sun makes the hiking experience pleasant.
How much does the ride to Kleine Scheidegg cost?
| Return Ticket | Regular price Normalpreis | Half-fare Card Halbtax | Eurail/Interrail Pass | GA travelcard | Swiss Travel Pass |
| Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg | CHF 64.- | CHF 32.- | CHF 48.- | CHF 32.- | CHF 48.- |
| Lauterbrunnen – Kleine Scheidegg | CHF 65.60 | CHF 32.80 | CHF 49.20 | CHF 26.- | CHF 39.- |
| Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg | CHF 52.- | CHF 26.- | CHF 39.- | CHF 26.- | CHF 39.- |
| Interlaken Ost – Kleine Scheidegg | CHF 83.60 | CHF 41.80 | CHF 63.- | CHF 29.- | CHF 43.60 |
How long does it take to get to Kleine Scheidegg?
From the Interlaken Ost train station, you can reach the Kleine Scheidegg in an hour and 15 minutes, via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.
You might also like the following article:
Final Thoughts
For fans of hiking and winter sports, Kleine Scheidegg is the perfect place to dip their toes in. Clear days offer excellent views of the Bernese Alps while the downhill ski slopes provide visitors tons of opportunity to get an adrenaline rush.
