--- type: "Article" title: "Hiking the Eiger panorama trail from First via Bachalpsee to the Bussalp" description: "The Eiger panorama trail is one of many hikes around Grindelwald First. It promises an overwhelming view of the Eiger north face." resource: "https://travelmemo.com/switzerland/eiger-panorama-trail-bachalpsee-bussalp" author: "Katja Birrer" publisher: "Travelmemo" photo_count: 20 tags: ["Hiking", "Nature", "Switzerland"] entities: - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/switzerland" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/alps" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/berner-oberland" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lake" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/boutique-hotel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/excursion-tips" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/landscape" - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer" timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:23:38+00:00 --- # Hiking the Eiger panorama trail from First via Bachalpsee to the Bussalp > The Eiger panorama trail runs from First via Bachalpsee and Hireleni Pass to Bussalp in Grindelwald, offering dramatic views of the Eiger north face and Bernese Alps across a 5.2-mile mountain hike in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland. ## Destination Grindelwald, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland — trailhead at First, reached via the Firstbahn cableway. ## Getting there Take the Firstbahn gondola cableway from Grindelwald via Bort and Schreckfeld up to First. Alternatively, start from Bussalp by taking the Grindelwald mail bus and hike the route in reverse. Return from Bussalp to the valley by Grindelwald bus to the train station. ## When to go The article describes an autumn hike; weather in the mountains can change rapidly at any time, with cloud and fog a real possibility. Clear conditions deliver sensational views; overcast days lend a mystical atmosphere. ## Why visit The trail combines an iconic mountain lake, sweeping panoramas of the Eiger north face and seven peaks over 13,000 feet, and varied alpine terrain, making it one of the most celebrated hikes in the Jungfrau region. ## What to see - **Bachalpsee** — Mountain lake at 7,431 feet surrounded by moorland, with reflections of surrounding peaks; two lakes lie close together along the trail. - **Eiger north face panorama** — Views of the Eiger north face and Grindelwald Valley open up from Hireleni Pass and the high route in clear weather. - **First Cliff Walk by Tissot** — A partly glassed-in observation platform and walkway at First offering exposed, airy views from the mountain's edge. - **Rock formations near the High Route** — Crags along the ridge resemble Easter Island Moai figures. - **Grindelwald Glacier Gorge** — A nearby excursion where meltwater from the lower Grindelwald glacier has carved a spectacular gorge through rock at the foot of the Eiger north face. ## What to do - **Hike the Eiger panorama trail** — 5.2-mile route, 3 hours 15 minutes, T2 difficulty, with 1,000 feet of climb and 2,200 feet of descent from First to Bussalp. - **First Flyer and First Glider** — Two flying-fox zip-line options at First reaching speeds up to 50 mph down the mountainside. ## Good to know Food is only available at the mountain restaurant at First (First Mountain Inn) and at Bussalp; carry provisions for the trail itself. The narrow ridge path toward Rötigipfel at Hireleni Pass is exposed and suited only to experienced, surefooted hikers. Hiking the route in reverse from Bussalp saves the knees by finishing on the gentler Bachalpsee-to-First segment. ## Photos ```yaml photos: - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Mettenberg-Wetterhorn.jpg" caption: "Wetterhorn and Mittelhorn (at left) and the Mettenberg mountain in the foreground" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gondelfahrt-Grindelwald-First.jpg" caption: "Schreckfeld-Bort seen from the gondola" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Grindelwald-First-Nebel.jpg" caption: "The First fogged in" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/First-Cliff-Walk-by-Tissot-Nebel.jpg" caption: "Tourists on the First Cliff Walk by Tissot" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Walter-Schaerer-Katja-First-Cliff-Walk.jpg" caption: "Selfie on the First observation deck" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Walter-Schaerer-Bachalpsee.jpg" caption: "On the way to the Bachalpsee" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Bachalpsee-Wanderweg.jpg" caption: "Bachalpsee panorama with the Reeti in the distance" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Bachalpsee-Reeti-2.jpg" caption: "The lake called Bachalpsee on the Eiger panorama trail" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Distel-Bachalpsee.jpg" caption: "Thistle by the Bachalpsee" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WC-Haus-Bachalpsee.jpg" caption: "WC by the Bachalpsee" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Wanderweg-Eiger-Ultra-Trail.jpg" caption: "Hiking trail to the Spitzen" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Tuempel-Spitzen-Eiger-Ultra-Trail.jpg" caption: "A pond on the way to the Spitzen" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Spitzen-Eiger-Panoramaweg-Grindelwald.jpg" caption: "Crags along the High Route 2020" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Spitzen-Eiger-Panoramaweg-Grindelwald-2.jpg" caption: "Rock formation resembling a Moai figure" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Katja-Eiger-Ultra-Trail.jpg" caption: "Katja on the Eiger ultra trail" ```