This past October, I visited the Jungfrau Region with my partner, brother, and his fiancée. When I say the hills were alive, it doesn’t begin to describe the snow-capped, Tobleronesque mountains surrounding us in every direction. Simply unreal.
Tucked into the Bernese Oberland area at the foot of the Bernese Alps, the Jungfrau Region boasts the regal presence of the highest mountain in the area—The Jungfrau—and other alpine icons like Eiger and Mönch.
Yes, it’s touristy. But trust me: the views (and, let’s be honest, the Swiss Francs) are worth every bit of the bustle. We spent two nights in Grindelwald and lucked out with sunny, dry weather—rare for mid-October! With golden autumn light and snow-dusted peaks as our backdrop, we made the most of every moment.
Here’s how to spend two unforgettable days in one of Switzerland’s most scenic regions.
Where to Stay in the Jungfrau Region: Eiger Lodge in Grindelwald
First things first: accommodations. Finding a hotel on a budget in Grindelwald isn’t easy—many spots hover around 200€ per night. After a deep dive into travel forums and booking sites, we landed on the Eiger Lodge—a hidden gem with front-row views of the Nordwand (North Face) of the Eiger.
This place hit the sweet spot between hostel and boutique hotel. It has:
Two sections: a cozy hostel-style wing with bunk beds and a more private hotel-style area
A buffet breakfast included
Communal spaces for cooking, lounging, and gaming
An on-site bar and grill for easy meals
And—best of all—it’s steps from the Grindelwald Terminal, aka the launchpad for Jungfraujoch adventures
Would 100% rebook.
Day 1: Mountain Lakes, Fondue & Fall Colors
One of the area’s most visited mountain lakes, the Bachalpsee sits peacefully at 2,265 meters. It’s a hike that’s been on my bucket list for some time now, and seeing it in person was such a special experience. Just a stone's throw from Grindelwald, the hike started at the cable car station ‘Grindelwald-First,’ where we purchased one-way tickets for 17€ p.P to the station Bort (1.600 meters elevation). The ride lasted around 15 minutes but was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The combination of green rolling hills, autumn colors, and snow-capped peaks was a view I won’t be likely to forget anytime soon. From Bort, we disembarked and hit the trail. Here, you can find the hiking details or our exact route. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and warm clothes if you take this less touristy path. I’d also recommend the route for intermediate hikers, as it was quite a snowy climb - even in mid-October! For a beginner, I would suggest taking the Grindelwald-First route.
At the top, we enjoyed a Brotzeit picnic (classic!) by the lake. Instead of taking the gondola down, we stopped for an Aperol Spritz at Alpine Hotel Bort and then hiked the rest of the way back to Grindelwald. And turns out this way a great way to meet some of the locals!
Golden meadows, mooing cows, snow-kissed peaks—it was chef’s kiss perfect.
Dinner in Grindelwald: Cheese Fondue at Adlerstube
Enjoy Cheese Fondue in Switzerland
When in Switzerland, you eat the cheese.
We wrapped up the day with a traditional Swiss cheese fondue dinner at Adlerstube in Grindelwald. If you’ve never tried it, fondue here is a rich, melty mix of Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Gouda, spiked with a bit of wine and nutmeg.
Expect:
Dippables like bread, potatoes, and pears
A shared pot of molten cheese love
Lots of laughs and cheese-induced teamwork
Don’t skip the post-fondue schnapps or espresso—this meal is no joke. Thank you to the Adlerstube team for making it such a warm and memorable experience.
Walk along the river in Lauterbrunnen
Day 2: Waterfalls, Gondolas & More Alpine Views
Morning: Walk Along the River in Lauterbrunnen
On Day 2, we drove ~30 minutes to Lauterbrunnen Valley, one of Switzerland's most picturesque spots.
This fairytale valley is home to a whopping 72 waterfalls and is great for a low-key morning stroll. We parked near Kirche Lauterbrunnen and followed the river path toward Stechelberg—a scenic, paved 7 km walk that's perfect for all levels.
Yes, it's touristy. But also, yes, it’s breathtaking.
Afternoon: Mürren via Cable Car
From Stechelberg, we caught the cable car up to Mürren, a charming, car-free mountain village perched at 1,650 meters. The peaceful town was not only picturesque—filled with a few cute cafés and small local shops—but also offered a killer view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. It ended up being such a restorative afternoon. From here, you can either take the gondola back down or hike to Lauterbrunnen. Be warned: the trail is steep and rocky in places, so be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes.
Explore Mürren
Final Thoughts: A 2-Day Itinerary in the Jungfrau Region
From snowy peaks and turquoise lakes to riverside strolls and gooey cheese, the Jungfrau Region absolutely delivered.
Whether you're planning your first visit to Grindelwald, hoping to hike to Bachalpsee, or dreaming of visiting Lauterbrunnen and Mürren, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in this breathtaking slice of Switzerland.
Until next time—happy travels!
