Männlichen

Männlichen is a broad, grassy ridge between Grindelwald and the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and its top station, at about 2,230 metres, is one of the finest and easiest viewpoints in the Jungfrau Region. From up here you look straight across at the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, down into the Grindelwald basin on one side and the deep trough of the Lauterbrunnen Valley on the other.

The ridge is reached from two directions. From Grindelwald Terminal, a modern gondola, opened in 2019 as part of the V-Bahn project, climbs to the top station, and from the car-free village of Wengen a cable car makes the ascent from the other side. A short, gentle path known as the Royal Walk leads from the top station to the Männlichen summit, at 2,343 metres, where a viewing platform in the shape of a crown gives a 360-degree panorama. There is a restaurant at the top and a large playground for children.

Männlichen is the starting point of one of the most popular walks in the Alps: the panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg, which follows the slope below the Tschuggen and Lauberhorn for about an hour and a half with almost no climbing, the north face of the Eiger in view the whole way. From Kleine Scheidegg, trains return to Grindelwald or continue to Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, making an easy circular day trip. In winter the ridge is part of the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen ski area, with long runs down towards Grindelwald and Wengen and winter walking trails. The weather changes quickly at this altitude, so check the webcams and bring warm clothing even in summer.