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The most rewarding hike during your trip to Switzerland is the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Panoramic Trail No. 33. With the opening of the Grindelwald Terminal Station, accessibility has greatly improved, and the Männlichen summit observatory was fully completed last year, offering a highly satisfying experience.
Personally, this is one of my daughter’s top 4 favorite places in Switzerland.
■ Top 4 Places Kids Love
Mannlichen (with a playground)
Almendhubel (with a playground)
Bort (with a playground)
Jungfraujoch (with an ice cap)
Best Hiking Trails in Switzerland
All about Grindelwald (incl. Mannlichen)
The Männlichen playground, set to be completed in 2024, will make the trip to the summit worthwhile even on its own. From there, you can enjoy a short 20–30 minute hike to the crown-shaped observatory or opt for a longer 1.5-hour hike with breathtaking views of the three Jungfrau peaks.
■ How to Get to Männlichen
Interlaken ost -> Grindelwald Terminal -> Mannlichen
Interlaken ost -> Lauterbrunnen -> Wengen -> Mannlichen
For those traveling by rental car, Grindelwald is more convenient due to its terminal parking lot. Note that cars cannot access Wengen directly and must stop at Lauterbrunnen.
■ Männlichen Ticket Prices
Grindelwald - Männlichen: CHF 34 (one way)
Wengen - Männlichen: CHF 29 (one way)
Discounts:
• Swiss Travel Pass/Half Fare Card: 50% off
• Jungfrau Pass/Berner Oberland Pass: Free
■ Via Grindelwald
With the opening of the Grindelwald Terminal, most travelers now prefer this route. At Interlaken Ost Station, trains on platform 2 split into two directions:
• Platform 2A (front): Lauterbrunnen
• Platform 2B (rear): Grindelwald
For fewer transfers, board at the rear for Grindelwald. From the terminal, take the gondola to the quieter Männlichen Observation Deck instead of heading toward Eigergletscher.
■ Via Lauterbrunnen - Wengen
From Lauterbrunnen, take the train to Wengen and find the cable car station easily in this small village. The open-air cable car offers an optional upstairs ride for an additional CHF 5.
■ At Männlichen
Upon arrival at the summit, you’ll first encounter a playground where children can enjoy playing while overlooking the Jungfrau peaks. This makes it a must-visit spot for families.
■ Royal walk
The short hike (20–30 minutes) to the Crown Observatory offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Schynige Platte, Lake Thun, and the Jungfrau peaks. While it looks easy, it can be more challenging than expected but is well worth it.
■ Panoramic Trail (Route 33)
The best hiking route in the Jungfrau region is from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. Starting from Männlichen is recommended as it allows you to enjoy uninterrupted views of the Jungfrau peaks without constantly turning back.
Morning hikes may face direct sunlight; afternoons offer better lighting with the sun behind you.
The hike takes about 1.5–2 hours depending on the season. Be sure to check train schedules as missing the last train could mean walking back to Grindelwald or Wengen.
For a full experience, consider walking a few minutes toward Männlichen before descending from Kleine Scheidegg for one last view of the majestic peaks.
■ Maximizing Your Männlichen Experience
Switzerland’s efficient public transport makes mountain accommodations accessible. Staying at Berghaus on Männlichen’s summit offers a unique experience under starry skies during clear nights. However, luggage transport can be inconvenient, and with early last train departures, your schedule might feel tight.
For dinner, you can enjoy meals at the ground-floor restaurant while soaking in alpine serenity—an experience Europeans often cherish. Gradually incorporating mountain lodge stays into your itinerary could enhance your Swiss adventure.
You can enjoy breakfast in the very quiet Männlichen before anyone comes up.
■ Holenstein
On the way from Grindelwald Terminal to Männlichen, there is an intermediate stop called Holenstein. This station features play facilities that older children might enjoy. While it’s not a must-visit, some Western travelers stop here to hike the Apple Road to Brandegg. It’s worth keeping in mind if you’re looking for additional activities.
■ Männlichen Cable Car Maintenance
The hiking trail Route 33 is typically open from late June to mid-October, regardless of cable car inspection periods. Outside of this timeframe, the area is covered in snow, making hiking inaccessible.
Swiss Cable Car Maintenance 2025
The Grindelwald-Männlichen and Wengen-Männlichen cableways are scheduled for maintenance from April 7 to May 24, 2025.
Always check updated timetables before planning your trip, as maintenance schedules can shift slightly.
Enjoy your trip to 🇨🇭Switzerland!
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