Sledding trail Faulhorn - Grindelwald (The longest sledding run in Europe)

5:00 h
17.74 km
560 m
1,600 m
1,116 m
2,666 m
1,550 m
Start: Hiking from First (2166 m asl), sledding from Faulhorn (2680 m asl)
Destination: Grindelwald (1034 m asl)

Extensive winter hikes without snowshoes or skis on your feet are rarely found in the high mountains. The hike from the First mountain station to the Faulhorn is certainly one of the outstanding ones of this kind. What makes the excursion even more attractive is that after the already spectacular hike, an almost endless sledding descent – perhaps even the longest in the world – awaits. As a cherry on top, you can also climb the summit of the 2681 m high Faulhorn, adding a few more altitude meters to the giant descent. Then you have truly earned the fun of the refreshing wind in your face and swirling snow dust!

From the First mountain station, it goes on the wide winter hiking trail with gentle ups and downs (which can be sledded) to the Bachsee. At the end of the Bachsee, hardly visible in winter, the path becomes noticeably steeper. Once the Gassenboden pass height is reached, you can optionally still climb the last 120 altitude meters to the summit of the Faulhorn. The sled can be pulled along up to about 60 m below the summit – up to there the hiking trail is groomed. From the summit of the Faulhorn you have a magnificent view of Lake Brienz and beyond towards the Swiss Midlands. From the pass height, the sled descent begins, first harmless. But soon it goes into the first sharp curve. Short steep sections repeatedly make the sled accelerate properly, so you should be sure to control the braking and also stop on the roadside when stopping, not on the piste. From Bussalp to Grindelwald Gaggi Säge the route runs on the road where the bus (forbidding cars) drives. The route is less demanding here, but caution is required as parts go through the forest.
Bernd Jung