World’s Longest Sledge Run in Grindelwald, Switzerland: Assessment

February 4, 2024

1

This put up could comprise affilliate hyperlinks. It implies that when you purchase one thing via one in every of these hyperlinks, we would get a small fee at no additional value to you. Affiliate fee helps us maintain this journey weblog working.

That is our trustworthy evaluation of the phrase’s longest sledge run in Switzerland (Grindelwald).

Are you considering of attempting sledging in Switzerland? within the longest sledge run on this planet positioned in Grindelwald? Look no additional! On this article, I’ll share our expertise sledging in Grindelwald and all of the helpful info you’ll want to know earlier than going there, particularly if it’s your first sledge run.

Overview of all of the hyperlinks talked about on this article:

Motels in Grindelwald: Resort Bernerhof, Resort Spinne, Resort Fiescherblick

Transport: Swiss Go or Rental automobile

Grindelwald First Go for sledging

Winter boots (nice for sledging)

Winter trousers

Ski / winter jacket

Let’s begin with our expertise sledging in Switzerland & our evaluation of Grindelwald Sledge run, and on the finish of the article, I’ll share solutions to essentially the most continuously used questions!

Sledging in Switzerland (Grindelwald): Our expertise on the world’s longest sledge run

Why sledging in Switzerland?

The principle cause why we travelled to Switzerland this time was to go sledging. Sledging is definitely the most effective issues to do in Switzerland in winter in case you are not massive on snowboarding or simply need to take a break from it. In case you’re eager about extra issues to do in Switzerland moreover snowboarding, head to this text.

Grindelwald is residence to the world’s longest sledge run (15 km), which takes over 2 hours to finish, and it’s tremendous enjoyable! We couldn’t wait to expertise it, so we purchased tickets to Switzerland in December and went to Grindelwald (and another superb locations like Lausanne and Zermatt)

fun things to do in Switzerland in winter for non-skiers

How does sledging in Grindelwald work?

To get to the beginning of the sledge run, you'll want to purchase a day move to Grindelwald First and take a cable automobile as much as the highest (First station).

Our move for the day was kindly supplied by the Grindelwald Eiger tourism board – so large because of them.

Then you’ll want to lease a sledge (you are able to do it at Intersport up on the First station) for a price (we paid one thing like 19 franks per individual). You’ll solely be capable of lease a sledge when you put on acceptable garments (I’ll offer you some recommendations on how you’ll want to gown on the finish of this text). After you have the sledge – you are able to do as many runs as you want earlier than the cable automobile closes (which will depend on the month of the yr and sundown occasions).

The routes we took

Really, earlier than coming to Grindelwald, I believed that there was only one route that everybody took. Seems, there are a number of routes; some are more durable than others. The longest route on this planet requires some additional strolling / mountaineering (a minimum of half-hour of strolling, together with some fairly powerful uphill hike), nevertheless it’s a lot emptier and extra fulfilling than the preferred route.

You will discover the routes right here – sledging routes are marked purple and have numbers. Alternatively, here’s a very detailed map.

We really couldn’t do the longest run as there was not sufficient snow between Bussalp and Grindelwald, however we may do the Wildspitz to Bort route, which was additionally fairly lengthy (50 after which 51), and the views have been beautiful.

When you’re again in Grindelwald or Bort, you’ll be able to take the cable automobile as much as the primary station once more and repeat the run as many occasions as you need. Our second run was the preferred route, 53 & 55, it began virtually proper subsequent to the First station and required minimal strolling. It was really quicker than Route 51 and ran alongside a lot of ski routes. It was additionally a lot busier and had sharper turns, so we each thought that it was a bit extra harmful than Route 51!

Would we go sledging once more?

Earlier than sledging in Grindelwald, I used to be below the impression that it was a household exercise and we’d be the one couple there. Nonetheless, I couldn’t be extra mistaken! Some segments of the run have been really fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few children on the sledge run! Most individuals have been {couples} like us or teams of pals. Would we go sledging once more? Completely, it was a lot enjoyable! I might strive to decide on the routes which have fewer folks on them, although, to keep away from crowds and accidents. It’s extremely exhausting to cease whenever you’re sledging!

Regularly requested questions on sledging in Grindelwald

How you can get to Grindelwald

In case you’re travelling by automobile, attending to Grindelwald is straightforward! Nonetheless, attempt to arrive early as parking areas within the city are restricted (some parking have been full by 8:45 am on Tuesday, simply after Christmas). You’ll be able to rent a rental automobile lease in case you are not bringing yours to Switzerland.

In case you’re travelling by practice, then you’ll be able to go to both Basel or Zurich and take a practice from there. It’d take 3-4 hours, so it’s higher to remain in Bern or Interlaken in a single day and head to Grindelwald from there.

The place to remain in Grindelwald

In case you’re questioning the place to remain in Grindelwald, there are many choices. Listed below are a few of the best-rated resorts in Grindelwald:

Resort Bernerhof, Resort Spinne, Resort Fiescherblick

Do you want a helmet for sledging?

We’ve seen a view movies have been folks wore helmets whereas sledging in Grindelwald. Nonetheless, this isn’t obligatory and also you don’t need to have a helmet when renting a sledge. Nonetheless, if you wish to put on it in your personal security, that could be a good suggestion.

What to put on whereas sledging? Are you able to put on trainers?

One other continuously requested query is what to put on whereas sledging. Are you able to really put on trainers? Effectively, if in case you have your individual sledge, nobody can cease you from carrying trainers. Nonetheless, this could be very harmful, as trainers don’t have sufficient grip and also you gained’t be capable of cease very nicely.

If you’re renting a sledge in Grindelwald, the workers will really test which sneakers you might be carrying and gained’t allow you to lease one when you’re carrying trainers. I like to recommend these winter boots – they’re nice for snow.

In case you’re questioning what could be an ideal outfit for sledging, I like to recommend many layers. In case you get too sizzling whereas heading to Bussalp, you’ll be able to take some layers off and put them on later. Total, a base layer like this one, one other sweater like this one, and a ski / winter jacket like this one could be nice choices on a chilly winter day.

I like to recommend these winter trousers with one other layer beneath and winter sneakers like this one. The spikier the soles are, the higher!

Lastly, waterproof gloves (these ones), a neck hotter (this one) and ski goggles (these ones) are a should!

amazing things to do in Switzerland in winter that are not skiing.

Are you able to lease a sledge or do you’ll want to convey your individual?

You’ll be able to both convey your individual sledge to Grindelwald or lease one there. There are many locations to lease a sledge in Grindelwald, the preferred being Intersport. There may be an Intersport proper on the cable automobile entrance down in Grindelwald and there may be one other one up there on the First station. It’s beneficial to lease one up there as travelling in a cable automobile with an enormous sledge could be uncomfortable.

Take into account that Intersport on the First station also can run out of sledges within the busy season, so it’s all the time value asking within the one on the Grindelwald station in the event that they assume the one up there may be out of sledges. If each are out, then you’ll be able to lease a sledge from different companies in Grindelwald. Renting a sledge prices round 19 CHF per individual and you’ll want to present an ID & a bank card to lease one. Every sledge has an id quantity – when you don’t return yours, you may be charged additional.

You’ll be able to return your sledge to any Intersport (the one on the First Station or beneath) or on the Bort station – you’ll be able to hand it over to a member of workers of the station and they’ll scan it for you.

Is sledging in Switzerland for teenagers?

As I beforehand stated, earlier than sledging in Grindelwald, I believed that it was an incredible exercise for teenagers and there could be only a few adults there. I used to be mistaken! It’s an incredible exercise for adults, and a few segments would possibly even be a bit too harmful for teenagers!

Disclaimer: we obtained our day move for sledging freed from cost from Grindelwald Eiger tourism board, however all opinions, as all the time, are our personal, so this can be a trustworthy evaluation of sledging in Grindelwald.