Grindelwald First & Harder Kulm: Cliff Views, Cows & Swiss Magic

The next day was all about taking in the views and getting up close with the Alps. We left our Airbnb in Reichenbach and drove to Grindelwald, a gorgeous alpine town surrounded by mountains and straight out of a storybook.

There is a parking deck at the Firstbahn Cable Car station, and from there you take a shuttle bus to the cable car entry point. The cable cars are located in a very crowded, touristy village, but it was still cute.

We took the Firstbahn Cable Car up to Grindelwald First, excited to explore what I thought would be a quaint mountaintop village. Based on other blogs I’d read, I was expecting shops, restaurants, and a cozy alpine feel.

But once we got to the top, we realized it’s really just a restaurant, an overpriced gift shop, and the starting point for a few adventure attractions like the First Flyer zipline and mountain go-karts—which we sadly did not get to do.

We got up there by 10 AM and the wait time was already two hours.

So if you're going and want to do those things—go super early or book something less mainstream.

The Cliff Walk was still really cool though. It’s free, and the views are absolutely incredible. The walkway is suspended along the cliff, and the moment you step out onto it, you feel like you’re walking in the sky. My favorite part? The cows and goats up there—just grazing and hanging out like it's no big deal. Their little bells echoing across the mountains made it feel extra Swiss.

That said, if I’m honest—I was a bit surprised. Once the adventure rides were off the table, the Cliff Walk was really the only thing to do.

What I’d do differently next time: I’d research more carefully and avoid the super touristy areas. Switzerland has tons of other cable cars—many of them free or inexpensive—that are used by locals and less crowded. Instead of spending $80 per person, we could have spent the day exploring somewhere more peaceful and authentic.

After coming back down the mountain by cable car, we grabbed lunch in town and headed back to the car.

I had booked a second adventure for us that same day, which is another lesson learned:

Don’t cram in too much. Spend more time in fewer places and give yourself the chance to breathe and really enjoy it.

Our next stop was Interlaken Ost, where we took the funicular up to Harder Kulm. The ride up was smooth, and the views from the top are known to be stunning—but we got hit with a surprise.

Another lesson learned: Swiss rain comes out of nowhere—and it’s cold.It definitely took some joy out of the experience for me. But others in our group who stayed and braved the weather said the restaurant at the top of Harder Kulm was the best one of the entire trip.

We also visited Lauterbrunnen, a town we were all very excited to see—but once we arrived, it was impossible to parkor walk around. It was so crowded, we couldn’t enjoy it the way we’d hoped.

Another example of: don’t follow the masses.

And finally, I think the biggest thing I want to communicate is this:

These touristy areas aren’t just busy—they are PACKED.So packed that there are now electronic boards showing how many parking spaces are available, like you’d see at airports and malls. And honestly, I understand why the locals are frustrated.

If I were to do it again, I’d still want to see these iconic places—but I’d plan them more strategically, space things out, and balance the “must-sees” with quiet, lesser-known experiences.