Loading...

🍁 Fall is here! Check out our foliage map to plan your autumn hikes! Learn more.

Glacier Canyon Trail

Directions
Map
Pictures
Send to App
Distance:
1.8 km / 1.1 Miles
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Easy
Time to Hike:
~33 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Town:
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Get Directions:
46.613346, 8.045675
Added:
September 13, 2025
Updated:
October 10, 2025
Copy Trail Link Hiking this trail? Send a friend or family member a link to this trail guide for your own safety. Hike at your own risk (disclaimer)
Loading...
Loading...
163m

Total Change
169m

Ascent
169m

Descent

Download the Trail Route for Offline Use

Supporters get exclusive access to download trail routes to the MyHikes app for offline use. Stay prepared on your adventure, even without an internet connection! Become a Supporter today to unlock this feature and hike with confidence.

Send to App

Key Takeaways

  • The trail is a natural wonder carved out by the Lower Grindelwald Glacier over eons, creating steep, deep walls and waterfalls. The experience is enhanced by modern attractions like the famous Spiderweb Net (a walkable, high-tension net suspended over the rushing water) and views of the extreme Canyon Swing jumpers.
  • The 870m trail utilizes a suspended metal path and tunnels, keeping visitors close to the powerful Lütschine Stream. Key points of interest are marked along the way, including the Canyon Swing Viewpoint at 200m, the Spiderweb Net at 300m, and the scenic Glacier Canyon Falls at 600m.
  • The pay-to-enter attraction has an entrance fee of 21 CHF for adults (as of September 2025). Visitors should note the need for warm clothing, the presence of free parking, and the option to visit during the Friday Night Experience when the canyon is lit up and open later (until 10:00 PM).

Glacier Canyon Trail

Nestled in the heart of Grindelwald, Switzerland right below glacier-capped slopes of the Eiger sits Glacier Canyon and the scenic Glacier Canyon Trail. Visitors will find waterfalls, canyon swing jumpers, tunnels, and stunning canyon walls that were once carved out by ancient, receding glaciers.

Exploring Grindelwald's Glacier Canyon

Located on the southeast side of Grindelwald sits Glacier Canyon (Gletscherschlucht Grindelwald) where visitors will find a pay-to-enter gorge with a suspended metal path that passes through tunnels, as it makes its way up the gorge's valley.

Today, the steep and deep walls of Glacier Canyon stand as a testament to the eons-long work of the Lower Grindelwald Glacier, with its melting waters still rushing through the gorge. As you make your way up the canyon, you'll be suspended approximately 8m above the stream, so consider using a tether for your phone just in case.

Just 100 meters into the trail, you'll pass through a tunnel. After rounding the bend, the gorge opens up to reveal the Lütschine Stream, a scenic stone bridge crossing it, and a backdrop of quaint Swiss hillsides dotted with homes. As you come around the canyon's bend, you may find adrenaline-seekers swinging into the canyon from high above. As they fly by, these canyon jumpers can gain speeds of about 140km/hour.

The Glacier Canyon Trail continues to dip in and out of tunnels, interchanging short, dimly-lit tunnels for more exposed suspended metal bridge paths. Watch your head on some of the tunnels.

Canyon Swing Viewpoint - 200m

After the trail rounds the bend, it passes through another tunnel before it opens up to a viewpoint where visitors can watch the canyon swing jumpers fly through the canyon from high above.

Spiderweb Net - 300m

One of the most popular attractions in the canyon, located about 300m from the trailhead is the spiderweb net that allows visitors to walk above the canyon's rushing water within an enclosed high tension net system. This is a great spot for social media moments, so plan your IG shots here if that's your thing.

Glacier Canyon Waterfall - 600m

For waterfall lovers, approximately 600m from the trailhead sits the waterfall, Glacier Canyon Falls. This waterfall stretches high up the canyon's walls where its fed by high elevation snow melt and recent rainfall.

Canyon Views, Tunnels, & Trail's End - 870m

After passing Glacier Canyon Falls, the trail continues to wind along the canyon's walls and passes through more tunnels. Along the way is a natural spring labeled "Eigerwasser" where you can take a sip of some of the Eiger's glacier melt (drink at your own risk). Along the way are more views into the canyon and information kiosks with history about the gorge, Upper and Lower Grindelwald glaciers, and more. The trail abruptly ends where visitors will find a nice view into the canyon.

Walk to the Trailhead - 870m to 1.75 km

Once you reach the end of the trail, the only option from here is to hike out. Watch your head in the tunnels, enjoy your last views of Glacier Canyon Falls, and stick around to watch a canyon swing jumper fly by if you have the time. You'll reach the trailhead and the end of the walk around 1.75km.  

Fees

The Glacier Canyon Trail is not free to enter and as of September 2025, the entrance fee for adults is 21 CHF. Glacier Canyon is privately run and operated by Outdoor Switzerland AG and it takes an extensive amount of money each year to prepare the canyon for visitors. Your entrance fee fuels operations and trail repairs. Visitors can order their tickets online or pay directly at the trailhead.

Parking

If arriving by car, there's a large parking lot located near the entrance building located near this address: Gletscherschlucht, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland. The lot is relatively large.

Warning

Falling rocks / tunnels: Despite the extensive safety measures, falling rock can happen at any time so be mindful in areas where there are no overhead protections. Be mindful and keep moving in areas where they may be rockfall for your own safety.
Explore 3 trails near Grindelwald, AA
  1. Parking

    46.613346, 8.045675
  2. Main Trailhead

    46.613329, 8.04623
  3. Scenic bridge view

    46.613385, 8.047423
    Scenic bridge view
  4. Glacier Canyon Waterfall

    46.6102, 8.05131
    Glacier Canyon Waterfall
  5. Trail tunnel at Glacier Canyon

    46.609938, 8.051194
    Trail tunnel at Glacier Canyon
  6. Upstream view of Glacier Canyon

    46.60883, 8.05097
    Upstream view of Glacier Canyon
  7. Downstream view of Glacier Canyon

    46.60812, 8.05113
    Downstream view of Glacier Canyon
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

Hazards

Rockfalls / Ledges / or Scrambles

Seasons

All

Photo Albums

+ Add Photo Album

Upload your photos from the trail to help others know what to expect.

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for those planning their next hike. Your review makes the trail better for everyone.

Your opinion matters! Be the first to rate this trail.

Explore Hiking Trails

You May Also Like

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway - Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.
Explore

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway

Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.

Read
Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road - Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.
Explore

Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.

Read
New York's Best Waterfalls - Whether you're planning a day hike, roadside stop, or a leisurely short walk, this guide provides hikers, travelers, and locals alike with 63 different locations to over 100 scenic waterfalls to help plan your next adventure!
Explore

New York's Best Waterfalls

Whether you're planning a day hike, roadside stop, or a leisurely short walk, this guide provides hikers, travelers, and locals alike with 63 different locations to over 100 scenic waterfalls to help plan your next adventure!

Read

Before you boogie...

Find our trail guides useful? Consider becoming a Supporter to unlock perks!

MyHikes is an indie platform that makes exploring public trails easier for everyone. The platform has no investors, no ads, and is owned and operated by one person, Dave Miller. Dave has personally mapped and written over 1,800 trail guides on MyHikes for the public to explore. MyHikes has helped millions outdoor enthusiasts plan their next adventure.

But it takes a lot of time 🕦, money 💰, work, and espresso shots ☕ to run MyHikes, including hiking , mapping , writing , and publishing new trails with high-quality (accurate) information... along with software engineering (coding) the platform like building new features, website and mobile app development (iOS and Android), site maintainance . and much much more.

Supporters unlock website and mobile app perks with an annual one-time payment of $25 (you renew) 😎👍. Or you can simply make a Donation of your choice. Otherwise, you can support us by telling your friends about MyHikes - both quick and free 🎉

Admin user profile picture

Dave Miller
MyHikes Founder
🍪 We use cookies to learn about site usage, performance, and to serve map tiles. Learn more