Is Grindelwald First worth visiting with kids? Absolutely. But if you’re planning to ride the famous Trottibike scooters, there’s something important you should know: meeting the minimum height requirement doesn’t necessarily mean a child is ready for the downhill ride.
We visited Grindelwald First with our two children in September. Our plan was to take the gondola, hike to Bachalpsee, enjoy a picnic in the mountains and finish with the Trottibike ride down to Grindelwald.
It was a wonderful day, but the Trottibike turned out to be much more challenging than I remembered!
Grindelwald First: Quick Guide
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Location | Grindelwald, Switzerland |
| Mountain station | 2,166 m |
| Best for | Alpine views, hiking and adventure activities |
| Bachalpsee hike | Around 2 hours round trip |
| Trottibike route | Bort to Grindelwald |
| Trottibike minimum height | 125 cm |
| Trottibike price | CHF 25 adults / CHF 19 children |
| Adventure Package | From CHF 90 per adult |
| Best tip | Arrive early and check activity availability |
Prices are based on the published 2026 season and may change.
What Is Grindelwald First Famous For?
Grindelwald First is one of the most popular mountain destinations in Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region.
The gondola takes visitors above the village to a mountain playground of hiking trails, spectacular viewpoints and adventure activities.
Some of the highlights include:
- First Cliff Walk: A dramatic walkway built along the mountainside.
- Bachalpsee: A beautiful Alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks.
- First Flyer and First Glider: High-speed aerial adventures.
- First Mountain Cart: A downhill ride on three-wheeled mountain carts.
- First Trottibike: A scooter-style ride from Bort back to Grindelwald.
For our family, Bachalpsee and the Trottibike were the main attractions.
Grindelwald First Tickets and Adventure Packages
We arrived around 10 a.m. and parked near the First gondola station, close to the Coop supermarket.
There were already plenty of visitors.
The gondola queue moved reasonably well, but the Adventure Packages had sold out by the time we arrived.
Luckily, individual Trottibike tickets were still available.
For the 2026 summer season, the official Adventure Package prices are:
| Package | Adult | Child (6–15) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 activity + gondola | CHF 90 | CHF 47 |
| 2 activities + gondola | CHF 109 | CHF 63 |
The packages include unlimited rides on the First gondola during their validity, but availability is limited. Tickets are sold at the valley station.
Individual Trottibike tickets cost CHF 25 for adults and CHF 19 for children aged 6–15, with gondola travel purchased separately if needed.
My advice: If adventure activities are a priority, arrive earlier than we did. Also compare individual tickets with package prices before buying.
Check Grindelwald First Adventure Packages
Hiking from First to Bachalpsee with Kids
After taking the gondola to First, we headed toward Bachalpsee.
This is one of the best-known hikes in the area, and for good reason.
The trail takes you through open Alpine scenery, with mountains stretching across the horizon. Bachalpsee itself is famous for its beautiful mountain reflections on calm days.
Allow roughly one hour each way, plus extra time for photos, breaks and enjoying the lake.
We brought snacks and had a simple picnic during our hike.
When you’re traveling with kids, I think these little breaks are just as important as reaching the destination.
And with views like these, even a snack tastes better!
First Trottibike: The Adventure We Came Back For
Here’s where our story gets interesting.
My husband and I first visited Grindelwald more than ten years ago.
Back then, we rode the Trottibikes down the mountain together.
I still remembered the speed, the fresh mountain air and the incredible scenery. It was one of those travel experiences that stayed with me for years.
So naturally, I wanted our children to experience it too.
But when we returned as a family, I realized something.
The same downhill ride feels completely different when you’re responsible for two children.
Is the Grindelwald First Trottibike Safe for Kids?
The official minimum height is 125 cm, and smaller Trottibikes are available for children who meet the requirement.
Helmets are compulsory and provided.
But there’s an important warning on the official website: the downhill route includes steep and difficult sections.
The ride runs from Bort, at approximately 1,600 meters, down to Grindelwald at 1,034 meters.
That’s a substantial descent.
Our children met the eligibility requirements, but once I saw the slope, I became much more cautious.
A Trottibike looks a little like a large scooter, but this isn’t the same as riding a scooter around a flat park.
Children need to steer, brake and control their speed independently.
What I Would Consider Before Letting a Child Ride
From our experience, I would only consider it for a child who:
- Is already a confident two-wheel bicycle rider.
- Can brake smoothly and stop independently.
- Is comfortable steering on downhill paths.
- Can stay calm when the slope becomes steeper.
- Understands and follows safety instructions.
These are my personal recommendations, not additional official eligibility rules.
Even a confident cyclist may find the Trottibike unfamiliar. If a child struggles during practice, I would skip the ride rather than take the risk.
Our Trottibike Ride: Much Slower Than Expected!
Before setting off, we spent time practicing.
We tested the brakes, moved forward slowly and stopped repeatedly until everyone felt more comfortable.
Then we started descending.
Very, very slowly.
😂
This was nothing like our ride ten years earlier.
Instead of enjoying the speed, I was constantly thinking about the children, the slope and whether everyone was comfortable.
We kept our speed low, took plenty of breaks in safe places and made our way down carefully.
The scenery was still spectacular.
Green meadows, traditional Swiss houses and enormous mountains surrounded us as we descended.
But this time, the adventure was less about adrenaline and more about getting everyone down safely.
And thankfully, we did.
Not a single fall.
By the time we returned the Trottibikes, I was relieved more than anything!
Would I Recommend the Trottibike for Families?
For adults who enjoy outdoor adventure? Yes, it can be a fantastic experience.
For families with younger children, my answer is more cautious.
The minimum height requirement is only the starting point.
What matters much more is whether a child can confidently control the Trottibike on a sustained downhill route.
I would never encourage a child to ride simply because the ticket has already been purchased.
If you’re unsure, Grindelwald First still has plenty to offer without the Trottibike.
You can enjoy the gondola, mountain views, Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee hike instead.
Our Recommended Grindelwald First Family Itinerary
If you’re planning a similar day, this is how I would organize it:
Morning: Arrive early and take the First gondola.
Late morning: Hike to Bachalpsee and enjoy the lake.
Lunch: Picnic or a relaxed mountain break.
Afternoon: Return toward First and descend to Bort by gondola.
Optional: Ride the Trottibike from Bort to Grindelwald, only if everyone is confident and conditions are suitable.
One thing I would change next time is to check activity availability earlier in the day rather than leaving everything until the afternoon.
Is Grindelwald First Worth It with Kids?
For us, absolutely.
The mountain scenery was every bit as beautiful as I remembered.
Bachalpsee was a wonderful place to hike and take a break together.
And the Trottibike gave us another unforgettable family story — even if it was a much slower adventure than I had imagined!
Returning to a place after more than ten years reminded me how travel changes when you have children.
The mountains were the same.
The experience was completely different.
My biggest takeaway? Enjoy the scenery, allow plenty of time and never let the excitement of an adventure outweigh safety.
Grindelwald First is worth visiting with kids, even if you decide to skip the Trottibike.
Official information: Grindelwald First | First Trottibike
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