Zurich to Lucerne, Grindelwald, Bachalpsee, and Gimmelwald Itinerary
Lucerne, Grindelwald, Bachalpsee, and Gimmelwald
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Zürich HB → Lucerne → Grindelwald → Gimmelwald — Swiss Federal Railways route via Lucerne and Interlaken Ost, then the train to Grindelwald, bus to Grindelwald Terminal, cable car/train connections toward Lauterbrunnen, and the Schilthorn cable car to Gimmelwald; depart immediately, allowing roughly 5–6 hours total and checking same-day connections. Store luggage at Lucerne or Grindelwald if needed; mountain lifts may have seasonal schedules.
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Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) — Lucerne Old Town; if connections allow, take a brief ~20–30-minute walk across Switzerland’s iconic covered bridge and see the Water Tower before continuing.
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Grindelwald Firstbahn — Grindelwald; ride the gondola toward First and begin the Bachalpsee walk, allowing ~20 minutes for the ascent plus lift-wait time.
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Bachalpsee — First mountain area; hike the well-marked trail to the lake and back, allowing ~2–2.5 hours, with weather-appropriate footwear and enough daylight.
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Restaurant Barry’s — Grindelwald; have an early mountain-town meal before the onward journey, budgeting approximately CHF 25–45 per person and ~45 minutes.
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Gimmelwald village walk — Gimmelwald; after arrival, stroll the car-free hamlet and surrounding viewpoints for ~45 minutes, keeping the final cable-car connection in mind.
Morning — Zürich HB to Lucerne, then onward to Grindelwald
Leave Zürich Hauptbahnhof as early as possible—ideally around 6:00–6:30 a.m.—for the direct train to Lucerne (about 45–50 minutes). This is an ambitious transfer day: continuing via Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, then onward to Gimmelwald, takes roughly 5–6 hours before sightseeing, and mountain lifts can have reduced September schedules. Check the SBB Mobile app immediately before departure and keep your luggage compact; lockers are available at Lucerne railway station if you want to explore hands-free. From the station, Chapel Bridge is a five-minute walk across the Reuss River. Allow 20–30 minutes for the bridge, the Water Tower, and a quick look into Lucerne Old Town, then return promptly for your onward train. If your connection is tight, treat this as a photo stop rather than a full Lucerne visit.
Afternoon — Grindelwald First and Bachalpsee
Continue by train through Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald. From Grindelwald station, walk about 10 minutes to the Grindelwald Firstbahn; the gondola ride to First takes roughly 25 minutes, though queues and weather may add time. From the summit station, follow the well-marked trail to Bachalpsee, allowing about 2–2½ hours for the return hike and lakeside pause. The path is manageable in good conditions but can be muddy or slippery, so wear proper walking shoes and carry water; if cloud is building or daylight is short, turn around rather than forcing the lake visit. After descending, eat an early meal at Restaurant Barry’s in Grindelwald—budget approximately CHF 25–45 per person and allow 45 minutes—before starting the final mountain transfer.
Evening — Grindelwald to Gimmelwald
From Grindelwald, follow the checked same-day connection toward Grindelwald Terminal and Lauterbrunnen, then continue via the Schilthorn cable-car route toward Gimmelwald. Allow generous transfer time: the final lifts are not late-night services, and missing the last connection can mean an expensive or difficult overnight adjustment. On arrival, take a relaxed 45-minute walk through Gimmelwald, a tiny car-free hamlet of wooden farmhouses, meadows, and dramatic valley views. Keep the walk close to the village if arriving after dusk, and confirm your accommodation’s check-in instructions before leaving Grindelwald; shops and restaurants in Gimmelwald are limited, so carry a snack for the journey.
