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

June 5, 2024

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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 situated in Grindelwald? Look no additional! On this article, I’ll share our expertise sledging in Grindelwald and all of the helpful info it’s essential 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:

Inns in Grindelwald: Lodge Bernerhof, Lodge Spinne, Lodge Fiescherblick

Transport: Swiss Move or Rental automotive

Grindelwald First Move 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 ceaselessly used questions!

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

Why sledging in Switzerland?

The primary motive why we travelled to Switzerland this time was to go sledging. Sledging is definitely the most effective issues to do in Switzerland in winter if you’re not large on snowboarding or simply need to take a break from it. In the event you’re focused on extra issues to do in Switzerland apart from 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 wonderful 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, it's essential to purchase a day move to Grindelwald First and take a cable automotive as much as the highest (First station).

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

Then it’s essential to lease a sledge (you are able to do it at Intersport up on the First station) for a payment (we paid one thing like 19 franks per particular person). You’ll solely be capable of lease a sledge in case you put on acceptable garments (I’ll provide you with some tips about how it’s essential to gown on the finish of this text). Upon getting the sledge – you are able to do as many runs as you want earlier than the cable automotive closes (which relies on the month of the 12 months and sundown occasions).

The routes we took

Truly, 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 tougher than others. The longest route on this planet requires some further strolling / mountain climbing (no less than half-hour of strolling, together with some fairly powerful uphill hike), but it surely’s a lot emptier and extra pleasant than the preferred route.

Yow 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 might do the Wildspitz to Bort route, which was additionally fairly lengthy (50 after which 51), and the views had been gorgeous.

When you’re again in Grindelwald or Bort, you may take the cable automotive 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 nearly proper subsequent to the First station and required minimal strolling. It was really quicker than Route 51 and ran alongside plenty 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 beneath the impression that it was a household exercise and we might be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra improper! Some segments of the run had been really fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few children on the sledge run! Most individuals had been {couples} like us or teams of mates. Would we go sledging once more? Completely, it was a lot enjoyable! I might attempt to decide on the routes which have fewer individuals on them, although, to keep away from crowds and accidents. It’s extremely arduous to cease whenever you’re sledging!

Regularly requested questions on sledging in Grindelwald

Tips on how to get to Grindelwald

In the event you’re travelling by automotive, attending to Grindelwald is simple! Nevertheless, attempt to arrive early as parking areas within the city are restricted (some parking had been full by 8:45 am on Tuesday, simply after Christmas). You possibly can rent a rental automotive lease if you’re not bringing yours to Switzerland.

In the event you’re travelling by practice, then you may go to both Basel or Zurich and take a practice from there. It’d take an excellent 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 the event you’re questioning the place to remain in Grindelwald, there are many choices. Listed below are a few of the best-rated inns in Grindelwald:

Lodge Bernerhof, Lodge Spinne, Lodge Fiescherblick

Do you want a helmet for sledging?

We’ve seen a view movies had been individuals wore helmets whereas sledging in Grindelwald. Nevertheless, this isn’t necessary and also you don’t must have a helmet when renting a sledge. Nevertheless, if you wish to put on it on your personal security, that may be a good suggestion.

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

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

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

In the event you’re questioning what could be an ideal outfit for sledging, I like to recommend many layers. In the event you get too scorching whereas heading to Bussalp, you may 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 it’s essential to deliver your individual?

You possibly can both deliver your individual sledge to Grindelwald or lease one there. There are many locations to lease a sledge in Grindelwald, the preferred being Intersport. There’s an Intersport proper on the cable automotive entrance down in Grindelwald and there’s one other one up there on the First station. It’s advisable to lease one up there as travelling in a cable automotive with an enormous sledge will be uncomfortable.

Take into account that Intersport on the First station can even run out of sledges within the busy season, so it’s at all times price asking within the one on the Grindelwald station in the event that they suppose the one up there’s out of sledges. If each are out, then you may lease a sledge from different companies in Grindelwald. Renting a sledge prices round 19 CHF per particular person and it’s essential to present an ID & a bank card to lease one. Every sledge has an id quantity – in case you don’t return yours, you may be charged further.

You possibly can return your sledge to any Intersport (the one on the First Station or beneath) or on the Bort station – you may 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 mentioned, earlier than sledging in Grindelwald, I believed that it was an awesome exercise for teenagers and there could be only a few adults there. I used to be improper! It’s an awesome exercise for adults, and a few segments may even be a bit too harmful for teenagers!

Disclaimer: we acquired our day move for sledging freed from cost from Grindelwald Eiger tourism board, however all opinions, as at all times, are our personal, so it is a trustworthy evaluation of sledging in Grindelwald.