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That is our trustworthy evaluation of the phrase’s longest sledge run in Switzerland (Grindelwald).

Are you considering of making an attempt sledging in Switzerland? within the longest sledge run on the earth situated in Grindelwald? Look no additional! On this article, I’ll share our expertise sledging in Grindelwald and all of the helpful info you have 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: Resort Bernerhof, Resort Spinne, Resort Fiescherblick

Transport: Swiss Go or Rental automobile

Grindelwald First Go 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 principle cause why we travelled to Switzerland this time was to go sledging. Sledging is definitely top-of-the-line issues to do in Switzerland in winter if you’re not massive on snowboarding or simply wish to take a break from it. When you’re thinking about extra issues to do in Switzerland in addition to 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)

How does sledging in Grindelwald work?

To get to the beginning of the sledge run, you have to purchase a day cross to Grindelwald First and take a cable automobile as much as the highest (First station).

Our cross for the day was kindly supplied by the Grindelwald Eiger tourism board – so big because of them.

Then you have to lease a sledge (you are able to do it at Intersport up on the First station) for a price (we paid one thing like 19 franks per individual). You’ll solely have the ability to lease a sledge should you put on acceptable garments (I’ll offer you some tips about how you have to gown on the finish of this text). After you have the sledge – you are able to do as many runs as you want earlier than the cable automobile closes (which depends upon 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 the earth requires some additional strolling / climbing (not less than half-hour of strolling, together with some fairly powerful uphill hike), however it’s a lot emptier and extra gratifying than the most well-liked route.

You’ll find the routes right here – sledging routes are marked purple and have numbers. Alternatively, here’s a very detailed map.

We truly couldn’t do the longest run as there was not sufficient snow between Bussalp and Grindelwald, however we may 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 automobile as much as the primary station once more and repeat the run as many occasions as you need. Our second run was the most well-liked route, 53 & 55, it began virtually proper subsequent to the First station and required minimal strolling. It was truly sooner than Route 51 and ran alongside a lot 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 below the impression that it was a household exercise and we might be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra fallacious! Some segments of the run had been truly fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few children on the sledge run! Most individuals had been {couples} like us or teams of pals. Would we go sledging once more? Completely, it was a lot enjoyable! I’d attempt to decide on the routes which have fewer folks on them, although, to keep away from crowds and accidents. It’s extremely arduous to cease once you’re sledging! 

Often requested questions on sledging in Grindelwald

The right way to get to Grindelwald

When you’re travelling by automobile, 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’ll be able to rent a rental automobile lease if you’re not bringing yours to Switzerland.

When you’re travelling by prepare, then you may go to both Basel or Zurich and take a prepare from there. It’d take 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

When you’re questioning the place to remain in Grindelwald, there are many choices. Listed here are a few of the best-rated inns in Grindelwald:

Resort Bernerhof, Resort Spinne, Resort Fiescherblick

Do you want a helmet for sledging?

We’ve seen a view movies had been folks wore helmets whereas sledging in Grindelwald. Nevertheless, this isn’t obligatory and also you don’t must have a helmet when renting a sledge. Nevertheless, if you wish to put on it in your personal security, that could 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 truly put on trainers? Nicely, when you have your individual sledge, nobody can cease you from carrying trainers. Nevertheless, this could be very harmful, as trainers don’t have sufficient grip and also you gained’t have the ability to cease very nicely.

Whenever you’re renting a sledge in Grindelwald, the employees will truly verify which footwear you might be carrying and gained’t allow you to lease one should you’re carrying trainers. I like to recommend these winter boots – they’re nice for snow.

When you’re questioning what could be an ideal outfit for sledging, I like to recommend many layers. When you get too sizzling 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 footwear 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! 

Are you able to lease a sledge or do you have to carry your individual?

You’ll be able to both carry your individual sledge to Grindelwald or lease one there. There are many locations to lease a sledge in Grindelwald, the most well-liked being Intersport. There’s an Intersport proper on the cable automobile entrance down in Grindelwald and there may be one other one up there on the First station. It’s beneficial to lease one up there as travelling in a cable automobile with a large sledge might be uncomfortable.

Remember that Intersport on the First station can even run out of sledges within the busy season, so it’s all the time price asking within the one on the Grindelwald station in the event that they assume the one up there may be 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 individual and you have to present an ID & a bank card to lease one. Every sledge has an id quantity – should you don’t return yours, you may be charged additional. 

You’ll be able to 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 employees of the station and they’re going to scan it for you. 

Is sledging in Switzerland for youths?

As I beforehand mentioned, earlier than sledging in Grindelwald, I believed that it was an ideal exercise for youths and there could be only a few adults there. I used to be fallacious! It’s an ideal exercise for adults, and a few segments may even be a bit too harmful for youths!  

Disclaimer: we obtained our day cross for sledging freed from cost from Grindelwald Eiger tourism board, however all opinions, as all the time, are our personal, so this can be a trustworthy evaluation of sledging in Grindelwald.

Listed here are another articles you may like:

The most effective issues to do in Switzerland in addition to snowboarding

Weekend in Zurich – greatest issues to do

Wonderful issues to do in Basel earlier than Christmas

10-day highway journey round Europe: Italy, Switzerland, Austria & extra