MTB Eiger Loop

Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg – Wengen – Lauterbrunnen – Grütschalp – Mürren (overnight stay)

Direct route option: 30 km, 1,200 metres of ascent, 600 metres of descent (via Zweilütschinen, not via Kleine Scheidegg).
The direct route option starts in Grindelwald on the Swiss Cycling Route 61, heading out of the valley along the Schwarze Lütschine to Zweilütschinen. Here you switch to Alpine Route 1 towards Lauterbrunnen, where the second ascent begins on the signposted cycle path 450 towards Mürren. From Mittelberg, you leave the signposted cycle route and ride along an asphalt path beside the railway line to Mürren. This car-free, unspoilt panoramic mountain village at the foot of the Schilthorn offers breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Difficult route option: 35 km, 2,100 metres of ascent, 1,500 metres of descent.
The difficult route option starts with a long climb of over 1,100 metres of elevation gain on a tarmac, car-free road up to Kleine Scheidegg, the gateway to the Jungfraujoch. Those riding an e-MTB can recharge their battery here – and, of course, marvel at the impressive panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The signposted cycle route no. 1 then takes you via Wengen into the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland’s base-jumping mecca. A short detour to the world-famous Staubbach Falls is well worth it. In Lauterbrunnen, you’ll join the direct route (see above).

Mürren – Stechelberg – Lauterbrunnen – Interlaken – Brienz – Meiringen (overnight stay)

60 km, 800 metres of ascent, 1800 metres of descent.
From Mürren, you’ll follow Cycle Route 450 again along narrow and sometimes steep tarmac and alpine paths via Gimmelwald to Stechelberg. You now ride leisurely down the Lauterbrunnen Valley, past the Trümmelbach Falls. After Lauterbrunnen, you can choose to ride on the right bank of the river along forest tracks and easy trails on Alpine Cycle Route 1, or on the road to the left of the river. Depending on the time of day, there may be some traffic here. From Zweilütschinen, Cycle Route 1 leads to the right of the Lütschine to Wilderswil and through Interlaken to the northern shore of Lake Brienz. From here, Cycle Route 451 runs along partly paved, partly unpaved paths, constantly undulating, always with a beautiful view of the deep-blue Lake Brienz, to Brienz. In Brienz, you switch to the Aare Cycle Route No. 8. On the final few kilometres of the day, cycling along the right bank of the Aare, you can round off the long day’s cycling at a leisurely pace.

Option 1: Direct route, 32 km, 600 metres of ascent, 580 metres of descent.
There are essentially two options for the first stage. The relaxed and direct route (GPS Track 3_direct) follows the signposted Mountain Bike Route 451 along the northern shore of Lake Brienz. However, the 32-kilometre signposted cycle route still involves a 600-metre climb; the route mainly follows forest tracks and paved cycle paths.

Option 2: Longer and technically more challenging route, 43 km, 1920 metres of ascent, 1890 metres of descent.
The more challenging route (GPS Track 3_schwer) covers 42 km and just under 2,000 metres of elevation gain, although after the first long descent you can take a shortcut and roll leisurely along the Aare to Meiringen. Steep climbs are rewarded with the thrill of the descents, mostly on meadow trails.