MTB Jungfrau Loop

Overnight stay in Grindelwald

Option 1: Direct route, 29 km, 1,560 metres of ascent, 1,650 metres of descent.
Today’s route begins with a long climb; you can either ride the 1,100 metres of ascent directly up to Kleine Scheidegg (GPS track 1a_direct) or take the detour via Männlichen (GPS track 1a_difficult) . This adds an extra 400 metres of ascent and 7 kilometres. The detour is well worth it for the sensational panoramic views from Männlichen and the subsequent flowing Romantik Trail, which offers plenty of riding fun. At Kleine Scheidegg, the gateway to the Jungfraujoch, you turn away from the crowds and ride towards the Lauberhorn race course – world-famous for its legendary winter ski race – with impressive views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Parts of it are also accessible by bike. You ride along singletrack towards Hundschopf to Wengernalp. There are two options for the onward journey to Lauterbrunnen. The technically easy option (1b_direct) takes you along forest tracks and meadow trails, whilst the difficult one (1b-hard) involves trails that are at times technically very demanding, featuring hairpin bends, roots and steps. Take care – the wooden beams lying across the path can be treacherous, especially in wet conditions.

Option 2: A longer and technically more challenging route, 39 km, 2,015 metres of ascent, 2,110 metres of descent.
In Lauterbrunnen, you can take the large gondola lift to cover the next 700 metres of ascent. If you haven’t had enough of challenging descents for today, you can let off some steam on the demanding freeride route to Lauterbrunnen – and then take the gondola lift again. Otherwise, you can ride at a leisurely pace, with the impressive panorama of the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio always in view, to Mürren (GPS 1c).

37 km, 740 metres of ascent, 1800 metres of descent
As usual, the day’s tour begins with a climb. The 700-metre climb to the Rotstock Hut isn’t entirely rideable. By lunchtime at the stone-built hut, at the very latest, the exertions will be forgotten and the upcoming descent, with 1,200 metres of descent, will put a smile on your face. You’ll race down to the valley along the official hiking trails, over rocks and forest floor. A varied trail awaits you, featuring tight bends, small steps and flowing sections, ending at the legendary base-jumping cliff face in Lauterbrunnen. To round off the day, the cycle route follows the Weisse Lütschine river to your next stop in Wilderswil/Interlaken.

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 enjoy a leisurely ride along the Aare to Meiringen. Steep climbs are rewarded with thrilling descents, mostly on meadow trails.

Option 1: Direct route (technically easy, no bus), 38 km, 1,900 metres of ascent, 1,400 metres of descent.
If you want to complete the entire route under your own steam, it’s best to take the direct route along Alpine Bike Route 1 to the Grosse Scheidegg (GPS 4a_direct and 4b).

Option 2: Direct route (technically easy, with bus to Rosenlaui), 28 km, 1,200 metres of ascent, 1,500 metres of descent.
If the 1,900 metres of ascent are too much for a single day’s ride and you’d prefer to take it easier, take the PostBus directly from Meiringen towards Grindelwald in the morning and get off at Rosenlaui (or optionally at an earlier or later stop). There, it’s worth taking a short walk to the legendary glacier gorge before tackling the remaining 630 metres of ascent by bike to the Grosse Scheidegg. The route then continues, as described below, along Alpine Bike Route 1 via First and the beautiful Bachalpsee trail (GPS 4a_direct and 4b).

Option 3: Challenging tour (more trails, partial ascent by bus), 41 km, 1,900 metres of ascent, 2,200 metres of descent (plus 750 metres of ascent and 10 km by bus).
The day with the difficult tour option starts with a long climb along alpine roads (GPS 4a_schwer). You’ll have covered around 1,300 metres of elevation gain by the time you reach the Wandelalp. The high moorland landscape is a real highlight for nature lovers. The descent into the Reichenbach Valley is a delight and only slightly more technically demanding in places. Once you reach the road to Grosse Scheidegg, we recommend hopping on the PostBus to recharge your batteries on the spectacular journey up to Grosse Scheidegg for the final metres of ascent and trails of the day. From Grosse Scheidegg (GPS 4b), the cycle path leads via First to Bachalpsee, the most photographed mountain lake in the Alps. The GPS track follows the hiking trail; depending on the time of day and the weather, there may be many hikers out and about, in which case it is advisable to switch to the signposted official mountain bike route (Alpine Bike 1). After a photo stop at the lake, it’s time to focus on the descent, tackling the stunning and varied trails all the way to Grindelwald. The 1,100-metre descent over alpine hiking trails and root-covered sections is the perfect way to round off the day.