Eiger Mountain

Address: Eiger, Bernese Alps, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Hours: Accessible year‑round depending on weather and route conditions

Admission: Free to access for hikers; guided climbs and use of cable cars/trains (e.g., Jungfrau region services) are paid

The Eiger is a prominent mountain in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, rising to 3,967 m and forming a dramatic skyline above the resort valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. It is particularly famous for its steep north face and classic alpine ridges.

The mountain attracts climbers for routes such as the North Face and the Mittellegi Ridge, and it is a focal point for high-alpine climbing and guiding in the region. Non-climbers also visit surrounding valleys and mountain railways for views of the summit and face.

The Eiger was first climbed in the 19th century as alpine mountaineering developed; the north face resisted early attempts and became the scene of notable climbs and tragedies before the first complete ascent of the face in 1938. Since then it has remained one of the major north faces of the Alps with a prominent place in mountaineering history.

The mountain sits in the canton of Bern, above the Interlaken region, with common approaches and viewpoints from the villages of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and from the Jungfrau railway corridor.

• Elevation: Summit elevation is 3,967 m, making the Eiger a prominent peak in the Bernese Alps visible from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys.
• Historic ascent: The north face became a major mountaineering objective in the early 20th century and was first successfully climbed in 1938.

What to See#

• North Face: The north face, a nearly vertical wall rising roughly 1,800 m that is famed for its technical difficulty and mountaineering history.
• Mittellegi Ridge: The Mittellegi Ridge, a classic exposed alpine route leading to the summit from the east and frequented by climbers with glacier approaches.

The Eiger’s north face is accessed from the Bernese Oberland towns of Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. From Interlaken Ost take the Berner Oberland Railway to Grindelwald (about 30-35 minutes), then the Wengernalpbahn or the Jungfrau/Eigergletscher services up to Kleine Scheidegg or Eigergletscher stations; from those stations it’s a short walk (minutes) to trailheads and viewpoints at the base of the Eiger.

By car, Interlaken → Grindelwald is roughly 20-25 km (30-40 minutes); park in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen and use the mountain railways for the alpine approach.

• Take the train to Kleine Scheidegg or Eigergletscher for immediate, close-up views of the Eiger north face without technical climbing; from Kleine Scheidegg you can walk the Eiger Trail along the base of the wall.
• Start early (first trains) to avoid the busiest mid-day periods on the popular trails between Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg; midweek mornings are quietest.
• If you plan to climb rather than hike, hire a certified alpine guide and confirm current alpine conditions - the Eiger north face is a serious, technical climb and not suitable for independent novices.