Kleine Scheidegg | Grindelwald

Information

Landmark: Kleine Scheidegg
City: Grindelwald
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe

Kleine Scheidegg, Grindelwald, Switzerland, Europe

Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass located at 2,061 meters, situated directly at the base of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau North Faces. It serves as the primary railway junction connecting Grindelwald and Wengen to the Jungfraujoch.

Visual Characteristics

The site is dominated by the immediate verticality of the Eiger North Face (Eiger-Nordwand). The terrain consists of wide alpine plateaus and scree slopes. It features several historic wooden hotels and a complex network of railway tracks and sidings. The landscape offers a high-contrast view of green pastures against the permanent ice and dark limestone of the "High Alps" peaks.

Location & Access Logistics

Access is exclusively via the Wengernalpbahn (WAB) rack railway; there is no public road access.

From Grindelwald: 25-minute train journey.

From Wengen: 25-minute train journey.

To Jungfraujoch: Transfer point to the Jungfraubahn, which ascends further through the Eiger tunnel.

The pass is a central node for the Jungfrau Region's transit system, with trains arriving from both valleys every 30 minutes.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Opened in 1893, the railway transformed the pass from a remote summer pasture into a global tourism hub. It gained historical prominence as the base camp for Eiger North Face climbing expeditions during the 1930s. Geologically, it sits on a sedimentary ridge separating the Lütschine and Weisse Lütschine watersheds. The area supports alpine flora such as gentians and serves as a grazing site for Simmental cattle during the summer (Alpabzug).

Key Highlights & Activities

Railway Hub: Observation of the unique rack-and-pinion trains and the Jungfraubahn's specialized rolling stock.

Hiking: The Eiger Trail (Eigergletscher to Alpiglen) and the Panorama Trail to Männlichen both interface here.

Winter Sports: The center of the Jungfrau Ski Region, providing access to over 100km of runs and the world-famous Lauberhorn downhill course.

Photography: Unobstructed views of the "Triple Peaks" (Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau).

Infrastructure & Amenities

The pass features multiple large-scale restaurants (Restaurant Eigernordwand, Bahnhofsbuffet), the historic Hotel Bellevue des Alpes, and public restrooms. There is high-speed 5G cellular coverage. While the station platforms are accessible, the surrounding gravel paths and mountain trails are steeply graded. Natural shade is nonexistent at this altitude.

Best Time to Visit

To observe climbers on the Eiger North Face, a telescope-equipped visit on a clear morning is recommended. In winter, the atmosphere is most active during the Lauberhorn World Cup races in mid-January. For hikers, the paths are typically clear of snow from late June through October.

Facts & Legends

The Hotel Bellevue des Alpes has served as the filming location for several major productions, including The Eiger Sanction and North Face. A verified historical detail: the "Kleine" (Little) Scheidegg is actually busier and more developed than the Grosse Scheidegg, despite the linguistic naming convention.