The Royal Walk: Männlichen, Switzerland
The Royal Walk is a popular short hike in the Swiss Alps that ascends from the Männlichen summit station to the Männlichen Gipfel, offering panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys.
Midway along the Royal Walk - View of Tschuggen
Hike Overview and Map
Trailhead: Follow signs from the Männlichen cable car station “Royal Walk” | Google Maps
Total Hiking Distance: 1.7 km
Total Hiking Duration: 45 minute hike | round-trip
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2,400 meters above sea level
Highlights: Views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, along with Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys. Distant views of the town of Interlaken and its surrounding lakes.
Getting There
From Wengen:
Cable Car - Wengen to Männlichen Luftseilb (PB 2455)
11-minute duration one way
Runs approximately every 20 minutes
Price: 29 CHF per person one-way
Earliest around 8:30 AM and last descent 17:30 PM
Book in advance using the SBB app, in person or on the website
From Grindelwald:
Cable Car – Grindelwald Terminal to Männlichen Gondelbahn (GB GGM)
25-minute duration one way
Continuously runs every minute
Price: 29 CHF per person one-way
Earliest around 8:30 AM and last 17:30 PM
Book in advance using the SBB app, in person or on the website
From Lauterbrunnen:
Train - Lauterbrunnen to Wengen (CC 63)
13-minute duration one way
Runs approximately every 30 minutes
Price: 7.20 CHF per person
Earliest around 5:00 AM and latest 23:00 PM
Book in advance using the SBB app in person or online
Get off the train at Wengen and catch the cable car as per directions from Wengen
General Tips
Start the hike as early as possible to avoid the crowds and to improve the likelihood of favourable weather conditions.
The views are weather dependent so be flexible with your timing. Try and arrange the hike for a day where the weather looks the most promising.
The weather can change at short notice so ensure that you pack clothing for all conditions. It went from clear skies to snowing in a matter of minutes while we were up there.
Either dine at the Männlichen Mountain restaurant or bring some snacks to eat at the top of the Royal Walk lookout.
Viewpoint - start of Royal Walk
Viewpoint - Tschuggen
Viewpoint - Lauterbrunnen Valley
Arrival Männlichen Gipfel
Männlichen Gipfel offers stunning 360-degree views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys.
At the top is the crown viewing platform a perfect location for photos however I would encourage you to follow the path over the top of the summit.
There are no facilities at the top of the Royal Walk
Viewpoint - Männlichen Gipfel
Where To Next
Staying in Wengen or Lauterbrunnen: walk back down to the Männlichen cable car station and from here follow the Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg, from here continue on a descent along he Mendelssohn Path.
Staying in Grindelwald: either catch a cable car directly back down to Grindelwald from Männlichen, opt to hike back to Grindelwald or continue your hike to Kleine Scheidegg along the Panorama Trail before taking a train back to Grindelwald.
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