Männlichen

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4 Activities

Männlichen is famous for the Lauberhorn race that takes place here every year in January.

7 Highlights at Männlichen

  • Royal Walk is a short hike in summer to the summit of Männlichen. The view from Männlichen of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau triumvirate is breathtaking. Truly royal.
  • Royal Ride is the name of the ride with the cable car open at the top. However, this is only offered in summer.
  • Two beautiful theme trails lead from Männlichen via Holenstein to Brandegg. These are the Lieselotteweg and the Öpfelchüechliweg.
  • The mountain railroads take skiers and snowboarders quickly to the Männlichen skiing area.
  • 4 toboggan runs lead from the mountain to the valley station. In combination you sled down for 1.5 hours.
  • A magnificent mountain panorama attracts hikers to the area around Männlichen in summer and into autumn, which is suitable for easy and moderately difficult tours.
  • Summer Gemel (summer tobogganing) is released via hiking trail 61.

Two mountain railroads provide access to Männlichen: in the east from Grindelwald and in the west from Wengen. Männlichen is particularly suitable for families. In summer, there are themed trails and a mountain dairymen's playground near the Berghaus. In winter, the little ones learn to ski in children's ski schools.

Männlichen GemsenwegGemsenweg (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)
Männlichen Sommer BikenBiken Sommer (Foto: Jungfraubahnen)

Sights at Männlichen

At Männlichen there are excellent viewpoints of the mountain giants Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch. In addition, there are several adventure and themed trails that can be walked well with the whole family. However, they can not be walked with strollers or wheelchairs.

Royal Walk on Männlichen

A short hike is the Royal Walk, which leads to the summit from May to October. With the Royal Ride, the open-top approach by cable car from Wengen also becomes a royal experience, but also only in summer.

The Royal Walk leads directly from the top station to the summit of Männlichen. There are 120 meters of altitude to be climbed from 2222 to 2342 meters above sea level. The path is equipped with information boards that distract from the effort of the ascent. Once at the top, there is a panoramic view from the viewing platform, which is modeled on a crown and extends beyond the famous triumvirate. The two-kilometer ascent takes about 25 minutes, the descent 15 minutes.

Tree top walk on Männlichen

The treetop path begins at the Holenstein midway station. Along the way you'll find four platforms with a view (binoculars available) as well as a slide. From here you have a good view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

The Lieselotte Trail from Männlichen to Holenstein

The Lieselotteweg leads from Männlichen to Holenstein. It is designed as a theme and adventure trail and is suitable for the whole family, although not for baby carriages. The trail begins with Lieselotte the cow, who also has her say at each of the 13 stations.

Her friends, the chickens, support her. The children learn how a cow is milked or how to blow an alphorn. The path goes down about 600 meters and takes 1.5 hours. The path, which is easy in this direction, is suitable for June to October. In the opposite direction it becomes more difficult to walk, as then 600 meters of ascent have to be mastered. From Holenstein the mountain railroad goes down to Grindelwald.

The Öpfelchüechli trail from Holenstein to Brandegg

The Öpfelchüechliweg provides information on the subject of apples. The hike starts in Holenstein (1624 m) and leads past six information boards in front of a beautiful backdrop. To Holenstein the cable car leaves from Grindelwald, Holenstein is the middle station of the cable car. The walk takes about 1.5 hours.

The path passes alpine pastures and meadows strewn with flowers. Narrow mountain paths and alpine roads are easy to hike. On the way there is a barbecue area in the cool forest where you can grill your own food. The adventure and information boards made of discover contain games that teach a lot about the fruit. They are designed as questions and answers. In the last section it goes again slightly uphill. However, it is an easy hike that can be walked well in summer because of the alternation of cool forest and open clearings.

Having arrived at the mountain restaurant Brandegg (1330 m above sea level), the freshly prepared Öpfelchüechli (apple cakes) with vanilla sauce should be tasted there. As an encore, there is a view of the mountain world from the beautiful sun terrace. This immediately makes you forget all the exertions on this wonderful family trip.

Männlichen LieselottewegLieselotteweg (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)
Männlichen Öpfelchüechli Weg Appel Fritter TrailÖpfelchüechli Weg (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)

By mountain railroad to Männlichen

The mountain railroads take visitors up to the Männlichen summit within a few minutes. The service starts daily at 8 am from Grindelwald and 8:15 am from Wengen.

Swiss Activities offer:

From Wengen by cable car in 5 min

The Wengen-Männlichen aerial cableway is an octogenarian gondola. Built in 1999, the cable car received new cabins with viewing platform at the beginning of the 2018/19 season. From the bottom station located in Wengen, the cable car climbs more than nine hundred meters in altitude to the top station. The length of the route is just under two kilometers.

In summer, Royal Ride is offered on the open-air balcony of the cabin.

Facts:

  • 1281 m a.s.l. altitude Wengen valley station
  • 2230 m a.s.l. Height top station Männlichen
  • 1915 m above sea level Length
  • 919 meters altitude
  • 860 people / hour

V-Bahn Grindelwald Grund - Männlichen in 19 min

In 2019, the 10-seater gondola lift replaced the old aerial tramway, which still took 30 minutes to reach the top station. The new gondola lift covers the distance to the summit of Männlichen in just 19 minutes.

The gondola lift operates in a single-rope circulating system and is part of the Jungfrau region's V-project. At a speed of 6m/sec, it climbs 1282 meters in altitude.

Facts:

  • 947 m a.s.l. Grindelwald Grund valley station
  • 1624 m above sea level middle station in Holenstein
  • 2229 m above sea level Männlichen top station
  • 6100 m length
  • 1282 meters altitude difference
  • 111 gondolas
  • 1800 people / hour

The new 10-person gondola lift replaced two cable cars built in 1978. The modern terminal of the valley station is also the starting point of the cable car to the Eiger and has parking spaces as well as a connection to the Bernese Oberland Railways (BOB) via the new Rothenegg station.

Männlichen Gondelbahn Wengen Royal RideGondelbahn Wengen Royal Ride (Foto Männlichen Bergbahnen)
Männlichen 10-er Gondelbahn10-er Gondelbahn (Foto Männlichen Bergbahnen)

Männlichen chairlifts at a glance

All the chairlifts and lifts on Männlichen can be seen on the piste map.

Männlichen chairlift

The Männlichen chairlift (built in 1990) is a detachable 4-seater high-speed chairlift with covers. From the bottom station at 1795 meters, it travels in just under seven minutes to the Männlichen top station at 2229 meters, covering 434 meters in altitude over a length of just under two kilometers. The chairlift runs daily from 8:30 am.

Chairlift Läger

The Läger chairlift (built in 2003) is also a 4-seater high-speed chairlift with hoods that can be coupled. It travels from the bottom station at an altitude of 1805 meters to 2251 meters above the top stations of the cable cars. In the process, it climbs 446 meters in altitude over a length of more than two kilometers. The Läger chairlift runs daily from 8:45 am.

Männlichen Royal WalkRoyal Walk (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)
Männlichen Royal WalkRoyal Walk (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)

Activities at Männlichen

Männlichen is a popular excursion area all year round

Popular summer activities are:

  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking and Summer Gemel (summer tobogganing)
  • Trail running
  • Alpine playground near the mountain house
  • Paragliding

Some of the most popular winter activities include:

  • Skiing and snowboarding
  • Sledding, winter hiking and snowshoe tours
  • Alpine sightseeing flights by helicopter

There are also children's ski schools at Männlichen.

Männlichen KinderspielplatzKinderspielplatz (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)
Männlichen NaturNatur (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)

Hiking on Männlichen

The hiking map shows a good overview of all hiking possibilities. Hiking trail 61 between Männlichen and Holenstein is open for Summer Gemel (summer tobogganing).

Hiking trail no. 60 Royal Walk Männlichen - Männlichen summit

Only 900 meters long, this hiking trail starts at the top station of the gondola coming up from Grindelwald and passes the top station of the Wengen cable car. The hike takes about 25 minutes with 122 meters of elevation to climb. It is classified as moderately difficult, as it leads well uphill despite being pleasantly short. The path probably gets its name Royal Walk from the majestic view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The view also extends to the Breithorn, as far as Lake Thun and the Wetterhorn. The hiking trail is also open for sledding.

Hiking trail no. 61 Easy Männlichen - Holenstein

This easy hiking trail is also popular for a winter hike. The trail leads along the road and starts at the mountain station of the gondola and is groomed in winter. After just under six kilometers, Holenstein is reached. From here you can take the gondola lift down to Grindelwald. The trail leads along the Läger ski bar. The path leads steadily downhill and overcomes about 600 meters of altitude on the total distance. It is also suitable for sledding and summer tobogganing (Summer Gemel).

Hiking trail no. 63 Männlichen - Kleine Scheidegg

This hike is popular in winter. It starts at the mountain station of the cable car and leads via Tschuggen to Kleine Scheidegg. On a distance of about six kilometers, there are 224 meters of altitude difference in the ascent and 390 meters of altitude difference in the descent. It is a moderately difficult hike that requires good physical condition. On the first section, hikers and sledders are on the same trail in winter.

Hiking trail no. 67 Holenstein - Grindelwald Grund

The trail from Holenstein to Grindelwald Grund is a good six kilometers long. It leads over the Itramenstrasse and crosses the ski run 3 several times. It is not prepared as a toboggan run in winter and is therefore not suitable for tobogganing. The trail leads as an easy hike exclusively downhill.

Panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg

From the Männlichen mountain station, the tour runs along the Höhenweg in a southerly direction and is 4.6 km long. The easy hike takes 1.5 hours and is particularly popular because of the fantastic view. The path leads almost exclusively downhill. At the same altitude along the eastern flank of Tschuggen, you come to Honegg and via Rotstöckli to Kleine Scheidegg. This path is passable from June to October. The way back to Grindelwald is by Wengernalpbahn.

Romantic path from Männlichen to Alpiglen

The Romantikweg starts almost parallel to the Panoramaweg at the Männlichen mountain station, but then heads off to the east. Via Teufenschlucht, Alp Gummi, Alp Bustiglen and Arvengarten the trail leads to Alpiglen. In total, the moderately difficult hike is just over seven kilometers long and takes about 2.5 hours. From Alpiglen you can take the Wengernalpbahn back to Grindelwald. The hike is possible from June to October.

Chamois Trail from Wengen to Männlichen

The ascent from Wengen is 6 kilometers with 950 meters of ascent. The demanding hike requires a good physical condition. In Gassen is reached shortly after Wengen. Here a momentous landslide occurred in 1971. Via the Parawengi junction, the panoramic ascent leads to the Männlichen plateau. This path can be hiked from June to October. It is called the chamois trail because chamois can regularly be observed on this stretch.

Royal Walk and Jungfrau Eiger Walk

Three short hikes between Männlichen and the Eiger glacier are combined to form a viewing tour:

  • Royal Walk
  • High trail Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg
  • Jungfrau Eiger Walk

Thus, the tour starts at the Männlichen mountain station and ends at the Eiger glacier. In total, this adds up to 8.6 kilometers, which also become a moderately difficult tour because of 420 meters of altitude in the ascent.

Männlichen PanoramaPanorama (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)
Männlichen Romantischer WegRomantischer Weg (Foto: Männlichen Bergbahnen)

Mountain biking and summer tobogganing (Gemel) on Männlichen

Mountain biking is not always allowed everywhere. On weekends and between Wengen and Kleiner Scheidegg, the bike must be pushed if necessary. Mountain railroads do not take mountain bikes!

Mountainbiking

A bike map of Grindelwald shows the most beautiful tours.

KtBE Grindelwald - Männlichen - Zweilütschinen

This medium-difficulty tour covers almost 42 kilometers and includes almost 2000 meters of ascent and 2300 meters of descent. The route leads from Grindelwald (train station) - Kleine Scheidegg - Männlichen mountain station - Chilchenstein - Wengen (high trail above the village) - Spätenalp - Burglauenen to Zweilütschinen (train station). Attention: the route touches three nature reserves.

Between Zweilütschinen and Grindelwald the Bernese Oberlandbahn (BOB) runs about every twenty minutes and takes about 24 minutes.

Kleine Scheidegg

This mountain bike tour starts in Zweilütschinen at the station of the Bernese Oberlandbahn and leads along the rack railroads for long stretches. Via Gündlischwand - Lütschental it turns off shortly before the valley station of the Männlichen cable car before Grindelwald in the direction of Aspen. Via the Bielwaldweg the trail continues to Arven and to Wengernalp and back via Wengen. The tour of medium difficulty is about 35 kilometers long. More than 1600 meters of altitude are climbed and descended.

Grindelwald - Männlichen (summit)

This mountain bike tour ends at the summit of Männlichen, the return trip is the same way. The ascent is very challenging in terms of sport with about 1,300 meters of altitude, but free of motorized traffic. An asphalt road leads up to the Männlichen mountain hotel. A further one hundred meters or so in altitude are covered on passable gravel to the summit, the last stretch even on foot. Sturdy shoes are important. The best time for this tour is from July to October.

KtBE Grindelwald-Männlichen-Grindelwald

Classified as a difficult tour, it starts and ends in Grindelwald. It is 37 kilometers long and includes 2000 meters of ascent and 2100 meters of descent. The route runs via the Mättenberg bridge - Aspen -Tschuggen -Kleine Scheidegg - Berghaus Männlichen - Wengen and via the Schildboden trail back to Grindelwald. Attention: the nature reserves Feldmoos, In Erlen and Sattelegg / Am undren Brand are on the way.

Summer Gemel on Männlichen

With a Summer Gemel (also known as Mountaincart) you can drive down the slope between the top station Männlichen and the middle station Holenstein in summer. The route for the Summer Gemel starts at 2225 meters above sea level and leads down about 600 meters over a length of 6 kilometers.

Tickets are available at the mountain railroad stores in Wengen, Grindelwald or directly at the Männlichen mountain station. The Gemel sled is issued in the Pit Shop at the top station and must be returned in person at the Holenstein middle station.

Facts:

  • 30-45 min ride time
  • 6 km route
  • 600 meters of altitude descent
  • 10 years minimum age (if accompanied by an adult)
  • 130 cm minimum height

Trail running

Trairunning is particularly challenging on Männlichen

Uphill trail Männlichen U2

The Uphill Trail is described as the toughest uphill in Grindelwald with 1290 meters of altitude to climb over a length of 9.2 km. It starts at Grindelwald Grund and there you can also park your car. The end of the route is the Männlichen mountain station. Best time: May to October

At the foot of the Dreigestirn No. 31

This trail starts and ends at the Grindelwald sports center. 1938 vertical meters are to be overcome in 6-7 hours. The route of the Eiger Ultra Trail routes E101 and E53 are first taken from Burglauenen via Wengen. Already in Wengen the snow-covered Jungfrau massif can be seen. Zigzagging, the Gemsweg trail continues up to Männlichen. Here you have the choice of taking the cable car back down to the valley. Alternatively, continue walking to the Holenstein middle station. The trail back to the valley follows the Öpfelchüechliweg to Brandegg and from here to Grindelwald Grund.

Sennen playground

The Sennenspielplatz is located directly at the Männlichen mountain lodge. It has swings, a seesaw, small trampolines, climbing facilities and a bowling alley with balls. Next to it is a huge cow that immediately catches the eye. Lieselotte is the name of the cow, which is said to come from a small village in Germany.

She is on vacation in Switzerland. Lieselotte is 8.5 m high and is made of wood and steel. She can be explored inside and outside, has a slide and a viewing platform. Parents can see directly onto the playground from the sun terrace of the Berghaus.

Männlichen Alpiner SpielplatzAlpiner Spielplatz (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)
Männlichen Alpiner SpielplatzAlpiner Spielplatz (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)

Paragliding

Paragliders can be transported on mountain trips with the aerial cableway leading from Wengen to Männlichen. Cheap day tickets are available for this at the valley station.

Tandem paragliding flights are offered by several flying schools. They start near the mountain inn and take about twenty to thirty minutes. The view is always of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch. The difference in altitude between the starting and landing points is between 945 and 1690 m.

Among the providers are for example:

  • Swiss Paragliding
  • Chilloutparagliding

Männlichen is a popular starting point for smaller or larger cross-country flights. Pure gliding flights leading down to the valley station or as far as Lauterbrunnen are also very popular because of the impressive view. In winter it is even possible to take off in a south-westerly direction (steep west / south-west slope).

Launch sites at Männlichen

Männlichen summit

  • GPS coordinates:46° 37' 6.61'' N,7° 56' 19.17'' E
  • Start direction east-southeast
  • 2340 meters above sea level
  • Starting direction: 67.5° - 112.5° From the top station of the cable car it takes 15 minutes to walk to the launch site, a medium steep meadow.

**Mountain station

  • GPS coordinates:46° 36' 37.4'' N,7° 56' 33.0'' E
  • Launch direction southwest-west
  • 2220 meters above sea level
  • Takeoff direction: 202.5° - 247.5° From Wengen cable car mountain station about 10 min walk north to the launch site, a flat area.

**Little Tschuggen

  • GPS coordinates:46° 36' 22.79'' N,7° 56' 42.26'' E
  • Launch direction northwest
  • 2240 meters above sea level
  • Starting direction: 292.5° - 337.5° From the Wengen cable car mountain station it is a 10 minute walk in the direction of Tschuggen- Lauberhorn to the launch site, a medium steep meadow.

Landing sites at Männlichen

ground

  • GPS coordinates:46° 37' 13.14'' N,8° 1' 45.89'' E
  • 950 meters above sea level
  • Caution: often strong valley wind The easy landing site is located at the bottom of the valley, 300m southeast of the Grindelwald valley station and close to the camping site.

Lauterbrunnen at the heliport

  • GPS coordinates:46° 35' 15.29'' N,7° 54' 44.19'' E
  • 790 meters above sea level
  • Attention: Flights to Lauterbrunnen must be registered at the heliport of Air Glacier. The landing site is located one kilometer south of the village center in the valley.

Zweilütschinen

  • GPS coordinates:46° 37' 57.36'' N,7° 54' 8.0'' E
  • 650 meters above sea level
  • Caution: often very strong valley wind ! The landing site is free of obstacles and is located east of the railroad station.

Lauterbrunnen Camping Site

  • GPS coordinates:46° 35' 15.29'' N,7° 54' 30'' E
  • 790 meters above sea level
  • Caution: often very strong valley wind ! This is the usual landing place of the tandem pilots. It is located one kilometer south of the village center in the valley and vis-a-vis the heliport.

Often landing is allowed on mowed meadows near the parking lots of the train station.

Männlichen Gleitschirmfliegen Gleitschirmfliegen (Foto: Airtime Paragliding)
Männlichen Gleitschirmfliegen Gleitschirmfliegen (Foto: Airtime Paragliding)

Skiing and snowboarding on Männlichen

The ski season at Männlichen starts in the first week of December and ends around mid-April.

The piste map of the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area shows all currently open pistes, cable cars and lifts.

The terrain is kept pleasantly wide and the slopes are regularly groomed. A snowmaking system provides for snow replenishment in case of insufficient snowfall. The lifts and cable cars are modern and run in short intervals.

Against the backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the ski areas are interconnected and allow direct access to the Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen lifts.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

There are two ski lifts at Männlichen:

Tschuggen ski lift

The Tschuggen T-bar lift has a T-bar/anchor. It was built in 1966 and starts at 1,707 meters above sea level. Up to the top station at 2,045 meters, it climbs 345 meters in altitude over a length of about 1.5 kilometers. The transport takes about eleven minutes at 2.5 meters per second. The Tschuggen ski lift runs in the winter season in the morning from 9:00 am.

Männlichen ski lift

The Männlichen platter lift climbs 44 meters in altitude over a length of 330 meters. The ride takes about 2.5 minutes. It was built in 2018. The ski lift runs daily from 9:00 am in the winter season.

Männlichen WinterAussicht und Liegestühle am Männlichen (Foto: Seraina Zellweger)
Männlichen WinterSpazierweg und Bergbahn am Männlichen (Foto: Seraina Zellweger)

Winter hiking, sledging and snowshoe tours on Männlichen

The routes used in summer as popular hiking trails on Männlichen are popular in winter for winter hiking and in some cases also as sledging routes

Good toboggan runs are for example these hiking trails:

  • 60 Männlichen summit
  • 61 Easy Männlichen Holenstein

Snowshoe tours on Männlichen

Some snowshoe tours already start in Grindelwald. To go on a trail with snowshoes on Männlichen, it is best to take the mountain railroad. The best time for snowshoe tours is between December and March.

Eiger Trail No. 7 from Holenstein to Brandegg

On this trail, the view of the Eiger north face dominates and fascinates. Six kilometers with only slight inclines totaling about 125 meters of ascent make the trail an easy snowshoe hike. It starts at the middle station of the Männlichen mountain railroad and ends in Brandegg at the Wengernalpbahn. The "summer" Eiger Trail takes a different route.

Aspen trail no. 6 to Vorsassi

Aspen is accessible hourly via bus line 123 from Grindelwald train station. The moderately difficult snowshoe tour is only 1300 meters long, but contains 219 meters of ascent on this short route. It leads over snowy mats first uphill towards Moosgaden. The trail then follows the snow-covered forest road to Vorsassi at the lower part of the Itramenwald. Here the trail meets the Eiger Trail No. 7. To the right the Eiger Trail leads to Holenstein and to the left it goes to Brandegg.

Männlichen WinterwandernWinterwandern (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)
Männlichen SkifahrenSkifahren (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)

Alpine sightseeing flights at Männlichen

Helicopter flights are booked primarily because of the good view of the four-thousand-meter peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The flight almost always takes you over the area of the Männlichen Group and the Wengen-Grindelwald ski area. There are various providers and different flight bases for this region, some of which are listed here:

Helikopterflug

Helikopterflug is a provider of helicopter flights with several flight bases. For the flight area Jungfrau/Männlichen the airport in Lauterbrunnen is used.

Eiger North Face

The starting point is the airfield in Lauterbrunnen. The flight itself takes about 13-15 minutes. The flight is carried out with five passengers. It goes from Zweilütschinen through the Grindelwald valley, flies over the Männlichen ski area and on to the Eiger North Face. Over the vacation region Grindelwald the flight goes back to Lauterbrunnen.

Jungfraujoch

The helicopter flight, which also departs from Lauterbrunnen, takes about 20 minutes. The flight initially has the same route as the flight to the Eiger North Face, but continues from there to the Jungfrau. Over Silberhorn and Wengen it goes back to Lauterbach.

Swiss Helicopter

Helicopters fly from Gsteigwiler Airport near Interlaken, in winter from Männlichen, to carry out sightseeing flights in the Jungfrau region. Flights go from all 14 flight bases to the Männlichen ski area and from Belp to the Mutthornhütte.

Great Glacier Flight UNESCO World Heritage Site

This round flight leads from Gsteigwiler via Zweilütschinen and Grindelwaldtal to the Eiger North Face. The flight continues over the Mittellegigrat to the south side, over the Eismeer, the Ewigschneefeld and the Konkordiaplatz. Subsequently, Lötschenlücke, Petersgrat and Schilthorn are flown over before returning to Gsteigwiler.

From Männlichen (only in winter) the flight starts at the Eiger north face and then also leads over the Mittellegigrat to the south side. Then it continues over Eismeer, Ewigschneefeld, Konkordiaplatz, Lötschenlücke and Petersgrat. From Silberhorn it continues to the Jungfrau north side and Kleine Scheidegg and finally ends back in Männlichen. This round flight takes place from 4 persons.

Flight into the skiing area Männlichen

You can fly directly into the Männlichen skiing area by helicopter. Beforehand, coffee and croissants are served at the flight base, for example in Gordola on Lake Maggiore. The day ticket is included in the price and at the end of the day there is a small aperitif before departure. The flight is carried out with a minimum of 3 persons. Swiss Helicopter has 14 flight bases.

Mutthornhütte

Flights to the Mutthornhütte are operated from the Belp flight base. Via Thun, Interlaken and the Männlichen ski area, the flight goes to the Eiger North Face. From here, the helicopter flies on over the Eiger Glacier, past the Mönch and Jungfrau to the Silberhorn.

After Breithorn and Tschingelhorn, the helicopter lands at the Mutthornhütte, an SAC hut. It stands at 3,000 meters above sea level. Lunch or a snack can be eaten on the terrace with an impressive view. The way back is via the Gasterental or the Kiental.

The pure flight time is about 50 minutes, the whole excursion takes two hours. This excursion is carried out only in summer from mid-June to mid-September. Since ten minutes are spent walking over ice and snow, sturdy shoes are very important.

Männlichen AletschgletscherAletschgletscher (Foto: Jungfraubahnen)
Männlichen AletschgletscherAletschgletscher (Foto: Jungfraubahnen)

Events on Männlichen

Numerous events are held on Männlichen, especially during the summer season. The current events can be seen on the Männlichenbahnen website.

A selection:

  • Gemsentrophy (summer)
  • Alphorn blowers (Sunday in August)
  • Männlichen traditional costume festival (Sunday at the end of July)
  • Mountain spring festival (Sunday end of June)
  • Jazzbrunch (Sunday end of August)
  • Barbecue on various dates in July and August
  • Mountain brunch (summer)
  • Lauberhorn Race (January)
  • Eiger-Ultra-Trail (middle of July)

Gemsentrophy

The Gemsentrophy is a sporting competition. Anyone who reaches the top station faster than in 75 minutes gets the return trip to Wengen for free. To do this, the participant's card must be stamped at the valley station, at the Parwengi checkpoint and on arrival at the top station. By handing in the card to the railroad staff, everyone automatically takes part in the competition.

Alphorn blowers

On 08.08.2021 about 100 alphorn blowers will come together from 09:00 - 16:00. They will play together at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00. In between individual performances take place according to the appropriate announcement. This event takes place every three years since 2016.

Traditional costume festival

The annual Trachtenfest on Männlichen has been organized by the Trachtengruppe Buochs since 1959. Traditional dances, Innerschweizer Geisslechlöpfer, an alphorn trio and a yodel duet are always included

Mountain Spring Festival

The Mountain Spring Festival thrives on folkloristic performances by various groups. These include a yodeling group, a traditional costume group, alphorn blowers, a country band and the Schlitzohre Rüschegg Schwyzerörgeli quartet.

Jazz brunch

For the jazz brunch, which is offered between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm at Berghaus Männlichen, there will be musical entertainment from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm by the Full Steam Jazzband.

Barbecue

On Tuesdays and additionally on August 01 (National Holiday), the barbecue starts with the 19:00 mountain trip from Wengen and ends with the valley trip at 21:45. Connections to and from Lauterbrunnen are available

Lauberhorn Race

The Lauberhorn race takes place on Männlichen every year in January. It lasts three days and a visit can easily be combined with a ski day at Männlichen.

Eiger Ultra Trail

The difficult Eiger Ultra Trail takes place over a weekend in mid-July. Stage points are

A total of 6700 meters of altitude difference on 101 kilometers have to be completed on the route E101. The trail is a particularly tough test for every participant.

Männlichen Mountain Spring festivalMännlichen Mountain Spring festival (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)
Männlichen Gemsen TrophyGemsen Trophy (Foto: Andre Maurer Bergbahnen Männlichen)

Mountain huts, restaurants and ski bars on Männlichen

Some mountain restaurants are open in summer and winter. Ski bars are added in winter. After a hike, several ski or toboggan tours, sun terraces are ideal for resting and soaking up the sun. Everywhere on Männlichen and in the whole skiing area Grindelwald-Wengen the necessary catering is provided.

Berghaus Männlichen

The Männlichen mountain lodge stands on the ridge directly between the Grindelwald valley and the Lauterbrunnen valley. The Berghaus is open summer and winter and also offers overnight accommodation in single, double and triple rooms. It is situated 2,225 meters above sea level. In summer several hiking trails start here, in winter it is located in the middle of the skiing area.

The restaurant offers Swiss specialties and has a large sun terrace and in winter a snow bar. In summer the Sennen playground is open.

The following seats are available

  • Panorama restaurant with 320 seats
  • Tschuggenstube with 130 seats
  • Eigerstube with 96 seats
  • Alpenstübli with 34 seats
  • Arvenstübli with 28 seats
  • Large terrace with almost 400 seats

Vorsass-Stuba

The Vorsass-Stuba is located on valley slope 3 between Holenstein and Grindelwald in the Männlichen ski area. The sledging and hiking trail from Hohlenstein to Grindelwald and also the snowshoe trail pass nearby. There is a large terrace and 40 indoor seats with stove.

Open from mid-December to Easter daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Skibar Läger on Männlichen

During the winter season, the Läger ski bar on Männlichen mainly serves snacks and small snacks (hot and cold). The Skibar is located not far from the Läger chairlift.

Restaurant Eigernordwand - Kleine Scheidegg Station

The Restaurant Eigernordwand is located at an altitude of 2070 m at the Kleine Scheidegg station. In addition to a serviced restaurant, there is also self-service. In addition to Swiss specialties, a selection of Asian dishes is offered. The view of the Eiger North Face gave the restaurant its name.

Männlichen BerghausBerghaus (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)
Männlichen BerghausBerghaus (Foto: Bergbahnen Männlichen)

Mountain restaurant Brandegg

The Brandegg mountain restaurant is located at an altitude of 1335 m at the foot of the Wetterhorn. Several hiking trails lead past here, for example the Öpfelchüechli trail. It is directly accessible by the Wengernalpbahn. There are 180 seats in the restaurant and another 280 seats on the terrace.

In winter, the Eiger-Run toboggan run and the Kleine Scheidegg-Grindelwald ski slope run alongside the mountain restaurant. It is also accessible via winter hiking trails.

Holzer Bar

The quaint Holzer Bar can be reached on the Tschuggen - Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald valley run. Here you can get wood chipper bacon, Chäsbrätel, alpine cheese, mulled wine, Holdrio and more. The Holzer Bar is located about 300 m above the Restaurant Aspen.

Restaurant Aspen

The restaurant of the Aspen Hotel is open all year round. It has an indoor restaurant and an alpine parlor for 25 people as well as a large sun terrace. Only a few meters along the Itramenstrasse is the Jägerstübli restaurant. Here you can get mainly burgers and nuggets. Bus 123 takes you from Grindelwald train station to Aspen every hour.

Start bar

The Start Bar is located at the start of the Lauberhorn downhill run at 2320m. The sun terrace has a direct view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Grilled specialties are available here.

Mary's Café/Häxehüsli

The Hexehüsli is located at the finish of the Lauberhorn downhill run, about 1 km outside Wengen in the Schiltwald. The menu includes typical Swiss specialties and daily changing lunch menus. The homemade cakes are very popular.

Climate at Männlichen

The summit of Männlichen is located at 2342 m above sea level. Here, a light wind blows almost constantly, sometimes reaching 20-30 km/h in the winter months. In winter, the daily average reaches -5 degrees Celsius, at night -14 degrees Celsius.

Nights are cold even in summer. During the day, an average of 13 degrees Celsius is reached in the months of July and August. At night, the average value in these months is 3 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius are possible even during the day in midsummer, as soon as the clouds move in. The weather often changes very quickly here on the mountain.

For activities on Männlichen you should therefore always have warm clothing with you, especially windproof jackets. On hikes lasting several hours, the onion technique is recommended for clothing. Sturdy and ankle-high mountain boots are a must

Männlichen WandernWandern Panoramatrail (Foto: Männlichen)
Männlichen WinterwandenWinterwandern (Foto: Männlichen by.davidbirri)

Location and approach to Männlichen

Männlichen is a mountain in the foothills of the Bernese Alps. Its summit is 2342 m above sea level. Two cable cars lead to Männlichen: one from Wengen, the other from Grindelwald. The mountain peak can be reached quickly by cable car from Grindelwald as well as from Wengen.

On foot, you can reach Männlichen from Grindelwald via a road in about a four-hour walk. From Wengen, it takes about three hours to reach Männlichen on a narrow and steep footpath.

Arrival by car

The fastest route for those arriving from Basel or Geneva is via Bern. For those arriving from Zurich, it is best to take the direction Lucerne and Brünig Pass. The pass is open all year round.

If you are coming from the south, you can reach this region via the Grimsel or Susten Pass. It should be noted that these two passes are only open in summer. Alternatively, the Simplon Pass can be driven. After that, the Lötschberg car transport is available.