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Grindelwald - the Eiger village

Martinsloch (Martin’s Hole) on the Eiger

As in several other places, Grindelwald also has a Martinsloch through which the sun (or the moon) shines at certain times. The hole is located at the easternmost end of the Eiger, below the Ostegg. On 27 and 28 November, as well as from 13 to 16 January, the light shining through the Martinsloch can be seen near the church, and shortly after New Year in the Kirchbühl area. The spectacle begins at approximately 12.30 pm (Central European Time) and lasts between three and thirty minutes, depending on the observer’s position. Weather permitting, the phenomenon can be observed every day around midday between 24 November and 22 January.

Close-up of Martinsloch with direct sunlight shining through in winter.
© Jungfrau Region Tourism AG. CC0 (OpenData)
Martins hole detail information
Martins hole Event

Mountain communities and naming of areas

The properties with grazing rights on one of the seven alpine pastures together form the mountain community of the same name, which extends from the alpine pasture boundary fence above down to the Lütschine on the valley floor.
Going clockwise, starting in Burglauenen, we therefore have the mountain communities of outer and inner Bussalp (Schwendi/Bachsbort), followed by Bach, Holzmatten, Grindel and Scheidegg.
These are the five on the sunny side of the valley. On the shaded side are Wärgistal and Itramen.
The mountain communities operate independently in many respects. Grindelwald’s mountain community system, whose basic principles are more than half a millennium old (valley agreements dating from 1404 / 1538 / latest version dated 25 March 2002), has stood the test of time.

Field name map

Bench patronage

Treat yourself or a loved one to something extra special: choose a bench in your favourite spot and make someone special its patron. The annual price for a bench is CHF 300. This includes engraving, care and maintenance. The commitment is for five years (you make a one-off payment of CHF 1500 at the beginning of the patronage period).

Information on bench sponsorship
Two hikers are sitting on a bench. In the background are the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, and in the foreground is a meadow full of yellow flowers.
© Männlichenbahnen (GGM/LWM). Photograph by David Birri. CC0 (OpenData)
Spring landscape in Grindelwald. View of the village and valley, as well as the Eiger.
© David Birri. CC0 (OpenData)

Your cow, your cheese

Your cow will spend the summer on the mountain, grazing on healthy grass and herbs. The dairy farmer will milk the cow and process the milk into delicious cheese right on the mountain. In the autumn, you can pick up your cheese at the “Chästeilet” festival or by arrangement with the Alpine dairy farmer.

About Your cow - your cheese

Agriculture and tourism

In 2018, around 748,600 litres of cow’s milk were produced on the mountainside. Of this, 668,600 litres were used to make Alpine cheese and Alpmutschli, while the remaining 80,000 litres were taken down to the valley for further processing.

Agriculture and tourism
Cow in a mountain meadow near Mättenberg
© Jungfrau Region Tourism AG. CC0 (OpenData)

Info about Grindelwald

Here you will find some facts and figures, key historical events, and information about our twin towns.

4,318 inhabitants
1,050 metres above sea level
171 km2 municipal area
1’615'374 overnight stays in 2024
1’587'509 overnight stays in 2025
8000 guest beds
44 mountain railways and ski lifts
214 km of ski slopes
50 km of sledging runs
300 km of summer hiking and trail running trails
70 km of winter hiking trails
160 km of mountain biking trails

Grindelwald Tourism honours guests who regularly spend their holidays in the Eiger village. After ten years, they are recognised as ten-year Guests of Honour and receive a certificate. For twenty years of loyalty, guests receive another certificate and a gold pin. So far, over 4,000 loyal visitors to Grindelwald have been named Guests of Honour! Guests are nominated for this recognition by their hosts in Grindelwald. Anyone who has been “forgotten” is asked to inform Grindelwald Tourism. Children of existing Guests of Honour can also be nominated once they are adults and have regularly spent their holidays in Grindelwald for more than ten years.

As a ten-year Guest of Honour, you are invited to join the “Guests of Honour Club”. Support the idea behind the Guests of Honour Club and benefit from various discounts offered by the gold club card.

Register guests for recognition

Guests of Honour Club

The Guests of Honour Club was founded in 1992. Its initiators were Guest of Honour Walter Dürig, the then president of the Tourism Association Christian Brawand, and long-serving Tourism Director Joe Luggen. Walter Dürig served as the first president. All Guests of Honour of Grindelwald are invited to join the Guests of Honour Club.

Information is available on the following website: Guests of Honour Club website

  • Matsumoto, Japan
  • Myoko, Japan
  • Nara, Japan
 

Grindelwald’s local holiday home landlords’ association
In 1972, 73 owners of holiday homes came together to form Grindelwald’s local holiday home landlords’ association, then known as the VVFG. This meant that Grindelwald’s spa association at the time had a point of contact for local holiday flats as well as for hotels. The organisation was renamed “Wir Grindelwalder” in 2010. All 166 members live in Grindelwald. These expert hosts will be happy to advise you during your holiday and show you how to make memories that last a lifetime in the Grindelwald valley.


Registration

Our members have been spending their leisure time and holidays in this beautiful glacier village for years – in some cases for generations. The association has many close and friendly ties with local residents, as well as with various organisations such as Grindelwald Tourism and the Guests of Honour Club. We want to continue to nurture these relationships going forward. If you own a holiday apartment or a chalet and live elsewhere, we would be delighted to welcome you as a new member of our association. Interested?

Further Information

The Grindelwald Tourism Recognition Award honours exceptional commitment or achievements by natural or legal persons in the fields of tourism, culture, politics, social affairs and sport. The achievement must have a direct connection with Grindelwald. The prize is endowed with CHF 5000 and can be awarded annually. It is also permissible to award several recognition prizes per year.

Further Inforamtion & registration