These beautiful falls in the Bernese Oberland are famous as the setting for Sherlock Holmes’ apparent death. To reach the falls viewpoint, you ride a vintage funicular train up the mountain.
Open: May through October
Location: funicular - Reichenbach 8, 3860 Schattenhalb
Website: www.grimselwelt.ch
What to do
The falls viewpoint is a small fenced area overlooking the tallest part of the falls. You can optionally do a short hike further up the hill (stairs, uneven train) to viewpoints of the upper falls, about 30 mins one way.
At the top of the falls, there is a restaurant with a nice view of the Haslital valley. Return the way you came and ride funicular back down the mountain.
At the restaurant, you can rent mountain scooters and ride back to the valley. In this case, buy the combo ticket for one-way up the funicular + the scooter ride.
➡️ More info on SwissFamilyFun.com
How to get there
By car: parking at funicular station - Reichenbach 8, 3860 Schattenhalb. If these spots are full, you can park at the large car park at Meiringen Alpbach, then walk 8 mins to the funicular.
By public transport: These falls are a bit difficult to reach by public transport.
In most cases, you'll ride the train to Meiringen, then switch to a second train and ride one stop to Meiringen, Alpbach Sportanlagen. Then walk 8 mins to the funicular. From Interlaken, travel time is about 43 mins.
ℹ️ Although the bus stop Willigen, Klinik Reichenbach is right next to the Reichenbach Falls funicular station, the bus 174 from Meiringen only goes there a few times a day. Plus the schedule varies widely by season and day of the week. Check schedule on SBB.ch.
Tickets
You can purchase funicular tickets on-site. No reservations possible. Slight discount with Bernese Oberland Pass.
TIP💡The Aare gorge is close to these falls (2 min by car, 20 min walk to west entrance, no bus). So many people visit both in the same day. They sell a slightly discounted combo ticket that includes both attractions.
Nearby
The nearby Meiringen village is a nice place for lunch or their traditional dessert of meringue and double cream, perhaps at Restaurant Rössli.
