The Jungfrau region offers some of the best hiking locations in the world and Männlichen Panorama Trail is one for you. One of the most famous trails is from Kleine Scheidegg to Männlichen peak or vice versa. The hike allows visitors to enjoy the panoramic views of Monch, Eiger, and Jungfrau mountain range as well the amazing Grindelwald down the valley. I have included this hike as one of the 5 best in Grindelwald, you can check as well all others here: Best Grindelwald hikes. If you are around this region on your trip to Switzerland, you must take your time to enjoy the iconic views as you traverse the trail. The trail is categorized as quite easy so anyone looking to go for a hike in the region can enjoy hiking through this trail. When hiking through the trail it gives you a chance to enjoy spectacular views of both the mountain peaks and as well the beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley.
This hike is suitable for all ability levels as well as ages. It is perfect for travelers, families or individuals with limited time who want to do a short, exciting and memorable trip to the Jungfrau region. If you have a very short time in Switzerland and still would like to some hiking, then this is the perfect location for you to hike as you enjoy the scenic views of the Swiss Alps.
In this article I would like to consider both options of this trail: From Kleine Scheidegg to Männlichen and vica versa. The hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is even easier as most of the time you will descent.
Table of Contents
What you need to know about this Männlichen hike
Distance: pretty easy 5.4 kilometers
Elevation: 295 meters (if you start in Kleine Scheidegg)
Difficulty level: Easy. From Männlichen it is even easier.
Duration: up to 2 hours
Costs: depending on where you start – 50-60 CHF for public transport.
Trail: very well maintained, clean, nothing technical, easy for anyone.
Once you know all the facts about the trail you will be able to make the right decision in choosing the time and the kind of group that you would hike together. The trail is open from mid-June through October and this is usually dependent on the existing weather conditions. It is possible to hike in other times, but it will be snowed in and you should have snowshoes with you.
This trail is one of the rare opportunities to be very high in the mountains, enjoy amazing views of two huge valleys and multiple white peaks and at the same time it is very easy hike. You won’t have to push yourself hard to along the way. It’s easy breezy. It’s not a walk in the flat town square, but it’s not like gaining 1 kilometer in elevation 🙂
How to Get to Männlichen
It is important to note that you can get to Männlichen from Wengen, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.
Grindelwald is the biggest one of these all, so it’s easier to park your car right there, the best to park in Grund (small village below Grindelwald), it has a huge parking lot there next to the train station.
From Wengen to Männlichen cable car
If you happen to be in Wengen and you want to get Männlichen then you should consider using the aerial cableway. It is much faster and more efficient than any other means of transport. Please have a look at all the prices and departure schedules right here: Wengen cable car.
If you are in Lauterbrunnen, which as well is a perfect location to park your car, you can reach Wengen by train. It is just 12 minutes ride UP.
From Grindelwald to Männlichen
It is actually a bit easier and efficient to go by train to Kleine Scheidegg from Grindelwald and start your hike right there, but it is possible to get straight to Männlichen with a cable car from Grindelwald.
The cable car from Grindelwald goes very often and it starts its work from June. Have a look at all the time schedules right here: Grindewald to Männlichen.
If you choose this cable car, it is a perfect opportunity to make pictures as all Grindelwald, the cute Swiss village, will be under you, you will be able to see the whole valley and as well the big walls of Eiger mountain.
Nonetheless, if you are an expert hiker and look for a challenge you can do all the hike from Grindelwald to Männlichen. It is going to be up to 5 hours hike via Kleine Scheidegg. Going uphill requires extra energy and a whole new level of motivation as it is not an easy hike, you are going to gain more than 1 kilometer in elevation, you must be in a good shape to do it. I have done myself multiple hikes to Kleine Scheidegg from Grindelwald and it always seems that Kleine Scheidegg is a nice and perfect place to finish the hike 🙂 So you must be extra motivated to continue it 🙂 But of course, during all hike you can enjoy the scenic mountains and Eiger is in your neighbourhood for at least 2-3 hours on this hike 🙂
Costs to consider
Let’s have a look at prices of all possible options:
Train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg: 31 CHF one way.
Cable car from Wengen to Männlichen: 24 CHF one way.
Cable car from Grindelwald to Männlichen: 30 CHF one way.
NOW, as you are finished with the hike, you must consider getting back. I highly recommend going down all the way, if it is Männlichen or Kleine Scheidegg to your hotel or car, but for that you need much more time. Walking down from Männlichen to Grindelwald can take 2-3 hours, same to Lauterbrunnen. From Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald is 1h30-2 hours hike down.
So if you do not have time, you must then buy additional tickets from the end point. If it’s Männlichen, you will have to use the cable car, if it’s Kleine Scheidegg, you will have to go with train.
But it is safe to say, that you need to double the price for the whole Männlichen panorama trail adventure. So the total costs for you to use the public transport will be 50-60 CHF depending on where you start. Starting from Lauterbrunnen will be even higher.
The Männlichen trail map
Ok, so it is time to have a look at the map of Männlichen panorama trail:
In this map you see the harder version of this hike: From Kleine Scheidegg to Männlichen.
Once you are in Kleine Scheidegg, you will see the trail on your right (on the other side actually is Jungfraujoch, Eiger glacier, huge valley and it’s not really possible to hike up there a lot as even the train goes into the mountain).
The trail in the beginning is a bit steep, but nothing to worry about. Go easy, 2-3km/h and you will be just fine. Afterwards it’s almost flat, of course some small hills on the way, but very easy. The hike goes a bit steeper in the end again, but it’s not hard and you will reach the peak in the end.
Right before the end of the hike there’s cable car stations and a restaurant, but I suggest to go to the total end and rest afterwards. On the peak there’s small view point. Congrats, you are at 2343 meters altitude!
Afterwards, enjoy your lunch in the restaurant or your own packed food 🙂 If you feel that you have power: you can simply hike back to Kleine Scheidegg, but it is always cool to take the cable car 🙂 Which can take you to Grindelwald or Wengen.
Hiking from Männlichen to Klein Scheidegg
As well, many people usually prefer to hike Männlichen panorama trail downwards because it is easier and you can easily finish your trail without breaking too much sweat. It will be very easy walk with stunning views. It is important to note that the trail downhill is well marked and you can easily follow it. Before you arrive at Kleine Scheidegg you will pass by a restaurant. You can eat some freshly cooked dishes and a viewing platform that is raised in the restaurant will allow you to have some of the best views in the area. Once you have reached your destination, Klein Scheidegg you can take a train to your next destination. The trains in this area usually pass by Wengen and Grindelwald.
I would suggest to spend more time in Kleine Scheidegg as it is a very beautiful location. It has restaurants, shops, hotels, cute little train station with many red trains. It is a very well maintained mountain location/station. From here goes trains to the famous Jungfraujoch.
How to have the best experience
It is better if you mark your calendar and choose the right time to go hiking in this trail. When you have selected the right time, you do not have to worry about weather changes or any other challenge that you might face while hiking. It is best to visit the panorama trail during clear sky day, because if it is foggy, you won’t be able to see anything around. Sometimes when it is foggy in the mountains, you can see just couple of meters ahead of you. When you visit the area on a clear day you will get to view the amazing Jungfrau, Eiger, and Monch. These are majestic mountains in Jungfrau region. As well the views to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys.
So you should check the weather reports for the region before visiting the area. But always check exactly Männlichen weather or Kleine Scheidegg, not Grindelwald, as these places can have completely different weathers. Also, check the transportation updates if there are routes that are closed for upgrade or maintenance, especially the cable cars; trains mostly go non stop.
This hike is not very hard, so simple hiking shoes suffice, or even simple sport shoes, but in the mountains it is always the best to have goretex shoes, you never know if weather suddenly changes.
Have at least 1 liter of water for each person.
Take good warm clothes just in case. It may be 30 degrees by Celsius ( 86°F) in Grindelwald, but it can be chilly up there. It especially gets colder once you reach Kleine Scheidegg, so the higher, the colder.
Take some snacks with you if you don’t want to spend money in the restaurants. Decent meals in those places can cost you 20-30 CHF, coffe 5-6 CHF.
Oh, and I want to mention one thing: If you are planning to spend more than one day in Jungfrau region, maybe all week, consider then buying Jungfrau pass. It is a ticket which you buy and can use for specific time for all the cable cars, trains and so on around Jungfrau region. There’s so much to explore up there. Have a look here: Jungfrau pass. If you plan to travel and hike a lot around there, it will save you tons of money.
Conclusion
In my opinion, this is one of the easiest hikes in Jungfrau region. But of course, it comes with the cost. I have done hikes to Kleine Scheidegg and then back to Grindelwald completely free (you pay the price with your legs), but it took me sometimes up to 7 hours to complete the loop. So if you just want to enjoy the mountains, views, and don’t sweat it, go right up there and do this Männlichen panorama trail.
I think this hike as well is very family friendly, because even small kids can go down to Kleine Scheidegg from Männlichen. It’s a pleasure for all the family.
If you fall in love with Männlichen panorama trail, why don’t you try others? I have prepared some more for you: there are multiple hikes from Grindelwald and from Lauterbrunnen. You can hike to Grosse Scheidegg, to Mürren, to Gimmelwald, the possibilities are almost endless 🙂
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