The junction under the Eiger
Kleine Scheidegg lies at 2,061 metres between Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. The operator calls it the "Top of Hiking". Trains of the Wengernalpbahn arrive from Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald, and the Jungfrau Railway starts here for the Jungfraujoch. The station has restaurants and a lodge.
You can use it as a stop on the way up, as the change point on the classic route or as the start of a walk. It is also a good place to wait when the summit is in cloud.
The Wengernalpbahn
The line that brings you to Kleine Scheidegg holds a record.
Longest rack railway
According to the operator, the Wengernalpbahn is the longest continuous rack railway in the world, at 19,114 metres. It runs from Lauterbrunnen via Wengen and from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg.
From Lauterbrunnen and Wengen
Lauterbrunnen to Wengen takes 11 minutes. Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, including Wengen, takes 38 minutes in total.
From Grindelwald
The line from Grindelwald climbs to the same station. Interlaken Ost to Kleine Scheidegg takes about 1 hour 4 minutes via Lauterbrunnen and about 1 hour 13 minutes via Grindelwald.
Jungfraujoch tours and tickets
Day trips that include Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfrau Railway, and tickets with live prices and availability.
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Trains to the Jungfraujoch
The Jungfrau Railway begins at Kleine Scheidegg. The line is 9.34 kilometres long, of which 7.6 kilometres run in a tunnel through the Eiger and the Mönch. It takes 43 to 44 minutes to the top. The first stop is Eigergletscher, five minutes away, where the Eiger Express arrives from Grindelwald.
From Interlaken Ost the classic route via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg takes 2 hours 7 minutes, against 1 hour 37 minutes on the fast route. From Wengen it is 1 hour 25 minutes to the top. The CHF 10 seat reservation, mandatory from 1 May to 31 October 2026, covers the Jungfrau Railway from Kleine Scheidegg and back.
Full times and a comparison of both routes are on the routes page. For the line itself, see the Jungfrau Railway page.
Walking from Kleine Scheidegg
The operator describes this area as the "Top of Hiking". These are the walks we can confirm.
Jungfrau Eiger Walk
An easy path from Eigergletscher to Kleine Scheidegg, about 1 hour, between 2,321 and 2,062 metres, under the Eiger north face. Take the train up to Eigergletscher and walk down to the pass.
Eigergletscher →Eiger Trail
This path leaves from Eigergletscher, not Kleine Scheidegg, and runs about 2 hours downhill to Alpiglen (6.1 km, 2,348 to 1,616 metres). It is weather dependent.
Eigergletscher →Do not forget the weather
The ridge is exposed. Check the forecast and webcams before you decide to walk.
Best time and weather →Maintenance closures, autumn 2026
The Wengernalpbahn is out of service on two sections this autumn.
| Dates in 2026 | Section closed |
|---|---|
| 26 October to 6 November | Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg |
| 9 November to 4 December | Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg |
From 9 to 20 November the Eiger Express is also closed, so trains to the Jungfraujoch run only via Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg. The Jungfrau Railway itself ran on every sample date until the end of December. Check the timetable for your day.
Prices from the villages below
Return fares to the Jungfraujoch for adults, 2026, from the operator's price calculator. Prices on the day can differ.
| Start | Summer to 31 Oct (with reservation) | Winter from 13 Dec |
|---|---|---|
| Wengen | CHF 248.00 (Half Fare Card CHF 129.00) | CHF 200.00 (Half Fare Card CHF 100.00) |
| Lauterbrunnen | CHF 260.00 (Half Fare Card CHF 135.00) | CHF 214.00 (Half Fare Card CHF 107.00) |
| Interlaken Ost | CHF 271.20 (Half Fare Card CHF 140.60) | CHF 225.60 (Half Fare Card CHF 112.80) |
With the Jungfrau Travel Pass you pay only a connection ticket for the top: CHF 89 in summer including the reservation, CHF 63 in winter. More on the Jungfrau Travel Pass page and in the ticket price overview.
The railway that starts here
Kleine Scheidegg is the base of the Jungfrau Railway, and the history of the line explains the station.
Plan and construction
Adolf Guyer-Zeller received the concession on 21 December 1894. Work began with the first spade cut on 27 July 1896. He died on 3 April 1899, long before the line reached the top.
Opening in 1912
The breakthrough at the Jungfraujoch came on 21 February 1912, and the line opened in 1912 after 16 years of work. Thirty workers died. In 1912 the ride took 1 1/4 hours. Today it takes 25 to 26 minutes from Eigergletscher.
The line today
The track has a gauge of 1,000 millimetres and a maximum gradient of 250 per mille. It runs on three-phase current at 1,125 volts and has been a rack railway all the way since 1951.
Jungfrau Railway →Kleine Scheidegg: frequently asked questions
How high is Kleine Scheidegg?
2,061 metres above sea level.
How long does it take from Interlaken Ost to Kleine Scheidegg?
About 1 hour 4 minutes via Lauterbrunnen and about 1 hour 13 minutes via Grindelwald, based on a sample date in November.
How long is the train from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch?
43 to 44 minutes. The first stop, Eigergletscher, is only 5 minutes from Kleine Scheidegg.
Is the line to Kleine Scheidegg closed in autumn 2026?
Yes, in parts. The Grindelwald section is closed from 26 October to 6 November, the Wengen section from 9 November to 4 December.
Is Kleine Scheidegg accessible for wheelchair users?
Wheelchair users must register by phone in advance when travelling via Kleine Scheidegg. The route via the Eiger Express is step-free throughout.