Eiger Bike Challenge in Grindelwald
On 8 and 9 August 2026, the Eiger Bike Challenge brings around 1,000 mountain bikers to Grindelwald for one of Switzerland's largest events of its kind. The marked courses run through the terrain beneath the Eiger, and Grindelwald is a short trip from Wengen.
The event
The Eiger Bike Challenge is a fixture of the Swiss mountain-bike calendar, drawing roughly a thousand riders across two days of racing on marked courses around Grindelwald. Routes climb and descend through the meadows and forest tracks under the Eiger, with the north face as a constant backdrop, and the field ranges from serious competitors to riders taking on the shorter distances for the challenge alone.
It is a good event to watch as well as ride. Grindelwald turns out for the weekend, and the start and finish areas give spectators a clear view of the riders coming through.
A short trip from Wengen
Grindelwald is about 30 minutes from Wengen. Take the train down to Lauterbrunnen on the valley floor, then continue on toward Grindelwald, and you can be trailside for the morning's racing. Whether you are riding or watching, basing yourself in Wengen means the noise and crowds of race weekend stay one valley over, and you come home to a car-free village in the evening.
Riders looking to warm up will find plenty of terrain around Wengen, Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg in the days on either side of the event.
Practical information
Dates: 8 to 9 August 2026
Where: Grindelwald, Jungfrau region
Field: around 1,000 riders on marked courses
Getting there from Wengen: train to Lauterbrunnen, then on to Grindelwald, about 30 minutes
Format: participation mountain-bike event, spectator-friendly at start and finish
Plan your stay
August weekends fill quickly in the Jungfrau region, and staying at Victoria Lauberhorn, a Faern Collection Hotel, puts you a short train ride from the courses while keeping Wengen itself quiet. The hotel is in the centre of the car-free village, next to the railway station, so getting across to Grindelwald and back is straightforward. Book your August stay in good time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Eiger Bike Challenge?
The Eiger Bike Challenge is one of Switzerland's largest mountain-bike events, drawing around 1,000 riders to Grindelwald for two days of racing on marked courses. Routes climb and descend through the meadows and forest tracks under the Eiger, with the north face as a constant backdrop. The field ranges from serious competitors to riders taking on the shorter distances for the challenge alone.
When does the Eiger Bike Challenge take place?
The 2026 edition runs on 8 and 9 August in Grindelwald, in the Jungfrau region. Racing is spread across the two days on the marked courses around the village. It is a fixture of the Swiss mountain-bike calendar, and Grindelwald turns out for the whole weekend.
Can I just turn up and watch?
The event is spectator-friendly at the start and finish areas, which give a clear view of the riders coming through. It is a participation mountain-bike event, so it rewards watching as much as riding. No spectator ticket is mentioned in the event information.
How do I get there from Wengen, and where can I ride beforehand?
Grindelwald is about 30 minutes from Wengen: take the train down to Lauterbrunnen, then continue on toward Grindelwald, and you can be trailside for the morning's racing. Riders looking to warm up will find plenty of terrain around Wengen, Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg in the days on either side of the event. The region has 160 km of bike routes in all.
Why stay in Wengen rather than in Grindelwald for the race?
Basing yourself at Victoria Lauberhorn keeps the noise and crowds of race weekend one valley over, and you come home to a car-free village in the evening. The hotel is in the centre of Wengen, next to the railway station, so getting across to Grindelwald and back is straightforward. E-bike rental is available at the hotel, and August weekends fill quickly in the Jungfrau region, so book in good time.