It is not known precisely when the first people settled the valley of Grindelwald. In all probability mountain Celts immigrated in the first millennium over Grosse and Kleine Scheidegg and domicilated here.In the year 1146 the name of Grindelwald was mentionned for the first time in a document. King Conrad ensured protection for the properties in Grindelwald of the monastery of Interlaken.
It is not known from where the name is derived. Linguists think that there could be an explication in the old Celtic word «grindel»."Grindel" was the word for wooden wall. At this time Grindelwald was a wooded valley.