I have a quick weekend to spend in the Grindelwald,Switzerland area. Can anyone recommend some good low key solo climbs that would afford good views of the eiger and big mountains of the area?

Grindelwald is close under the Eiger and gives very foreshortened views of the North Face. In fact, getting out of the car in Grindelwald, it took me a few seconds to recognise that I was, in fact, looking up at the Eiger.

You can catch the train up to Kleine Scheidegg which gives probably the best views of the North Face of the Eiger.

You can walk over to the foot of the face from Kleine Scheidegg but, again, this gives a foreshortened view as you get closer.

You could try heading to the Lauberhorn which is on the opposite side of Kleine Scheidegg. It might offer some easy scrambles (it's a ski area in winter) with good views over to the Eiger.

If you want the best overview of the peaks, you might consider doing something on the opposite side of the valley. As stated above if you go right up to them the view is foreshortened.
I would recommend one of these as a climb. You could also spend the time hiking E – W on the trails at the top of the First Lift for varying views of all the peaks.

Reeti and Simelihorn are more directly across from Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau.

http://www.summitpost.org/reeti-simelihorn/152884

http://www.summitpost.org/schwarzhorn-g ... ald/152886

Here is a photo of the Eiger from near the base of Reeti and Simelihorn.

http://www.summitpost.org/eiger/890677/c-150228

Eiger from summit of Schwarzhorn.

http://www.summitpost.org/summit-of-sch ... 28m/464108

Good photo album from area

http://www.fintastique2.50megs.com/15reeti.htm

Moench- need to be comfortable with crampons and walking up an exposed, narrow ridge.

thanks guys! very helpful

any good place you recommend to stay? alpine hut or otherwise?

This area was my first visit to the alps and I was just stunned by the beauty. It was as if I was in a fairy tale. Not what you ask for but there are some great hiking loops that can be done from Gridelwald. You can hike a loop passed the base of the Eiger, through Kleine Scheidegg and around to Wengen then train back down the Lauterbrunnen valley and back to Grindelwald. It's a perfect day hike. Up on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen is also very nice with the small town of Gimmelwald and the larger Murren.