Mürren and Gimmelwald

Mürren and Gimmelwald perch on a shelf high above the Lauterbrunnen valley, and neither has cars. Mürren is the larger, a traditional winter sports village at the foot of the Schilthorn, facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, with hotels, restaurants, a sports centre and the rack railway to Allmendhubel. Gimmelwald is a small farming hamlet lower down, on the Schilthorn cable car line, with wooden chalets and a quiet, rural feel. Switzerland Tourism describes Mürren as a car-free village high above the valley and lists the 471 metre Mürrenbach Falls, called the highest waterfall in Switzerland, within reach on foot or near the cable car. A footpath links the two villages through meadows with a view of the cliffs and the glaciers opposite. Both villages are small enough to explore in a few hours and big enough for a night or two.

You can reach the villages by the Schilthorn cable car from Stechelberg, which stops at Gimmelwald and Mürren, or from Lauterbrunnen by the cable car to Grütschalp and the railway on to Mürren. The Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp cable car, closed for renovation in spring 2026, reopened on 11 July 2026.

The Stechelberg to Mürren section was closed for maintenance from 19 to 30 October 2026 and is now back in service. The Mürren to Allmendhubel railway is closed from 19 October to 11 December, so the Flower Park and the panorama restaurant there are not available now.

The winter ski season starts with weekend operation from 31 October to 20 November 2026 and full winter operation from 21 November, according to the Schilthorn railway's own page. A slalom race is scheduled in the Engetal area for 17 and 18 November. Many Mürren hotels and restaurants open for the winter season, and some close between seasons, so check opening dates before you book a stay or a meal. The village is quiet in early November, which suits walkers who want empty paths.

A good plan is to take the cable car up from Stechelberg, walk through Gimmelwald, stroll along the path to Mürren, and have lunch there before continuing to the Schilthorn or returning by cable car. Wear shoes with grip, since shaded paths can be icy, and carry layers because the temperature falls quickly when the sun leaves the ledge.

If you stay overnight, the evening views of the peaks and the sound of the valley below are the reward for a slower trip. The villages are also a good alternative to the lifts that are closed for revision.