One thing I always say is, “Switzerland is amazing, but it’s so expensive that it’s hard to call it a ‘good value’ trip.” But today, I want to introduce you to a region that’s worth braving those high prices for—somewhere I’m already longing to return. Part of it is because my visit felt too short, but mostly it’s because the scenery here is almost unreal. Let’s explore Mürren, Gimmelwald, and Lauterbrunnen together.
Table of Contents
Mürren
How to Get to Mürren
After a quick swim in Interlaken, I hopped on a train to my next destination, Mürren. The views from the train were so stunning I was left speechless—classic Swiss nature at its best.
Getting to Mürren is a bit complicated. First, take a train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen. Then, transfer to the Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp cable car. After the cable car, you’ll find the mountain train to Mürren waiting right outside the station. The views from the train are absolutely surreal—you’ll find yourself gasping in awe.
When you step off at Mürren station, you’ll see the Alps spread out before you like a painting. The towering peaks you spot in the distance are the famous trio: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Why I Chose Mürren
Honestly, the main reason I wound up in Mürren was because of accommodation. I originally wanted to stay in the Grindelwald region, but couldn’t find a room anywhere. While searching around, I managed to book a reasonably-priced hotel in Mürren.
Despite visiting during peak season, I snagged a room at the Hotel Alpina for about 95 CHF (around $115 USD) per night. I wasn’t expecting much, but the room was clean and the balcony was spacious—the experience exceeded my expectations.
My room faced the village, so there wasn’t much of a view from the front. But at the edge of the balcony, the panorama was beautiful.
- Hotel Alpina: Hauptstrasse, 3825 Mürren, Switzerland
The Famous Tree Stump
There’s something called the “Mürren Stump” that seems to be popular here. It’s not that special—just a viewpoint with the stump, really. A Korean tourist asked me to take a picture of them, and in return, they snapped a pic of me. Still, the scenery was breathtaking. At the time I wished the weather had been better, but looking back, I was grateful for what I got—especially considering what was to come the next day.
Waterfalls and Hikes
I didn’t have a fixed itinerary—I just wandered and found a waterfall on the map, so I headed down a mountain trail. After seeing the waterfall, I felt like hiking a bit further, so I ventured deeper into the forest. The slope was so steep I wondered if I was on the right path.
The trail kept going—at one point, there were steel rungs embedded in the cliff and a cable to hold onto. I figured since I’d come this far, I might as well keep going. But soon, there was only a tightrope across a sheer drop. No matter how much effort I’d put in, my life wasn’t worth risking—so I turned right back around.
I learned it’s wise to turn back if a trail feels unsafe, even if it technically counts as a path. Later, I found out this was part of the famous Via Ferrata—the iron-clad cliffside route between Mürren and Gimmelwald, which you’re supposed to tackle with safety gear. I had no idea at the time and almost walked it barehanded—what a close call!
If you’re curious, check out videos of the Via Ferrata from Mürren to Gimmelwald. Just thinking about tightrope-walking over a cliff gives me chills!
- Via Ferrata Mürren-Gimmelwald: Intersport Chalet Enzian, 3825 Mürren, Switzerland
The Charm of Mürren
After that accidental adrenaline rush, I safely made it back to Mürren. With a population of less than 500, it’s a tiny mountain village with a cozy, welcoming vibe. In contrast, the scenery surrounding the village is absolutely magnificent — just stop anywhere and you’re greeted by postcard-perfect views.
Mürren is close to Jungfrau, but it’s less famous than Grindelwald, so prices are a bit more reasonable. If you’re looking for a base to explore the Jungfrau region, I highly recommend staying in Mürren.
After swimming and hiking, I was starving. But with restaurant prices so high, I grabbed a discounted salad and cup noodles from the supermarket, and rounded out my meal with a beer. Pro tip: The cup noodles weren’t great!
Gimmelwald
After an early night, I trekked from Mürren to Gimmelwald the next morning. Along the way, I spotted an Alpine chamois—my first time seeing one in the wild. Its backward-curving horns were especially striking. The walk from Mürren to Gimmelwald takes about 40 minutes. The trail is well-maintained, and you’re treated to nonstop views of Jungfrau on your left as you descend—making it a truly enjoyable hike.
Gimmelwald is even smaller than Mürren, with only about 100 residents. The village itself isn’t much to see, but the alpine scenery rivals anything in Switzerland. I’m not sure if people actually live in these traditional Alpine wooden homes or if they’re primarily Airbnbs, but the flowers are beautiful and everything seems meticulously maintained.
There’s a playground right in front of the Gimmelwald cable car station. With only about 100 residents in town, I wondered how many children there could possibly be—but honestly, it has the best playground view I’ve ever seen.
To get to Lauterbrunnen, I took the Gimmelwald–Stechelberg cable car down. By the way, all the trains and cable cars I’ve used in the area have been free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is a village nestled in a valley surrounded by high mountains, famous for its countless waterfalls tumbling down sheer cliffs.
One of the most impressive is the Mürrenbachfall, right next to Stechelberg station—it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland, at over 400 m (about 1,300 ft). Photos don’t do it justice; it just looks like a thin stream, but the scale is staggering.
After a quick stop at Mürrenbachfall, I took bus #141 towards Lauterbrunnen station to catch the iconic view of the church and Staubbachfall.
For the quintessential Lauterbrunnen photo—church with Staubbachfall behind—get off at the “Lauterbrunnen, Dorf” stop on bus #141. The view is jaw-dropping; you won’t know where to look. The only downside was the weather—it rained for the first time during my trip, and it just happened to be here.
Even with the gloomy weather, the scenery was incredible. It makes me wonder how stunning this place must be on a sunny day. I left promising myself I’d come back again.
Final Thoughts
Today, I kept the information straightforward and shared my simple travel diary. With the Swiss Travel Pass, all the transport you need to visit these villages is covered, and other than some trekking, there wasn’t much else to report. Still, if you have any questions about routes or anything else related to Mürren, Gimmelwald, or Lauterbrunnen, feel free to leave a comment!
If you’re dreaming of a picturesque Swiss getaway, this region delivers both the iconic mountain landscapes and tranquil village charm—plus a bit of adventure if you want it. Just be ready for those Swiss price tags!
HDND travel
Journeys, Kept Fresh