The Murren to Gimmelwald Trail | A Hike for Everyone

One thing I love about the Bernese Oberland region, is no matter where you are there will be beautiful hikes to take part of. From a simple walk to alpine climbing and everything in between, the region offers all of that and more. The quaint mountainside town of Murren is no exception.

One of these scenic trails is the one that takes you from Murren to Gimmelwald. An easy downhill stroll, overlooking the one of a kind Lauterbrunnen Valley, this trail to Gimmelwald is one that anyone can take part of.

This guide will go over my experience on the trail and help you along the way with plenty of logistical info to get you started.

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1) Murren to Gimmelwald Overview

No matter what your hiking experience or fitness level is, the Murren to Gimmelwald hike will be for you. It is simple and straightforward, and offers some spectacular mountain and valley views throughout. Here are some quick facts about the trail to get you started:

Starting Point: Town of Murren
Ending Point: Town of Gimmelwald
Length: 2KM
Duration: 45 minutes
Trail Type: Mostly Pavement
Difficulty: Easy

2) How to Get to Murren

To take part of the trail, the first thing you will need to do is get to the car free, mountainside town of Murren. Once you are in town, it will be quite easy to follow the yellow hiking signs pointing you in the direction of Gimmelwald.

Getting to Murren, however will depend on where you are coming from. I will speak about logistics from a few main towns around the area – Interlaken, Wengen, and Grindelwald (not to be confused with Gimmelwald).

If you are staying in Murren, well then that should work out quite well for you as you will just need to walk out your front door.

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A) Interlaken to Murren

Step 1: Interlaken Ost Station to Lauterbrunnen (Train / 30 minutes)

The first part of the trip will consist of a 30 minute train ride from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen. These trains run pretty consistently (every half hour or so) and will bring you to the base of the valley, where you will continue your trip.

Note that if you aren’t staying directly near the main town of Interlaken, it might be easier and faster to first hop on a bus to Wilderswil and take the train from Winderswil to Lauterbrunnen.

Step 2: Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp (Cable Car / 5 minutes)

Once you are in the valley, take a 5 minute cable car up from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp. The cable car station is right outside of the train station and can’t be missed.

Step 3: Grutschalp to Murren (Mountain Railway / 15 minutes)

Once off of the quick cable car up above the valley, you can hop on the mountain train from Grutschalp to Murren. This mountain train will be timed up pretty nicely with the cable car and will take about 15 minutes to get to the lovely car free town of Murren.

B) Wengen to Murren

Step 1: Wengen Station to Lauterbrunnen (Train / 20 minutes)

The first part of the trip will consist of a 20 minute train ride from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. These trains also run pretty consistently (every half hour or so) and will bring you to the base of the valley, where you will continue your trip.

Step 2: Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp (Cable Car / 5 minutes)

Same as above – once you are in the valley, take a 5 minute cable car up from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp. The cable car station is right outside of the train station and can’t be missed.

Step 3: Grutschalp to Murren (Mountain Railway / 15 minutes)

C) Grindelwald to Murren

Step 1: Grindelwald Station to Zweilütschinen (Train / 20 minutes)

The first part of the trip will consist of a 20 minute train ride from Grindelwald to Zweilütschinen. These trains also run pretty consistently (every half hour or so).

Step 2: Zweilütschinen to Lauterbrunnen (Train / 10 minutes)

Once off the train at Zweilutschinen you can connect to your next train onto Lauterbrunnen. These connections will be timed up just right to give you a few minutes to get to the correct platform.

Step 3: Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp (Cable Car / 5 minutes)

Same as above – once you are in the valley, take a 5 minute cable car up from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp. The cable car station is right outside of the train station and can’t be missed.

Step 4: Grutschalp to Murren (Mountain Railway / 15 minutes)

NOTE: for all scenarios, another option to get to Murren from Lauterbrunnen is to take a bus from Lauterbrunnen station to Stechelberg, and then take two cable cars to Murren (Stechelberg – Gimmelwald & Gimmelwald – Murren).

Since you are taking part of the hike though, it may be nice to do the Lauterbrunnen – Grutschalp – Murren route and then continue on to Gimmelwald on the trail.

Hiking Resources & Checklist

Before heading out for the trails, be sure to read up on some of the hiking resources up on the site. These are here to better prepare you for all types of outdoor adventure.

Gear: Hiking Packing List

Weather: How to Prepare for Hiking Weather

Navigation: Hiking GPS & Navigation

Tips: 20+ Hiking Tips & Tricks for the Trail

Accommodation: Book Your Hotel Today

Rental Car: Book Your Car Rental Today

3) The Murren to Gimmelwald Hike

Once in Murren, it is time to follow those yellow hiking signs pointing you in the direction of Gimmelwald. The signs will point you down towards the valley before turning right towards Gimmelwald.

From there it will be a simple path to follow with a couple switchbacks across and down the mountain, where you might see some cows grazing around you.

As you are walking the trail you will see the Lauterbrunnen Valley down below and the snow cap peaks of the Alps out in the distance. The scenery is truly stunning in every which direction.

Once you are finished with the trail and end up in Gimmelwald, you can walk around this even smaller town and enjoy all that it has to offer.

From here you can either take the cable car back to Murren (5 minute ride back), or you can take the cable car (or walk) down to Stechelberg.

In Stechelberg you will be able to take a bus (or walk) the valley back to Lauterbrunnen and continue on with your day.

4) Potential Add Ons Around Murren

Since the Murren to Gimmelwald hike is not too long or strenuous, odds are you will want to do some more activities around the area now that you are already there. Here is a list of a few potential add ons to your day:

A) Schilthorn

Arguably the most popular and stunning place to visit nearby Murren is the top of Schilthorn. At 2,970 meters, Schilthorn will give you vast views of the Alps with the Jungfrau, Monch, Eiger trio out in the distance.

On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles of continuous peaks. Getting to Schilthorn from Murren only requires a couple additional cable cars (Murren – Birg and Birg – Schilthorn).

Once up top you can also visit the rotating restaurant, head into Bond World, and finish up one cable car ride in Birg to take part of the Thrill Walk.

» Read more about all of this in the Complete Guide to Schilthorn I put together

B) Hike the Lauterbrunnen Valley

As mentioned another option here is to walk down the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Stechelberg (you could also potentially walk from Gimmelwald to Stechelberg if you are up for it).

From Stechelberg you can simply follow the road towards Lauterbrunnen as you pass by the famous waterfalls coming off the side of the valley. You are sure to pass by farmland, streams, and more as you enjoy the walk down.

Be on the lookout for Trummelbach Falls, where for a small fee you can explore this “in mountain” waterfall throughout multiple levels.

» Learn much more in the Lauterbrunnen Valley Guide up on the site

C) Murren Funicular to Allmendhubel

One thing I did not have the opportunity to do while in the area was take the short funicular from Murren up to Allmendhubel.

Up in Allmendhubel you can find the Blumental Panorama Trail among some other great walking trails. There is also a great playground here if you are traveling with small children.

D) Murren Via Ferrata

I would not say this is an add on, rather it is an alternative to the trail. Instead of walking from Murren to Gimmelwald, you have the option of taking part of a Via Ferrata between the two towns.

If you are not familiar with what a via ferrata is, it is basically a hiking route, where you are clipped onto a metal wire with carabiners.

Throughout the route you will come across metal rungs, ladders, suspension bridges, and wires to cross. It is definitely something that will get your adrenaline going.

» Take a look at the Murren to Gimmelwald Via Ferrata guide for more.

Via Ferrata Murren Gimmelwald Side of Mountain

5) Where to Stay in Murren

There are a lot of different towns to choose from around the area. Here are a few top hotels in each one of these towns. Browse through Booking.com below to find the spot that is best for you.

Some of my top recommendations would be:

Murren

Interlaken

Wengen

Grindelwald

While the Murren to Gimmelwald trail is not something you will focus your entire day on, it is something that I would highly recommend taking part of if you are around the area. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Murren exploring all that the town had to offer and I am sure you will too!

Take a look at some other Switzerland itineraries and guides to help you with your travel planning and feel free to ask any questions below. Have fun out there!

Aziz dhilawala

Sunday 18th of February 2024

Hi Charles, I m visiting Switzerland in the end of May. I want to do brienz to Jungfraujoch from morning to afternoon. Then from there to wengen, lauterbrunnen and murren in afternoon to evening including murren to gimmewald walk. Is it possible?

Paul Pelican

Wednesday 17th of May 2023

We will be traveling with a group of 10, including a 2 year old and a pregnant daughter so easy hikes you recommend like Murren to Gimmelwald seem to be a good fit. We will be staying outside of town and are driving two cars and have read parking in the lot in Interlaken and trains to Wengen and Murren would be good for some of your suggested routes. Do you agree as this for our launch point. Also, is there a website you recommend to purchase tickets in advance for the trains and Gondolas? Thank you, Paul

Friday 19th of May 2023

@Charles, thank you for the quick reply and great suggestions. We are staying in Innertkirken, if we start by driving to Schilthorn, we'd take the gondola to Gimmelwald, Muren, Berg (Thrill Walk), considering there are 10 of us, any idea of the costs for round trip tickets? Also, would you suggest any other route? On the way back to Innertkirken, would a stop in Lauterbrunnen parking and rail to Wengen be good way to end the day trip with a visit to Wengen? Or would you suggest something else. Thank you again for your assistance.

Charles

Thursday 18th of May 2023

Hi Paul - if you are driving in and want to visit Murren/Wengen, you can actually head further up into the valley to Lauterbrunnen or even Stechelberg. That way you can save a train ride from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen. Most mountain tickets can simply be purchased on arrival. If you plan to visit Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch, you can buy ahead of time to reserve a spot. Enjoy!

@Paul Pelican, we will also be there May 30-June 3. Thank you,

Sharmila

Thursday 27th of April 2023

Thanks for all details. We would be travelling on may 20 2023 with 2 elders and 2 kids aged 8 and 10. So just wanted to know current situation. And also if we can do the trail from muren to gimmenwald. Will the climate favor this. Any possibility of rains. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi Sharmila - you should be able to do the trail in mid May. However, it is impossible to tell you what the weather will be like. There is always the possibility of rain in the mountains so it is best to be prepared to have a flexible schedule when traveling. Have fun!

Alex

Monday 23rd of January 2023

Hope u can help me . We were hoping to do an easy walk - Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg but we r going end of May and from what I have been reading the trail won’t b open yet . We are staying in Grindelwald can I suggest something that would be open but also an easy walk , i do pretty good but do have some knee issues / nothing with a steep descent , really appreciate any suggestions Thx kindly

Friday 27th of January 2023

Hi Alex - the Murren to Gimmelwald trail is a great option for the end of May. As you said, most likely the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Trail will be closed (but you never know). Another option is the Royal Walk, which is a short trail from Mannlichen. In the Grindelwald area, you may have luck with the Bachalpsee Lake hike if the snow has melted. Enjoy the trip!

Alejandro

Wednesday 22nd of June 2022

Hello Charles, i love your article and i´m getting my info from you for my trip to interlaken/lauterbrunnen in October. I was planing to do this : Interlaken train to Murren, walk from Murren to Gimmewald, then walk to Stechelberg, back to Lauterbrunnen by bus(or walk), and then do the Trummelbach Falls. Do you think if all this can be done in one day?. I know its a lot of walking but thats the idea. Thank you for your work!

Friday 24th of June 2022

Hi Alejandro - glad the article has helped and you enjoy your time in Switzerland. Yes, that itinerary can certainly be done and it is something similar to what I did when I was there. I just want to clarify a couple of things - you cannot take a train directly from Interlaken to Murren. Instead you must take a train to Lauterbrunnen and from there take a mixture of busses/cable cars/mountain railways to Murren depending on the exact route. Also to note - Trummelbach Falls is located between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen. So, you would add this in along the way and not after you have reached Lauterbrunnen.