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Berner Oberland logistics

Posted by (NorCal) on

As part of our upcoming 14-day BOE itinerary, we're looking to cram as much value/beauty into the Lauterbrunnen Valley region as feasible. For anyone who's visited this area, how easy is it to get from an early-morning breakfast at Schilthorn (Piz Gloria) over to the North Face trail at Allmendhubel? We'd like to do the 2.5-mile hike from Allmendhubel into either Murren or Gimmelwald, but not sure how we get from breakfast locale over to the start of this hike.

1) Do you simply ride the Schilthornbahn back down to Murren and then catch the funicular (from there) up to Allmendhubel?

2) If that's the case, can you buy all necessary tickets/transfers at once?

3) For those who've taken this North Face trail hike, would you recommend arriving into Murren or Gimmelwald?
(believe the trail forks' before Murren).

Really appreciate any help and feedback, thanks!

Posted by
32350 posts

Matt,

Regarding your questions......

  1. Unless you hike down from the Schilthorn to connect with the trail (probably not advisable), you will have to take the Cable Car back to Mürren and then the Allmendhubel Funicular.
  2. You should be able to buy all the tickets at the same time (don't know, I've never tried).
  3. Your choice on whether to arrive back in Mürren or go to Gimmelwald. If you're energetic, go to Gimmelwald as it should be about lunch time by then. Check at the Pensione as their restaurant may be open. If not you could perhaps get a "cool one" at the Mountain Hostel.

One important point - WHEN is this trip taking place? Some points to keep in mind.....

  • The Gimmelwald Pensione restaurant apparently doesn't open until 15 June.
  • The Schilthorn Cable Car is out of service for maintenance from 20-24 April.
  • The Allmendhubel Funicular is out of service for maintenance from 7 April to 5 June.
Posted by
419 posts

Much obliged, Ken. Really helpful info.

We'll be in that region Jul 9-10, keeping fingers' crossed for amenable weather for views and hiking. Our plan is to stop in at the various cheese farms along the way, and at Suppenalp for a beverage or two. : ) Murren sounds like the closer of the two potential destinations, but I've read that Gimmelwald is not to be missed. According to Rick's book, if you opt to take the trail towards Gimmelwald, you actually go under a waterfall along the way. Just wondering what that would add to the already 4-hour (+/-) hike, on top of early-morning ride up to Schilthorn. Too much of a good thing? : )

Posted by
32350 posts

Matt,

Hopefully Chris or some of the others will have some comments to offer as well. I'm not much of a hiker, although I have taken the trail from Allmendhubel and back to Mürren. As I recall, the "trail" from Mürren down to Gimmelwald is paved, so not really a "hike". I'm not sure if that's the one you're referring to, but I don't remember a waterfall.

I definitely think Gimmelwald is worth a short visit. Stop at the Pension for a meal or a cool one on the patio. The Mountain Hostel is usually quite lively.

Posted by
11294 posts

" I've read that Gimmelwald is not to be missed."

That's Rick's opinion, but many of us who have been are less ecstatic. I found it an interesting half-day, but not worth a special detour However, it's easy enough to see from Mürren; you can either walk down the paved path, or take the cable car.

Posted by
419 posts

Thanks for everyone's help and experience factors. Chris, much obliged for the links to Map and real-time images.

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