We're headed to Switzerland at the end of Jan/Early Feb and I was planning on following Rick's advice about staying in Murren/Gimmelwald for 3 nights however the Schilthorn will be closed while we are there. Is it still worth it to stay over there or should we consider Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald instead?
Posted by
Chicago
3179 posts
I would definitely still stay up in the mountains. Who needs the Schilthorn? :-) You’ll love the views above Lauterbrunnen. I would stay in Murren or Wengen.
I have stayed at Hotel Edelweiss Superior in Murren and Hotel Schonegg in Wengen. I highly recommend both.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6583 posts
Will you be in Luzern at all? If so, there are 3 different possible mountain experiences there. We went to the top of Mt. Rigi. Gorgeous boat ride across the lake to a cog wheel train to the top of the mountain. We loved it. If you get the Swiss Travel Pass, it is included.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis, MN
3 posts
Yes, we will have a short stay in Luzern. Thanks for the recs!
Posted by
Nashville, TN
618 posts
The very top of Schilthorn is closed, but you can still go all the way up to Birg at that time, which is still great. You'll get dramatic elevated views from there.
The Schilthornbahn cable car system goes from Stechelberg to Murren to Birg to Schilthorn and a separate option to go down to Gimmelwald, now that the new direct route opens this weekend directly from Stechelberg to Murren. Anyway, all that to say, the very top isn't the only great part about that area.
Posted by
Switzerland
171 posts
You can take a look at the hiking/sledding pass for the area - 3 days is 176.00 CHF. Even if not hiking or sledding you can still enjoy the snowy mountain scenery.
https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/jungfrau-ski-region/jungfrau-region-hiking-sledging-pass/#2395
Some of the most popular summer hiking routes are open in the winter as well, with spectacular views! Like this one: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/winter-hiking/winter-walking-trail-maennlichen-kleine-scheidegg/
Under FAQ you can see what areas are covered by the pass. That list, together with the map, will help you to visualise what all is available in the area.
Gimmelwald is small and now that the new route, mentioned by Wanderweg above, is opening, the connections here will be less frequent. Look on SBB.ch to see Stechelberg (Schilthornbahn) - Mürren in the coming days will run 4x/hour with Gimmelwald - Mürren 2x/hr.
Lauterbrunnen does not get much sun in winter, only a few hour a day.
I would choose Mürren, Wengen or Grindelwald - all three are extremely beautiful in winter! I have been hiking some of the winter trails already this year - wonderful!
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis, MN
3 posts
All such helpful advice! I think we'll stay in Murren based on the recommendations.