Gimmelwald one day from Interlaken

I think both routes will be scenic, just different scenery. I love the views from the valley floor too, and much of the train ride from Grutschalp to Murren is in the trees.

I don't feel expert enough to advise you on which is easier to navigate, or better, but I will say that the walk across Murren is relatively flat and there are several places to sit down on benches and rest if needed.

Train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, cable car up to Grutschalp, train to Murren, walk across Murren, cable car to Gimmelwald.

That said, you'll need to get back, so perhaps you can do the other way down? Cable car down from Gimmelwald to the valley floor, and then bus back to Lauterbrunnen? That's the route I haven't taken as we walked that path instead.

I guess the other question is what you want to do in Gimmelwald? It's a very, very small town. If you are looking for terrific alpine scenery, I think you can get it from Murren without going all the way to Gimmelwald.

The loop route would take the train from Interlaaken to Lauterbrunnen. Then ascend to Murren. The first four minutes is by cable car to Grutschalp where you are transferred to the train to Murren. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

You can then walk a paved, easy trail from Murren to Gimmelwald in about 45 minutes. The views of the Eiger. Munch and Jungfrau mountain peaks are spectacular on this hike. The walk is very easy. and is slightly downhill. The only consideration is if your knee cannot tolerate a 45-minute walk. In that case, you can rest along the way. If you’re feeling flush, you can take the 5-minute Murren-to-Gimmelwald gondola for the equivalent of $134! Your Swiss Travel Pass may cover this.

Then you can take the 5-minute cable car from Gimmelwald to Stechelberg on the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor. A bus will then take you from Stechelberg back to Lauterbrunnen.

I often do this loop (including walk down to Gimmelwald) at the end of my working day to have a beer at the Pension Gimmelwald. Its nice, but not something that you need to spend a whole day on.

With the Swiss Travel Pass you do not need any additional tickets for this trip.

If you have knee issues that make you concerned about walking 15 minutes, then I’d rethink your plan to spend the day in Gimmelwald. The only thing to do there is walk. I’d add in some things in the area so you don’t feel like you’re just sitting in one spot the whole day.

With limited mobility, I’d do this:

Interlaken > Train to Lauterbrunnen > Bus to Stechelberg > Cable car up to Schilthorn for dramatic and expansive alpine views (just a viewing platform, no real walking) > cable car down to Mürren for a bit of walking around the village (it’s flat around the main village shops) — do some shopping and perhaps lunch (great views from here so it’s worth your time) > Cable car down to Gimmelwald (you can walk in a flat section to see some of the farms) + maybe have dinner at the Pension if you’re up for it (reservations required, dinner is at 7) > cable car down to Stechelberg > Bus to Lauterbrunnen > train to Interlaken

If you literally can’t walk more than 5-10 minutes, then do
Interlaken > Train to Lauterbrunnen > Bus to Stechelberg > Cable car up to Schilthorn > cable car down to Mürren (lunch at the hotel right next to the cable car station - Hotel Alpenruh) > Cable car down to Gimmelwald (walk a few minutes to the Pension for drinks and a view) > cable car down to Stechelberg > Bus to Lauterbrunnen > train to Interlaken

Murren-to-Gimmelwald gondola for the equivalent of $134!

Nope, it is only CHF 6.40 (currently about $8.00), half of that if you have a HFC and free with various other passes.

That amount was listed in a number of sources online. In looking further, it looks like there’s a lot of online misinformation about the cost. Some might be conflating the cost of the Schilthorn ticket.
Good news that it’s only a fraction of that amount.

There's not a lot of tourist infrastructure in Gimmelwald so it's not a place to do things, just to be and see. It's also not as remote and isolated as RS makes it sound. Just undeveloped.

AI isn’t a great option for answering questions here. Also, to clarify since the poster has mobility issues, the walk from Mürren to Gimmelwald isn’t slightly downhill. It’s around 900 ft of decline.

Thank you all so much for your replies and advice! This is extremely helpful to us in planning this day in Gimmelwald/Murren!