Not sure if this has already been covered, I did search this forum with no luck. Taking a Rick Steves tour of Europe. We will have one free day in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. I would like to make the most of it while there. I was thinking of going up to Shlitzhorn then down to Berg, Murren, Gimmelwald . Would like to do some easy to moderate hiking and possibly staying till sunset in Murren before heading back down to the valley. Early morning I thought walking to Stechelburg before going up would be nice but not sure how long that takes. Does anyone suggest another itinerary for a day so I can absorb the magnificent views. Also should I try to squeeze in Grindlewald or just skip that area. Would prefer hiking mostly down instead of up.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
12309 posts
Walking to Stechelberg is lovely. Depends on your walking speed but about 3 miles from the train station to the Schilthornbahn (cable way to the mountaintop).
Hiking ideas from Mürren include the Northface Hike (not too hard, about 2 hours and 3.5 miles from the top of the Almendhubel funicular ) and the very easy hour-long walk from Mürren to Grütschalp paralleling the railroad track of the little clifftop train (less than 90 minutes, under 3 miles). From Grütschalp you take a cable way right into Lauterbrunnen.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you Laurel
Posted by
Moncton NB
1505 posts
My first time to the Valley was a one-day affair. We had the most memorable day on this itinerary:
- drove from Bern to Lauterbrunnen; parked at train station;
- cable car up to Grutschalp; connect to narrow-gauge train to Murren;
- walk / shop / coffee through Murren;
- Schilthornbahn up to top; and back down to Gimmelwald;
- easy downhill hike from Gimmelwald down to Stechelberg - there is a spot on this walk where you get a view down the entire valley - the one you often see in postcards;
- post bus from Stechelberg to Trummelbach falls - I love these falls that run INSIDE a mountain;
- from here, most of our group waited for the post bus back to Lauterbrunnen, but I walked along a path (not the road) back to Lauterbrunnen - the most wonderful, peaceful, immersive walk - saw waterfalls, spoke to farmers, petted cows;
- drove back to Bern.
All that in an easy day.
I suppose if you did the above itinerary in reverse, you would end in Murren for sunset, but I'm not sure how much value there is in waiting for sunset in Murren. Its a north/south valley so the sun sets pretty early behind the mountains west of the valley, leaving the town in the shade. If you're really into sunsets, I imagine they would be better on the east side of the valley around Wengen or Jungfraujoch - but I'll leave those more familiar with that side of the valley to comment on that.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you, Darren
Posted by
117 posts
The Northface hike is stunning. I highly recommend it if you have the time.