Tanzbodeli/Obersteinberg Hike Question

A few things...

1. Oberhornsee tends to run dry in the mid-late summer, so just be aware of that depending on when you're going. You may want to ask at Obersteinberg once you arrive what the status is before continuing. If it's dry, hiking down into Trachsellauenen is still beautiful.

2. I'm assuming you're very physically fit or you wouldn't have chosen this hike. The ascent from Im Tal to Busengrat is basically a stair climber in the woods and to go all the way to Oberhornsee you should allow 12 hours to be on the safe side, especially if you want to stop for a meal/drink at Obersteinberg, etc.

3. If you're going to do one of these, i'd choose Route B. Schmadribach is a lot more impressive than Talbach, which you have to detour down to and the angle you see it at is a little awkward + the climb down to it is really sketchy. The upper route around Trachsellauenen is beautiful and you'll pass some beautiful waterfalls.

4. I have an e-bike in Murren, so I ride up to Trachsellauenen, lock up and then prefer hiking this route instead. If you want to rent an e-bike, you could combine these 2 things and accomplish everything with more time to relax at the viewpoints...
   https://www.komoot.com/tour/2548412044
   https://www.komoot.com/tour/3018627723

Ah thank you wanderweg this is so helpful. We will be there mid/late July. I will definitely ask when we stop at Oberhornsee for lunch if it is still with water. I was not sure if route B would get me a good view of Schmadribach versus route A so this is means a lot for my decision. The second Komoot route you posted is basically both return routes I’m considering. It looks like you reach the berghotel via my route A return and then depart the hotel via my route B. Can you confirm which leg has the superior scenery in your opinion in your second Komoot link- the first half of your loop to reach Obersteinberg or the second half to return?

It’s all superior. The only part of that hike that’s not superior is doing it from Gimmelwald. The first portion is a wooded wide road down to Im Tal and then a slog up the mountain in the woods, so basically the whole hike until you get to Tanzbodeli is not particularly scenic. Once you’re above the Upper Lauterbrunnen Valley (Trachsellauenen) the views are all beautiful. This is why I prefer doing the bike/hike combo I gave you in order to spend more time at the views and less time uphill in the woods. If you do my route you will get to judge for yourself which view is superior because you’ll get to do both.

I say this especially now that I remember I have helped you before in figuring out how to combine Birg/Rotstockhutte/Bryndlii/Chilchbalm. If you do that route you’re going to be redoing part of it down to Im Tal by doing this bike from Gimmelwald.

You also don’t have to bike my route, you can hike it. Biking just speeds up getting to the best parts.

Ah I see, so better to maximize scenery by starting on the other side. And yes that it right! I’m looking now at the Chilchbalm route and do see what you mean with the overlap. How would you describe the difference in terrain/views between the upper and lower portions of your loop trail?

Lower routes have more forest/rivers/pop through valleys with mountain views. Higher routes have more high mountain views throughout and you pass under the large waterfall with other falls throughout. The loop gives you a mix of everything.

Tanzbodeli is very nice if you want to do the cardio and have 12 hours in you. I prefer more time to meander without rushing, which is why I like my bike/hike route but you may prefer getting Tanzbodeli. You’re going to see so many great views that ultimately it comes down to how much time you want to spend intense hiking vs meandering/enjoying along the way.

Your full Mürren plan also relies on multiple days of perfect weather. We’ll try to provide it for you, but I’d highly recommend prioritizing which of the big hikes is most important to you and making sure you save your best day for that.

Happy trails! We’ll be out and about on the same trails right along with you, so if you see a girl with a multicolored Cotopaxi pack or a guy that is running around like a mountain goat on all the trails with an old leather backpack, it’s probably us, haha!

Thank you again wanderweg, your knowledge has been so helpful for my trip planning! We will keep an eye out for you guys and definitely say hi if we see you!

The rear of the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one my my favourite places to go hiking and I have done most trails there.

Last time we went to the Oberhornsee we were actually staying at the Tschingelhorn, and we hiked out to it and then past it and returned via a different route back to the Tschingelhorn. I think circuits are always more interesting then out and back.

The descent from the ridge where Obersteinberg and Tschingelhorn are I find steep and difficult on the knees. Which is why I always plan a start in Stechelberg, and in Gimmelwald, not the other way round. Gives the advantage of being able to finish the day with an excellent Schwarzmönch beer on the terrace of the Pension Gimmelwald.

For example this was one of our last walks last fall:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-b1ce5c8?u=m&sh=cazx3x