Zurich to Gimmelwald via Car

Go to viamichelin.com or Google directions. Or look at a map.

Just take the train. We are having to many cars in the valley already. Why rent a car just to have it sit in a car park all the time?

So you're looking for directions on how to drive to a car free place? I agree with the previous poster that it would be a lot easier to just take the train. I think you are making this a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Or just buy a train ticket from Dresden to Interlaken.

Thank you Sam! I did go to viamichelin but I must be doing something wrong because it said the route was not possible! Your responses have been very helpful! Thank you!

We did Switzerland entirely by train. The train system there is great. You do not need a car. If you have never traveled by train and need help figuring that out, see the travel by train tips on this site and ask forum members for help.

Try to Lauterbrannun because that’s where the car park is. Google says two hours by car. I believe people are just trying to encourage travel by train because of the crowding versus being unhelpful with directions.

The route is Zurich to Parking Stechelberg (Schilthornbahn). But I agree with everyone else: too many people driving to this small valley with few roads, many of which you cannot and should not take. It was awful this fall when we were there. Pollution, gas prices, and parking prices (and scarcity) should have almost everyone rethinking having a car in Switzerland, much less in this lovely area with great transportation options.

Sign me Car-Free in Europe

Hi Cathy. As I recall, the lift directly to Gimmelwald starts in a place called Stechelberg. Not really a town, just a parking lot and the base of the lift. It's a few minutes driving beyond Lauterbrunnen. You can put Stechelberg into viamichelin as your endpoint and it will give you directions. Have a great trip!

Thank you Laurel & Bob! Super helpful!

I am betting that viamichelin said it was impossible because you put in Gimmelwald and that is true. Put in Stechelberg where you get the cable car.

Stechelberg. Not really a town, just a parking lot

Those living there and operating the few farms, hotels, restaurant, campground and yes, even a taxi/garage business (see Google maps) would be sad to hear that they do not actually live in a village…but rather in a ‘parking lot’. 😅

Stechelberg village however is a bit further down the road. It is not where the cable car leaves from. That is indeed just a big car park....

Awesome idea! Its a really fun drive, especially between Luzern and Brienz.

For the route, I can't do better than Google Maps can. Just check there.

Parking in Lauterbrunnen would make no sense. You'd have to either take the bus to Stechelberg (why, when you have a car?), or take a circuitous route up to Grutschalp, along to Murren, and down to Gimmelwald.

The easiest thing is what we did. Park your car at the base of the Schilthornbahn, and take the cable car up one stop to Gimmelwald. You can just put "Schilthornbahn" in your Google Maps or GPS, or you'll just see it easily if you drive south from Lauterbrunnen along the valley road.

They have long stay parking at the lot at reasonable prices. https://schilthorn.ch/cmsfiles/gebu%CC%88hrenordnung_parkplatz_stechelberg_e.pdf

Google maps or Rome2rio.

Park in Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen and train. Driving in CH rarely recommended.

From mid December onwards there is going to be a new P+R station in Matten near Interlaken (on the old airfield). You can park there and take the train. Its only because the Swiss are a calm and civilised people that we are not yet throwing stones at rental cars...