cable cars to Muerren/Schilthorn closed in early May??? HELP

Posted by Jodi (Baudette, MN, United States) on 09/17/08 07:09 AM

We plan to stay at Hotel Mittaghorn (walter's place) in Gimmelwald around May 13 & 14 of 2009. I was looking at some Rick Steve's info on this place and came across this message....

Important:
From the end of April, the cable car from Stechelberg to Mürren and the Schilthorn is closed. Ask for exact dates.

What does this mean!?!? How long is it closed? (ask who?) Are we going to be able to get to Gimmelwald, Murren and the Schilthorn on those dates? Now I'm worried - does anyone have any info on this? Thanks!!

Posted by carl

dallas, tx, usa

09/17/08 07:17 AM

1358 posts

You may find information on cable cars by searching google for 'Schilthorn cable car'. Do the same search for Murren and Gimmelwald.

Posted by Tom

Danville, VT

09/17/08 07:41 AM

12040 posts

In addition to the cable car from Stechelberg to Murren, there's another that travels from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald. Both leave from the same station in the valley. In late April, the Stechelberg-Gimmelwald line shuts down for maintenance, so I'm guessing the two lines have an alternate maintenance schedule. When one of the cable car lines is closed, there's a van shuttle service between Murren and Gimmelwald. Or, you could just walk the relatively short distance. And if all else fails (unlikely)... you can hike up from the valley...

Posted by Frank

Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia

09/17/08 11:22 PM

48 posts

According to the Schilthorn Website 24th April to 1st May 2009 are the closed dates nearest your travel dates.

As mentioned above, the main cable car (Stechelberg - Gimmelwald - Mürren) may be closed, but they run a skeleton service (Stechelberg - Mürren (using what is normally the freight cable car) - Gimmelwald (by minivan) approx hourly during the day in this period.

Any other delays outside their 'normal' shutdown dates may occur if they find a (potential)problem during the inspections (that is what they shut down for - checks and 6 monthly maintenance) although I have been there when they changed the cable which did take more than a week (again, programmed maintenance).

Posted by Tim

Knoxville, TN, USA

09/18/08 05:19 AM

7209 posts

Simply put - there are people who actually live in Gimmelwald so there HAS to be a way for them to get down to the valley floor. I wouldn't worry, the Swiss won't leave you (and Gimmelwald residents) stranded unless there's some catastrophic event like a flood.

You can always go from Lauterbrunnen Valley to Muerren via Grutschalp. Once in Muerren it's a beautiful and easy stroll down to Gimmelwald. You can always call or email Walter's and ask how they recommend you arrive. You can also send email to [email protected] and ask them how to arrive in Gimmelwald.

Stay calm - there's no need to worry.