Murren Switzerland: Above Lauterbrunnen Valley of Waterfalls

This publish could include affiliate hyperlinks. We could obtain a small fee, without charge to you, in the event you make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.

Mürren is a exceptional place on the earth.

A car-free village clinging to the cliff above the Lauterbrunnen Valley of waterfalls within the Berner Oberland of Switzerland. A one time farm village first settled within the late middle-ages, it has change into a well-liked vacationer vacation spot, particularly as the bottom for the gorgeous Schilthorn mountain cable manner.

Situated at 1638m, Mürren is the very best city of the Jungfrau area of the Swiss Alps. Anticipate superb panoramic views and alternative for outside adventures.

Vacationers love to go to Mürren for the simplicity and pleasure that comes with leaving your automotive behind. Benefit from the relaxed, small village ambiance that’s near many thrilling issues to do together with mountain climbing, exploring the waterfalls, a go to to the Schilthorn Mountain and a visit to Jungfraujoch – the Prime of Europe!

The Good Introduction to Mürren Switzerland

Image your self sitting at an outside terrace having fun with a drink with some Swiss Raclette gazing out at a chasm of inexperienced virtually 3,000 ft deep fed by seventy-two waterfalls, and capped by the snowy peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau rising to scrape the sky past.

The canopies of paragliders soar on updrafts of alpine air twirling to the valley. If you happen to’re courageous sufficient, you would possibly actually have a picnic on the cliff’s edge.

This was my second keep in Mürren, and for full disclosure, each visits had been on the invitation of the Schilthornbahn firm which operates the cable.

Mürren is a little bit of an organization city, the place they function the rail and cable transport system and personal two inns.

My most up-to-date go to was simply at first of summer time. The climate was forecast as thunderstorms, however miraculously, apart from a quick however moderately thrilling twenty-minute night hailstorm, was virtually fully sunny and exquisite.

The snows had been melting and the rivers flowed with that peculiar colour of turquoise of the Alpine streams.

The place in Switzerland is Mürren?

Only for a second of fowl’s eye geography, the Lauterbrunnen valley is one arm of a Y form extending to the south of Interlaken, with the opposite valley arm to the southeast, reaching to Grindelwald on the foot of the north face of the Eiger.

Mürren rests on the southwest wall of the valley above Lauterbrunnen.

The way to get to Mürren, Switzerland

One of many highlights of a visit to Mürren is that the arrival is simply as lovely and adventurous because the vacation spot.

There are two methods to succeed in the car-free village of Mürren

1. First trip the Mürrenbahn cable line straight throughout from the Lauterbrunnen Rail Station, adopted by a narrow-gauge mountain railway to the village station.
2. Catch the Mürrenbahn cable line from Stechelber, which is about ten minutes from Lauterbrunne by bus or automotive.

The Stechelberg route is alleged to be extra spectacular as a result of the cableway provides a greater view of the steep rock partitions rising from the valley.

After parking close to the station to depart the automotive for 2 days and stopping to look at the coming paragliders who use the grass discipline close to the station as a touchdown zone, I boarded the cable tram to rise previous the valley cliff partitions to Gimmelwald, altering to the cable to Mürren.

Some development was underway close to the Mürrenbahn station that continues upward to the Schilthorn. A brand new cable is deliberate for a extra direct route and can debut in a 12 months or two.

I normally journey by prepare in Switzerland with a Swiss Journey Cross. I used to be driving on this journey, so I parked within the Mürrenbahn parking zone at Stechelberg.

The parking charge is 11 Swiss Francs for one in a single day, with a reduction charge for a number of days, paid along with your entry ticket at a machine on the cable station.

As this area could be very well-liked, it’s possible you’ll wish to reserve your parking spot prematurely!

Discover the 72 Waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen Valley

A spotlight of any go to to this Swiss area is seeing the waterfalls gushing down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley from the vertical cliff faces. (It appears like Yosemite Valley within the Spring – Editor Caroline)

The German phrase Lauterbrunnen means “many fountains,” and on this valley there are at complete of 72 waterfalls with some as excessive as 400m, flowing 12 months spherical.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is alleged to be probably the most lovely in Switzerland. It grew to become a UNESCO World Pure Heritage Web site in 2001. Rumor has it that Tolkien acquired the thought for Rivendell throughout a hike from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen.

This can be a factor to do in Murren earlier than taking the cable automotive up. You possibly can at all times trip it again down for a day tour.

Staubach Fall

The Staubach Fall, simply on the finish of Lauterbrunnen Village, is the very best free-falling water stream in Switzerland. It stands majestic towards the background of slender steep cliffs which appear to vanish into the gap past.

Johann Goethe, the author of Faust, was a vacationer to the valley in 1779 and wrote a poem to the fantastic thing about the Staubach Fall, the “Tune of the Spirit of the Waters.”

The poem begins “From heaven it comes, to heaven it rises, and down once more to the earth it should,” relating the water to the journey of the human soul.

There’s a slight detour path (about 30 minutes) that goes uphill and behind the waterfall and is simply opened through the summertime. You’ll additionally get a gorgeous view of the valley from right here.

From Lauterbrunnen village, it solely takes about 10 minutes to hike to the foot of Staubbach Falls.

Trümmelbach Falls

The distinctive Trümmelbach Falls are a “should see” pure wonders within the Berner Oberland of Switzerland. It’s a collection of ten separate glacial falls contained in the mountain rock that empties the waters of the higher ice of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau,

On sizzling summer time days and after heavy thunderstorms, it carries as much as 20,000 liters of water per second via the slender gorge.

This distinctive attraction includes first going up contained in the mountain in an elevator after which strolling again down, partly inside and outdoors to see the spectacular waterfalls.

Mürrenbach waterfall

From a top of 417 meters above Mürrenfluh, the water falls in 5 cascades. Additionally it is one of many tallest falls in Switzerland and is uninterrupted all year long. 

You possibly can see glimpses of Murrenbach Falls from sure spots on the outskirts of Lauterbrunnen city, however probably the most direct views of are from the Schilthornbahn cable automotive station.

The open-air lot is straight throughout from the Mürrenbach waterfall the place a tributary runs into the Lütschine River. I didn’t have fairly sufficient time to hike to the waterfall, but it surely was definitely worth the stroll to really feel the sprays from up shut.

Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn Mountain Summit

One of the well-liked issues to do in Mürren is to go to Schilthorn Mountain and revel in a James Bond Brunch within the Piz Gloria.

When the cable automotive carry was being in-built 1967 with a plan for the world’s first revolving restaurant, the producers of the James Bond motion pictures had been in search of a location for the following movie.

The script referred to as for a mountaintop lair for the villain, Blofeld, to supply for thrilling mountain sequences. The cable firm was brief on cash and made a cope with the filmmakers. The movie would fund a few of the development value and can be allowed to design the setting to suit their wants. They added a helicopter pad, which nonetheless serves because the commentary deck.

The movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was launched in 1968, with George Lazenby as the brand new James Bond, to interchange Sean Connery, who had left the collection. (He would come again later.) The movie co-starred Diana Rigg recent off her run as Mrs. Peel on “The Avengers” TV collection.

I point out this as a confession. As a child, I had a crush on Diana Rigg, cool and lean in black becoming jumpsuit with karate strikes. I used to be a fan of the film as effectively. My dad wouldn’t let me see “Goldfinger” with him, as I used to be deemed too younger for the intercourse and violence. Somewhat tame some many years later. So, by the point of “Secret Service,” I used to be at that age.

The deck of the Schilthorn seems to be out at over 200 mountain peaks, and in clear climate you’ll be able to see all the best way to Lake Constance, bordering Switzerland and Germany.

Inside is the primary attraction, the revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, which takes about 45 minutes for a full 360-degree flip of the platform. You barely discover it transferring, however the vista outdoors is completely different everytime you lookup.

The brunch is a buffet, very effectively ready, however not that completely different from a lodge, besides that it’s being served at 10,000 ft. You possibly can spike your orange juice with some glowing Champagne for a little bit of James Bond sophistication. The design of the brass wall grills and lamps are holdovers from the film set.

And after a flip across the view, a go to downstairs provides a set of Bond theme displays, a movie show for transient excerpts and a little bit of Schilthorn historical past.

Two displays are fairly enjoyable, a helicopter you’ll be able to nearly fly on the controls, up the mountain face, and a digital Bob Sled that places you within the motion of one of many signature sequences of the film.

Outdoor, if the climate cooperates, is an added Bond “Stroll of Fame” throughout the rocky crag of the mountain summit, with signposts of Bond characters, although any go to to a mountain peak in Switzerland is a little bit of the luck of the draw with climate, and time of 12 months. You would possibly get solar, snow, or be caught in a miasma of a drifting cloud.

I used to be fortunate with the solar, till I returned to the Birg station, midway between the village and mountain summit. It’s right here the place an element metal, half glass ground walkway wraps across the rock face mountain for the “Thrill Stroll.”

A cloud had enveloped the cliff, so moderately than a thrill stroll in white haze, I’d strive later.

Loosen up and watch the paragliders at Lodge Regina

To whereas the time, for which a car-free village is especially suited, I discovered a desk on the deck of the Lodge Regina. Stress-free with an area Black Beer, Schwarzen Mönch, brewed in close by Gimmelwald and a vegetarian sandwich.

The paragliders had been unfurling their parachutes on a grassy slope and launching to hovering arcs, first over the village, then winding down into the valley.

I had earlier loved my very own first tandem paragliding journey within the Italian Dolomites with 360 Cortina d’Ampezzo, so I may envision the sense of freedom and thrill of hanging beneath a parachute because the world drops away.

To paraglide from Mürren, the companies can be found with Airtime-Paragliding in Lauterbrunnen. The flight ends on the Stechelberg tram station parking zone.

Skyline and Thrill Stroll

The clouds had cleared, and a stroll within the sky beckoned. It’s time for probably the most adventurous issues to do in Murren – the Thrill Stroll!

You’ll discover it on the half-way cease to the Schilthorn, the Birg Station.

Birg Station options the Skyline Restaurant, which is usually an outside terrace with a partial glass deck on the finish; and the Skyline, for mountain views that may be like standing within the clouds.

A stairway down results in the Thrill Stroll, a walkway alongside the mountain face, with sections of glass, although they left sufficient steel stroll if strolling on glass is an excessive amount of.

Chain enclosed sections additionally permit a tightrope stroll, and a kid-sized suspended cage tunnel challenges adults to suit. Each experiences are free, included with the cable trip.

Video: Schilthorn Piz Gloria and Skyline Thrill Stroll of Switzerland

See the fantastic thing about this space within the Schilthorn video.

Allmendhubel

A funicular rises from the Mürren village as much as the flowery glens above on the Allmendhubel mountain taking you to lovely views of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger.

It’s a brief 4 minute journey, particularly suited to households. The Panorama Restaurant Allmendhubel on the prime of the funicular overlooks a path of flowers in spring and snow trails in winter.

The youngsters’s Flower Park playground is simply in view of the restaurant so children can discover whereas mother & dad take some refreshing time.

The playground is especially fascinating for the rope slings, secure however impressed by surrounding peaks, and carved wood marmots, the Swiss model of a woodchuck, watching over the underground enjoyable marmot burrows.

The straightforward 2km Flower Path leads down via fields and forest again to Mürren. Good for households you’ll be able to admire over 150 alpine flowers comparable to edelweiss, gentians and alpine roses.

Jungfraujoch: Prime of Europe

The opposite prime attraction within the Murren area is to go to Jungfraujoch: The Prime of Europe. Its probably the most iconic and exquisite locations within the Swiss Alps.

Jungfraujoch is a viewing level Bernese Alps and, at an altitude of three,454 m, Europe’s highest prepare station. It lies on the finish of the engineering marvel of a tunnel that cuts via the rock of the mountain ridge.

The tunnel main up from the station Eigergletscher is seven kilometers in size and was constructed between 1896 and 1912. Alongside the tunnel are home windows lower from the rock with views out to the glaciers.

Don’t miss these Jungfraujoch Points of interest

• The Sphinx Observatory is among the highest observatories on the earth they usually have an open viewing deck. It has panoramic views of Jungfrau and Mönch peaks, Eiger and the Aletsch Glacier.
• The Ice Palace is an ice tunnel beneath the glacier crammed carved ice sculptures which change from season to season.
• Glacier Plateau is a well-liked photograph cease for its’ views over the Junfrau and Silerhomr peaks. This viewpoint provides the most effective views of the mountains of Germany and France and on the opposite facet an unobstructed view of the Aletsch Glacier.
• Hikers shall be comfortable to listen to of the path via the glacier to Monchsjocjjutte, a serviced mountain hut. Watch out mountain climbing on glaciers with out skilled native guides and be sure you keep on the trail.

There are two methods to get to Jungfraujoch

1. Practice from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald Kleine Scheidegg, the place you turn trains for the luxurious Jungfrau Railway.
2. The brand new Eiger Espress tri-cable gondola from Grindelwald to the Eiger Glacier station. From Eiger, there’s a prepare for the final part. That is the quickest option to get to Jungfraujoch, slicing the journey down by 47 minutes every manner. You may get the prepare down through Kleine Scheidegg for a distinct expertise.

Eat: Venison on the Lodge Bellevue

On a fifteen-day driving tour throughout the Alps from Vienna to Geneva, I had my favourite meal in Mürren. A brief stroll from the central avenue up the hill previous the Allmendhubel station, the Belleview Lodge restaurant outside terrace deck seems to be out throughout the village.

I had heard {that a} particular supply was a venison dish of wildhirsch (wild deer) freshly hunted by the lodge proprietor, Othmar Suter. I’ll admit to being a fan of jäger stubli (hunter delicacies) widespread in Germany and the Alps, extra standard in autumn.

It was a well-known dish, Venison filet in wild mushroom sauce with butter spätzle, pink cabbage with chestnuts and caramelized pear. However even after another eating places of a number of Gault Millau factors and Michelin stars, it was pleasant.

Eat: Alpenrue Spareribs

Spareribs will not be a dish usually related to Switzerland, however I used to be additionally capable of pattern an area model on the Alpenrue Lodge Restaurant, served with a decidedly giant portion of French fries.

The Alpenrue is a captivating lodge from the place I took one in every of my favourite photographs of the Eiger at fiery daybreak.

If in search of another non-Swiss delicacies there’s a Chinese language restaurant within the village, and recent native trout is discovered on many menus.

Keep: Blumental Lodge, Mürren

I used to be staying this time on the Blumental Lodge, which takes its title from the flowery Alpine meadow above the village.

The comfy chalet type lodge was quiet and virtually vacant because it was early within the season. There are solely about 450 everlasting residents in Mürren, however 2,000 lodge beds which fill within the excessive seasons of summer time and winter.

It was on my arrival I had the present expertise of ever changeable Alps climate. I had packed what I wanted for a couple of days away from my rental automotive into one rolling bag.

The cable trip was sunny, with only some clouds. I used to be capable of take a stroll via the village for some photos. It’s solely about ten minutes from one finish to the opposite. Some children had been enjoying on a big oversize backyard chess board.

I observed an area gentleman on the usually Swiss wood balcony of a store, putting small gossamer umbrellas within the flower containers which festoon the village with the colours of summer time. I solely realized later that he was extra conversant in the native climate forecast than I.

On settling in my room, which seemed out throughout a tin roof to the village, upon opening the windowed door to the balcony for a recent Alpine breeze, a thunderous roar started.

With the briefest warning of a thunderclap, the skies opened and a storm of hail the dimensions of marbles invaded the peace.

The ice stones beat upon the tin, and the rain washed in gulleys down the highway from the inexperienced slopes above. The storm was transient, and I loved it in consolation from a balcony chair, simply shielded from the torrent.

I used to be happy the following morning to see that the little umbrella had saved the flower field blooms. I’m now positive a typical customized of mountain life.

A morning return to the Stechelberg station discovered my rental automotive undisturbed and undamaged from the hailstorm.

If you happen to’re in search of different lodging in Murren, you should use the map under to match inns and short-term rental choices.

Extra Inspiration on your journey to Europe

If you happen to discovered this publish on Murren Switzerland, bear in mind to share it with your mates. If you happen to’re on Pinterest, you’ll be able to pin this picture to reserve it for later.