Mürren to Gimmelwald Hike: Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk Guide (2026)
| Distance | 1.9 mi (3 km) one way, downhill (~300 m descent) |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 70 ft (20 m) |
| Time | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best months | May to October |
| Start | Mürren village |
| Cable car / train needed? | Yes — cable car Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp + train to Mürren up; cable car Gimmelwald–Stechelberg down. |
| Getting there | Train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (20 min). |
The Lauterbrunnen valley is the U-shaped valley of waterfalls that inspired Tolkien's Rivendell. You can admire it from the valley floor — but the real view is from the cliff villages 800 m above it.
The loop most visitors do
- Lauterbrunnen → Grütschalp by cable car (4 min), then the scenic train along the cliff edge to Mürren (14 min). Sit on the left side.
- Walk through Mürren and follow signs to Gimmelwald (30–45 min, downhill). The path passes farms and benches facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
- From Gimmelwald, cable car down to Stechelberg, then bus back to Lauterbrunnen — stopping at Trümmelbach Falls (open roughly April–November).
Want a harder version?
From Mürren, the North Face Trail (about 2.5 hours) loops through high pastures with views of the Eiger's north face. Start at Allmendhubel funicular.
Hike & soak
There's no big spa in Lauterbrunnen itself. Interlaken (20 min) or Grindelwald (35 min) are where the spa hotels are — see spa hotels in the Bernese Oberland.
♨ Soak after: where to stay
The point of this site: finish the trail in warm water. These are the closest spa hotels and thermal baths to the Mürren to Gimmelwald, Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Interlaken · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Interlaken's landmark grand hotel with a 5,500 m² spa.
Check rates & availability →Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel
Grindelwald · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Spa hotel with Eiger views, walking distance from the Grindelwald First gondola.
Check rates & availability →Beatus Wellness- & Spa-Hotel
Merligen · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Lakeside spa hotel on Lake Thun, 20 minutes from Interlaken.
Check rates & availability →FAQ
How many waterfalls are in Lauterbrunnen?
The valley is famous for its 72 waterfalls. The most famous are Staubbach Falls, visible from the village, and Trümmelbach Falls, ten glacier waterfalls inside the mountain.
Can you hike from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren?
Yes, but it's a steep climb of about 800 m (2.5–3 hours). Most visitors ride up and walk down.
Is Mürren car-free?
Yes. Mürren and Gimmelwald can only be reached by cable car or on foot.
Is Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald better to stay in?
Lauterbrunnen is quieter and cheaper with fewer hotels; Grindelwald has more spa hotels and more trail access by gondola.