Why Gimmelwald Switzerland Should Be On Top Of Your European Bucket List
Gimmelwald:
Nestled just outside of Interlaken in the Lauterbrunen Valley is the tiny village of Gimmelwald Switzerland. Do you like mountain views of the Alps as far as the eye can see punctuated by flower laden homes and smiling faces? Then add Gimmelwald Switzerland to your bucket list.
With popular Grindelwald nearby, many people never venture to Gimmelwald or the neighboring town of Mürren. As much as Grindelwald is bustling with tourists, Gimmelwald is quiet and mellow, with just as many adventures waiting to happen.
How To Get There:
Take a car, or a bus through the Lauterbrunen Valley into the town of Lauterbrunen. Stop to pick your chin off the floor because of the incredible location of this town! Lauterbrunen sits in a deep valley with mountains on one side and huge cliffs, flowing with waterfalls on the other. If that isn’t enough, the valley is split in half by a glacial river! Take your time in the valley. Stop at a cafe for a snack or go for a walk while you’re there. Lauterbrunen is pretty magical.
Just Keep Going:
When you have had your fill in the valley, continue driving, or hop back on the bus. The Schilthornbahn cable car station in Stechelberg is where you will leave your ride. Since you can’t drive to Gimmelwald (it is on top of a cliff after all), you get to ride up the side of the cliff in a cable car. The first stop for the cable car is Gimmelwald, then it continues up to Mürren.
Where To Stay:
There are a couple different Hostels in Ginmmelwald. We have stayed at The Mountain Hostel twice and love it. There’s a large dining room and a public kitchen, as well as a cafe. The first time we stayed we ordered pizza and beer from the cafe in the Hostel. It was great! The second time we stayed, we packed our own food and used the kitchen for cooking. The Mountain Hostel has large dorm rooms with tons of beds. They also have family rooms, and other more private rooms if you aren’t into communal sleeping. There’s a communal bathroom for everyone. This hostel is very kid/family friendly. If staying in a Hostel isn’t your style, there are a couple Airbnbs in the area also.
What To Do:
Since Gimmelwald is perched on the edge of a cliff in the alps, the options for outdoor adventure are endless!!! Hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, parasailing, skiing, and via ferrata are just a few of the adventures waiting for you in this corner of the world! If you don’t know where or how to get started, just ask someone where you are staying. Everyone in the area wants you to have the best time possible!
Hiking:
There are miles and miles of hiking trails right out of Gimmelwald and Mürren. You can choose from easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes. You can also use Gimmelwald as a launching point for multiday treks through the mountains. There is signage all over the trials pointing you in the right or wrong direction to your destination. Everyone who works at The Mountain Hostel is so knowledgeable about what to do and where to go in the area. So don’t hesitate to ask!
The Shilthorn:
From Gimmelwald you can take the cable car up to the Shilthorn (buy tickets at the cable car entrance in Gimmelwald). This is a great place to start your adventures. Tyler and I took most of a day hiking down to Gimmelwald from the Shilthorn. We were rewarded with incredible views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. We made friends with curious alpine sheep, and enjoyed the wildflowers and the sounds of the bells echoing across the alpine meadows.
007:
If you don’t already know, The Shilthorn was a filming location for the 007 Piz Gloria film. There is a little museum at the Shilthorn where you can learn all about the movie and how they filmed at such a crazy location. Check out this cool video about the movie and the area.
If outdoor adventures are not your thing there is still fun to be had at the Shilthorn. Walk around and explore the museum. Then when you finish, grab a window seat in the revolving restaurant and enjoy the incredible views with a warm beverage!
Pack A Picnic:
Think about packing some food for a picnic down by the river, if you’re staying in Gimmelwald for a night. There’s a path that heads down the side of the mountain and will take you right to the river. There you will find a bbq pit. There’s also a 3 sided hut loaded with wood and paper to start a fire. We did this with the kids, and it was one of our favorite nights!
Mürren:
There is also a nice easy walk on a paved path that connects Gimmelwald and neighboring Mürren. Mürren is quite a bit bigger than Gimmelwald and has many amenities that Gimmelwald doesn’t. There is a grocery store, souvenir shops, restaurants, and hotels. Wander the streets and talk to the locals. The people in Mürren are very kind and love sharing their knowledge of the area with travelers.
Slow Down:
Take your time enjoying the quiet quaintness of Gimmelwald and the surrounding area. Play chess with a view, or sit around and enjoy a cold beverage on the deck. There is no reason to be in a hurry here. This is a tiny slice of Heaven and you should soak it up for as long as you can!
If you are interested in learning about other amazing European villages and cities, check out the posts on these cool places; Chamonix France, Annecy France, Rome, and Seville Spain.
