Gimmelwald
Switzerland · Europe
About Gimmelwald
Gimmelwald is a picturesque hamlet in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. It's perched on a cliff edge looking down into the Weisse Lütschine valley towards Lauterbrunnen, and in 2020 had a population of 130. There's no road access so you get here by cable-car. Gimmelwald has chalet accommodation but no shops or other facilities - find these 3 km further up the mountain in the larger resort of Mürren.
Gimmelwald travel guide
Getting there
For inter-city routes, travel via Interlaken, which has trains every 30 min from Bern. Change at Interlaken Ost for the BOB train - the Berner Oberland-Bahn. Don't get off at Interlaken West, which is town centre. You need to be in the front portion of the BOB train. This runs every 30 min and takes 20 min via Wilderswil and Zweilütschinen (where the rear portion divides for Grindelwald) to Lauterbrunnen. From here you take the bright yellow Postbus to Stechelberg. This is the foot of the Schilthornbahn cable-car, which ascends to Gimmelwald, Mürren, Birg and the Schilthorn summit. The last connection from Interlaken leaves at 23:00; it's often a "bustitution". Eurail passes get you a 25% discount on the BOB trains but are not in themselves valid for travel beyond Interlaken. A Swiss Travel Pass is valid to Lauterbrunnen, Gimmelwald and Mürren. See Lauterbrunnen for the WAB trains to Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch, and connections to Grindelwald. 1 Stechelberg cable-car station can be reached by public road. Park here, as there's no vehicle access up the mountain. You can also take the cable-car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp, where a train takes you to Mürren. Walk through the village to the Schilthornbahn station and ride the cable-car down one stop to Gimmelwald. 2 Gimmelwald cable-car station is at the foot of the village. A new cable-car is under construction, bypassing Gimmelwald, and due to open in 2025. Hiking to Gimmelwald is an easy 30 min descent from Mürren, but a stiff 90 min climb from Stechelberg.
Getting around
Gimmelwald is tiny, just walk. The lane up to Mürren is suitable for push-chairs, and used by tractors and occasional service vehicles. Steeper paths short-cut across its zigzags. 3 Mürren Schilthornbahn cable-car station is your likely access to facilities in that village. It's at the south end of Mürren, with the railway station at the north end.
Buy
You can buy fresh dairy and other farm produce from the locals. The nearest grocery store, sports and souvenir shops are in Mürren.
Eat
Pension Gimmelwald and Mountain Hostel restaurants are open to non-residents, but you need to book. Local specialties are alpine yoghurt and Alpkäse. The cheese is made only in summer, when the cattle graze on high alpine meadows. It's semi-hard like Emmental, grows stronger as it matures, and has tiny holes known as teardrops.
Drink & nightlife
There are no free-standing bars in this tiny place. Mountain Hostel bar is open to non-residents, otherwise head up to Mürren. Fresh mountain water can be freely obtained from the ever-trickling public troughs in the village.
Sleep
Mountain Hostel, Nidrimatten (corner of Kirchestatt) (150 m above cable-car station), ☏ +41 33 855 1704, [email protected]. A delightful rustic hostel, with great staff and awe-inspiring views of the valley below and the Jungfrau opposite. The restaurant and bar are open daily in summer, F-Su in winter. Dorm Fr. 45 ppn, B&B double Fr. 120. (updated Mar 2022) Pension Gimmelwald, Kirchestatt 746a (150 m above cable-car station), ☏ +41 33 855 1730, [email protected]. Charming trad chalet pension with great views. Restaurant and bar are open to non-residents. B&B double Fr. 170. (updated Mar 2022) Esther's Guesthouse, Kirchestatt 751a (150 m above cable-car station), ☏ +41 33 855 5488, [email protected]. Smart friendly B&B with 7 rooms and two apartments. B&B double Fr. 170. (updated Mar 2022) Hotel Mittaghorn, Wylern 862 D, ☏ +41 33 855 1470. Closed for renovation in 2022. (updated Mar 2022) 1 Olle & Maria's, Nidrimatten, ☏ +41 33 855 3575. Charming spacious chalet, shared bathrooms. Three nights min stay. B&B double Fr. 190. (updated Mar 2022)
Go next
Lauterbrunnen nowadays is just the place you change trains, but it has a dramatic setting beneath the cliffs and roaring waterfalls. Staubbach Falls are at the south edge of the village. Trümmelbach Falls are within the mountain, 2 km north of Stechelberg and 3 km south of Lauterbrunnen on the Postbus route. WAB trains ascend from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg then burrow through the Eiger and Jungfrau to the top station of Jungfraujoch. Brilliant summit and glacier views on a fine day, pointless if it's gloomy.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.