Murren Might Be the Most Picturesque Village in Switzerland

Switzerland’s slim Lauterbrunnen Valley is flanked by steep mountains, making it really feel extra like a deep, tree-speckled canyon. Partway up certainly one of these lofty peaks, above a sheer rock face, lies Mürren, a historic mountain village you may solely attain by practice or through the world’s steepest gondola.

Vehicles aren’t permitted in Mürren, the place the air is as clear as the environment are breathtaking. “We’re sitting on a gemstone right here,” Constanze Trommer, proprietor of Café Liv, the city’s morning hub, ​​tells Journey + Leisure. “Nature-wise, you have got every thing you want. You could have mountains, you have got forests, you have got water throughout.” On the latter, Trommer is referring to the valley’s many lakes and waterfalls, together with Switzerland’s highest, the 1,370-foot-tall Mürrenbach Falls.

Throughout the slender valley from Mürren, the long-lasting mountain trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau stand watch over the city. Though Mürren hosted the primary FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, the worldwide occasion outgrew the small village, so snowboarding right here right now stays much less crowded than at many alpine resorts. The car-free lanes additionally imply you may slide or snowshoe proper as much as your lodge. “You possibly can ski-in, ski-out in all of Mürren as a result of we have now snow-covered streets till the top of February,” says Samuel Bichsel, normal supervisor of the Lodge Mürren Palace.

In summer season, climbing paths traverse flower-bedecked meadows and wend by quiet forests of fir and spruce. All yr, gondolas whisk you as much as the Schilthorn station, which is topped by a revolving restaurant the place you may have breakfast within the sky, surrounded by 200 mountain peaks.

Finest Inns & Resorts

Lodge Eiger Mürren

Lodge Eiger Mürren is operated by the identical household who constructed it in 1892, a yr after the railway opened to supply an alternative choice to arriving on foot. The service stays as heat and pleasant as ever, whereas the timber-rich decor and images of previous Mürren evoke a contemporary ski lodge. Guide a mountain-facing room for an unforgettable view.

Mürren Palace

When it first opened in 1874, countrymen known as this grand lodge “Switzerland’s first palace.” Reopened in December 2024 after an extended closure, Mürren Palace remembers these days once more. The onetime ballroom is now a breakfast corridor with belle époque vibes, and the refurbished visitor rooms characteristic parquet flooring, colourful furnishings, and exquisite views.

Lodge Edelweiss Mürren

Lodge Edelweiss Mürren is a traditional Swiss lodge: impeccably clear, with a wholesome breakfast buffet, and dominated by white and wooden. The white partitions and comfy bedding are accented by knotty-pine ceilings and mattress frames. For the reason that Edelweiss rests simply above the Mürren cliff, you’ll awaken to the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau triumvirate, delighting you even earlier than you have got that tasty breakfast.

Lodge Alpenruh

Situated by the gondola that whisks guests up the mountain, Lodge Alpenruh is the final word ski-friendly lodge. That stated, the property’s expansive terrace has sweeping vistas and is good for lunch on a summer season day. Inside, welcoming visitor rooms include a petite balcony or rustic cowhide rugs.

Finest Issues to Do

Try the world’s longest downhill ski race.

Go to in January for the Inferno, “the longest downhill race on the earth.” British skier Sir Arnold Lunn based the Kandahar Ski Membership in Mürren and oversaw the primary FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. “However since Mürren was too small (for future world cup races), Lunn determined to advertise the Inferno as a race for amateurs,” explains journey author Adam Ruck. Snow allowing, the Inferno runs for 9.25 miles; if you wish to join, the 1,850 spots replenish by September.

Stroll the Flower Path.

Stroll the well-tended Flower Path, reached through the Allmendhubel funicular. “All of the flowers are rising in June, July, and August. The altitude makes it final,” says Trommer. “You could have many flowers, like edelweiss, johanniskraut (a.okay.a. St. John’s wort), and blue gentian.”

Discover journey on a through ferrata.

Courageous the Mürren-Gimmelwald through ferrata, open from mid-June to October. “It’s particular as a result of it’s the one through ferrata that goes downward, not up … There’s additionally an enormous suspension bridge,” says Bichsel. The dizzying, 1.4-mile descent on ladders, a cliff-hugging platform, and a wiggly bridge takes about three hours. If you happen to guide a information, you may add a zipper line to your downhill journey.

Go to Trümmelbach Falls.

In half-hour, the Stechelberg gondola and bus connection take you to this geologic surprise. “It’s actually spectacular as a result of you have got 10 totally different waterfalls that go contained in the mountain,” says Bichsel. With all that water—as much as 5,000 gallons per second—Bichsel says, “It’s fairly loud.” Given the noise degree, youngsters below 4 aren’t allowed.

Journey to Europe’s highest practice station.

Journey by rail as much as Jungfraujoch, the best practice station in Europe, at 11,332 toes above sea degree. “Going by practice by the precise mountain is kind of spectacular. And if you get to the Sphinx Observatory, you may stroll to the Mönchsjochhütte, a mountain cabin,” says Eva Leenders, receptionist on the Lodge Alpenruh. Leenders cautions that, with the altitude, the stroll can take over an hour.

Finest Eating places

Restaurant Stägerstübli

“If you happen to’re in search of a conventional Swiss mountain village place, that might be Restaurant Stägerstübli,” says Leenders. “The chef is superb in any respect the meat-related dishes, and, in fact, in addition they have fondue.” Situated in a 1901 constructing, Stägerstübli additionally serves wonderful toastgrated hash-brown-style potatoes served with cheese or a fried egg—a hearty method to refuel after a day within the snow.

Lodge Eiger Mürren

For a chic dinner, guide a desk by the window on the restaurant in Lodge Eiger Mürren, the place dishes spotlight native components like Vaud province cheese and soup made with Lauterbrunnen Valley pumpkins. The wealthy, meat-forward menu additionally has some lighter choices like vegetarian curry. The Eiger’s Tächi Bar is Mürren’s finest place for an after-dinner digestif.

Lodge Regina Mürren

Trommer recommends the eating room at Lodge Regina Mürren for its decor, meals, and repair. “It’s a historic constructing,” says Trommer. “They’ve wonderful meals and a very good staff. The dinner menu adjustments day by day, with a vegetarian and meat choice. It’s very contemporary, very seasonal—that’s their mannequin.”

360° Restaurant Piz Gloria

The Schilthorn gondola whizzes you as much as this revolving restaurant, which served because the villain’s lair within the 1969 James Bond traditional ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’ “If you want to have a spectacular breakfast, this will probably be an excellent one,” says Leenders. “It takes 45 minutes to show 360 levels. You see the entire mountain vary. On an excellent day, you may even see Mont Blanc.” Select from the in depth breakfast or lunch buffet, or order a la carte.

Finest after-ski and after-hike hangouts

Gondola

Gondelbar means gondola bar, and this cozy watering gap simply above the Lodge Jungfrau is actually an previous gondola transformed right into a bar. Bichsel recommends warming up together with his favourite post-ski elixir: “I just like the Münzen Zwetschge—mint tea with schnapps.”

Different metzg

For a comfortable pre-dinner drink and nibble—what Swiss Germans name an aperitif—Trommer recommends Alti Metzg. It’s a gourmand deli with a comfortable cellar the place you may share a bottle of wine and a plate of regionally sourced bread and charcuterie. “They shut at 7 p.m., so it’s good for earlier than dinner,” Trommer provides.

Finest Time to Go to

The ski season in Mürren begins in December and was nonetheless going robust once I visited in April, however you need to arrive by March to make sure sufficient snow protection. Though many Mürren residents first come for the winter, they fall in love with the summer season. “Winter was my favourite season as a result of I like to ski. Now, I really like the summer season … the combination of seasons is the best factor about it,” says Bichsel.

Between late Might and September, you may go climbing, mountain biking, and even paragliding. You even have extra hours to sit down outdoors and easily admire the mountain views late into the night. Whereas Mürren has fewer crowds in spring and fall, notice that almost all inns and eating places shut for just a few weeks after Easter and once more in October and November.

How one can Get There

Attending to Mürren is a part of the enjoyable. Arrive by practice into the city of Lauterbrunnen within the valley of the identical identify. From there, you may take the Grütschalpbahn gondola and switch to a practice to Mürren. For extra of a thrill, select choice two: Take a bus from Lauterbrunnen to the Stechelberg gondola, which travels practically straight up for 4 minutes earlier than arriving in Mürren. When you’ve got a automobile, you may park in Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg.