Murren Could 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 one in all these lofty peaks, above a sheer rock face, lies Mürren, a historic mountain village you possibly can solely attain by prepare or by way of the world’s steepest gondola.

Automobiles 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 part you want. You will 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 this moment stays much less crowded than at many alpine resorts. The car-free lanes additionally imply you possibly can slide or snowshoe proper as much as your resort. “You’ll be able to ski-in, ski-out in all of Mürren as a result of we’ve snow-covered streets till the tip of February,” says Samuel Bichsel, basic supervisor of the Lodge Mürren Palace.

In summer time, climbing paths traverse flower-bedecked meadows and wend via 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 possibly can have breakfast within the sky, surrounded by 200 mountain peaks.

Greatest 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 The service stays as heat and pleasant as ever, whereas the timber-rich decor and images of outdated Mürren evoke a contemporary ski lodge. E book a mountain-facing room for an unforgettable view.

Mürren Palace

When it first opened in 1874, countrymen referred to as this grand resort “Switzerland’s first palace.” Reopened in December 2024 after a protracted 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 function parquet flooring, colourful furnishings, and delightful views.

Lodge Edelweiss Mürren

Lodge Edelweiss Mürren is a basic Swiss resort: 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. Because the 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 last word ski-friendly resort. That mentioned, the property’s expansive terrace has sweeping vistas and is right for lunch on a summer time day. Inside, welcoming visitor rooms include a petite balcony or rustic cowhide rugs.

Greatest 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 by way of the Allmendhubel funicular. “All of the flowers are rising in June, July, and August. The altitude makes it final,” says Trommer. “You will have many flowers, like edelweiss, johanniskraut (a.okay.a. St. John’s wort), and blue gentian.”

Discover journey on a by way of ferrata.

Courageous the Mürren-Gimmelwald by way of ferrata, open from mid-June to October. “It’s particular as a result of it’s the one by way of 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. Should you e-book a information, you possibly can 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 marvel. “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 stage, kids below 4 aren’t allowed.

Journey to Europe’s highest prepare station.

Journey by rail as much as Jungfraujoch, the best prepare station in Europe, at 11,332 toes above sea stage. “Going by prepare via the precise mountain is sort of spectacular. And while you get to the Sphinx Observatory, you possibly can 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.

Greatest Eating places

Restaurant Stägerstübli

“Should you’re on the lookout for a conventional Swiss mountain village place, that may be Restaurant Stägerstübli,” says Leenders. “The chef is excellent in any respect the meat-related dishes, and, in fact, additionally they have fondue.” Situated in a 1901 constructing, Stägerstübli additionally serves wonderful rösti, grated hash-brown-style potatoes served with cheese or a fried egg—a hearty technique to refuel after a day within the snow.

Lodge Eiger Mürren

For a chic dinner, e-book a desk by the window on the restaurant in Lodge Eiger Mürren, the place dishes spotlight native elements 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 group. The dinner menu adjustments day by day, with a vegetarian and meat possibility. 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 basic ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’ “If you need to have a spectacular breakfast, this will probably be a great one,” says Leenders. “It takes 45 minutes to show 360 levels. You see the entire mountain vary. On a great day, you possibly can even see Mont Blanc.” Select from the in depth breakfast or lunch buffet, or order a la carte.

Greatest Après-ski and Après-hike Hangouts

Gondelbar

Gondelbar means gondola bar, and this cozy watering gap simply above the Lodge Jungfrau is actually an outdated 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.”

Alti Metzg

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

Greatest Time to Go to

The ski season in Mürren begins in December and was nonetheless going robust after I visited in April, however you must 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 time. “Winter was my favourite season as a result of I like to ski. Now, I really like the summer time … the combination of seasons is the best factor about it,” says Bichsel.

Between late Could and September, you possibly can 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 resorts and eating places shut for a number of weeks after Easter and once more in October and November.

The right way to Get There

Attending to Mürren is a part of the enjoyable. Arrive by prepare into the city of Lauterbrunnen within the valley of the identical title. From there, you possibly can take the Grütschalpbahn gondola and switch to a prepare to Mürren. For extra of a thrill, select possibility two: Take a bus from Lauterbrunnen to the Stechelberg gondola, which travels almost straight up for 4 minutes earlier than arriving in Mürren. You probably have a automotive, you possibly can park in Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg.