If you love cycling in nature, this post is for you. We’ll give you all the tips for an unforgettable bike ride in the Swiss Alps. I’ll tell you in advance that the tour is very simple and doesn’t require much physical preparation, so come and check out all the details of this unmissable ride.
Section of the trail descending from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen
Where to take the tour
We went to the charming and famous town of Lauterbrunnen for the tour. Lauterbrunnen is approximately 2 hours by car from Zurich and 2:30 by train.
Directions: Arriving in Lauterbrunnen
Grütschalp Gondola and Train to Mürren
If you are coming by car, as soon as you arrive in Lauterbrunnen you can park your car in one of the village’s parking lots and then go to the train station and buy a ticket to the village of Mürren via Grütschalp, but be careful because the route works in 2 stages, first gondola and then train, buy the ticket at the train station but cross across the street where the gondola station is.
The station is right at the entrance to the village, on the main street near the restaurants.
View from inside the gondola
The gondola takes less than 10 minutes to reach Grütschalp, where you will immediately transfer to a train to Mürren, the ticket is a single ticket and as soon as you get off the gondola you can get on the train, it may sound complicated but it is very simple and intuitive.
View from the train
The train route is scenic with amazing views of the Alps where you can see the panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, a tip is to sit on the left side of the train for the best views.
Panoramic view of the mountains
The train journey takes about 20 minutes and the ticket costs CHF11.20.
In Mürren there are a few bike rental stores, we rented ours from Stäger-Sport, and we paid CHF40 francs for each bike for the whole day, CHF30 francs for half a day and the helmet is included in the rental price.
To return the bike, the store gave us a ticket to hand in with the bike down in Lauterbrunnen, exactly where we took the gondola up.
Tips
Ask the clerk at the bike rental store for tips, he’ll tell you about the route and suggest what’s best for you, as we had no mountain biking experience he suggested a quieter trail, if you have experience there’s another trail.
It’s important to be careful with the brakes, always use both together and don’t brake harshly.
Down the mountain
Start of the trail from Mürren
As soon as you start the trail there is a small rise, the only one on the route, and the rest is downhill. I confess that I was apprehensive at first because I didn’t know what was waiting for us down the mountain.
Part of the tour
You will descend from the village of Mürren to Lauterbrunnen. The route is approximately 10 km downhill, with unbelievable scenery surrounded by the Alps and pine trees.
Once we’d finished the trail and arrived in the village of Lauterbrunnen, we decided to cycle there too and explore this fairytale setting.
Finishing the trail, arriving in Lauterbrunnen
Returning the bike
To return the bike you just have to go to the same place where you got on the gondola, the one at the beginning of the tour. You leave the bike there and they transport it by gondola to the store and you don’t have to worry about it.
Total tour cost: CHF 51.20 francs
Bike rent: CHF40 francs
Gondola Ticket: CHF11.20 francs
Summary
Arrives in Lauterbrunnen ➡ Takes the gondola to Grütschalp ➡ Transfers from the gondola to the train to Mürren ➡ Rents the bike in Mürren ➡ Takes the downhill trail from Mürren back to Lauterbrunnen where the bike is also returned
We took the opportunity to end the day by stopping at one of the restaurants in Lauterbrunnen to have a bite to eat and enjoy the view.
This is one of those tours that we want to recommend more and more here on the blog, where you have experiences that go beyond traditional tourism. It was an incredible experience, one of our favorite in Switzerland so far.
I hope this has helped you plan your trip, and if you have any questions about the tour, just leave a comment here. Have a good trip!
Mürren is a small Swiss mountain village with less than 500 inhabitants, situated above the famous Lauterbrunnen valley in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland’s famous highlands.
Mürren is one of the most beautiful villages in the Swiss Alps
Mürren is one of those picturesque little Alpine villages that is a little more secluded and quiet, free of cars. It is one of the ideal destinations for winter sports and one of the most visited for skiing, but it is also beautiful in the summer and ideal for hiking or cycling. Surrounded by mountains and greenery, with a spectacular panorama overlooking the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, it is a perfect destination in both seasons.
In this post, you’ll find all the tips on what to do in Mürren and be enchanted by this fairytale village, the ideal choice for those looking for a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful scenery.
As soon as we arrived in Mürren, I was amazed by the silence and tranquillity of the village. It quickly captivated me with its small-town charm and fresh mountain air.
In my opinion, it’s a great refuge in the Alps, and if you like calm, you’ll love Mürren too.
How to get to Mürren
Mürren is part of the Bernese Oberland canton, in the district of Interlaken. The village is accessible via the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and it’s there that you’ll park if you’re travelling by car or get off the train if you’re coming by public transport.
There are two main ways to get to Mürren from Lauterbrunnen, as it is a car-free village and you need to take one of the cablecars to Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg, which is in the Lauterbrunnen district itself.
1: Cable car + train via Grütschalp
View from the train going to Mürren. The tip here is to sit on the left side for the best views
This cable car is located opposite the train station at the entrance to Lauterbrunnen near the main street. From the train station, you just have to cross the street to get to the cable car station, which is next to the Coop supermarket. You can buy the ticket at the train station or at the cable car station, which takes 5 minutes to get to Grütschalp. When you get off the cable car, the train is already waiting and the journey to Mürren takes 15 minutes.
This is undoubtedly my favorite option; the panoramic views from the train are breathtaking, a true Swiss train experience.
Price cable car + train round trip: CHF 20.20
2: Schilthorn Cable Car: From Stechelberg
View from the cable car to Mürren
On the opposite side of the main entrance to Lauterbrunnen, at the end of the valley, is Stechelberg, where you’ll find the station for the cable car up the famous Schilthorn mountain. One of the intermediate stops is in Mürren, so it’s also an option for getting to the village. The ride takes about 10 minutes. I recommend this option for anyone visiting Schilthorn.
Price from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren Roundtrip: CHF 22.40
What to do in Mürren in the summer
In the summer, Mürren is a great place for hiking and cycling. You can enjoy a stroll in the center of town, walking from one side of the small village to the other in 15 minutes, and then take a hike, the most suitable of which is from Mürren to Grütshalp and from Mürren to Allmendhubel.
This photo is from the day we went for a walk in Mürren after climbing to the top of Schilthorn mountain
We visited Mürren on two different days. One day we went up to the top of the Schilthorn mountain, and we also visited it to do a mountain bike trail, I wrote a full post about this delicious and unforgettable ride.
This photo is from the day we went mountain biking
What to do in Mürren in winter
Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Sledding
The village is well known for its winter sports; you can go skiing, snowboarding, or even sledging.
You can sledge from Mürren to Gimmelwald or take the funicular up to Allmendhubel, which takes 5 minutes. There are also snowshoe trails there. Allmendhubel has a huge playground, particularly great for family outings with children.
The slope for beginner skiers is in Allmendhubel, while for intermediate or advanced skiers it is in Birg, both of which can be reached via Mürren.
You know those little snow-covered houses we saw on the internet? Mürren is one of those examples. As its snow density is very high, it is the ideal destination to enjoy the winter. If you are not interested in sports, it is an ideal resort to enjoy a magical winter and enjoy the snow with a good mug of hot chocolate on the balcony, as well as with walks in the village and in the little shops. It is one of those perfect refuges to enjoy this winter atmosphere.
When to go?
The most visited months are in winter, from November to the beginning of April, with Christmas being the most crowded, and summer in July and August. Spring and fall are the months when you’ll find the village emptier, so if you’re looking for an alternative, May, June, and September are great months to experience a quieter trip.
Month of our trip: September
I hope you have an incredible trip and enjoy this magical place.
Places to visit near Mürren
Lauterbrunnen: The Enchanted Valley of the Lord of the Rings
Gimmelwald: An authentic Alpine village
Männlichen & Kleine Scheidegg: Breathtaking Trails and Landscapes
Everything you need to know to explore the best of Interlaken in Switzerland on a one-day trip; this is one of the best regions to base yourself in on a trip to Switzerland.
View of Lake Brienz
A region with breathtaking landscapes, the Swiss Alps, mountains, lakes in unimaginable shades of blue, green valleys, and many surprises along the way, there are also many activities and sightseeing options here, so it should definitely be on the list of things to do in Switzerland.
You know that kind of landscape that looks like it’s straight out of a book or a movie, with fascinating scenery that doesn’t seem real? Well, you’re going to see a lot of it here.
View of Brienz Village
In this post, you’ll see what to do in 1 day in the Interlaken region, tips on incredible walks with cinematic landscapes, and, what’s even better, 1 day of free walks to balance out the costs of your trip. We know that climbing the mountains and some activities are very expensive in Switzerland, but this tour will help you balance out the costs. With lots of nature and crystal blue lakes, stopping off in two charming little villages, this will be our itinerary. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Our first surprise of the day was at a very famous lake that caught the eye, Lake Lungern. It is located before you reach Interlaken and can be seen on the way by car or train from Lucerne to Interlaken, which is how we passed it. There is a lookout point at the top of the Brünig Pass where people can stop and take a photo like the one above.
LakeBrienz
View of Lake Brienz in the village of Brienz
From there, you head to the lake and village of Brienz, a 20-minute drive from Lake Lungern. The lake is striking from afar because of its pure turquoise-blue color. If you are struck by the beauty of a blue lake, you will immediately know that it is Lake Brienz.
Brienz Village
Take the opportunity to walk through Brienz Village, which is very small and full of beautiful views. A simple walk will leave you feeling refreshed.
Giessbach Waterfall
Brienz village from the climb to the Giessbach waterfall
Leaving the town of Brienz, you arrive at a fairytale place in 10 minutes: the Giessbach Waterfall. The path to it is cinematic; as you head towards the waterfall, the town of Brienz is left behind, framing a magical view as in the photo above
There is no charge for access, but take coins for the parking lot, which costs 5 Swiss francs. The parking meter only accepts 5 franc coins, so remember to change your coins before you get there. As soon as you park your car, you’ll be close to the waterfall and within a few minutes, you’ll hear the sound of the water.
Hotel Grand Giessbach in front of the waterfall
It faces the Hotel Grand Giessbach, a wonderful hotel that, in contrast to nature, makes the landscape even more magical.
Climbing to the top of the waterfall
The waterfall is not yet very famous for tourism, so it’s a place away from the crowds and very peaceful.
You walk along a footbridge and pass under the waterfall.
As you climb to the top of the waterfall, the view of Lake Brienz becomes even more beautiful.
The whole tour is stunning, surrounded by the lake, the Alps and the mountains. I confess that this is a travel find, you know those places you go to without many expectations and it becomes one of your favorites. We spent a few hours exploring the waterfall and walking around it.
Landscape around the waterfall
It’s certainly one of the places I recommend the most and think is most worth visiting.
IseltwaldVilla
Iseltwald Villa
Leaving the waterfall, in 15 minutes you’ll reach the beautiful village of Iseltwald, a small Swiss village with a bucolic landscape that will make you feel like you’re in a book. The walk here doesn’t take that long, just a short stop for a walk in a traditional village and perhaps a stop for a snack, here there are restaurants with beautiful views of the lake.
Lake Thun
View of Lake Thun
Another 40 minutes or so of driving will bring you to the little town of Thun, where you’ll find some nice surprises. The town is crossed by an emerald green river, with medieval buildings and scenic views. You can walk around the town center, have a coffee and explore this beautiful town.
EXTRA TIPS
If you’re staying in the Interlaken area, there are 3 more places in Thun that I recommend you visit. I think adding them to this one-day trip might be too much if you like to take your time, but if you have time or would like to explore more places nearby the next day, here are my tips: Spiez Castle, Beatus Caves, Hünegg Castle and its magnificent park – all three are very close by and well worth a visit.
Spiez Castle
Cavernas Beatus
Hünegg Castle and its park
How to get to Interlaken
Zurich Airport
Car: 1:45 h (140 km)
Basel Mulhouse Airport
Car: 1:55 h (155 km)
Geneva Airport
Car: 2:40 h (215 km)
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
Interlaken is a beautiful region and one of the most visited in Switzerland. It’s well worth a visit in any season of the year, but I suggest spring and summer, between April and September, to enjoy the scenery and walks.
Summary of our trip
Time of our trip: April – Spring
The average price of meals: €25 euros
Average daily rate for accommodation: €120/150 euros for an Airbnb apartment for 2 people.
Favorite of the day
Visit to the Giessbach Waterfall
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it helps you plan your trip.
Other ideas for places near Interlaken to include in your itinerary
