Grütschalp Trail Mürren Switzerland
Hike from Grütschalp to Mürren for breathtaking alpine views and a charming car-free village experience in the Swiss Alps.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better light for photos
Grütschalp Trail Mürren Switzerland
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Hike from Grütschalp to Mürren for breathtaking alpine views and a charming car-free village experience in the Swiss Alps.
"Absolutely wonderful hike with stunning Alpine views, highly recommended for nature lovers!"
Go Early for Peace
Arrive early to avoid crowds and enjoy a more serene hike. :sunriseovermountains:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The trail is well-marked and gravel, but good walking shoes are essential. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Grütschalp to Mürren Trail
Grütschalp to Mürren
A scenic 1.5-hour hike with stunning valley and mountain views. Perfect for all skill levels.
Mürren Village
Mürren
Charming car-free village offering breathtaking panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Lauterbrunnen Valley Views
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Iconic views of the valley, Staubbach Falls, and the charming Lauterbrunnen church.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Getting There & Around
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Go Early for Peace
Arrive early to avoid crowds and enjoy a more serene hike. :sunriseovermountains:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The trail is well-marked and gravel, but good walking shoes are essential. :athletic_shoe:
Swiss Travel Pass Perks
Consider a Swiss Travel Pass for potential discounts on cable cars and trains. :ticket:
Capture the Iconic Shot
Find the viewpoint for the classic Lauterbrunnen church and falls photo. :camerawithflash:
Tips
from all over the internet
Go Early for Peace
Arrive early to avoid crowds and enjoy a more serene hike. :sunriseovermountains:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The trail is well-marked and gravel, but good walking shoes are essential. :athletic_shoe:
Swiss Travel Pass Perks
Consider a Swiss Travel Pass for potential discounts on cable cars and trains. :ticket:
Capture the Iconic Shot
Find the viewpoint for the classic Lauterbrunnen church and falls photo. :camerawithflash:
Car-Free Village Charm
Mürren is car-free; enjoy exploring on foot. :walking:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Grütschalp to Mürren trail for its stunning panoramic views and accessibility. The well-maintained path and the charming car-free village of Mürren are frequently highlighted as major draws. While the experience is generally highly recommended, some note that arriving early is key to avoiding crowds and maximizing the peaceful enjoyment of the scenery.
"Stunning panoramic views await you here, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Numerous hiking trails cater to all levels, allowing you to explore the picturesque landscape at your own pace. After a day of adventure, you can enjoy a variety of charming shops and delightful restaurants, offering everything from local cuisine to unique souvenirs and especially a coop where you can have a nice snack. Numerous resting and viewing points are strategically placed throughout the area, providing the ideal spots to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery."
Bee T
"The Grütschalp–Mürren–Schilthorn trail is absolutely wonderful. In summer, the hike is enjoyable and full of stunning Alpine views, while in winter most visitors come here for skiing. Along the trail there are benches to rest and admire the scenery. Mürren itself is a beautiful village, perfect for a short stop to buy some essentials, enjoy local cafés, and take in the breathtaking panorama. Highly recommended for both hiking and skiing."
Noora M.
"Great hike from Grütschalp to Mürren. It took my husband and I about an hour an a half to hike. The trail is clearly marked and gravel the whole way. Very nice views, I’m so glad I went!"
Erin Yilmaz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common way to access the Grütschalp Trail is by taking the cable car from Lauterbrunnen train station up to Grütschalp. From there, you can begin your hike towards Mürren. 
The hike from Grütschalp to Mürren is generally considered easy to moderate, taking about 1.5 hours. The trail is well-marked and mostly gravel.
No, Mürren is a car-free village. You must park in Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg and take a cable car or train to reach Mürren.
You can take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and then hike to Mürren, or take a cable car from Stechelberg via Gimmelwald to Mürren.
Often, the Swiss Travel Pass covers the cable car and train journeys to Mürren, making it a cost-effective option. It's always best to check current coverage.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The cost for the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp can vary, but it's often around 23 Swiss Francs for a round trip. A Swiss Travel Pass may offer discounts.
It's generally recommended to buy tickets at the station, especially if you're not using a travel pass. Arriving early can help avoid queues.
The trail itself is free to access. The costs are associated with the cable car or train transport to get to the starting point.
Operating hours for the cable car vary by season. It's advisable to check the official Jungfrau Region website for the most up-to-date schedule.
Yes, a Half Fare Card typically provides a 50% discount on most mountain transport, including the Grütschalp cable car.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Mornings are ideal for this hike to avoid crowds and enjoy softer light for photography. Early risers will find the trail more peaceful.
Expect stunning panoramic views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, and charming alpine meadows.
While the trail itself doesn't have many dining options, Mürren offers several charming cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine and snacks.
Yes, the trail is generally suitable for families due to its moderate difficulty and well-maintained path. However, younger children might need supervision.
Pack essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Layers are recommended as mountain weather can change quickly.
📸 📸 Photography
The most iconic photo spot is near the Lauterbrunnen Tourist Info Center, offering a view of the village church with Staubbach Falls in the background. +1
Early mornings offer beautiful soft light and fewer people, ideal for capturing the majestic mountain scenery.
Yes, the trail is dotted with numerous resting and viewing points offering breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding Alps.
Absolutely! Staubbach Falls is easily visible from the village, and Trümmelbach Falls, though requiring an entrance fee, offers a unique perspective inside the mountain.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscapes, while a telephoto lens can be useful for isolating mountain peaks. A tripod can help with low-light conditions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Once in Mürren, families can enjoy the car-free environment, allowing children to explore safely. There are plenty of open spaces and opportunities to picnic with stunning backdrops. Consider visiting Trümmelbach Falls, an impressive series of ten glacier-waterfalls inside the mountain, which can be a fascinating experience for younger visitors (though note there's an entrance fee).
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers
Arriving early can offer a more solitary experience, allowing you to truly connect with the stunning alpine environment. Mürren provides a peaceful village atmosphere to relax in after your hike, and the efficient public transport system makes it easy to navigate the region independently.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Aim for the 'golden hours' – early morning or late afternoon – for the best light. Consider bringing a variety of lenses, from wide-angle for sweeping landscapes to telephoto for mountain details. Don't forget a sturdy tripod for stable shots, especially if you plan to capture sunrise or sunset.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Grütschalp to Mürren Hike: A Traveler's Perspective
Travelers often recommend starting the hike in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the best light for photography. The journey typically takes around 1.5 hours, with plenty of benches strategically placed along the route for rest and contemplation. Some visitors even extend their hike or explore further from Mürren, connecting to other trails or visiting nearby villages like Gimmelwald.
It's important to wear comfortable walking shoes as the trail is gravel. While the hike itself is free, the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp has a fee, which can be discounted with a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card. This scenic walk is a quintessential Swiss Alps experience, offering a perfect blend of nature, activity, and stunning vistas.
Exploring Mürren: A Car-Free Alpine Gem
Life in Mürren revolves around its stunning natural surroundings. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from hiking and skiing (in winter) to simply relaxing and taking in the scenery. The village itself has a selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants, offering local delicacies and souvenirs. It's a perfect base for exploring the wider Jungfrau Region, with easy access to cable cars and hiking trails.
Reaching Mürren is part of the adventure. Most visitors arrive via cable car from Lauterbrunnen (via Grütschalp) or from Stechelberg (via Gimmelwald). This car-free status enhances the village's serene ambiance and makes it a delightful place to wander on foot, discovering its picturesque streets and breathtaking viewpoints.
Capturing the Magic: Photography in Lauterbrunnen
Beyond the village, the entire Lauterbrunnen Valley offers endless photographic opportunities. From the cascading waterfalls like Mürrenbach Fall to the lush green meadows and dramatic cliff faces, every angle presents a postcard-worthy scene. Early morning light often provides the most magical illumination, casting a soft glow on the landscape and minimizing harsh shadows.
For those venturing up to Mürren, the panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau are spectacular. The Grütschalp to Mürren trail offers numerous vantage points to capture these majestic peaks. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to encompass the vastness of the scenery and a telephoto lens to zoom in on distant summits.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit