I have been planning this hike since May when I received a nice gift from Wandermagazin SCHWEIZ – a set of new hiking guides. While reading them carefully, I came across a hike in the popular Bernese Oberland, which I knew immediately that we had to do it this year. However, the cable cars did not run yet in May, the cable car to the Allmendhubel was not yet in operation in June, and in July we went for a holiday in our homeland. And so we didn’t get here until mid-August. But it doesn’t matter – all things come to him who waits and the wait has definitely paid off.
From the Grütschalp via Mürren to the Allmendhubel and back
This loop trail in the Jungfraujoch region, where you can use up to three types of cable cars, is not at all challenging and you will enjoy spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Getting there
By train: From Interlaken Ost station with the Bernese Oberland Bahn (BOB) to Lauterbrunnen.
By car: from Bern on the A6 motorway in the direction of Spiez, then continue on the A8 motorway in the direction of Interlaken. Take exit 25 – Wilderswil and then continue towards Lauterbrunnen. Leave your car in the covered parking house Lauterbrunnen, Bahnhof. You can reach the Grütschalp cable car station directly from the parking house (arrows and pointers everywhere).
Grütschalp – Mürren
The cable car to Grütschalp is relatively new – it has been in operation since 2006 (until then there was a funicular). You can buy a return ticket either at the ticket office or at the vending machine (you will avoid the queue 😉). The return ticket costs 18 francs (half with Halb-Tax, children with Junior Card travel free). The cable car runs every quarter of an hour. As soon as you get off the cable car, you can either change to the historic narrow-gauge railway, which will take you to Müren, or go on a comfortable five-kilometer hike along this track. Needless to say, we chose the second option 😉 This simple route high above the Lauterbrunnen valley is also suitable for prams and some sections are in the pleasant shade of the forest.
Mürren
Mürren is located on a rock ledge above the valley. Like Wengen, Mürren is a car-free village. You can get here only by cable car from Stechelberg (which leads further to the top of Schilthorn) or the just mentioned narrow-gauge railway along the mountain ridge.
Allmenduhubel-Bahn
Once you are in Mürren, it is only a few minutes to the valley station of the Allmendhubelbahn funicular. This funicular was opened in 1912 (of course, it has since been renovated). I recommend monitoring the operating hours of the funicular, as it can be subjected to spring or autumn maintenance. The cable car runs from 9 am to 5 pm every 20 minutes, a one-way ticket costs 8.8 francs (half with Halb-Tax).
Flower Park playground
The funicular will take you to the Allmendhubel, where there is a really beautiful playground. While the children are having fun, you can have a snack in the restaurant or laze comfortably on the wooden loungers and enjoy the view.
Flower Trail
The Flower Trail, a kilometer-long nature trail, starts right next to the restaurant. Unlike our last visit, which was in mid-October, this time we were greeted by rich alpine flora.
Hiking back
The return hike is not as convenient as the route to Mürren. This is a “Bergwanderweg”, ie a mountain route, so I recommend good footwear. The “Mountain View Trail” leads more or less downhill, but the surface is very rocky and sometimes the stones can be slippery. The last roughly kilometer is a steep descent, there are many roots that are easy to trip over. In an hour or so you will reach the Grütschalp cable car again, which will take you back to Lauterbrunnen.
Summary
- The route is 10 kilometers long and its profile and 3D map can be found on the Tourenplaner website by Wandermagazin SCHWEIZ.
- If you come here with a stroller and small children, I recommend completing only the first part of the route from Grütschalp to the Allmendhubel. Then return by narrow gauge to Grütschalp.
- The way back is in a completely open space, so in sunny weather, I definitely recommend good protection against the scorching sun.
- Where to go: From Lauterbrunnen, you can drive a little further into the valley in the direction of Stechelberg and visit the amazing Trummelbachfälle waterfalls.
