Set on a terrace on the western side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Mürren lies at about 1,640 metres above sea level and around 800 metres above the valley floor. The village in the Bernese Oberland faces the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau; Birg and Schilthorn rise above it. Mürren is car-free and cannot be reached by public road.
Location and Train Connections
The train journey starts in Lauterbrunnen, where a cable car takes you to Grütschalp. From there, continue to Mürren on the Lauterbrunnen–Mürren Mountain Railway (BLM). This sequence gives the journey a clear connection to the valley and the mountain village. When planning, it is also helpful to consider the different routes by their focus: some pass through the landscape, while others offer insights into nature or mountaineering.
Hiking and Via Ferrata
The hike from Grütschalp to Mürren passes through Winteregg and offers impressive views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You can return to your starting point by train. The detective trail from Grütschalp to Mürren combines puzzles with information about local nature. The Mountain View Trail winds through flower-filled alpine meadows. Mürren is also the starting point for many hikes. Comparing the trails reveals different areas of focus: nature facts and puzzles, a route through meadows, or alpine mountain views.
The Nordwandweg themed trail also offers historical information about mountaineering in Mürren. The Via Ferrata entrance is south of the tennis court retaining walls; from Mürren railway station, follow the lower village road to reach it. Allow about three hours for climbing the via ferrata itself. The actual duration may vary depending on conditions and participants’ abilities.
Winter and Nature Experiences
The Mürren-Schilthorn ski area offers pistes for skiers, steep slopes for snowboarders and winter hiking trails. The snowshoe tour from Mürren goes to Allmiboden and back. This means downhill runs and winter hiking trails are available alongside a specifically described snowshoe loop; the options differ both in activity and in the route described.
On Allmendhubel, the Flower Park features marmot burrow tunnels, zip lines, and oversized flowers and insects. Its playground features and enlarged nature motifs offer a different focus from the hiking trails through alpine meadows. Nature experiences here range from the landscape along a trail to a playfully designed setting.
Village History and Culture
Mürren is considered a traditional Walser mountain village. The village was first mentioned in 1257 under the name Mons Murren. Until settlers from the Lötschental valley arrived shortly after 1300, Mürren was probably an alpine pasture. The village has both a Reformed church and a Roman Catholic church.
Mürren Church was built in 1878 by George Edmund Street as an English church. It is a picturesque Neo-Gothic wooden building on a rustic base, clad with shingles. The MiniMuseumMürren is a shop-window museum that shares the village’s history and stories; its design may change over time.
Events and Cheese-Making
The “Alpine Migration” event takes place in mid-September each year; the exact date may vary from year to year. Cows decorated with flowers, ribbons and large bells are driven down the mountain. The Mürren Village Festival combines flower-decorated cows, cowbells, traditional costumes and brass band music in a procession through the car-free streets lined with chalets. Check event dates before your trip.
Another seasonal option is a guided tour of the Schiltalp alpine cheese dairy. It showcases the mountain farmers’ craft of cheese-making, and a mountain breakfast is included after the visit. From Mürren, the alpine cheese dairy can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Check the available dates before planning your visit, as the tour is seasonal.
Discover more destinations: Brienzwiler, Lütschental, Saxeten, Iseltwald, Beatenberg, Brienz, Interlaken, Unterseen.
Go to the main travel overview: Interlaken.
