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Best Things to do in Mürren (Summer)

Like most villages in Jungfrau, Mürren appears as though it came right out of a storybook. This car-free town is perched on a terrace above the Lauterbrunnen valley and below Schilthorn peak. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Mürren, keep reading.

Accessible only via cable car, Mürren has this charming, isolated quality to it. The limited transportation and mountainside location does slightly limit its accessibility, but anything it lacks in quantity it far makes up for in quality.

In this post, we’re going to explore Mürren and the nearby sights and attractions. We’ll cover everything you can walk to and experience right from Mürren, plus some of the best things that are just one (or maybe two) modes of transit away. Specifically, these are things you can do in the summer, roughly June through August.

Before we get too far, it’s worth noting that this post is part of an ongoing series on the greater Jungfrau region. The area is full of amazing hikes, sights and attractions. You can realistically get to all of the regional attractions from any of the nearby towns or villages.

To make planning easier, I’ve chosen to organize the attractions and hikes based on the town they’re closest to. This particular list includes all of the must-dos that are in or near Mürren. If you’re planning to explore all of Jungfrau, be sure to check out these other posts for more inspiration.

(These links to be updated soon.)

This is the view from the Royal Walk, which is just one of the many great hikes in Jungfrau.

About Mürren

Mürren is the smallest of the main tourist towns in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. The village is home to less than 500 permanent residents, but hosts up to 2,000 more during peak tourism seasons.

And yes, I said seasons with an ‘s’. Basically anytime is a good time to go to Switzerland, but tourism in this region peaks in both winter (December – March) and summer (July – August.) In this post, we’re primarily going to be covering summer activities.

For your common tourist, getting up to Mürren requires a cable car. The most popular route is from the town of Lauterbrunnen. **You take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp, then the train from Grütschalp to Mürren.** This route is included with the Jungfrau travel pass. There is also a cable car that runs between Stechelberg and Mürren, which not included with the travel pass.

We had some clouds during our visit …

Mürren is not the best home-base for bopping around the Jungfrau region, but it is perfect if you’re looking for a place to stay put and explore nearby. It is also a phenomenal day trip, so if you’re staying elsewhere, it’s absolutely worth spending a day here.

While its mountain terrace location makes Mürren a bit tough to get to, it’s also what gives it its best asset: views. Mürren boasts one of the best mountain views — I would say the best of all of the villages. From Mürren, you’ll enjoy completely unobstructed views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and three Big Three peaks: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Ready to explore, Mürren? Let’s get started.

Best things to do in Mürren

If you are staying in Mürren or traveling there for a day, there are several things to see and do in town. There are also plenty of hikes and activities that start here.

Here are a few things you can’t miss.

There’s only a few streets in Mürren, with only two main roads running the full length of the town. These main streets are commonly referred to as upper and lower Dorfstrasse. On Google Maps, the upper is called Gruebi and the lower is Hehmatten, though each change names at different sections. Both run roughly from the train station on the north side of town to the cable car station at the south side.

If you’re looking for a nice strolls with view, shops, and cafes, I’d suggest lower Dorfstrasse / Hehmatten, but you could easily do both. It’s a very small town, and walking it straight through takes all of 10 mins. Instead, take time to go into different stores, relax at a cafe, and enjoy the overall all vibes. (And even still, it won’t take too long.)

If I were to send you out for the day, I’d suggest you check out the little gift shop across from the train station, relax at the main viewpoint here, indulge with a spicy mug of hot cocoa from Café LIV, and then fill up with some traditional Swiss Rösti at Restaurant Stägerstübli. Afterward, pop into the Coop to purchase a variety of local grocery store brand Chocolates and candies for a treat.

Some of my favorite local delicacies (modeled here in Wengen)

For thrill seekers, the Via Feratta is not to be missed. Image scaling down a set of metal rungs down a vertical cliff, walking a tightrope over a waterfall, and crossing a suspension bridge that feels like it’s in the clouds — but then make that all feel perfectly safe because you’re clipped into a steel cable.

Via Ferattas are fairly common across Switzerland, and they refer to an “iron way” that leads up, over and around steep mountainous terrain. What started out practical has now become a source of fun for tourists and locals a like.

The Via Feratta in Mürren is fairly easy as far as these things go — ranking at a 3 out of 16 on the difficulty scale for such things — but it is not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to be attentive, alert and fairly fearless for this, but it doesn’t require elite level fitness.

Unfortunately, it does require you be over 10 years old and our child was not. We didn’t make this one, but be sure to check out this guide for all the essential details.

This is the rock face you’d be clinging to. Imagine zip-lining over this waterfall!

The Detective Trail is a 3-mile themed trail that runs between Mürren and Grütschalp. Along the trail are 16 puzzles, which teach children about the surrounding nature. Kids who solve all the puzzles can unlock a treasure chest and retrieve a small prize at the end.

You can hike the trail in either direction, but the kid’s activity portion is designed to start in Grütschalp and end in Mürren. You could hike this as an out and back trail and simply save the fun part for the return, or you could take the train to Grütschalp and then hike back.

Somewhat unexpected based on the mountainside location of Mürren, this trail is actually mostly flat. It’s also paved, making it a stroller-friendly option for families. You can read more about the trail here. As if this trail needed to appeal more to children, it also passes right by the Winteregg playground…

Winteregg is the one station stop between Mürren to Grütschalp. It takes about 30 minutes to hike the 1.25 miles from Mürren to Winteregg, via the aforementioned Discovery Trail.

Restaurant Winteregg is adjacent to the train station, and the playground is just behind it. The playground is small compared to the Flower Playground, but the views are just as good. If you have young kids, this playground might actually be better for them. (There’s less climbing, with more little-kid specific activities.)

In addition to the main playground, there is also an oversized swing, which is mostly appealing to adults with Instagram (who are better photographers than me.) You can also pay to rent balls and play a series of table-top marble-run style games.

Add a snack and a drink and you could easily fill an hour or two here.

If you look to the sky from the Lauterbrunnen valley in the summertime, there’s a good chance you’ll catch a glimpse of a paraglider. Not to be confused with hang gliding or parasailing — paragliding involves jumping off a cliff while attached to a parachute-like kite and floating down to a landing point.

This high-octane activity isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely a popular thing to do in the region. Particularly because you don’t have to do it alone. You’ll fly tandem with an expert who will guide the whole thing, while you just enjoy the view.

Airtime Paragliding is a popular and well-rated tour operator in Lauterbrunnen. Jumps with them cost about CHF 200. There are surprisingly no age requirements for this activity, but it’s not recommended for children under 5.

This paraglider is seen flying over the Grindelwald Valley from First, not from Mürren, but you get the idea.

The smaller peak just above Mürren is Allmendhubel. This is where you’ll find the famous Flower Playground. If you’re going for the playground though, that means you probably have kids. In that case, I’d recommend taking the funicular. If you’re keen on saving a few bucks and want to earn your views, you can hike up there instead. Plus, it’s called the Flower Trail because you’ll pass through 150 types of wild flowers!

Start at the Chalet Fontana in the center of Mürren, where you’ll see a trail marker that points to Allmendhubel. That’s pretty much the only turn, but there’s signs along the way, too. Then you’ll follow the trail (it doubles as a road, but there are very few cars up here) all the way to the top. At about 0.5 miles, you can choose to stay on the main trail which takes a wider loop around the meadow or take the steeper switchbacks straight up through it.

The hike is about 1.25 miles and steeply ascends 260 meters of incline. The trail maker says 60 minutes, but we climbed in 35 minutes. (Somehow, that was with a 5-year-old who chatted about dinosaur toys literally the entire time.) There’s a good map of the route here.

At the top, you’ll be treated to Apline views for days, and can relax and refuel at the restaurant. A little further up the hill above the restaurant is an Alpine garden, which is a great place to enjoy the view if you’re not playing. When you’re ready, you can hike back down, following the same route in reverse.

Do not confuse Grimmelwald with Grindelwald. Grindelwald is the large, tourism hub at the base of First peak. Grimmelwald is a much smaller village just south of Murren.

The walk from Mürren to Grimmelwald is 1.5 miles and takes about 45 minutes. It’s a downhill, paved path (technically a road, but again, very few cars up here), that slopes gradually downhill.

Grimmelwald doesn’t have a ton of things to “do,” but it makes for a lovely stroll and a meal. One specific thing to be sure to do is to visit The Honesty Shop, which is run entirely on the honor system.

I’ve not personally been to Grimmelwald, but this is a great guide that dives deeper into the hike and experiences there. There’s also a cable car from Mürren to Grimmelwald if you prefer. (Not included on the Jungfrau travel pass.)

It’s not hard to find amazing Swiss fare in Jungfrau. But anytime you have a chance to enjoy good food and a good view, you should to take it. That is exactly what you’re in for in Mürren.

As a vegetarian, some of my favorite Swiss foods were rösti (fried hash brown-style potatoes), käsespätzle (cheese dumplings usually with apple sauce and onions), flammekueche (pizza-like with a thin, crispy crush and crème fraîche “sauce”). Of course, there’s also raclette and fondue, which I somehow never even tried in Switzerland!

It only gets better if you eat outside. Some good options for this would be Restaurant Stägerstübli or the restaurants at Hotel Bellevue, Hotel Eiger or Hotel Edelweiss. For a more casual option, I loved Café LIV, which has a lovely patio seating area.

This is another hike that I haven’t personally done, but only because I didn’t learn about it until writing this post. It seems like the kind of hike that I’d have prioritized had I seen it sooner. So while I can’t personally vouch for it, what I’ve gathered is that this trail is beautiful, fairly easy, and off the beaten path, so it is a good way to escape crowds.

Chilchbalm is a glacial basin below a rocky slopes and trickling waterfalls. You can hike there from Mürren (8.2 miles roundtrip) or you can take the cable car to Grimmelwald and start there (6 miles roundtrip). The trail has some ups and downs, but is generally considered moderate.

You can see some pictures of the trail from someone who hiked it here and view the AllTrails information for it here.

Best things to do near Mürren

Again, I want to mention that all of Jungfrau is within reach from Mürren. Even though getting around from here is a bit harder, it’s definitely still reasonable and worth doing. However, if you just want to stick to the things that are close to Mürren, that can easily keep you busy enough.

In this next section, we’ll cover the best things to see and do that are a single public transit ride (no transfers) from Mürren.

How to get there: Take the funicular from Mürren to Allmendhubel

Honestly, I couldn’t decide if Allmendhubel and the Flower Playground should be “in Mürren” or “near Mürren” so I put it in both. You can hike there (and we did, which is why I included it above), but you don’t have to. If you just have your eyes on the Flower Playground, specifically if you’re traveling with children, the funicular is your friend.

Whether you're staying in Mürren or just visiting for the day, there are plenty of beautiful ways to keep busy. Here are a few of the best things to do in and around Mürren.
Funicular track leading up from Mürren

The funicular runs from central Mürren directly to the Flower Playground. It costs CHF 16, for adults roundtrip and CHF 8 for children 6-15. (Children under 6 are free.) This route is not included on the Jungfrau travel pass, so you will need to buy a ticket at the station or on the Schilthorn website.

The Flower Playground is one of the best playgrounds in Jungfrau. A few of the highlights include the flower labyrinth water maze, zip line, and of course, tons of things to climb and balance on. Parents will love it for the views and adjacent restaurant, where they can sit back with a coffee (or a beer!) while the children play.

How to get there: Take the cable car from Mürren to Piz Gloria

Piz Gloria is the observation deck at the top of the Schilthorn peak, and you can take the steepest cable car in the world to get there. It was made famous by James Bond apparently, but for non-Bondies, it’s basically just an epic view. (Like, really epic. Their website says that you can see all the way to the Black Forest in Germany and the Mont Blanc massif in France on a clear day.)

The main attractions at Piz Gloria are the revolving restaurant and the indoor and outdoor viewing platforms. There’s also a cafe, gift shop, and James Bond Walk of Fame.

This is a pricey excursion. Adult cable car tickets from Mürren come in at nearly CFH 100 and it is not included on the Jungfrau travel pass.

How to get there: Take the train from Mürren to Grütschalp, then take the cable car from Grütschalp to Lauterbrunnen.

The namesake town in the heart of the Lauterbrunnen Valley is the village of Lauterbrunnen. It’s a charming and bustling town. Lauterbrunnen is a popular hub for Jungfrau tourists due to its central location and abundant, convenient transportation options. It has a younger, livelier vibe than Mürren, likely because of it’s more affordable accommodations.

The town itself is an absolute treat. The main street in town, Auf der Fuhren, runs from the train station to Staubbach Fall. Along the way, you’ll pass sport shops, gift shops, cafes and restaurants. Be sure to divert over to the viewpoint here, for the classic view of Staubbach Fall and the church. (The photo below is taken from slightly different spot.)

How to get there: Take the train from Mürren to Grütschalp, then take the cable car from Grütschalp to Lauterbrunnen.

You can see Staubbach Fall from most anywhere in Lauterbrunnen. Some may argue that the best views are actually from the ground. However, if you’re up for an adventure, take a short hike on the Staubbach Viewpoint Trail.

The trail is just under a half mile roundtrip, but with 400 feet of elevation up to the fall. When you get there, you can walk into a cave behind the waterfall. It’s free and usually only takes about half an hour. It can be crowded there, and you might get went.

How to get there: Take the cable car from Mürren to Stechelberg, then take the bus (or hike) to Trümmelbach Falls.

Tucked away inside the mountains and hidden from view on the nearby valley floor is Trümmelbach Falls. It’s a series of 10 impressive, underground waterfalls that you can access via a series of stairs and elevators. In fact, they’re the only underground falls in the world that you can see like this!

You can get to the falls by walking from Lauterbrunnen (~2 miles) or via public bus. It makes an excellent detour if you’re walking between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg. Tickets cost CHF 16 and it is only open in the summer season (April – November.)

How to get there: Take the cable car from Mürren to Stechelberg and/or take the train from Mürren to Grütschalp, then take the cable car from Grütschalp to Lauterbrunnen.

From Mürren, you’ll enjoy the views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley from above. Now you need to see the valley from below, and the path from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg is the best way to do it. This is where you’re going to learn how it got it’s nickname, “Valley of 72 Waterfalls.”

This path is a rare flat trail in Switzerland, which makes it popular with bikers, runners, and hikers of all abilities. The distance between the two towns is about 3 miles. Though my waterfall count was much lower than 72, it was an absolutely beautiful trail through the valley, with several waterfalls along the way.

Coming from Mürren, you can start from either Stechelberg (cablecar) or Lauterbrunnen (train + cable car). Then, walk the trail one way and return to Mürren from the other town. This is a great way to combine Lauterbrunnen town, Staubbach Fall, and Trümmelbach Falls in one nice loop.

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