We fell asleep to the sounds of the cow bells in the pastures of the Lauterbrunnen Valley

Why Murren is the Perfect Swiss Location

Choosing the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland for a trip with friends the last week of September, we discovered the lovely Hotel Bellevue in Murren for our lodging. And we could not have been happier.

There are gorgeous areas of Switzerland with its distinctive lakes and soaring skyline mountains, but we had zeroed in on this region after doing some extensive research. Gaining an understanding of the valley through google maps, we booked a train on sbb.ch from Luzern into Lauterbrunnen. You can also book through trainline.com. The pricing is the same. Lauterbrunnen Valley is situated in one of the most impressive trough valleys in the Alps, between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks. With 72 thundering waterfalls, secluded valleys, colorful alpine meadows and lovely mountain inns, Lauterbrunnen, with one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe, is a fabulous destination. And it is easy to navigate once you understand the transport system.

Arriving into Lauterbrunnen, hit the Coop Supermarket right at the train station to stock up on some items you might want for your hikes. You have time before the cablecar departs to whisk you up the mountain. We bought wine and cheese. Essentials for us! There is a small grocery store in Murren, too.

On the northwest side of the street across from the Coop, take the cableway up to Grutschalp. Hop out and ride the narrow gauge train into Murren BLM, the train station in the north of the village. Hotel Bellevue is down the street. All of these trains and cablecars are sequenced for the arrival of one and the departure of the next. You don’t need to worry about missing one because they literally wait for you.

Ruth and Othmar Suter welcome you to Hotel Bellevue with their massive breakfast spread each morning. Twelve different types of homemade jams with six different types of breads, fresh eggs your way, and delicious cappuccinos began our day. After hiking, we came back to eat in their restaurant. Like Hausgemachte Wildgulaschsuppe, venison goulash soup. Or Karamelisierter Ziegenkase, salad with caramelized goat cheese. Yum!

 

The hiking in this region is topnotch. There are so many trails and paths.

We did the following:

Allmendhubel up to Sonnenberg and in to Schiltalp. Then Schiltalp into the Sprutz waterfall and back into Murren. This circular trail is where you find the cows with the clanging bells around their necks!

Murren to Gimmelwald, then down through Stechelberg into Lauterbrunnen. This hike is through a beautiful forest trail and is perfect when you want the coolness of the tree cover.

Ride the yellow train from the Lauterbrunnen staion up to Wengen and hike to Kleine Scheidegg. Then train back to Murren.

Wengen is on the opposite mountain top from Murren and affords another fantastic view of the valley.

I used the site lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.com for helpful information.

The valley floor is a flat path along the Weisse Lutschine and is a lovely walk by the clear river. We bypassed Trummelbach Falls because you pay to go inside a cave to view the falls. The weather was a picture perfect blue sky day. There was no way we were spending time indoors !

Walk past Staubach Falls and follow the small road towards it until you reach the base of the falls. Walk up the stairs into a man made grotto that leads behind the waterfall.

bellevuemuerren.ch, bellevue@muerren.ch

We totally fell in love with this region!