Gimmelwald

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Mattias Nutt
Photo provided by Jost von Allmen
Photo provided by Jost von Allmen
Photo provided by Mattias Nutt
Photo provided by Jost von Allmen
Relish in the seclusion of this car-free village in the Swiss Alps and hike along spectacular mountain trails with the music of ringing cow bells your ears.

There is a saying about Gimmelwald that goes: “If Heaven isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, send me back to Gimmelwald.” Located on a clifftop among soaring peaks, this sleepy, car-free village certainly epitomizes the perfect Swiss alpine experience.

Part of the village’s appeal is that you have to go out of your way to get there. At 4,485 feet (1,367 meters) above sea level without an access road, Gimmelwald is accessible only by hiking or taking the cable car up. The cable car rises up from Stechelberg on the floor of the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Gimmelwald before carrying on to Murren. You can also drive to Murren and hike down, which takes about 45 minutes.

Soak up the sweeping views that surround Gimmelwald in all directions as you approach. Stroll around the village and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. To restrict development and keep the charm of their village, the residents had it declared an avalanche zone. You won’t find anything bigger than a chalet or barn in this traditional settlement of about 120 residents.

Admire the architecture of the typical Swiss chalets, with the earliest being from the mid 1600s. Gaze down into the valley below or up at the peaks towering above you. Gimmelwald sits right beside the Jungfrau-Aletsch area. Discover this UNESCO World Heritage park’s pristine alpine wilderness and look up at its peaks of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) high.

During the warmer months, you can hear the cow bells all around on the alpine meadows as you explore the many mountain trails. Watch how the local farmers gather hay by hand to keep the cattle fed through the winter months.

Come winter, watch how Gimmelwald puts on a thick coat of soft snow. All kinds of winter sports are possible in the Schilthorn region and the skiing trails are just a scenic cable-car ride away. Go skiing or snowboarding and come back to the village to enjoy a warm glass of mulled wine beside a log fire.

Gimmelwald is one of the last destinations in Switzerland to retain that true small village feel. Nestled on its cliff-top home in the stunning Alps, this charming farmer’s hub is indeed a piece of Heaven on Earth.

Essential by Dorint Interlaken
Essential by Dorint Interlaken
3 out of 5
8-10 Rugenparkstrasse, Interlaken
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P11,744 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
P11,744
P12,608 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 14 - Mar 15
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Mystery Rooms and Alpine Garden ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (196 reviews)
Great place
"Absolutely wonderful place to stay! Highly recommend"

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2025

Essential by Dorint Interlaken
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Hotel Chalet Swiss
3 out of 5
Seestrasse 22, Unterseen, BE
The price is P12,505 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
P12,505
P13,528 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 23 - Mar 24
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Unterseen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a sauna. Popular attractions Mystery Rooms and Lake Thun are located nearby.
7.8/10 Good! (98 reviews)
"Property has a beautiful garden and picnic area. View from our room balcony was a great picture of Interlaken West. Breakfast was very good (free!) and staff attentive and informative. Hotel is decorated with beautiful period photos and antiques."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2024

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Eiger Lodge Chic
Eiger Lodge Chic
3 out of 5
Grundstrasse 58, Grindelwald
The price is P9,684 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
P9,684
P10,730 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 12 - Mar 13
Stay at this 3-star ski hotel in Grindelwald. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a garden. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (435 reviews)
"Staff was very helpful and the property was beautiful and clean."

Reviewed on Jan 25, 2025

Eiger Lodge Chic
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hapimag Resort Interlaken
Hapimag Resort Interlaken
3.5 out of 5
Höheweg 95, Interlaken
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (238 reviews)
"Great all around"

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2025

Hapimag Resort Interlaken
Central Beauty Scenery Apartment
Central Beauty Scenery Apartment
2.5 out of 5
9 Jungfraustrasse, Interlaken
Stay at this aparthotel in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Mystery Rooms and Lake Brienz are ...
6/10 (41 reviews)
"For the price and location near Interlaken stations, this property was good. We were there to hike the mountains not to stay indoors. The location above a several restaurants was noisy at night and near construction in the morning. Usual city inconveniences."

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2024

Central Beauty Scenery Apartment
Aparthotel Krone - Self Check In
Aparthotel Krone - Self Check In
2.5 out of 5
16 Spielmatte, Unterseen, BE
Stay at this aparthotel in Unterseen. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Mystery Rooms and Lake Brienz are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (20 reviews)
"This place was nice to stay in interlaken. Close you interlaken west station, close to markets. Interlaken is not a big town so you can walk everywhere if you have your stay booked in interlaken. Because its a self check in there is no one in the front desk to get service. If you need extra service ..."

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2024

Aparthotel Krone - Self Check In
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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