Gimmelwald at a glance
Gimmelwald lies at 1,367 metres on a steep terrace above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. At the end of 2025 it had 109 residents and 178 guest beds. The village is car-free.
It is the intermediate station of the Schilthorn cable car, between Stechelberg at the bottom of the valley and Mürren above. Wooden barns stand in the meadows, and the village is a short stop for walkers, via ferrata climbers and anyone who wants a quiet night rather than a busy resort.
How to get to Gimmelwald
You cannot drive to Gimmelwald. You arrive by cable car or on foot.
From Stechelberg
Take bus 141 from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, which takes 12 minutes and runs every half hour. From the valley station the cable car stops in Gimmelwald and goes on to Mürren. With the stop the ride to Mürren takes about 12 minutes; without it, 4 minutes.
Getting to Lauterbrunnen →Ticket
The Stechelberg to Mürren ticket costs CHF 23.60 return in 2026, CHF 11.80 with a Half Fare Card. It is free with the GA, Swiss Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Pass, and 20 percent cheaper with the Jungfrau Travel Pass. We did not find a separate fare for the short hop from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald.
Parking
The Stechelberg car park has more than 1,000 spaces and costs CHF 8 for 8 hours. It has 4 charging points.
Service days
The cable car from Stechelberg through Gimmelwald to Mürren runs 365 days a year.
Tours near Gimmelwald and Mürren
Cable car tickets, guided hikes, via ferrata tours and day trips from the villages above Lauterbrunnen, with live prices and availability.
Autumn 2026: no daytime stop in Gimmelwald
During the overhaul weeks the cable car runs without a stop in Gimmelwald on weekdays.
| Dates (Monday to Friday) | Hours | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 19 to 23 October 2026 | 08:10 to 17:50 | No stop in Gimmelwald |
| 26 to 30 October 2026 | 08:10 to 17:50 | No stop in Gimmelwald |
The operator replaces the stop with the new cable car from Stechelberg to Mürren and a bus from Mürren. Check the revision timetable before you go, especially if your hotel or the via ferrata is your goal. Outside these hours and at weekends, the normal timetable applies.
Via ferrata and walks
Gimmelwald is the end point of the Mürren via ferrata. The route goes down, not up: it covers 2.2 kilometres with 300 metres of descent, is rated K3 (fairly difficult), and takes about 3 hours. It is very exposed. The entrance is about 10 minutes from Mürren station, and you ride the cable car back up from Gimmelwald.
- Open: 1 June to 31 October, 9:00 to 18:00, in good weather only.
- Cost: free, with a voluntary contribution box at the start.
- Rules: the intro video is compulsory. Rental gear is available in Mürren.
For a long hike, the route from Gimmelwald via Tanzboden and Oberhornsee to Stechelberg takes 8 hours and is rated hard. The walk between Mürren and Gimmelwald offers views into the valley; we could not confirm an official walking time.
A quiet stay
Gimmelwald is small, so expect a quiet night.
Few beds
With 178 beds the village fills up in high season. Book early for busy periods.
Where to stay →Quiet autumn
Many hotels and mountain huts in the area close from late October to mid December, so check opening dates before you travel.
Rules
Drones are banned across the valley, and wild camping is not allowed either. Tap water is drinkable.
Day trip base
From Gimmelwald, Mürren is one cable car stop away, and the Schilthorn is reached via Mürren and Birg.
Mürren →
Gimmelwald: frequently asked questions
How high is Gimmelwald?
Gimmelwald lies at 1,367 metres, between Stechelberg at about 866 metres and Mürren at 1,650 metres.
Is Gimmelwald car-free?
Yes. Cars cannot drive into the village, which has 109 residents. You arrive by cable car or on foot.
Does the cable car stop in Gimmelwald this autumn?
Not in the daytime on weekdays from 19 to 23 and 26 to 30 October 2026, between 08:10 and 17:50. Outside those times it runs as usual.
How do you get from Mürren to Gimmelwald?
By cable car, on foot, or by via ferrata from 1 June to 31 October. The via ferrata is rated K3 and takes about 3 hours.
Is Gimmelwald worth a stop?
For quiet, yes. It has no big sights, but the meadows, the barns and the views make it a good place to walk, and a night here is quieter than in the larger villages.