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
The price is CA $469 per night from May 5 to May 6
CA $469
CA $499 total
includes taxes & fees
May 5 - May 6
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Mystery Rooms and Alpine Garden ...
9/10 Wonderful! (229 reviews)
"Awesome place to stay at. i willcome back and stay here again. Great friendly staff, excellent breakfast and you get off the train into the hotel lobby literally 20m. only thing, there was no iron in the room. the rest was 10 out of 10."

Reviewed on Apr. 23, 2025

Essential by Dorint Interlaken
Eiger Lodge Chic
Eiger Lodge Chic
3 out of 5
Grundstrasse 58, Grindelwald
The price is CA $285 per night from Apr. 30 to May 1
CA $285
CA $314 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 30 - May 1
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! (443 reviews)
Great hotel
"Fantastic hotel. Great view. Highly recommend it."

Reviewed on Apr. 21, 2025

Eiger Lodge Chic
Boutique Hotel Bellevue
Boutique Hotel Bellevue
4 out of 5
Marktgasse 59, Interlaken, BE
The price is CA $475 per night from Apr. 29 to Apr. 30
CA $475
CA $504 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (579 reviews)
"Excellent experience.. staff was great as was breakfast."

Reviewed on Mar. 6, 2025

Boutique Hotel Bellevue
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! (247 reviews)
"Nice rooms and location"

Reviewed on Apr. 19, 2025

Hapimag Resort Interlaken
Swiss Hotel Apartments-Interlaken
Swiss Hotel Apartments-Interlaken
5 out of 5
Untere Bönigstrasse 8, Interlaken
Stay at this 5-star luxury apartment in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Mystery Rooms and Lake Brienz ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
"The property was great and the location is near the train station. Also the service from the people that received you is one of the best! The apartment we rent was big, clean and confortable"

Reviewed on Apr. 19, 2025

Swiss Hotel Apartments-Interlaken
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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