Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lauterbrunnen Valley Connections
The valley-floor towns of Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg have connections by mountain
train, bus, and cable car to the traffic-free villages, peaks, and hikes high above. Prices and
trip durations given are per leg unless otherwise noted.
From Lauterbrunnen by Train to: Interlaken (hourly, 20 minutes, 7.20 SF), Wengen
(1-2/hour,15minutes,6.40SF),continuesto Kleine Scheidegg (hourly,30minutes,30SF),
where you change to a different train to reach the Jungfraujoch (2/hour, 50 minutes, 66 SF)
or Grindelwald (2/hour, 30 minutes, 32 SF).
ByCableCarto:Grütschalp (2/hour,10minutes),whereyoucancatchatrainto Mür-
ren (2/hour, 10 minutes); total trip time 30 minutes, total cost 10.40 SF.
By PostBus to: Schilthornbahn cable-car station (buses depart with the arrival of
trains in Lauterbrunnen, 15-minute ride, 4 SF, covered by Swiss Pass), continues to Stechel-
berg town.
By Car to: Schilthornbahn cable-car station (10-minute drive, parking lot: 2 SF/2
hours, 6 SF/day, cash only).
From Schilthornbahn cable-car station near Stechelberg to: Gimmelwald (2/hour, 5
minutes, 5.80 SF), continues to Mürren (2/hour, 10 minutes, 10.40 SF) and the Schilthorn
(2/hour, 20 minutes, 55.20 SF). The cable car runs up from the valley station—and down
from Mürren—at :25 and :55 past the hour (5:55-19:55; after 19:55, runs only once an hour
until 23:45 Sun-Thu, until 24:55 Fri-Sat). From Gimmelwald to both Mürren and the valley
station, the cable car runs at :00 and :30 (6:00-20:00; after 20:00 runs only once an hour).
Gimmelwald
Saved from developers by its “avalanche zone” classification, Gimmelwald was (before
modern tourism) one of the poorest places in Switzerland. Its traditional economy was stuck
in the hay, and its farmers—unable to make it in their disadvantaged trade—survived only
on a trickle of visitors and on Swiss government subsidies (and working the ski lifts in the
winter). For some travelers, there's little to see in the village. Others (like me) enjoy a fas-
cinating day sitting on a bench and learning why they say, “If heaven isn't what it's cracked
up to be, send me back to Gimmelwald.”
Take a walk through the town. The huge, sheer cliff face that dominates your mountain
viewsistheSchwarzmönch(“BlackMonk”).Thethreepeaksabove(orbehind)itare,leftto
right, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. While Gimmelwald's population dropped in the last cen-
tury from 300 to about 120 residents, traditions survive. Most Gimmelwalders have one of
two last names: von Allmen or Feuz. They are tough and proud. Raising hay in this rugged
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