Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you'll enjoy an incredible 360-degree view and a chance to sign your name on the register
stored in the little wooden box.
A steep trail winds directly down from Brünli toward Gimmelwald and soon hits a big-
ger,easiertrail.Thetrailbendsright(justbeforethefarm/restaurant atSpielbodenalp), lead-
ing to Sprutz. Walk under the Sprutz Waterfall, then follow a steep, wooded trail that depos-
its you in a meadow of flowers at the top side of Gimmelwald.
Hikes from Gimmelwald
▲
Up Seinen Valley to Kilchbalm (easy)
The trail from Gimmelwald up the Sefinen Valley (Sefinental) is a good rainy-weather hike,
as you can go as far as you like. After two hours and a gain of only 800 feet, you hit the end
ofthetrailandKilchbalm,adramaticbowlofglacierfields.Snowcanmakethistrailunsafe,
even into the summer (ask locally for information), and there's no food or drink along the
way.
From the Gimmelwald fire station, walk about 100 yards down the paved Stechelberg
road. Leave it on the dirt Sefinental road, which becomes a lane, then a trail. You'll cross a
raging river and pass a firing range where locals practice their marksmanship (Fri and Sat
evenings; the
danger of fire
sign refers to live bullets). Follow signs to Kilchbalm into a
forest, along a river, and finally to the glacier fields.
▲
Gimmelwald-Tanzbodeli-Obersteinberg-Stechelberg/Gimmelwald (more dificult, for
good hikers)
This eight-hour, 11-mile hike is extremely rewarding, offering perfect peace, very few
people, traditional alpine culture, and spectacular views. (There's no food or drink for five
hours,sopackaccordingly.)Thetrailcanbeabitconfusing,sothisisbestdonewithagood,
locally purchased map.
About 100 yards below the Gimmelwald firehouse, take the Sefinental dirt road (de-
scribed in previous listing). As the dirt road switches back after about 30 minutes, take the
right turn across the river and start your ascent, following signs to
Obersteinberg
. After 1.5
hoursofhardclimbing,youhavetheoptionofaside-triptoBusenalp.Thisisfunifthegoat-
and-cow herder is there, as you can watch traditional cheesemaking in action. (He appreci-
ates a bottle of wine from hikers.) Trail markers are painted onto rocks—watch carefully.
After visiting Busenalp, return to the main path.
At the
Obersteinberg 50 Min/Tanzbodeli 20 Min
signpost, head for Tanzbodeli (“Dan-
cing Floor”). This is everyone's favorite alpine perch—great for a little romance or a picnic
with breathtaking views of the Obersteinberg valley. From here, you enter a natural reserve,
so you're likely to see chamois and other alpine critters. From Tanzbodeli, you return to the
