Mürren: A mountain village between valley and peaks

Mürren is a village in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. It lies at around 1,640 metres above sea level and about 800 metres above the floor of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. On the western side of the valley, the village sits on a terrace facing the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Birg and Schilthorn rise above Mürren. This location and the range of routes and activities make the village a destination where you can easily shape your stay around hiking, winter activities or village history.

Getting there and finding your way around

Mürren is car-free and cannot be reached by public road. The train journey from Lauterbrunnen first takes you by cable car to Grütschalp. From there, the Lauterbrunnen–Mürren mountain railway (BLM) continues to Mürren. This sequence is useful when planning: getting to the village is part of the journey and involves two different railways.

Compare hiking routes

The hike from Grütschalp to Mürren passes through Winteregg. Along the way, you can enjoy an impressive view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau; you can return to your starting point by train. If you would like to combine the route with a nature theme, the detective trail from Grütschalp to Mürren features puzzles that teach you about local nature. The Mountain View Trail offers a different landscape, winding through flower-filled alpine meadows.

The Nordwandweg themed trail offers its own focus: it shares historical information about mountaineering in Mürren. This means different things can take centre stage on an outing—the view of the peaks, nature puzzles, alpine meadows or mountaineering history. The Via Ferrata Mürren takes about three hours of climbing time; the actual duration may vary depending on conditions and ability. The start is south of the retaining walls of the tennis courts and can be reached from Mürren railway station via the lower village road.

Winter activities and more

The Mürren-Schilthorn ski area offers ski runs, steep slopes for snowboarders and winter hiking trails. A snowshoe tour runs from Mürren to Allmiboden and back. The activities described offer distinct ways to experience the mountain landscape in winter: ski and snowboard runs, winter hiking and a snowshoe tour.

The Flower Park is located on Allmendhubel. Its features include marmot burrow tunnels, zip lines, and oversized flowers and insects. The trails and activities cover a range of themes, so you can choose based on whether you would rather be out and about or visit individual attractions.

Village history and traditions

Mürren is considered a traditional Walser mountain village. It was first mentioned in 1257 under the name Mons Murren. Mürren was probably an alpine pasture until immigrants from the Lötschental settled there shortly after 1300. The Church of Mürren is also part of the village’s history: George Edmund Street built it in 1878 as an English church. The picturesque neo-Gothic wooden building stands on a rustic base and is clad in shingles. Mürren has both a Reformed church and a Roman Catholic church.

The MiniMuseumMürren is a window-display museum that presents the village’s history and stories. Its displays may change over time. At the recurring “Alpine Migration” event, cows decorated with flowers, ribbons and large bells are driven down the mountain. The event takes place in mid-September each year; the exact date may vary. Check the date if you would like to plan your visit around it.

At the Mürren Village Festival, flower-decorated cows, cowbells, traditional costumes and brass band music come together in a procession through the chalet-lined, car-free streets. The two events have different emphases: the “Alpine Migration” centres on the decorated cattle drive, while the Village Festival features a procession with other local traditions.

Cheese-making and planning your visit

A guided tour of the Schiltalp alpine dairy showcases the mountain farmers’ craftsmanship in cheese-making. A mountain breakfast is included after the dairy visit. The activity is seasonal; confirm opening dates before your visit. From Mürren, the Schiltalp alpine dairy can only be reached on foot or by bicycle.

Discover more destinations: Lauterbrunnen, Iseltwald, Beatenberg, Axalp, Wengen, Lütschental, Bönigen, Isenfluh

For the wider travel overview: Interlaken.