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 metres) 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 metres) 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.
