High above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, nestled on a mountain terrace in the heart of the Swiss Alps, lies Mürren — a car-free village where time seems to pause and the air carries the crisp scent of pine and snow. For centuries, this 13th-century hamlet remained largely hidden from the world, but thanks to a new engineering marvel — the world’s steepest cable car — reaching this Alpine sanctuary has never been easier.
A Historic Village, Newly Connected
Until recently, getting to Mürren required patience and effort. Residents once trekked for hours by mule to collect supplies. Later, narrow-gauge railways and funiculars eased the journey, and by 1965, a single-track cableway linked the village to nearby Gimmelwald. But in December 2024, Mürren’s accessibility changed forever with the opening of the Schilthornbahn — a record-breaking cable car scaling a 159.4% gradient, now the steepest in the world.
A Ride Through the Clouds
The journey begins at Stechelberg car park, where glass-enclosed cabins hoist visitors 775 metres skyward in just four minutes. The view is dizzying — a tapestry of snow-dusted pines, rugged peaks, and toy-like chalets far below. As you rise up the Mürrenfluh rockface, the Lauterbrunnen Valley unfurls beneath you in cinematic fashion, and ears pop from the rapid ascent into thinner air.
Life at 1,638 Metres
Perched at the foot of the Schilthorn, Mürren is home to just over 400 residents. With no road access, life here moves at its own pace. Locals, like native Michael Abegglen, are accustomed to cable car commutes for everything from groceries to medical appointments. “You grow up knowing everyone,” he says. “And guests often return year after year — they feel like part of the community.”
Where Heritage Meets Hospitality
After checking into the rustic Hotel Alpenruh, with panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, visitors are free to explore the charming lanes of Mürren on foot. The village brims with traditional timber chalets, alpine restaurants, glühwein-scented pubs, and quirky souvenir shops brimming with chocolates, cowbells, and hand-carved clocks. A highlight is the regal Hotel Mürren Palace, once frequented by stars like Rita Hayworth and the elite of 20th-century Europe.
A Skiing Legacy in the Clouds
Though small in size, Mürren holds a monumental place in ski history. In the late 1800s, British tourists — including the Lunn family — put the village on the map. Bernard Lunn, a current resident and descendant of those pioneers, recounts how his ancestors helped found the world’s first slalom race here in 1922, followed by the first Alpine World Ski Championships in 1931.
Winter Adventure Awaits
- 54km of ski slopes accessed by funiculars, lifts and cable cars
- 16km ski route from the Schilthorn summit to Lauterbrunnen (conditions permitting)
- Annual Inferno Race — the world’s largest amateur ski competition
“Nothing beats a coffee at the summit, followed by skiing down with friends,” says local organiser Alan Ramsay.
More Than Just a Winter Wonderland
When the snow melts, Mürren transforms into a verdant paradise perfect for hiking, trail running, paragliding and photography. “The mountains change moods with the weather,” says lifelong resident Belinda Bühler. “In spring, you can smell the earth warming. Flowers bloom, and silence returns to the trails.”
Summer in Mürren
- Hike to Grauseeli Lake and dip into crystal-clear alpine water
- Stroll through wildflower meadows dotted with sheep
- Paraglide over waterfalls and turquoise lakes
“You don’t need to go far,” Bühler says. “The stillness and purity begin the moment you step onto a trail.”
The Mürren Experience
Whether sledding down the famed Blumental Valley — a filming location for the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service — or simply sipping wine while the sun sets behind snow-capped peaks, Mürren offers an experience unlike any other. There are no traffic jams, no city noise, and no distractions beyond nature’s grandeur.
“Growing up here, I once took it all for granted,” Bühler admits. “But now, every sunrise feels like a gift. Mürren is not something you just visit — it’s something you feel.”
Even after just a short stay, that sentiment rings true. Mürren doesn’t just connect you with nature — it reconnects you with a slower, deeper way of life, all from the quiet edge of a cliff in the clouds.
