By Train
Switzerland’s trains are famously reliable, clean, and scenic. Lauterbrunnen (802 m / 2,631 ft) is your main entry point, and from there you hop onto a charming mix of cable cars, funiculars, and mountain railways to reach Mürren (1,650 m / 5,413 ft), Wengen (1,274 m / 4,180 ft), or Gimmelwald (1,367 m / 4,485 ft). You may feel like a mountain VIP just getting there.

By Car
You can drive into the Lauterbrunnen Valley, but that’s where the wheels stop. From there, you’ll park in the valley and let the lifts take over—no steering required.

Since the villages up in the mountains are completely car-free, you’ll leave your car in one of two main lots:

Stechelberg Parking Lot (Best for Mürren & Gimmelwald)
At the very end of the valley road, this outdoor lot sits right at the base of the lift system. It’s spacious, easy to navigate, and literally steps from the cable car station. 

Lauterbrunnen Parking Garage (Best for Train Connections)

If you’re heading toward Wengen or want to take the train up to Grütschalp, this covered garage is a convenient alternative. Organized, well-lit, and right in town—bonus points if it’s raining.

One of the most memorable parts of arriving in the Bernese Oberland is the journey from the valley floor up to the car-free villages.

From Stechelberg, a series of vertical cable cars carries you straight up the cliffs toward Gimmelwald and Mürren. It’s vertical enough that you almost feel like you’re floating, and the views are epic from the moment you leave the station.

As you rise, you’ll see waterfalls plunging down sheer rock walls, tiny wooden chalets perched in impossible spots, and the entire Lauterbrunnen Valley opening up below. And almost everywhere you look, the majestic Jungfrau towers in the distance—a gleaming, snow-capped giant at 13,642 ft, visible from nearly every village in the region. Its presence dominates the skyline and reminds you just how dramatic this Alpine landscape truly is.

Stepping off the cable car into town is surreal. No traffic, no noise—just fresh Alpine air, quiet streets, and views in every direction.

Since you won’t have a car anyway… why not explore the region the way it’s meant to be seen?

Some of the most beautiful spots are on the walking paths connecting the villages. These trails aren’t difficult—just peaceful, scenic, and full of tiny surprises.

From wildflowers to wildlife to the quiet rhythm of mountain village life, these paths showcase everything magical about the region—and with Jungfrau always keeping watch in the background, the scenery never gets old.

Car-free villages mean you’ll be your own transport system. Dragging heavy luggage uphill? Not fun. Pack light and save yourself the workout.

Layer Up
Weather can change on a dime here—sunny one moment, chilly clouds rolling in the next.

You’ll thank us when you’re hopping between lifts and trails without feeling like you need a sherpa.

Hotel Edelweiss – Mürren
Cozy, welcoming, and perfectly perched for panoramic views. Mürren is peaceful, charming, and the perfect home base for exploring the region.

View from our balcony at Hotel Edelweiss

Other options:

• Gimmelwald: Tiny, quaint, and completely magical
• Wengen: Convenient for train connections and slightly livelier
• Lauterbrunnen: Quick valley access

Restaurant Stäger-Stübli – Mürren
Our favorite fondue in the region. Warm, intimate, and full of Alpine charm. The women in the kitchen were kind and welcoming. The fondue was rich, the views were incredible, and the whole experience felt like a cozy local secret.

Mürren’s Hidden Disco
Yes… a disco. In Mürren.

We were having a quiet dinner when our server casually asked:
“Are you going to the disco tonight?”

We thought he was joking—he wasn’t. A disco? Here? So, of course we went! Just across the road, in this tiny village, a lively little disco bar comes alive on select nights. Totally unexpected and so much fun.

The Honesty Shop in Gimmelwald
A sweet self-serve shop in Gimmelwald where you pick what you want and leave money in a box. No cameras, no cashier—just trust. It perfectly reflects the community vibe of the region.

At the top of the Schilthorn, you’ll find the filming location from the classic Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). The revolving restaurant and 360° mountain views are legendary—if the clouds cooperate.

Pro tip:
Check the live cams before heading up. Clouds move fast, and you don’t want to miss that epic view of Jungfrau and the surrounding peaks.

The Bernese Oberland feels like a storybook come to life—mountain paths, tiny villages, dramatic cliffs, and a rhythm of life that makes you slow down just enough to really notice it all. With the Jungfrau watching over everything, it’s impossible not to feel small in the best way possible.

It’s peaceful, unforgettable, and absolutely worth a return visit… even for travelers like us who rarely go back to the same place twice.

Pro Tip: From almost every village, Jungfrau dominates the skyline—it’s worth pausing frequently to snap photos or just soak in the grandeur.