A talented artist and frequent visitor to gimmelwald, andrea has painted a 360 panorama view from the hostel. Paris to gimmelwald 7 ways to travel via train, bus, and. Ive never hiked in a more beautiful place than this, where the view across the narrow valley offers the jungfrau, munch, and eiger sum. Gimmelwald is an allemanic linear village and a walser settlement first. Just a 5minute walk from gimmelwald cable car, this hostel features wonderful views of the bernese alps.
Every two months or so, gimmelwald farmers bring together cows that arent doing so well and herd them into the gondola to meet the butcher in the valley below. In my opinion it is a region hyped by rick steves and not worthy to be included, at this point, with the other towns. It will take at least 5 hours for most people to get to the top of the schilthorn from gimmelwald, so pack a lunch. Its a carfree resort, accessible only by cable car or foot. Gimmelwald is in the state of bern, switzerland, in the the train from interlaken to lauterbrunnen bernese mountains. My wife, son, daughter, friends and i walked around the village of gimmelwald in december 2019.
But in 2010 classes ceased and students now go to school in lauterbrunnen so the building is being used as a chapel when the protestant pastor makes his monthly visit. Popping in on the personalities of gimmelwald by rick steves. The secret is out, though, and gimmelwald continues to lure a steady stream of new admirers each year with its dropdeadgorgeous. From the latter the fastest journey to gimmelwald takes 55 minutes, and trains leave once an hour starting at 6.
Looking at the photos on this website one can understand what brings me and many others back to gimmelwald year after year. If heaven isnt what its cracked up to be, send me back to gimmelwald. Later he worked for swissair in firstclass catering in new york during the 1960s. From my research, it sounds like we can purchase the train ticket from zurich to interlaken online before we travel. From living up in mountain hostel, meeting people from all over, hiking till our shins. Gimmelwald is an allemanic linear village and a walser settlement first mentioned in a bill of sale in 46. Aug 16, 2012 shooting our new, threepart travel skills special was a particular joy for me because i got to revisit many of my favorite and original back doors. To get there, you have to take a train from interlaken or wilderswil to lauterbrunnen, then a bus to the cable car.
Stay overnight in our hostel for 45 swiss francs, including breakfast buffet. Last summer rick returned to gimmelwald, switzerland to film a mix with the locals segment for his new rick steves europe travel skills special. Oct 22, 2014 also, some swanky bloke named rick steves mentioned it quite lovingly in an article titled, gimmelwald. It will be much easier to use the swiss transportation system than you think. We have gimmelwald accommodations with prices starting at usd 19. Gimmelwald is a small cluster of farms that for some misterious reasons is considered an actual destination by some people mostly americans. One bag, thats it my husband and i each carry a large back pack for 20 day trips in europe. His needs and pleasures were extraordinarily simple. Welcome to gimmelwald this pipsqueak of a village has long been a hideaway for hikers and adventurers tiptoeing away from the crowds. Gimmelwald, switzerlanda great place for backpackers, hikers and nature lovers in the heart of swiss alps. Since i am in this area for just three days, are there any worthwhile cards or passes to purchase for cable car and travel up to gimmelwald and later schilth.
We did this hike based on rick steves guide, but it was far more challenging than we expected based on his description. Switzerlands jungfrau region, an episode of the rick steves europe tv show. The one with murren and gimmelwald, switzerland paige. Gimmelwald is a small traffic free village in the bernese oberland in the canton of bern, switzerland, and is located between stechelberg and murren, at an elevation of 63 meters 4472 feet.
Gimmelwald to murren or vice versa gimmelwald to murren is about 2km and since it is all paved and relatively flat, it is an easy 40 minute walk. An unforgettable weekend spent hiking in the berner oberland. Walking high above gimmelwald, my favorite swiss village, with olle, who teaches. Its fun to buy produce directly from gimmelwald s entrepreneurial farmers like esther. Rick steves guide recommends that you hike down from the schilthorn, but walking up, while more strenuous on the body and heart, is much easier on the legs and balance. Find an alpine retreat in the cliffhanging village of gimmelwald. Ive been visiting since i was a kid, and its appeal is timeless. Rick steves and family huddle together for the holidays in the alpine town of gimmelwald, switzerland. Gimmelwald and the lauterbrunnen valley are recognised as one of the most beautiful locations in the alps. Prints are on sale at reception gimmelwald by rick steves. And then purchase ticket to gimmelwald at the interlaken station. Even with youngins the walk from gimmelwald and murren is stunning and easy to do.
Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday. Excerpted from the 2008 edition of rick steves switzerland guidebook picture by donna62 flickr. Hiking from here begins on nearly vertical trails along grassy pastureland. Gimmelwald, switzerland on a mountainside above the lauterbrunnen valley, swiss traditions persist in a 700yearold hamlet populated by contented cows and hospitable villagers. A great challenge in travel research is finding destinations that are a world apart. Gimmelwald is a small village with a dozen buildings. Grindelwald to gimmelwald via train, line 141 bus, and. C an an obscure village in the swiss alps remain off the beaten path after being featured in a television travel series and popular budget guidebooks in the case of gimmelwald, the answer is mootif only because this carfree village in the bernese oberland was a tourist attraction albeit a minor one long before its discovery by rick. Gimmelwald trip planner plan your gimmelwald vacation. The village is at the foot of the unesco world heritage site, the jungfraualetsch protected area. The ascent in sections are steep, but it is a well marked path with dramatic views and. Lifts go twice hourly, involve two transfers, and take 30 minutes. Gimmelwald, a traditional swiss village rick steves.
Its location is on the western ledge of weisse lutschine valley just above stechelberg and south of murren. The village itself can be explored in 30 minutes, but the real allure is in the peaceful setting and quiet laid back attitude. It find it more commercial in character and i prefer the views from the others. Its a magical heidiland with breathtaking views at every turn. Though a relatively small town, interlaken has two train stationsinterlaken west and interlaken ost. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The best of the swiss alps video rick steves europe. If snow is in the way, farmers sometimes use tourist gondolas to move their cows. It offers beautiful views for those willing to take the train, postbus, and gondola. Also, some swanky bloke named rick steves mentioned it quite lovingly in an article titled, gimmelwald. Plus the photos i saw were taken from the communal bathroom of a hostel a loo with a view. Top 10 hotels in gimmelwald, switzerland cancel free on.
Rick steves europe is public televisions mostwatched, longestrunning travel series. My favorite way to have breakfast is to ride the early gondola to the summit, and to the. Gimmelwald vs chamonix gimmelwald forum tripadvisor. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. The main homepage about gimmelwald with all information you need for a stay.
Rick steves europe walter, the proprietor of hotel mittaghorn, keeps everyone in line. Choose one of our 574 deals and get discounts of up to 30%. Learn more about rick steves classroom europe free video library its a great tool for parents and teachers. It has a snack bar, a grocery store and an attractive beer garden. The american travel writer rick steves lists it as one of the must see places in europe. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares. We were able to walk to the trailhead right from our door. Find all the transport options for your trip from paris to gimmelwald right here. Its a great first walk to just kind of orient yourself and start taking in the scenery slowly and easily. Signs and announcements in the area where youll be traveling are always translated into english, and the transit workers can speak good english. If you want a fancy bed, youre better off in a nearby resort. Mountains, waterfalls, glaciars and high forests, it has it all. Gimmelwald is a small mountain village in bernese highlands region of switzerland. The cow culture of switzerlands berner oberland travel.
Get inspired with rick steves recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on. I am planning a trip to either gimmelwald or chamonix from paris in mid jan 2019. Also desire to travel up to schilthorn from gimmelwald. Choose from more than 1,500 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. Catch the lauterbrunnenbound train from the interlaken ost station, and get off at lauterbrunnen. For the real switzerland, visit anywhere but gimmelwald. Directions no matter where you are coming from, you have to pass through interlaken first. One of those destinations is gimmelwald, in the swiss alps. Whether you are a backpacker on your way to europe, a rick steves follower, or an outdoor enthusiast, im sure you had heard about this village high in swiss. Proper hiking boots and poles are recommended, plus food and water. Rome2rio makes travelling from paris to gimmelwald easy. Travel with rick on this video guide to the swiss alps and find out what to do on your next trip. To commemorate the smithsonian presents travels with rick steves magazine now on sale online, and at newsstands nationwide rick is blogging about the 20 top destinations featured in that issue.
We stepped inside the honesty shop where you can buy local crafts and little edibles by the honesty policy. He gained most joy in welcoming guests to the simplicity and beauty of his mountain location and, when possible, feeding them wholesome. Will be spending one night in lauterbrunnen and two in gimmelwald. It is no nicer than s of other similar villages across switzerland, but it is easy to reach and the locals have all learnt to speak english and cater to tourists. Kilchbalm hike gimmelwald, switzerland where we be. Listed in our rick steves book as very easy, it still involved about 800 feet of elevation gain so we thought it was closer to moderate. Mountain hostel gimmelwald provides heated dormitories with mountain views. Theres nothing but air between gimmelwald and the rock face of the nearby jungfrau mountain. Our last day in gimmelwald was a sunny and satisfying one. It is an intensive trail for nonhikers but very doable. Stream any episode of the rick steves europe tv show also available on youtube. I only left because i had to catch a flight back home to new york. I first came to gimmelwald in july of 2000 planning to spend one or two days and ended up staying a week perhaps this sounds familiar.
Mar 15, 2016 gimmelwald to murren or vice versa gimmelwald to murren is about 2km and since it is all paved and relatively flat, it is an easy 40 minute walk. Below are the number of accommodations by star rating in gimmelwald and the surrounding area. Gimmelwald is a small traffic free village in the bernese oberland in the canton of bern. Travel from interlaken to gimmelwald switzerland forum. Guests have use of shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen. Nov 30, 2012 at least thats what the swiss media claim.
Scenes around gimmelwald the cable car back down from gimmelwald to the lauterbrunnen valley bottom 10955493986. Paris to gimmelwald 7 ways to travel via train, bus, and plane. Also wondering where to buy advance tickets for this trip. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and. The paved path meandering down to gimmelwald is an easy 40 minute walk with easily managable switchbacks that takes you through fields of wildflowers, sheep and cows with cow bells hanging from their necks.
Shooting our new, threepart travel skills special was a particular joy for me because i got to revisit many of my favorite and original back doors. Feb 18, 2020 the paved path meandering down to gimmelwald is an easy 40 minute walk with easily managable switchbacks that takes you through fields of wildflowers, sheep and cows with cow bells hanging from their necks. From gimmelwald, you can ride the modern gondola up the schilthorn, a 10,000foot peak capped by a revolving restaurant called piz gloria. Rome2rio makes travelling from grindelwald to gimmelwald easy. Guidebook author and travel tv host rick steves is americas most respected authority on european travel. Find all the transport options for your trip from grindelwald to gimmelwald right here. Walter retired to run the hotel mittaghorn in gimmelwald around 1970, which had previously been operated by his aunt elsa. I just had to share this little moment with you from gimmelwald a cliffhanging village high in the swiss alps. You can pay 166 swiss francs to go on a train up there, the highest train station in the world, and we were originally going to do that, but its an hour each way inside a windowless, dark mountain and thats a lot of money if the view isnt perfect so if we ever come back sans kids or when theyre older we will. Get inspired with rick steves recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on gimmelwald. Grindelwald to gimmelwald via train, line 141 bus, and line. We started it off with a morning hike to kilchbalm.
Excerpted from the 2008 edition of rick steves switzerland guidebook picture by donna62 flickr ibex. Walter grew up in basel and found a career as a chef working in hotels. If you plan to go to the bernese oberland look at wengen, or grindelwald. Gimmelwald is a tiny farm community in the mountains above the lauterbrunnen valley.
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