wrenwood

We will be staying in Murren the first week of 2014. We have not been there at this time of year, I'm wondering if it will be crazy with people and tour busses. Not so much Murren itself, but the cablecars, restaurants, trails etc?

annhig

wrenwood - do you mean the first week of July 2014, or the first week of 2014 - ie January?

wrenwood

oops! First week of July 2014!

annhig

ok. I can't actually help with the answer to the question, then, as I've only been to the area in winter for the skiing [and that a long time ago] but at least we know what the question is!

neckervd

Tour buses don't go to Muerren for sure (there is no access road, BTW). There will be more people in July-August than in the other summer months (Swiss school holidays, day trippers from Berne and surroundings).
But Muerren is not a party place, rather a family resort and famous with elder Swiss people.
Foreign people who absolutely want to go to Schilthorn (Piz Gloria, James Bond!) don't usually even stop at Muerren.

michelhuebeli

"Crazy" - no. Busy - yes, but not everywhere all the time.

Get the booklet and special maps of the "Wanderwege" - the network of hiking trails www.wandern.ch (the website is only in French and German but it will give you an idea). Every newsstand and bookshop etc. sells those maps and guidebooks, and even if you encounter other backpackers and day strollers on the trails, it's not like mass transit...

This gives you a fabulous picture with hiking suggestions on a 3-D map: www.muerren.ch/wanderplan/

annhig

Depending on how energetic you want to be, you may like to look at a book by a friend of mine, who has written extensively about walking in this area:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bernese-Alps.../dp/1852844515

even if you don't use it much, it'll be very well written as Kev has a great way with words, whether written or spoken.

PalenQ

Yes the crowds are localized as the casual bused in groups go to the most famous places - the Jungfraujoch train will always be mobbed and up top too - the main pavilion and ice caves, etc but there is ample room to to roam - like walking to the glacier.

Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald will be crowded for sure as many groups go there but just in a few areas.

In short hiking trails, etc will not be mobbed and you should IMO not worry about being in tourist crowds much at all IME at that time of year.

PalenQ

Foreign people who absolutely want to go to Schilthorn (Piz Gloria, James Bond!) don't usually even stop at Muerren.>

though if coming from Lauterbrunnen and Grutschalp they do have to walk thru this pleasant town to get to the long aerial gondola to Piz Gloria, the name of the revolving restaurant and building in which parts of James Bond On Her Majesty's Service was filmed as the restaurant/building was under construction.

drexelius

Have been to Murren in July a couple of times. As others have said, busy but not too crowded. A lot of folks doing a quick visit and then passing through to their trail or the Schilthorn. Late afternoon and evening it gets very quiet and peaceful. We love it there any time of the year. Will probably go offseason when the kids grow up but for now not much choice.

wrenwood

Thanks all, we will be there early July the next two years, staying in Murren 2014, Grindelwald in 2015 with family. The little more crowded Grindelwald will be fine in 2015, as I think it will be better for my brother and his family going there for the first time. My two nieces won't think they are in the middle of nowhere!

annhig, I do have that book, I bought it at your suggestion before we went to Grindelwald for the first time 6 years ago. Great resource!

I am really looking forward to Murren next year, I have always wanted to stay there. Hoping there will still be wildflowers hanging around!

annhig

wrenwood - I'd forgotten that I'd recommended it before. Glad you've found it useful.

lucky thing to be going there two years running; you might be lucky with the wild flowers, but I'm sure it will all be lovely anyway.