Gimmelwald HIkes
 

We would like to see both the Kilchbalm cirque and Tanzbodeli. From my map, it looks like Kilchbalm would be a short detour form the trail up to Tanzbodeli. Could we combine them in one day? Anyone done this or know how long it would take? Should our return be down via Obersteinberg to Stechelberg and back up to Mürren by lift, or simply retrace our route back to Gimmelwald? Thanks!

Enzian,

I am not sure of your route here.
Are you starting from Mürren and going to the Dancefloor and then going down to the Kilchbalm Trail that goes west from Gimmelwald.

Once in the "Kilch" you need rock climbing skills to do anything other than return to Gimmelwald.

Obersteinberg is a lookout point sharply uphill about 2,700 feet from Stechelberg.

You can take a trail that branches off the Kilchbalm - Gimmelwald trail shortly before you reach Gimmelwald itself.

The trail makes a traverse along the cliffs at the end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Obersteinberg.

I have not done this one, but on the Berner Oberland topo map it looks like it has a lot of ups and downs in it.

When you say "down" to Stechelberg, I think that is the proper term. But first one must get to Obersteinberg, which looks to me like it would be the most arduous part of the trip.

I am trying to remember where the trail branches off, but my memory is too dim.
I know that you fork down hill to cross the Sefinen Lütshine on a bridge at about 1,200 meters of elevation, which is well above Stechelberg at 910 meters.

Then, from the Sefinen Lütschine you climb up toward the Spitzhorn where, if I read my map correctly, you top out at at 2200 meters. That is a climb of 1,000 meters and the contour lines are close together at 20 meter intervals.

Then from Obersteinberg there is a long trail down to Stechelberg.

There is an alternate, lower route to Trachsellauenen that joins the trail to Stechelberg.

I suggest you get a topo sheet of the Berner Oberland and study the route before you tackle it.

I never seriously considered it because I first came to know about it when I was 67 and 7 more years and a new hip have not exactly promoted my stamina.

I am not sure if you are USA based or not. If so, One Map Place in Texas might have a copy. That is where I got mine. The website is onemapplace.com, all run together.

I usually call them on the phone to make sure of what they have, or don't have, as the case may be.

There is a mountain inn at Ober Steinberg with private rooms and a flop on the floor place as well, if you have your sleeping gear.

Also there is one as Trachsellauenen.

If you have a map that does not show the magnetic declination, it is 14º West.

I wish I still had the legs to do something like that, but that was a few years ago now that I have had another birthday.

I should have said "return toward Gimmelwald." The trail south braches off before you get all the way back to Gimmelwald.

Hello bob_brown. Thank you for your help. It was your description of the beauty of the kilchbalm walk that inspired me to do this. The Gimmelwald website describes Kilchbalm and Tanzbodeli as eacha half-day hike, so we hope to combine them. I do have the Berner Oberland 1:50000 Landeskarte, but it strains my poor old eyes! And it doesn ot name the Tanzbodeli. But if it is where I think it is, we could, after enjoying the Kilchbalm, walk back down the trail toward Gimmelwald, but take a branch to the right that crosses and then switchbacks up to Tanzbodeli. Perhaps we should simply backtrack and return to Gimmelwald, or take the train that follows the Sefeinen Lütscheine directly down to Stechelberg, and save Obersteinberg for another day.

Hi Enzian and Bob,

Your advice has been helpful in the past; I thought it might be best to reply here rather than start a new thread. I will be doing the "easy" hikes in the BO. I was wondering if the one from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is fairly level and about how long it will take. I will probably try to catch the train back to Wengen from KS if I can find a seat! I am also planning the hike from Murren to Gimmelwald, and from Grulschap to Murren. Any advice will be appreciated. I am walking solo.

Let me answer the questions posed by Susan first. The walk from the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg took us a little over an hour to reach a "refreshment center" about a half a mile or less from the train station. The walk is a piece of cake. Downhill slightly, no real athletic challenge.

I would avoid the Mürren - Stechelberg trail. It is hard on the knees and I am not sure you gain anything from doing it. Anything you can see from the trail you can see from countless other places around Mürren and Gimmelwald.

The Grutschalp to Mürren trail is well worth it. It is fairly flat as a mountain trail goes, fairly wide, and fairly smooth. The views are incredible.

Now to turn to the much more complex issue of what Enzian asked. The answer is YES, you can do it.

Walk to the Kilchbalm, have a look or two around, retrace your steps and then head downhill before you reach Gimmelwald to cross the Sefinen Lütshine
and begin the ascent to the Tanzböeli.

If you have Kev Reynolds book, I think we are discussing Route 46. Unless my count of contour lines is off, you climb more than Reynolds says you do.

The descent from Obersteinberg is fairly steep as I recall. I did not go all the way up there, just enough to get a sample, and I never got back to do doing it.

Just in case you don't have Reynolds book, let me know. I will paraphrase a section of it here.

I tried to trace the route Reynolds describes on the topographic map and give up in disgust because what he describes is not readily obvious on the map.

I can see a large area on the map where the contour lines are more widely spaced which must be the Dance Floor. Once there. You retrace your steps to where you turned uphill to bet there. Or perhaps once should say continuted uphill.

Reynolds describes it as sharply uphill!

I must admit that I was content to go to the Kilchbalm, on beyond the end of the trail, and prowl around the creeks and waterfalls. When we were there, cows were grazing and we had to detour around them. Something about a big milker chewing her cud right in the middle of the trail that is quintessentially Swiss.

By the way, I don't think the detour is so short. Perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me, but the trail downhill was fairly close to Gimmelwald.

Perhaps we should combine forces and see if we can discover what there is about Gimmelwald that tickled Rick Steves' fancy button. I have yet to find out what it was. Perhaps I need to poke my nose into more of the eateries in Gimmelwald.

Thank you, Bob, for your invaluable feedback. I will do the Grutschalp to Murren hike on the first day, if the weather is good (I'm staying in Murren). I'm looking forward to those views!

Susan

bob_brown--thank you again; I pulled out my Kev Reynolds to re-read. He combines Tanzbödeli with Obersteinberg and has a separate hike (47) for Kilchbalm; returning via Oberberg. I'll bring this and my maps and maybe we'll just see what we feel like when we get there. (I don't always put complete trust in Reynolds; he sometimes has a pretty cavelier attitude toward exposure and sketchy paths).

But Kilchbalm will definitely be in the mix; I love the idea of the waterfalls and hanging glaciers. And it sounds like it is a fine walk even in the rain.

I think what Rick Steves likes about Gimmelwald is the peace and quiet, and absence of tourist-related glitz. My kids like it too---they stay at the hostel there, but we stay in Mürren. Either one makes a fine base for hiking, I think, but Mürren definitely offers more dining options.

Susan--just to clarify one of bob_brown's comments---the walk from Mürren down to Gimmelwald is fine; it get long and steep if you try to continue on down to Stechelberg. From Mürren to Gimmelwald it is a paved path, and although it is a bit steep in places, it is an easy walk. You can ride the cablecar back up to Mürren if you don't wish to walk back up.

Just a tidbit:

The only people who know of Gimmelwald's existence are Rick Steves' readers. In fact, I learned about this village by reading Fodor's and I've lived in Switzerland for over 20 years! Gimmelwald does not have the same popularity among Swiss citizens.

Of course, no one here knows who Rick Steves is either.

I enjoy Rick Steve’s travel comments and writings, but I do get amused how some folks take everything he comments or writes about as "The Gospel". LOL

Funny, I know I have told this story before, but I have run into Rick Steve’s on 2 trips. Nice guy and he has good information for those on a tight budget on what to see and where to stay.

I suggest also taking the short fenicular ride to Allmendhubel and walking out from there. Good views toward the Jungfrau and the Mönch. The Eiger is at an angle, but discernible as I recall.

The ride is very short, but takes you up a steep incline so you can save energy for Suppenalp or elsewhere.

I suppose 10 years ago the descent to Gimmelwald would have been a minor obstacle. Odd what a little age can do to expectations.

My wife corrected my time for the walk from the crest of the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. She says it took us an hour and a half to reach the restaurant, and it was perhaps another 15 or 20 minutes of slow walking from the train station.

Also don't underestimate the slowness of the descent by train from Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen. It takes at least 55 minutes. In other words, don't be in a hurry to get back.

Enzian -

I found this info in my file on Swiss hikes - haven't hiked it, and this may not be any help, but here it is:

Gimmelwald - Tanzbödeli

3 hrs: Gimmelwald - Busenbrand - Busenalp - Tanzbödeli

From Gimmelwald the path takes you through the Sefinental Valley to Tal, and then climbs steeply via Busenbrand to Busenalp at the foot of the Spitzhorn (2 hrs). The route is marked by the "Busenfiir", site of the Swiss National Day bonfire on 1st August. Then a 30-minute uphill stretch, rewarded by magnificent views from the Tanzboden plateau.

Bob,

Thanks for the info on the walks; an hour and half is a bit much for me (I'm used to hour-long walks) but I guess I can do it. The walk down to Gimmelwald is steep? Hard on the knees? Maybe I'll ride down.

Susan

Susan -

The best way to get from Murren to Gimmelwald is via sled! We had the time of our lives one winter sledding from Murren to Gimmelwald, catching the cable car back up to Murren, then doing it all over again. A complete blast and worth every ache and pain the next day (steering those sleds was a real challenge).

Of course, you'd need some snow...

the walk from the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is slightly downhill. There may be a few uphill undulations, but they are slight.

The trail from Grutschalp to Mürren is virtually flat. My wife reminds me that there are benches along the way to sit on.

Also there is a restaurant at a place named Winteregg. The train stops there, so you could walk part of the way and ride the remainder.

The descent from Mürren to Gimmelwald is 900 vertical feet. I think that the walk is steep in places.

Melnq8 -- I will be there in July, but thanks anyway.

Bob, I really appreciate your expertise regarding these hikes. I'll be fine, I'm sure. I'm in fairly good shape, go to the gym (occasionally), go on routine walks, but haven't been on a real hike in a long while... and that's why I want to stick to the easy ones.

Is the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg hike really worth it? I plan to go on over to Wengen (from Murren) one day just to check out the village.

Susan

Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg - is it worth it? I thought it was.
The Eiger is immediately in front of you the whole way down. The walk itself is above tree line so that your view of the main range of the Berner Oberland is totally unobstructed, assuming a clear day of course.

We made a very pleasant afternoon of it by taking the train to Wengen from Lauterbrunnen and then riding the Luftseilbahn from Wengen to the crest of the ridge.

The trail to Kleine Scheidegg goes along the east side of the ridge and part of it in the late afternoon is in the shade while the sun is full on the mountains.

We stopped at a restaurant for refreshments up above Kleine Scheidegg. We could see the train station, but it was a short distance away.

It was one of the more enjoyable walks we have taken.

The Grutschalp - Mürren walk is also a very pleasant one. The Jungfrau and the Breithorn (one of several in the Alps) dominate the view south as you walk along.

My favorite of the "flat" walks is probably the trail from the First gondola station to Grosse Scheidegg.
We rode up on the gondola from Grindelwald and took the Post Bus back from Grosse Scheidegg.

The walk was over grassy meadows with the high peaks in front of us the whole way. This one is a little longer than the Kleine Scheidegg route, but still very enjoyable.

If you don't want to walk, the magnificent view of the peaks from the terrace of the restaurant at the First gondola station is ample reward for the expense of getting up there.

Thanks, Bob, for the great insight and advice.

Susan

And with that recommendation, I guess we'll plan on a lunch stop at the First top station on our hike to the Faulhorn.

I agree with Bob that the walk from

First station to Grosse Scheidegg is a good walk with some fine views.

I opted for one of the higher trails, but for those who want an enjoyable walk over to GS, the lower trail is excellent as well.

I hung out at the restaurant for a few cold uns before taking the buss back down to Grindlewald bahnhof.


One year I was treated to this folklore show up at Grosse Scheidegg.

Walking from First station over to GS with those alpen horns reverberating around