Hiking to Murren
 

We stayed at the Alpenrose at Wengen in 2004 and had a wonderful time. We looked across the Lauterbrunnen Valley and saw Murren perched in such a commanding position. We remembered that we visited Murren very briefly in 1981 while staying in Lauterbrunnen.

So we are returning in mid-September to focus on hiking in the area taking in the Schilthorn, Gimmelwald etc.

I have now read through all previous Murren related posts by Fodorites and have a few questions. Is the Alpenruh still the most popular place to stay or are there more interesting options ? Ambience, views, a good large bed and breakfast focus our needs :-)

Any information on where to eat and hiking trails would also be very helpful. Thank you

Hi

I would suggest staying at the Hotel Jungfrau. Its situated on the high road and very central in the village. Good food, friendly management and staff, clean spacious rooms with balconies that you can sit and admire the excellent views of the famous 3 mountain peaks..

Another good hotel is the Edelweiss situated on the lower road close to the Murrenbahn.

Restaurants, I would suggest the hotel Jungfrau,Edelweiss,Bellevue,Winteregg(lunch) and Thams Chinese restaurant.....Thams is a must.

Plenty of hiking trails to suit all standards I suggest you visit the main website and have a look or email tourism and they can send you a hiking trail map.

Thank you Murrenlover. I am glad to see you love Murren so much that you have decided to sign up here.

We have also been told that Thams is a must.

As for accommodation, we were leaning towards the Alpenruh based on our research and comments previously by Fodorites.

I know the Alpenruh is at the end of the road by the Schilthornbahn but we are told the hotel is well appointed and in a prominant position. Our second choice was narrowing down to the Eiger Guesthouse. Any critique or further thoughts on accomodation would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Good_Will

I keep seeing people posting on here regarding the Jungfrau Region and some of it is out of date or just not true so i thought i would sign up and post now and again... (normally found on snowheads.com or ricksteves.com giving advise)

Tham is an amazing cook,using the best ingredients and buys fresh veg which he goes nearly everyday to collect down in Interlaken. Ask him to show you in his kitchen how to cook Egg Friend Rice and he will !!

My personal opinion is that the Alpenruh is too expensive and you can find cheaper/better but still the same quality elsewhere

Murren Sports Centre is having a major refurb at the mo and will be finished for this December with tourism been moved out to the ex hairdressers under the Anfi Palace arch (if you needed to visit them ;)

Chalet Fontana is also an option if looking at the Eiger Gusthouse price range (http://www.ferntree.ch/chalet/fontana_winter.htm)

Hi Murrenlover.

Thank you for the wonderful collection of photos.

On the subject of Alpenruh they are quoting CHF 567 for three nights in their best room category with balcony together with breakfast at Piz Gloria on one of the days. I thought that was pretty good given what I have found among the competitors.

Very interested in your comments on Murren. Also thank you for highlighting Tham's restaurant. Seems that an early reservation may be essential.

Hi Good_Will

I still think thats expensive, should be around CHF450 for 3 nights in a deluxe room on halfboard with a south facing balcony with free entry into the sports centre.(doesn't include the Schilthorn breakfast) Im very suprised you can't find that at the Jungfrau Hotel but i guess it depends on availability on the time required.


http://www.hoteljungfrau.ch/

Hello Good_Will

Alpenruh is a positively delightful place to stay. The views are fantastic from a balcony room, the food is quite good. In fact, IMO they make the best fruit tarts in the entire country. The atmosphere is quiet, traditional Swiss civilized.

We have been to the region a lot. 15 times in past 16 years for stays of anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. If we were to base in Mürren again we would stay at Alpenruh.

As your previous experience with Jungfrau region is in Wengen you should be aware that Mürren is smaller and quieter. As with all villages, some restaurants are quite good, others not so much. One of our favorites other than Alpenruh is La Grotte in the center of the village. There is an indoor restaurant and nice patio seating but no view. However, the food is terrific.

There is, of course, good hiking in the area. If you are only there for a few days you may not even need to come down the hill. Hikes from a Mürren base range from a "stroll in the park" to very aggressive. Walks in the former category include the stroll to Grütschalp or the Allmendhubel walks. Moderate level walks to Rotstockhütte or up to Lobhornhütte. More aggressive, up to the Schilthorn. Just a sampling.

I would agree with the above comment,La Grotte restaurant in the Blumental Hotel is a good restaurant but so are all the others. I suggest you walk around the village (15mins tops) and look at the each of the hotel menus and specials and decide for yourself.

Thank you for the additional advice. We are currently involved in the Global Corporate Challenge competing on how many walking steps we can achieve each day. The Schilthorn is on our list of challenges with a Coupe James Bond of course when we arrive at the top. The objective is not to need to come down from Murren over 3-4 days. La Grotte and Thams are definately on our list. Thanks again

I hope while on your walking trails you have time to visit Winteregg for lunch
http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/pl...eregg-muerren/


Hiking trail map for you
http://www.alfredssporthaus.ch/image...rte_hinten.pdf

Thank you Murrenlover. Much appreciated.

Given the cost of the Schilthornbahn it will provide more pleasure to walk up to the top and back a few times :-)

It would be great to be able to reduce the cost of the Schilthornbahn.

I'm still not sure how to do that because we will probably not have enough rail content on this trip to justify a Eurail Pass and the Swiss Card is probably not effective either as all of our 4 days in Switzerland will be in Murren and then a train ride to Stresa to pick up a car.