How we discovered Mürren, Switzerland
When we got out of the cable car we looked around and felt like in fairy tale. The sun was shining brightly, as we were late as always and it was approaching noon already, the snow capped mountains in front of us looked like they were welcoming us in their kingdom with smiles.
The air was fresh and crispy and made us energised and ready for adventure.
MÜRREN
Altitude: 1650 m
Car-free village
Amazing view over Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch
Mountains had always made me feel better, especially snow capped mountains. Their white glow brings peace of mind and serenity. To make myself feel better, I decided to plan a weekend in the mountains.
The Alps, especially the Swiss Alps, are just magical and if you have visited Jungfrau Region of the Bernese Alps you know what I mean.
Mürren is a car free village above Lauterbrunnen valley. As it is car-free village you can reach it with the help of cable car. That's we what did.
We reached Lauterbrunner by car, which took us aprox. 2 hours from Zürich. There is a perfectly situated parking lot, just near the train station and also connected to the cable car station. We parked the car there and took the cable car to Grütschalp.
You can also travel to Lauterbrunnen by train. See SBB website (official website of Swiss trains)
When we got out of the cable car we looked around and felt like in fairy tale. The sun was shining brightly, the snow capped mountains in front of us looked like .... they were welcoming us in their kingdom with smiles, the air was fresh made us energised and ready for adventure.
We were in Grütschalp, fully equipped for a trek in the mountains (hiking boots, hiking pools our rucksacks), ready for some challenge. So, when we saw the signs for the choices we had - one hour walk by the train rails called Panoramaweg and 3.5 hours Mouintain View Trail, we decided for the second option.
If you don't want to walk at all and still want to spend time in Mürren, no worries - there is a train that will take you from Grütschalp to Mürren.
We took hard way. Although, already noon, we weren't that pressured by the time because in June days are long and weather is good. Waiting for the the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, we were promised by the name of the trail, we started our way up.
Eiger ( 3967), Mönch ( 4,158 m) and Jungfrau( 4,158 m) constitute one of the most emblematic sights of the Swiss Alps, the North Face of Eiger is one of the most challenging routes to climb in Europe. We knew that and we were excited we will be getting a closer look at these iconic peaks.
It felt good to be outside, feel the trees, greet the smiling people, surpassing us. The long hours of work in the city were taken its toll, we were slow. However, happy, while peeking through the trees, admiring the mountains.
Going up the hills was pleasant, feeling your heartbeat, dreaming about the future, forgetting your problems, just going up....just be..
..... until we saw the snow. What? Snow? In the middle of June?
Yes, snow in the middle of June. Some people went back because they weren't prepared for snow in June. We were not prepared either, however, we decided to continue.
I became a little bit worried because I know mountains can be dangerous even in the summer, even when altitude is not too high. We stopped in the middle of the hill to catch a breath and eat our berries, surrounded by snow only.
Tired, all wet from the snow and 6,5 hours later ( almost double what was expected), we reached our destination.
Murren was magical. Tiny village up in the mountains with small huts and hotels in alpine style. The small car free village above Lautrebrunnen valley makes people smile, made us feel happy to be exactly where we are! Something rare nowadays.
After we took a shower at our hotel, we went for a dinner in Murren. The tiny restaurant that offered hot soup and cold beer, smelly cheese and delicious potatoes, felt like Michelin Star Restaurant to us.
After we enjoyed our dinner, we took a walk, the sun was already low ... we were walking and talking, smiling and... joking, when we reached a place where other people were happy waiting... a few moments later .. THE SUNSET was reveling in front of us ... just magic. The sun was painting the mountains in different colors to show us visitors the magic of nature, before it set to rest for the night.
The next day we were in a search of sunscreen. I was pretty sunburned from the previous day as I had forgotten to wear sunscreen. While waiting on bench and admiring the view, I learned that the first FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1931 took place in Mürren.
Hint: Do not forget the Sunscreen!
The mountains seems to have done its magic yet again. The sun, the fresh air, the physical activity lift our spirit, gave us strength to continue
Disclaimer: Mountains can be dangerous.
Please, advice your doctor, in case you have a medical condition that
Please, see weather forecast.