Best Lauterbrunnen Bike Ride

You must travel up the mountains to witness the true quintessential Alpine farms, villages, lifestyles in the Swiss Alps and pure magical views in Switzerland. We went on the best Lauterbrunnen bike ride in the mountains. 

We had the greatest time exploring these quaint villages and found one of the best ways to do this is by renting e-bikes in Lauterbrunnen. Two of our favorite places to visit are Gimmelwald and Murren which is easy to do from the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Read on for more tips and ideas!

How to do the best Lauterbrunnen bike ride

The whole excursion and experience is nearly indescribable with every twist and turn and vantage point more breathtaking than the last.  You will be in sensory overload. I found myself contemplating, what would it take to move to Switzerland. Bike riding is truly one of the best things to do while in the Jungfrau Region. 

 

I took so many pictures to help document the beauty and my memories of this fabulous area. Of course, pictures do not do it justice but here are a few.

Starting in Grindelwald

We started our journey at the train station from our home base in Grindelwald. We traveled by train for 30+ minutes to Lauterbrunnen with one connection at the Zweilutschinen Station. The train leaves Grindelwald every 30 minutes and costs $10 CHF each way.

Our plan was to rent e-bikes in Lauterbrunnen, ride to the Stechelberg gondola station, load the e-bikes on the Gondola to Gimmelwald, explore Gimmelwald and continue the ride onto Murren and return back to Grindelwald via the same route. Easy peasy. The train station is a 2-minute walk to the Main Street of Lauterbrunnen. 

 

Bike Ride Rentals

We decided at the last minute to go on a bike ride and called the shop in the morning to see if they had availability. I would recommend renting the e-bikes ahead of time (especially during the busy season) to make sure you have bikes to rent. Luckily, it worked out for us.

We arrived as planned and headed straight to the Imboden Bike Rentals on the main street (3822 Fuhren) in Lauterbrunnen. We booked the e-city bike which is a very comfortable step-through e-bike designed for any skill level. They were very user-friendly, well-maintained, and of great quality.

A rental is $45 CHF for four hours or $55 for all-day use. We booked for four hours and used every minute. I would recommend the all-day rental to allow enough time to do all your sightseeing. It’s only $10 more and you can take all the time you want to explore without any time restraints, except for the shop closures at 6 pm.

There was a downside to this bike shop, they did not offer baskets for their bikes. As in NONE! It was shocking to find out -considering that you wear layers in Switzerland (especially in the fall) and might need a basket to place sweaters, jackets, beanies, etc in when you get hot.

 You might also want to bring a picnic lunch.  Thus you need a bike basket. We, however, made it work, I left my bulky jacket at their shop and we put extras in my hubby’s backpack. We bring a travel daypack where ever we travel. The bike rental place does offer bike locks.

Best Lauterbrunnen Bike Ride

From the bike shop, it’s a short 15-20 minute ride to the Stechelberg Gondola Station. We headed out on the main road through Lauterbrunnen Village.

Three-tenths of a mile down the road – the road makes a sharp bend to the left. Instead of following the road to the left (this is where all the cars are driving), keep straight and continue onto the side road or path. You can see my hubby pointing out where to go in the image above.

This side road/path will lead you all the way to the gondola station and all sights in between. No cars are on this road/path. You can take the road to the left but you will be riding in traffic.

The path/road is relatively secluded. It is mainly used by walkers and bicyclists but also by local residents and farmers. The road is flat and requires no technical biking skills. It is extremely safe. I consider it more a paved path than a road and it’s perfect for kids to ride bikes. 

The route is through the incredible Lauterbrunnen Valley. On both sides, the granite mountain walls tower the landscape. The snow-capped peaks are mesmerizing and the waterfalls are spectacular.

The bike ride is peaceful as the path bisects farms and fenced cow pastures that play a melody courtesy of the cowbell instruments. There are ample opportunities for pictures, but we decided to head straight to the gondola and reserve the picture-taking for our return journey.

Below is a screenshot of Google Maps showing the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Notice the various areas on the map that we mention in this blog post – Lauterbrunnen, Trummelbachfalles, Stechelberg (gondola), Gimmelwald, Murren, and Schilthorn.

 

Staubbach Waterfall 

At about 0.05 miles, there is a detour or spur trail to Staubbach Falls. This is the third tallest of the 72 waterfalls in the region at 975 feet and arguably the most famous.

 

The trail takes you to the base of the falls and is a short 0.4 roundtrip.  The falls are visible from the road and many other vantages, but a short walk to the base and onto the grotto behind the falls is well worth the short journey. 

Trümmelbach Falls

At about 1.4 miles, a trail to the left will take you to the inspiring Trümmelbach Falls. The waterfalls are Europe’s largest underground falls. Ten waterfalls (meltwater of Jungfrau Glacier) cascade down the ravine.

The falls are powerful as they carry 20,000 liters of water per second down to the valley. So not only are they LOUD, but extremely forceful and mighty!

You get an up close and personal experience inside the falls as you navigate the stairs and pathways inside the falls. There are lots of stairs and a funicular elevator which can take you up part way. Be prepared to do lots of steps and walking.

Plan on at least 1 hour to fully explore this natural wonder and surrounding area. It is chilly inside so be prepared.  Trümmelbach Falls is a must-see natural wonder! 

Continuing on the bike path it eventually veers and crosses the pretty Weiss Lutschine River. There is a little bridge along the pathway that actually has flower boxes on the little bridge. Super cute! 

Stechelberg Gondola

At about 2.6 miles, you’ve nearly arrived. The above image is where you’ll turn right to get to the gondola. Continue just a little further and you’ll arrive in the car park for the Stechelberg Gondola.

 

Now it’s time to purchase a roundtrip gondola ride to Gimmelwald, load the bikes, and head up the mountain. Gondolas leave approximately every 30 minutes and it’s a 5-minute ride from the valley floor to Gimmelwald. The gondola ride offers some of the best views of the valley and surrounding villages.

Gimmelwald

We did receive some bad advice that fortunately we didn’t heed. Someone had recommended not to get off the gondola at Gimmelwald and go straight to Murren. But we did get off at Gimmelwald and LOVED our ride up the mountain.

Just to be clear you will NEED e-bikes to ride this part of the mountain. Unless you are an extreme athlete or just want to ride the gondola and ride the flat portions of Murren. Make sure to get off the gondola at Gimmelwald. It is spectacular!

We’re here! Gimmelwald is a traffic-free village with a population of 130 at an elevation of nearly 4,500 feet. It feels like the village is sitting on the edge of a cliff. The hillsides are sprinkled with farms with cow pastures a plenty, hay fields, and alpine meadows.

Accommodations and restaurants are sparse but with proper planning, a slice of heaven can be yours.

 

Mürren Lauterbrunnen Switzerland

Traveling on to Murren affords more options for both. The bike path is 8 feet wide, asphalt, and in great condition. There are benches along the way that beg for your attention.

Spectacular views and sounds bring a sense of peace and comfort as you admire your surroundings. 

You’ll find water troughs that are full of clean, clear running water that is essentially water fountains. It’s nice to have access to water on all your travels in these villages. A great place to replenish your water bottle.

No trip to Gimmelwald is complete without a stop at The Honesty Shop and The Amazing Window Store.

If you are on the main path in Gimmelwald you’ll walk or ride right past the Amazing Window Store. It’s based on honesty. There are some homemade knickknacks and other small gifts to purchase in the window cabinet shop.

The Honesty Shop is also in Gimmelwald and is an unattended convenience store that offers souvenirs and snacks. You just select what you’d like and leave the money. It’s all about trust and honesty! The self-serve store is about the size of a large bedroom.  Again, be sure to leave your Swiss francs as payment is on the honor system.

 

Murren

Onward to Muren! Murren is 1.3 miles further up the mountain. It sits at 5,400 feet and has a population of about 450, but it offers over 2,000 hotel rooms and a wide selection of restaurants and shops.

Although you’re traversing an elevation gain of 900 feet in a little over a mile, there’s no need to fret. Your e-bike with its pedal assist attacks the hill with the slightest of ease. No need to sweat on this trek. This is for sure the best Lauterbrunnen bike ride

 

The joy of the ride was the highlight. As we rode up the mountainside, each switchback offered new panoramic views. The views were constant and extraordinary. We made stop after stop for pictures and gazing. We were awestruck by the beauty. Unbelievable. Another “Best Day Ever.”

The Swiss Town of Murren maintains its small alpine village charm while offering many shops, best restaurants, and eateries for its guests.  We enjoyed riding on smaller pathways into the neighborhoods and farms to get a more vintage Swiss Village experience.

Cowbells hung from eaves, water troughs dotted the landscape, and cows grazed on residential farmland. These farms are the best-kept farms I’ve seen. 

Murren has its own version of the honesty store with the Mini Market Murren. It’s an upright freezer with fresh and locally produced cheeses and sausages. It’s a great place to get a light snack. We selected our bounty, left our donation, and snacked on a comfortable bench overlooking the valley. 

 

Schilthorn

Murren is also the jumping-off point to transfer to the cable car to the Schilthorn (9,744 feet). This is the location where the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed. There is a rotating 360-degree restaurant and fun props honoring the film.

But its most impressive attribute is the magnificent view. It is surrounded by over 200 alpine peaks including the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. At Birg the cable car station before Schilthorn, there’s a thrilling cliff walk attached to the side of the peak, a glass floor, and a tube to crawl in. It’s not for the faint of heart. There is an interactive playground for the kids, hiking, and shopping.

There’s something for everyone at the Schilthorn. These images of the Schilthorn are from our first visit to the region. We did not visit while on this bike ride but easily could have visited. Something to think about if you’ve got an entire day to see all the scenery in this area.

Back to Lauterbrunnen

Now time to head back to Lauterbrunnen to drop off the e-bikes. We retrace our steps but the return journey, even though it’s a downhill ride, takes extra time. We stop constantly for pictures and views.  It’s just that good.

 

A tip: If on bikes or not, when you board the gondola down from Gimmelwald try to get to the front of the line. The prime viewing spot is the downside window. Since we had bikes, the attendant placed us at the front.

We made our way directly to the spot as other passengers tried to jockey for spots. The vertical drop upon leaving the station is a tummy tickler. It was both scenic and thrilling. This is the way to have the best Lauterbrunnen bike ride!

Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland

Once on the ground, we headed back to Lauterbrunnen on the same path. It’s a fabulous time along the path.  The beautiful walking paths and scenery are over the top. This is Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland.

 It was now a 45-minute ride because of all the impromptu detours. Is this not the best Lauterbrunnen bike ride?

 

Lauterbrunnen Campsite

We visited one farm that offered fresh milk from a vending machine. The reason I found out about the milk vending machine – as I mentioned to a lady working in her garden how beautiful her yard was. She mentioned they owned the farm with the milk vending machine. So we had to visit. The farm is right next to the Lauterbrunnen campsite.

So we rode back a minute or two on the path and turned here at the fork and rode through the campsite.

Turn right on the main road and we found the machine 1 block past the campground. I tried fresh cow’s milk out of the machine. The above image shows where you turn to go through the campground to get to the farm to purchase milk at the vending machine. 

In the above image, we rode through the campground to get to the road where the farm is located. From the bike path, it’s 1-2 minutes to get to the main road. 

The above picture is the front of the farm. You can see the vending machine on the far left. On the far right you can see the campsite.  And still, just a lot more picture-taking. We arrived back at the bike shop 5 minutes before closing.

Useful Information

1. If you want to include the Schilthorn on the same day, I would recommend getting to the bike shop early and renting the bike for the entire day. We booked a four-hour rental and left late morning from Grindelwald but did not go to the Schilthorn on this trip although you could easily plan to do this. 

2. If you plan right, you can explore Staubbach Falls, Trummelbach Falls, Grindelwald, Murren, and the Schilthorn all in the same day.

3. Dress in layers and bring a small day pack.

4. Eat a big breakfast, pack a picnic lunch or snacks to curb your appetite, or visit one of the cafes in the villages.

5. Always stop to admire the stunning views, take it all in and snap some pictures!

Visiting the Lauterbrunnen area is one of our favorite things in all the world and also has the best Lauterbrunnen bike ride to Gimmelwald. I just know that we will return again. 

MORE TIPS ON THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SWITZERLAND:

IF YOU ARE PLANNING A TRIP TO SWITZERLAND, VISIT OUR TOP THINGS TO DO IN LAUTERBRUNNEN SWITZERLAND FOR MORE IDEAS.

OUR POST ON WHICH TOUR COMPANY WE USED FOR A GUIDED BIKE TOUR IN INTERLAKEN IS A GOOD ONE!

MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET THERE AND WHAT TO DO AT SCHILTHORN