Are you staying in the Lauterbrunnen region and wondering whether Mürren is worth visiting? Then I can tell you straight away: yes. And while you are there, you should definitely walk the Northface Trail too.
We did this hike in early May with our daughter in the baby carrier and honestly, it was one of the most beautiful walks we did in Switzerland. It was not overly busy, the mountain views were almost constant and the route was nicely varied. It is one of those hikes where after just a few minutes you already think: yes, this was a good choice.
In this blog I will explain how to get to Mürren, what the Northface Trail is like, what to watch out for in spring and why this hike is such a great mix of mountains, peace and panoramic views.
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Taking the cable car to Mürren
Mürren is car-free, so you cannot simply drive there. We first drove through Lauterbrunnen to the parking area below the cable car towards Mürren. It is clearly signposted, so you do not have to worry about missing it.
One thing to keep in mind: you drive through Lauterbrunnen and it can get quite busy. Narrow roads, tourists crossing the street and cars trying to figure out where they need to go. Just take it slowly. Luckily, that is not a bad thing, because along the way you already get views of several waterfalls and immediately get that typical Lauterbrunnen feeling.
Once you reach the cable car, you can see even more waterfalls. During the ride up, you are constantly looking out over them. So even this short journey already feels like part of the experience.
When we visited, the gondola ran about every 10 to 15 minutes and the ride only took a few minutes. The cabins were spacious and we expected to wait much longer, but it was actually very easy.
You can buy tickets at the ticket office, from a machine or online. At the time, we paid about 45 CHF for two return tickets. Always check the latest prices and timetable before you go, because mountain transport in Switzerland can change depending on the season, maintenance periods and route.
Mürren: a car-free village with huge mountain views
Once you reach the top, you arrive in Mürren. This is a car-free mountain village at around 1,650 metres above sea level, high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The first things you notice are the wooden chalets, narrow streets and mountain views everywhere.
And not just any mountains. From Mürren you look out towards the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. That makes even a short walk through the village worthwhile. There are also some lovely terraces where you can sit with a view. Quite dangerous really, because before you know it an hour has passed and you have not even started hiking.
Something else we noticed: quite a few people walk around Mürren with suitcases. So you can easily stay overnight up here too. And honestly, that seems like a great idea. Especially if you want to start hiking early or enjoy the peace of the village in the evening.
The Northface Trail: one of the best hikes near Mürren
The Northface Trail starts almost directly from Mürren. From the church, walk to the left and you are basically already on the route. The hike is around 6.5 to 7 kilometres long and usually takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on your pace, photo stops and how often you stop to enjoy the views.
The route has around 300 to 400 metres of elevation difference. You feel most of that at the start, because you begin with some climbing. It is not a technical mountain hike, but it is definitely not a flat walk either. Good shoes are useful, especially early in the season.
We did the Northface Trail with our daughter in the baby carrier and that worked well. You do need to be used to hiking with extra weight, because the first climb takes a bit of effort.
Two ways to walk the Northface Trail
Something many people do not know is that you can approach this hike in different ways.
Option 1: start in Mürren, like we did. Take the cable car to Mürren, start the route from the village and do most of the climbing at the beginning. After that the route becomes more gradual and you eventually walk back towards Mürren. We found this a very logical and pleasant way to do the hike.
Option 2: first go up to Allmendhubel. From Mürren, you can also take the funicular to Allmendhubel and mainly walk downhill from there. That makes the route a little easier, but of course also more expensive.
We thought option 1 was perfect. You do the hardest part at the beginning when you are still fresh. After that the hike feels more relaxed and you can enjoy the views even more.
Our experience on the Northface Trail
What makes this hike so beautiful is that you have mountain views almost the entire time. At the beginning, you walk through a more wooded area while gradually climbing. That is the hardest section, but it is very manageable if you simply walk at your own pace.
After that you reach more open terrain and the real enjoyment begins. Green alpine meadows, wooden chalets, cowbells in the distance and that huge mountain wall in front of you. It feels a bit like walking along a balcony above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
You are not walking for hours on the same type of trail. The landscape keeps changing. A little forest, then open grassland, then views of a village or mountain hut, with the mountains always in the background.
This is not one of those hikes where you only get rewarded at the end. The views start early and stay beautiful for almost the whole route. That also makes it great with a baby in the carrier: you do not have to keep pushing on just to reach “the reward”.
Snow and mud in early May
We walked the Northface Trail in early May. That is a nice time because it is still a little quieter, but you also notice that the hiking season has not fully started yet.
During the descent, we still came across some patches of snow. Not huge amounts, but enough to make you pay attention. Melting snow also means mud, and some sections became quite slippery.
I even slipped once myself. Nothing serious, but definitely one of those moments where you think: okay, maybe slow down a little.
Good to know: in spring, the trail can be wet, muddy or partly covered in snow. Later in the season, this hike is probably easier and drier. As you get closer to Mürren, the trail improves and you eventually walk on sections of gravel and asphalt too.
Quieter than many other places in the Jungfrau region
One thing we really liked was how peaceful it felt. You may travel up towards Mürren with quite a few other people, but not everyone walks the Northface Trail. Many visitors stay in the village, continue towards Schilthorn or choose a shorter walk.
As soon as you are on the trail, people spread out quickly. That makes it feel much quieter than some other famous places in the region. Think of the First Cliff Walk near Grindelwald, which can quickly feel busy and crowded.
On the Northface Trail, we had space. Space to walk, stop for photos and enjoy the route without constantly having people right behind us. That made the hike even better for us.
Take the funicular back from Allmendhubel?
At the end of the route, you can choose to take the funicular from Allmendhubel back to Mürren. This is useful if you are tired, hiking with young children or simply do not feel like walking the final descent.
We did not feel we needed it. The final section down to Mürren is a little steeper, but perfectly manageable if the trail is dry enough and you take your time. Especially if you want to save some money, you can simply walk this section.
If you have young children with you or the trail is wet and slippery, the funicular can be a smart choice. As always in Switzerland: convenience is often available, but usually not free.
Is the Northface Trail suitable for children?
Yes, but with the right expectations. We did the hike with a baby in the carrier and that worked well. A stroller is not an option here. The trail is too uneven, muddy and steep in places.
With older children, the Northface Trail can be a lot of fun, especially because the route is varied and there is plenty to see along the way. Think alpine meadows, animals, streams, patches of snow in spring and of course the mountain views.
I would only do this hike if your children are used to walking. It is not a tiny 30-minute loop. Bring snacks, take enough breaks and check the weather and trail conditions beforehand.
Other things to do in Mürren
If you have more time in Mürren, you can easily stay longer. For example, you can take the funicular to Allmendhubel. There you will find viewpoints, a restaurant and the Flower Park, a fun playground for children.
The Flower Trail is another shorter walk if you have less time or energy. For more adventurous travellers there is the Via Ferrata Mürren, but that is a completely different level and not something you casually add to your day.
Another nice option is walking towards Gimmelwald. This is a quieter village lower down the mountain and easy to combine if you are not done hiking yet.
Stay in Mürren, Lauterbrunnen or elsewhere in the region?
If you want to walk the Northface Trail at a relaxed pace, staying overnight in Mürren is a great option. You literally sleep high up in the car-free mountain village, with mountain views and hiking trails almost on your doorstep. This seems especially nice if you want to start early, avoid the crowds in the valley or simply enjoy a night in the mountains.
Some well-known options in Mürren are Hotel Alpenruh, conveniently located near the cable car with beautiful views, Eiger Guesthouse, a popular and cosy option near the station, and Hotel Edelweiss, beautifully located on the edge of Mürren with views over the Lauterbrunnen Valley towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Do not expect a huge choice of hotels in Mürren, so book early if you want to stay here.
Lauterbrunnen is more practical if you also want to combine your stay with Staubbachfall, Trümmelbach Falls, Lampaca Farm and the rest of the valley. You are then down in the valley, closer to the main roads and public transport. Keep in mind that Lauterbrunnen can get extremely busy during the day and parking can sometimes be difficult. Hotels often have their own solutions, but simply finding a place to leave your car is not always easy.
You can also choose Interlaken, Wengen or a quieter place between Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken gives you more choice when it comes to restaurants and accommodation, but it is just outside the area where you will be hiking. We stayed in a very nice apartment in Lütschental, right between Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. This was especially nice with a baby because it was quieter and we were not planning to eat out in the evenings anyway.
View hotels and apartments in Lauterbrunnen via Booking.com
Combine the Northface Trail with Lauterbrunnen
The Northface Trail is very easy to combine with a stay in Lauterbrunnen or the wider Jungfrau region. You can head up to Mürren in the morning and do something else in the valley later in the day, although I would not make your schedule too full. This hike deserves some time.
Looking for another short and fun stop down in Lauterbrunnen? Read our blog about Lampaca Farm in Lauterbrunnen, where you can feed alpacas and llamas with the mountains in the background.
The Glacier Canyon Grindelwald is another great activity in the same region if you are looking for another walk or canyon experience.
Activities and tickets around Mürren
If you want to arrange the cable car, Schilthorn or other activities in the area in advance, you can check below what is available around Mürren and Lauterbrunnen.
Practical tips for the Northface Trail
- Check the mountain transport before you go. Mürren is car-free, so you depend on cable cars, trains or the funicular.
- Go when visibility is good. The views are the main reason to do this hike.
- Wear good shoes. Especially in spring, the trail can be muddy or slippery.
- Allow 2 to 3 hours for the hike. With photos, breaks and a relaxed pace, you will easily need that much time.
- Start from Mürren if you want to do the climb early. The rest of the route will feel more relaxed afterwards.
- Bring layers. It can be cooler higher up than down in Lauterbrunnen.
- You can do it with a baby, but only with a baby carrier. A stroller is not suitable for this route.
- Use the Allmendhubel funicular if needed. Useful with tired legs, children or poor trail conditions.
Northface Trail Mürren: a mountain hike with views you will remember
The Northface Trail near Mürren was one of the most beautiful hikes of our Switzerland trip. It is not extremely difficult, not overly busy and offers mountain views almost the entire way.
That combination is what makes it so good. You walk through forest, across alpine meadows, past patches of snow in spring and almost always with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in view. In early May, the mud and snow made some parts a little slippery, but that also made it feel like a proper hike.
Are you staying in Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald or the Jungfrau region and looking for one beautiful panoramic hike without the crowds of the most famous viewing platforms? Then I would definitely put the Northface Trail near Mürren on your list.
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