The trail between Lauterbrunnen and Mürren is a bit of a "sleeper" in that it doesn't appear in the list of top hikes as much as others. In my opinion, this trek offered some of the best views of my trip, is SUPER accessible from the nearby towns and ended with the best dining experience - aka, top marks all round.
The trail is 4.3 km (2.7 mile) along the side of mt. Eiger, the most massive (wide) mountain in the area.
Because of this, you're treated to enormous snowcapped mountain views from start to finish. This trail also cuts through several dairy farms, so one of your duties is to make sure the gates keeping Cows in a certain area stay closed. Signs will ask you to do this in English, German and French :) I think this adds to the charm.
Getting here
Take the Gondola across the Lauterbrunnen train station to "Grutschalp". Note, your SBB train pass (see Swiss Alps intro) will not work here. You do get a discount :) The trail will point south. Find the signs just outside the Grutschalp station.
The town of Winteregg is about halfway to Mürren and connected by train also. The trail ends at Mürren, a beautiful car-free town. This is the foodie town, there were several good looking restaurants on the side of the mountain (I inspected almost all of them :D my reco below).
Side Quest: Restaurant at Hotel Edelweiss
I would be remiss if I didn't visit the Swiss Alps without trying some cheese Fondue. The main road is chock-full of restaurants and I entered many of them looking for 3 things:
(1) Fondue
(2) Views of the Mountains
(3) Ambiance
I landed on Hotel Edelweiss. The setting was by far the best, you're perched on the mountain side, next to large transparent panels to enable unobstructed views while preventing you from flying over due to wind gusts. The restaurant also provides faux fur blankets to keep you warm if the hot cheese doesn't cut it.
I ordered the cheese fondue which comes with either baked potatoes or baked bread (I got it with both :D). I paired it with the local Pinot noir. It was excellent.
Side Quest: Schilthorn
At the end of the main road, you can take a gondola up to the peak of Schilthorn mountain, which was a set in one of the older Bond films "On her Majesty's Service". There's a full restaurant and bar. I skipped this as I had just hiked on an actual glacier at Europe's tallest peak (link to be posted week of 9/5) and didn't feel the motivation. May check out next time.
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