Guide to Murren, Swiss Alps
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Mürren is a pretty traffic-free Swiss village, perched up high amongst the magnificent mountains of the Jungfrau region in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland. Access is via the lower village of Lauterbrunnen, which is also the main access point for nearby Wengen. Murren is not ideal for beginners with few nursery slopes, but there are a few easier runs down from Allmendhubel. Experts and experienced intermediates often agree that the steep slopes of the Schilthorn and Schiltgrat rank amongst the most challenging in the entire Jungfrau skiing area. The 16km run down from Schilthorn is famous for the Inferno downhill ski race each January. Off piste possibilities are also good, especially down from the Birg. Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald are included in the Jungfrau Top Ski Region pass.
The drive by car from Bern Belp takes just over 2 hours, the best route is to take the motorway Bern - Interlaken, leave at the Wilderswil exit to Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg. Access to car-free Mürren is via the funicular from Lauterbrunnen, or with the cable car from Stechelberg. Cars must be left in the large pay parking areas at Lauterbrunnen railway station or at Stechelberg. Travelling by train from Berne, Zurich or Geneva to Murren also goes via Interlaken, from Interlaken-Ost station there are connecting trains to Lauterbrunnen. Travelling from Zurich or Geneva airports you can catch a train straight from the airport to Interlaken. Consider getting a Swiss Card, this allows return transport to Interlaken plus 50% discount on all train, postbus and boat journeys, and on most mountain railways including the Jungfraubahn and Schilthorn. Accommodation in MurrenThere are 11 hotels in Murren, plus a number of holiday flats and self catering apartments for rent to independent travellers. The 4-star Eiger Hotel is modern and efficient, Anfi Palace is a Victorian period hotel, the 3-star Jungfrau, Alpenruh, Edelweiss and Blumenthal also get good reports. Regine Hotel is Murren's budget-type hotel which also serves the cheapest beer, Eiger Guesthouse offers comfortable inexpensive lodging. Alternatively, Lauterbrunnen could serve as a budget base. This village has cheaper but good hotels and there is access until late to Murren and Wengen.Bars, restaurants and apres skiMurren is not the place for lively nightlife, evening entertainment is fairly calm and generally limited to the hotels, some have fondue parties and late night dancing but prices can be steep. There are a few rustic bars and cafes to meet the locals, such as the cosy Stägerstübli. Hotel Eiger’s Tächi Disco, the Inferno Disco and the Bliemlichäller in Hotel Blumental get a bit wilder in high season. Belmont Pub in the Eiger Guest House has a pool table and darts.The Eiger Hotel does good traditional Swiss food and steaks, for excellent cheese fondue try the Palace Hotel and the Stägerstubli. There are a few nice mountain restaurants too with great terrace views. For cheaper meals try the snack bar at the sports centre, or the Chinese take away in the village. A visit to the famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant is a must, positioned at 2970m high this restaurant once featured in a James Bond movie and has stunning mountain and glacier views. ActivitiesMurren boasts an Alpine sports museum and has a few well-stocked small shops. For snowboarders there is Murren’s terrain park on the Schiltgrat with its half-pipe, jumps, obstacles, quarterpipe and the Aquarium Bar. Indoor activities are to be found at the excellent Alpine Sportzentrum in the centre of Mürren, it has a swimming pool, fitness suite, snack bar, an outdoor skating rink, a tourist information office, and a children's playroom.Sightseers will enjoy trips by train to Bern and Interlaken. The Jungfraubahn mountain railway is also a fantastic outing to a spectacular ice palace and observation platform with views over the glacier. Cable car trips go up to the Schilthorn, a tall snowy peak with stupendous views over the Alps. |
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