Quiet. Traditional. Up close.

Where there are more cows than people

Gimmelwald is a very unspoilt mountain farming village with around 100 inhabitants. They live here in close contact with nature and the animals. The village is characterised by chalets decorated with flowers in front of the four-thousand-metre-high Jungfrau mountain massif.

The sound of cowbells is usually the only thing that "disturbs" the tranquil atmosphere. If you are looking for a truly idyllic holiday, this is the place for you.

Catering
Guests are catered for in the Mountain Hostel and Pension Gimmelwald. If you want something to drink, you've come to the right place. We particularly recommend the Schwarzmönch beer.
Hot food is not available all the time in Gimmelwald. A larger selection can be found in the neighbouring village of Mürren.

Shops, souvenirs
The local farming families sell their produce from home, field and garden directly from the farm.
A special shop is the Honesty Shop, where there is no service. You simply take the goods with you and put your money in the till. Only in Gimmelwald is there so much trust.

How to get there
Gimmelwald is car-free. It can therefore only be reached by public transport.
You can reach it by gondola cableway from Stechelberg or Mürren. A narrow mountain road also leads down to Gimmelwald from Mürren. In winter, this can be used as a sledging route.

History of the village
1300 - 1400: In the course of the Walser migrations, the Upper Lauterbrunnen Valley is settled from the Lötschental. In old documents, the locals of Gimmelwald and Mürren are called the "Lötscher".

1346: One of the earliest mentions of the village of Gimmelwald can be found in a document in which Baron Peter zum Turme of Niedergesteln in Valais sells his possessions in the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Interlaken Monastery.

1638: A blast furnace is built in the "Schmelzi", south of Zweilütschinen, which can still be seen today on the right-bank hiking trail from Lauterbrunnen to Zweilütschinen. Iron ore was mainly mined at Dürlocherhorn, above Kriegsmahd, south of the Rottal Glacier and transported to Schmelzi by sledge and cart. Mining operations lasted until 1715.

1705 - 1805: A mine is operated in Trachsellauenen. Silver-bearing galena and zinc ore are mined and processed in several tunnels. The associated blast furnace is destroyed by an avalanche in 1931. The surviving ruins can be visited in Trachsellauenen.

From 1700: Flax and grain are cultivated. Spinning and weaving takes place. It was not until the 18th century that potatoes were planted, which served as the main foodstuff until the end of the Second World War and still play a role in feeding the farming population today.

1789: Gimmelwald opens its own school for 20 pupils.

1869: The Hotel Schilthorn is built.

1871: Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and his sister spend their summer holiday at the Hotel Schilthorn. Tourism brings income to the village. Gravel for the hotel construction in Mürren is taken from the Sefnenlütschine and carried to Mürren in sacks. Wages for one burden: CHF 1.00. Mountain guides and porters are needed. Distinguished guests are carried up to the Schilthorn on a stretcher.

1890: Opening of the Bernese Oberland Railways BOB service from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

1891: Opening of the Lauterbrunnen-Mürren BLM railway.

1965: The Schilthorn cableway opens up Gimmelwald. It brings much relief and comfort to the population of the village, a development of tourism, better use of the restaurants and holiday flats. Apprentices can return to their families every day. Residents can also pursue their work in the valley below and as far as Interlaken. Secondary school attendance in Lauterbrunnen is made possible. Migration and the feared extinction of the village are halted.

2019: Purchase of the former school building by a newly founded local cooperative. This means that the village retains its community centre and the former school playground for parties, club meetings, church services and private events (there are still 12 clubs and cooperatives in Gimmelwald). The co-operative is also converting the former school premises into flats. The aim is to counteract emigration.