The via ferrata leading from Mürren to Gimmelwald requires courage and no fear of heights, but in return offers plenty of thrills and an adrenaline booster.
This climbing adventure is something only recommended for experienced alpinists, equipped with a climbing harness and helmet. Highlights of this adventure are the crossing of the gorge with a zip line and the suspension bridge at the end of the via ferrata. The via ferrata is accessible only in the summer months from mid-June to late October.
Level of difficulty
K3, relatively difficult
Valley location / starting and ending point
Mürren, 1670m above the Lauterbrunnen valley. The village is accessible by Schilthornbahn rail from Stechelberg or Lauterbrunnen-Mürren mountain rail. Endpoint is Gimmelwald, station of the Schilthorn cable car.
Approach
The entrance is located behind the sports chalet, below the post office building in Mürren. It is marked with a large poster. Climbing equipment is obligatory and can be rented on site at the sports shops.
Via Ferrata Mürren
High above the Lauterbrunnen valley, the via ferrata leads down along a steep rock face from Mürren to Gimmelwald. Very steep passages are assisted with the use of stairs, ladders and grips. This climb is 2.2km long with 300-meter altitude difference. Use of the zip line is only permitted in the company of a mountain guide; otherwise it is bypassed with a rope bridge. One of the highlights is the crossing of the gorge at the end of the climb with a Nepalese style bridge. Time required is roughly 3 hours.
Descent
After the Nepalese style bridge, the trail leads through alpine meadows directly to the Gimmelwald station of Schilthorn mountain rail.