Seeing the light peer through the curtains, I eagerly pulled them open to reveal the Swiss Alps. The view overlooking Lake Thun and the village below from the chalet was breathtaking! The crisp morning air, the shimmering water below, and the towering peaks in the distance set the perfect scene, what a gift to experience. Meanwhile, the dogs wasted no time romping through the steep grassy inclines, their excitement was infectious. They darted through the tall grass, stopping only to sniff out new scents, until they spotted a cat. Perched up high in a tree, the cat looked down at them with clear disapproval safely out of reach of the two energetic furballs zigzagging below. Bundled up and eager for an adventure, we piled into the car setting off for a day exploring car-free Murren.
Murren is considered one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Switzerland. The town is only accessible by cable car followed by a train ride. It is 5,374 ft. above sea level.
The drive, though longer than the GPS predicted due to snowy and icy roads, was exhilarating! Our driver, the husband of my friend, navigated the hairpin turns with skill. The sheer cliffs and dramatic drops added a thrilling edge to the journey. As we entered Lauterbrunnen, we spotted the cable car station, the gateway to Murren!!
The Journey to Murren
The six of us, four humans and two dogs, joined a crowd of fellow travelers, skiers and even more dogs inside the large cable car. As we ascended, the valley below unfolded like a postcard framed snow-capped peaks that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. The ride was smooth and mesmerizing, leading us to our next step. Once we arrived we followed the others on a well worn snow path to the train station for the final leg of the trip, about a 20 minute ride. Following the flow of people we noticed skiers in their ski boots carrying their gear, clearly anticipating a much faster descent than our uphill climb.
Murren is the highest altitude ski resort in the Bernese Oberland and faces a series of giant peaks, the Eiger, the Monch, the Jungfrau and the Breithorn and the Gspaltenhorn. The train was a welcome sight, warm, comfortable and offering incredible views as it carried us higher into the mountains.
We stepped off the train at Murren’s quaint station we were greeted by a charming row of buildings, a hotel, restaurant and a few shops. To our left, a steep road with a daunting 45 degree incline beckoned us forward. Carefully navigating the icy path we climbed eager to see what lay ahead.
A Day Exploring Car-Free Murren
The streets are lined with picturesque chalets with their steep A-Frame roofs designed to withstand the heavy snowfall. At the top, we reached a more open, flat area where there was a construction project underway. A helicopter buzzed overhead, transporting massive loads of wood to the site, a necessity in a town where supplies arrive by air. We learned that all of their supplies, food, etc need to be airlifted in.
We came across an ice-skating rink which was connected to a ski lift station in the back. Finally, we stumbled upon a cozy cafe attached to a ski shop, exactly what we were looking for. Stepping inside we were met with the comforting aroma of hot chocolate and freshly baked treats. We indulged in rich, decadent mugs of hot cocoa topped with fluffy whipped cream alongside homemade cookies and banana bread. The warmth of the cafe and the friendly conversation with the staff made this experience even more memorable. One of them had grown up in Murren, while the other staff member had moved from the Netherlands years ago and never looked back.
Car-Free Life
Life in Murren, they explained, was like anywhere else, except for the unique way of getting around. The town has just 432 year round residents, Children attend the local school until the age of 10 after that their daily commute involves a train and cable car trip down to Laurenbrunnen to finish their schooling.
Stepping out of the cafe, we were greeted by the crisp mountain air and the sight of the skating rink. It was impossible for them to resist. My friends laced up their skates and glided in the surreal experience of skating 5,374 feet high in the heart of the Alps. The towering snow covered peaks made it almost dreamlike.
Heading Home
As the afternoon light began to fade, we made our way back to the train, eager to see the breathtaking views one last time before the sun set. The journey down was just as magnificent with the golden light casting a warm glow over the valley below.
Back at our rental, we reflected on the incredible adventure, a day exploring car-free Murren. It was filled with adventure and unforgettable moments. So thankful for having wonderful friends to share it all with. To end our day we went to a cozy Italian restaurant to enjoy a hearty Italian feast which completed a perfect day.
This wraps up my journey through Switzerland for now. But next, I’ll be diving into an unfortunate and unexpected twist in my visa situation. Stay tuned for the details!
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
Want to read more about my adventure in Switzerland? A Swiss Adventure
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