Switzerland Hiking Adventure: Your Comprehensive Tanzbodeli Guide

One of the top things to do in Mürren, Switzerland, is to go for an unforgettable hike. We were in Mürren for a wedding, so we had a large group of family and friends. Some group members had already completed this hike before we arrived and highly recommended it. One of the previous group members even decided to do it again with our group only a few days later. Here is a guide to hiking to Tanzbodeli in Switzerland.

Beginning in Gimmelwald

This hike begins in Gimmelwald, and since we were staying in Mürren, we took the gondola over and had a short, pleasant stroll through the quaint town. The trail starts with a walk past a nearby stream but quickly turns into a challenging vertical hike to the top of the Tanzbodeli plateau.

The Hike Upwards

This 9-mile hike is very strenuous as there are few flat areas until you finally reach the top. We didn't have hiking poles, but they certainly would have helped. Make sure to come prepared with lots of water and hiking snacks because we had to take plenty of breaks. But if you are an avid hiker willing to take on the challenge, we promise it'll be worth it for the views.

Reaching the Meadow

Before reaching the top of the hike, the trees clear, and you get to a gorgeous meadow. The steepness decreased at this point of the trail, and the top of the plateau was in sight. We took the opportunity to catch our breath, have a snack, and enjoy the peacefulness of the wildflowers and bells ringing from the cows grazing nearby. With the altitude, remember to pack and reapply sunscreen.

Scramble to the Top

Rock formations begin at the top of the meadow, which provides a way to boulder up to the top plateau of Tanzobdeli. Although the views from the field are stunning, they are even better and grander from the top. Scrambling up the rocks is challenging, but we highly recommend it if you're willing and capable. You can see Lauterbrunnen Valley, gorgeous glaciers, waterfalls, and a 360-degree view of the mountains from the top.

Initial Decent

After bouldering back down the rocks, you'll come across an intersection on the trail that can head you back to Gimmelwald or take you down to Stechelberg. We headed to Stechelberg to experience the other side of the mountain. The path down to Stechelberg was a little more exposed than on the way up, providing more views of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls. The way down was quicker and less exhausting than the way up.

Stop for a Bite to Eat

We stopped at Hotel Obersteinberg on the way down for lunch (cash only), much-needed rest, and a bathroom break. Luckily, the hotel is on the trail back down the mountain to Stechelberg. The views of the waterfalls from the hotel are outstanding. The food was also some of our best on our trip to Switzerland. We had such a blast discussing the epic summit we had just achieved.

Final Decent

From Hotel Obersteinberg, you descend back into the woods, where you get an even closer view of the fantastic waterfalls. You eventually make it down to the valley floor and continue along the river back to the town of Stchelberg. Once we finally made it into town, we treated ourselves to some ice cream to finish our hike. Once in Stechelberg, you can take the gondola or bus to help get you back to the town where you are staying.