[NoHo Arts District, CA] – In this month’s Active World Journeys travel blog, Jack Witt recounts his hiking adventures in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region, from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen and Gimmelwald.
Active World Journeys founder Jack Witt says, “I found heaven on earth.”
Over the past 11 years, I have had the opportunity to hike in some of the most amazing areas in the world with my travel brand Active World Journeys (Costa Rica, Patagonia, Iceland, Jordan, just to name a few). All throughout that time, I had always seen these amazing pictures and videos on social media of people hiking in the Swiss Alps — the exact kind of trip I knew I’d someday feature in a Switzerland hiking blog. Green and flowery trails with snow-capped peaks in the background, the sound of clanging cow bells in the distance, sampling local cheeses and chocolates — it always looked so surreal and wholesome. I had it high on my list of places to go check out for future hiking tours I could offer, but it always eluded me with other travel and life commitments. But this past July 2025, the window of opportunity sprang open, and just like that, I found myself in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, opening my eyes as if in an alpine dream. It was way more incredible than I thought it would be — I had found heaven on Earth.
Arriving in Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region
I based myself in the car-free village of Mürren for a week. It’s accessible via cable car and mountain railway from the larger car-allowed village below it called Lauterbrunnen. To get to Lauterbrunnen from either Zurich or Geneva airports, you can use Swiss Rail Network (SBB<https://www.sbb.ch/en>), which is extensive, clean, and efficient. They have an app that is very easy to use, and you can purchase your tickets there, on their website, and/or on the spot at the stations from machines or in-person from guest services representatives. I checked into the Hotel Alpina and was blown away by the view from my room’s balcony. The Eiger (left), Mönch (center left), and the Jungfrau (center right) were glaring directly at me with all their glory. I wondered if this could perhaps be the best balcony view in the world!
Active World Journeys in Switzerland: North Face Trail, Mürren
On my first full day, I hiked the North Face Trail. It’s about 4 miles and a circular route, and only about 400 ft. elevation gain. I’d consider it a good starter hike. It had stunning mountain views and flower-filled alpine meadows. It’s a popular trail and there are a couple of places you can stop for snacks along the way.
Active World Journeys Hike: Gimmelwald to Obersteinberg via Tanzbodeli
The next day, I earned my Swiss Alps Hiker Certificate for sure.
I hiked the 9-mile / 3,000 ft. elevation gain Gimmewald to Obersteinberg via the Tanzbodeli and then on to Stechelberg to take the cable car back up to my village. The Tanzbodeli (“Dance Floor”) is a grassy mesa where the final portion you are literally rock scrambling to get to the top. But once you’re up there, the views are over-the-top.
Piz Gloria: James Bond History in the Jungfrau Region
James Bond fans may recognize a revolving restaurant high up in the Swiss Alps called Piz Gloria. It’s accessible via a special cable and the peak is called Schilthorn. Many of the scenes were filmed here in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service starring George Lazenby as 007 and Telly Savalas as Bloefeld. This was the evil lair featuring many beautiful “angels of death” ladies. Much to my surprise, some of the original gold lattices as seen in the movie are still inside. There’s a free Spy Museum related to the movie here as well. Did you know On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is the only movie in the series where James Bond gets married (Diana Rigg), but she is killed? It’s the one and only time George Lazenby played the part of 007.
Exploring Lauterbrunnen Valley with Active World Journeys
The following day I hiked down from my alpine perch (90 min. but there is a cable car to spare your knees) to the bustling Lauterbrunnen Valley and then walked across the valley (2 hours or so with stops) to Stechelberg on a nice flat walking/bike path, stopping to visit Staubbach Falls and also Trümmelbach Falls, a series of 10 glacier-fed waterfalls inside the mountain. Walking through Lauterbrunnen is a great experience because of its dramatic valley setting. I then took the cable car back up to my village. (You can also rent a bike up top in Mürren and pedal down on a dedicated path to Lauterbrunnen and easily across the valley floor to Stechelberg and then take the bike on the cable car back up to Mürren to return it.)
Final Hike: Chilchbalm in the Swiss Alps
On my last full day in the Jungfrau region, I walked down to the small village just underneath mine (30 min) called Gimmelwald and from there did a nice 6-mile moderate out and back hike (3 hrs.) to Chilchbalm (1,000 ft elevation gain but gradual). By the way, the village of Gimmelwald is travel guru Rick Steves’ favorite Swiss village. It’s quite small with just a hostel (that makes its own dark beer… that I had to sample after the hike of course!) and a couple B&Bs. No stores. About 400 people live here, mostly farmers. There are about 40 kids who attend the local school. What I love too is they have these little cheese huts that are on the honor system to pay and a little gift shop that’s unmanned and trusts that you’ll leave a payment.
It took everything I had not to send for my things and stay in Jungfrau for the rest of my life. I just didn’t want this alpine dream to end. Maybe I could become a farmer and sell cheese or be one of those cable car operators. But then I remembered this area is all ski and snow sports in the winter, and I’m only cut out for sun and fun. So back to L.A. I went.
As I sit here on the beach in Malibu writing this, I’m delighted to announce I’ll be hosting a Jungfrau/Switzerland hiking tour in August 2026 and you’re invited. (Do you think you can handle all the cheese and chocolate tastings?) More details to come soon on my website http://www.activeaworldjourneys.com/
In the meantime, enjoy the background soundtrack of hiking in the Swiss Alps…the cling-clang of the cowbells.
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Cheers,
Jack
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