Northface Trail Mürren
Hiking Guide, Route & Map
The Northface Trail in Mürren is one of the most scenic hikes in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. You’ll walk past traditional Swiss chalets, green alpine meadows and waterfalls, with spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau almost the entire way. Sharing the trail with cows is all part of the experience, and sometimes you’ll even have to wait for them to slowly wander off the path before you can continue. The trail is considered a moderate hike and takes around 2.5 hours to complete. It’s suitable for most people with a basic level of fitness, whether you’re travelling with your partner, family or friends.
Trail Overview
- Location: Mürren, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
- Starting points: Mürren (cable car station) or Allmendhubel (via funicular) depending on the direction you choose
- Distance: 8.0 km
- Duration: Around 2 h 30 min
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Suitable for children: Yes
- Minimum elevation: 1,644 m
- Maximum elevation: 1,960 m
- Elevation gain: 408 m
- Elevation loss: 138 m
- Best time to hike: June to mid-October
Note: Elevation gain and loss are based on the route I hiked from Mürren to Allmendhubel, finishing with a funicular ride back down to Mürren.
Northface Trail Step-by-Step Guide
Mürren → Allmendhubel
More uphill · This is the route I took
- Take the cable car from Stechelberg to Mürren.
- Leave the cable car station and turn left.
- Follow the green Northface Trail markers towards Allmendhubel.
- Continue along the marked trail through alpine meadows and viewpoints.
- Reach Allmendhubel after about 2.5 hours.
- Stop at the restaurant or playground if you like.
- Take the funicular back down to Mürren.
Allmendhubel → Mürren
Mostly downhill
- Take the cable car from Stechelberg to Mürren.
- From Mürren cable car station walk to the Allmendhubel funicular station.
- Take the funicular up to Allmendhubel.
- Follow the Northface Trail signs towards Mürren.
- Continue along the marked trail, mostly downhill.
- Finish the hike back in Mürren.
How to Get to the Northface Trail
By Public Transport
From Interlaken Ost, take a direct train to Lauterbrunnen. Trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day. You can check the latest departure times and buy tickets on the SBB website.
Good to know: The train from Interlaken Ost is divided into two sections. The front part continues to Lauterbrunnen, while the rear part goes to Grindelwald. The destinations are clearly displayed on the outside of each carriage, so just make sure you board the correct section.
Once you arrive in Lauterbrunnen, walk outside the station and take Bus 141 towards Stechelberg. Get off at Stechelberg (Schilthornbahn), where the bus stops directly in front of the cable car station.
From there, take the world’s steepest cable car from Stechelberg to Mürren. You can buy your cable car ticket in advance on the official Schilthorn website.
By Car
If you’re travelling by car, drive to the Schilthornbahn cable car station in Stechelberg. The journey from Interlaken takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Paid parking is available directly next to the cable car station. For current parking fees and additional travel information, visit the official Schilthorn travel information page.
Parking address:
Schilthornbahn
3824 Lauterbrunnen
Switzerland
Where Does the North Face Trail Start?
When planning the North Face Trail, the biggest decision is where to start. The trail can be hiked in either direction: from Allmendhubel down to Mürren or from Mürren up to Allmendhubel.
Most hikers take the funicular from Mürren to Allmendhubel and follow the trail downhill to Mürren. The funicular station is located in the centre of Mürren, just a short walk from the Mürren cable car station. Tickets can be purchased at the funicular station or online. A one-way ticket costs CHF 10 for adults. I recommend checking the current fare before your hike, as prices may change.
However, you can also hike the trail in the opposite direction, starting in Mürren and hiking up to Allmendhubel. For this route, turn left after leaving the cable car station in Mürren and follow the green North Face Trail signs. Once you reach Allmendhubel, you can take the funicular back down to Mürren.
I chose this option because I didn’t mind the extra uphill section and wanted to save the funicular ride for the end. If you prefer to keep the hike mostly downhill, taking the funicular to Allmendhubel first and then hiking down to Mürren is probably the better option.
Route Description
Please note: This route description follows the North Face Trail from Mürren to Allmendhubel, finishing with a funicular ride back down to the village.
After arriving in Mürren on the world’s steepest cable car from Stechelberg, leave the cable car station and turn left. Within a few minutes, you’ll come to a large yellow hiking signpost. From this point on, just follow the green Northface Trail markers all the way to Allmendhubel.
Throughout the hike, you’ll find panorama information boards showing the names of the mountains you’re looking at.
There’s no need to rush. Take your time, enjoy the alpine scenery, and make the most of the many beautiful viewpoints along the trail.
After about 2.5 hours, you’ll arrive at Allmendhubel. If you’re feeling hungry, this is a great place to stop for lunch or a coffee at the Panorama Restaurant Allmendhubel. There’s also a playground for children, making it a nice place to take a break before catching the funicular back to Mürren.
From Allmendhubel, take the funicular back down to Mürren. The ride takes just 4 minutes, and a standard one-way ticket costs CHF 10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online through the official Schilthornbahn website or via SBB.
Northface Trail Map
The map below shows the route starting in Mürren, hiking the North Face Trail to Allmendhubel, and returning to Mürren by funicular. The main points are marked to make the route easier to follow.
Note: This map is based on my own GPS recording and shows the exact route I hiked from Mürren to Allmendhubel.
What to Wear and Pack for the Northface Trail
You don’t need any special hiking gear for the North Face Trail, but it’s still important to come prepared. Even though it’s an easy hike, I recommend wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes with a good grip.
Bring enough water, especially if you’re hiking on a hot summer day, and pack a small snack or something to give you some energy along the way. If you prefer to stop for a proper meal, you’ll find plenty of places to eat in Mürren, as well as the Panorama Restaurant at Allmendhubel.
On sunny summer days, don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The weather in the mountains can also change quickly, so having a light jacket or an extra layer in your backpack is always a good idea.
Northface Trail Mürren FAQ
- How long does the Northface Trail in Mürren take?
The Northface Trail takes around 2 h 30 min. to complete.
- Is the Northface Trail Mürren difficult?
The Northface Trail in Mürren is considered a moderate hike, but it isn't technically difficult. If you hike from Mürren to Allmendhubel, like I did, you'll have more uphill sections than if you hike it in the opposite direction.
- Where does the Northface Trail start?
The Northface Trail can be started either in Mürren or at Allmendhubel. Most hikers take the funicular from Mürren to Allmendhubel and hike back down, but you can also hike the trail in the opposite direction, starting in Mürren.
- Can you hike the Northface Trail in both directions?
Yes, the Northface Trail can be hiked in both directions. You can start at Allmendhubel and hike down to Mürren, or start in Mürren and hike up to Allmendhubel.
- When is the Northface Trail Mürren open?
The Northface Trail is usually open from June to mid-October.
- Is there anywhere to eat along the Northface Trail?
Yes. Along the trail, you can stop at Schiltalp for a small selection of self-service food and drinks or eat at the restaurant at Pension Suppenalp. There's also a restaurant at Allmendhubel at the end of the hike.
- Is the Northface Trail Mürren suitable for children?
Yes, the Northface Trail is suitable for families with children.
Northface Trail Photo Gallery
