Lauterbrunnen Lodging: The Most Magical Mountain Hostel

Nov 20

EST. READING TIME: 5 MIN

When traveling to the majestic mountainous region of Lauterbrunnen Valley, deciding where to stay can have a profound impact on your Switzerland experience. Will you lodge directly in town and join the throngs of tourists crowding the streets? Are you traveling on a budget or looking for the companionship of fellow adventurers and considering accommodations in a youth hostel instead?

Fortunately for you, I have already discovered—and personally resided in—the most magical place to stay in all of Lauterbrunnen. This serene dwelling was so enticing I planned my entire Lauterbrunnen trip around the need to bunk in this alpine paradise. Without further ado, say goodbye to the long list of identically boring Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland hotels and take the cable car to your incomparable Gimmelwald abode.

A visitor enjoying a swing at the Mountain Hostel with the scenic Lauterbrunnen cliffs in the background, illustrating the charm of Swiss countryside hostels.

Already planning a trip to Lauterbrunnen? Check out my comprehensive 2-day Lauterbrunnen travel guide detailing everything you need to know when visiting Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen?

I’ll be honest, this title is a bit misleading. My recommendation isn’t to sleep in one of the many Lauterbrunnen Valley hotels, instead it’s to stay above the valley in the charming village of Gimmelwald, specifically in the Mountain Hostel. From personal experience, I guarantee this is the best way to immerse yourself in the pristine natural beauty found all around.

Picture this: You’ll awake in an adorable wooden cabin situated against staggeringly enormous snow-capped peaks in every direction. This particular Lauterbrunnen youth hostel is only accessible via the Schilthornbahn cable car, meaning there’s not one vehicle in the entire village. Can you remember the last time—if ever—you stayed in a quiet oasis without the perpetual rumble of cars and buses polluting the airwaves?

It’s so perfectly peaceful, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of roaring of waterfalls cascading down rock faces as this tranquil tune echoes throughout the valley. Yes, these hills are alive!

If that hasn’t convinced you, I cannot emphasize enough how quaint the Mountain Hostel is. Across the property you’ll find an abundance of swinging wicker chairs and hammocks to recline on, and as the cool evening air rolls in you can migrate to the large couches curating an outdoor lounge space warmed by a fire pit. There’s truly no better way to take in the natural scenery, and you’re likely to meet some friendly faces around this common area for an added bit of camaraderie.

Plus, there’s live music and DJ sets, easy access to hiking trails, close proximity to skiing and snowboarding in Mürren during wintertime, and a host of other adventure activities available at your doorstep.

The cozy Mountain Hostel in Lauterbrunnen with its rustic charm against a backdrop of the Swiss Alps and cascading waterfalls, captured on a cloudy day.

Why Stay in Gimmelwald?

Truth be told, the town of Lauterbrunnen itself is quite small, housing a population of only two thousand residents. As such, you can easily explore the area in a single day—or even a half day for that matter—with the real beauty of visiting Lauterbrunnen lying in the alpine areas scattered around the valley.

Admiring the majestic waterfalls crashing down throughout this stunning landscape and exploring each stop along the cable car route represents the majority of the top things to do in Lauterbrunnen—and there’s no need to stay in a Lauterbrunnen hotel to hit these highlights! In fact, you’ll be significantly closer to the vast majority of the region’s highlights by staying in Gimmelwald, with Staubbach Falls and Lauterbrunnen itself being the two outliers you can explore during a quick trip into town.

Outside this particular hostel, during the evening you’ll be able to explore wholesome features such as the Honesty Shop—which like the name implies—has no employees present and instead depends on your integrity to leave correct payment in exchange for anything you take. If you wander into Hotel Pension for a drink, you might just find a rowdy, piano-led sing-along to classics like “Sweet Caroline” underway as well!

With the added benefits of proximity to top attractions and the novelty of staying in a car-free village which appears to have been pulled straight out of a fairytale, there’s no better base to explore the Lauterbrunnen valley from than Gimmelwald.

Striking early morning cool-toned photo of a vast alpine landscape taken from within a room in the Gimmelwald, Switzerland Mountain Hostel.

Aren't Hostels for Budget Travelers?

If the word hostel is throwing you for a loop, let me be clear—I’m by no means a hostel person. On this blog, you’ll typically find me recommending 5-star accommodations for stays in Sicily to Paris. That being said, if I went out of my way to stay in a Lauterbrunnen hostel, you know it’s going to be good.

While I only had to pay 45 CHF per night to stay in a shared female-only dorm, the unsung secret of hostels is that they typically offer private accommodations as well, granting you the same privacy as a hotel room. In the case of the Mountain Hostel, double rooms for pairs traveling together still exude a cozy log cabin aesthetic without the added hassle of sharing a room with strangers.

You are staying in a hostel, however, so you won’t be getting the usual hotel fixings. Towels are available to rent for 2 CHF, but be sure to bring your own toiletries, including toothpaste and shower supplies.

Since Switzerland is notoriously one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe, it may even be prudent to cut down on costs by staying in this valley hostel above Lauterbrunnen, so you can then splurge on true luxury accommodations during your other stops around the country like Interlaken or Zürich.

Lush green landscape with traditional Swiss chalets in Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland, under dramatic clouds with mountain backdrop.

How to Get from Lauterbrunnen to Gimmelwald?

I know what you’re thinking: is Gimmelwald (and the Mountain Hostel) really only accessible by cable car? The short answer is yes—and that’s the beauty of it—but if you purchased a Swiss Travel Pass your cable car fare is accounted for anyways! If not, plan your trips up and down the mountain face in advance to avoid spending money on cable car trips willy-nilly.

Prior to reaching the Schilthornbahn, you’ll first need to take the yellow 141 bus from town to the Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn stop. The ride lasts around ten minutes and you’ll disembark next to the cable car station. From there, the first stop up the route after a quick four minute ascent is Gimmelwald.

To continue on to the Mountain Hostel, walk up the dirt path directly outside the station to reach this Lauterbrunnen Valley hostel, which conveniently has a large identifiable sign out front.

Is all this initial transit really worth it? Once again, the answer is yes—I promise it is. Taking a bus to a cable car isn’t ideal for efficiency’s sake, but it’s a small price to pay in exchange for the unparalleled natural beauty you’ll witness during the rest of your stay. It’s about the journey, not just the destination—right?

Snow-capped Alpine peaks towering over a lush meadow with wildflowers and a small building with a blue roof in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

What Food is Available at Mountain Hostel?

A daily breakfast buffet is included in the price of your nightly rate, which will require you to wake up between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM to catch this free brunch. The earlier you go, the wider spread of food options you’ll have to choose from. Otherwise, there’s a smattering of bed & breakfast options housed in the storybook cottages scattered throughout Gimmelwald.

If you discover a friendly cat attempting to snag a piece of your toast, I’m unfortunately here to inform you that you’re not Snow White summoning a feral feline. This is Shadow, the sweet hostel cat who regularly roams the premises and is well aware of how to secure scraps during breakfast.

The in-house restaurant menu includes a reasonable lineup of Swiss specialties like cheese raclettes, Gimmelwaldner rauchwurst also known as smoked sausage, and fondue. The real highlight here, however, is the endless supply of choose-your-own-topping woodfire pizza at your disposal.

Rustic Retreat Amongst the Lauterbrunnen Alps (Copy)

Nestled in Nature: Lauterbrunnen's Mountain Village (Copy)

Alpine Serenity in Lauterbrunnen Valley (Copy)

Snow-Capped Mountains in Lauterbrunnen (Copy)

I could rave on and on about the Mountain Hostel forever — it’s one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed and I would absolutely come back here in a heartbeat. Since I can no longer re-live the joy of laying my eyes upon this unfathomable landscape for the first time, do me a favor and experience this beauty for yourself. You won’t regret it!

Stay AT Mountain Hostel!

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