Schilthorn - Birg - Grauseeli - Rotstockhutte - MurrenWalk 8101
Canton - Bern / Berne - Jungfrau Region
Author - Hotel Alpenblik Mürren
Length - 13.0 km / 8.1 miles
Ascent - 150 metres / 495 feet
Descent - 1400 metres / 4620 feet
Time - 4.00 hours
Grade - moderate
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This is a high mountain walk and is suitable for walkers with experience. The route starts at the summit of the Schilthorn (2970 m.) and descends (using a very interesting route) to the traffic free village Mürren situated high above the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Start - the mountain station of the Schilthorn Cablecar. There are two ways of reaching the cablecar from Lauterbrunnen. Either (1) take the Post Bus to Stechelberg and board the cablecar at the valley station or (2) take the cablecar and train to Mürren and board the cablecar at the midway station. See Transport Map for the Jungfrau Region.
End - the railway station in Mürren where regular trains take you back to Grütschalp with connections to Lauterbrunnen.
From the summit of the Schilthorn descend east to Birg. Ignore any paths descending to Grauseeli on this section of the route. Birg (2677 m.) is a satellite summit to the Schilthorn and offers exceptional views east towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau with the village of Mürren far below.
Leave the summit of Birg using the same path as on the approach and descend to the col (2599 m.) and a junction of paths. Turn left and descend to the Grauseeli. Continue to descend into the Schiltal losing height quickly. After a short way turn right for Wasenegg, maintaining similar height across the east side of the Schilthorn.
Climbing slight you reach the top of the Wasenegg, a well-defined ridge running east. Ignore the ridge path and instead descend south. Reaching a transverse path turn left for the Rotstockhütte with its fine views and good food.
Retrace your steps and follow the clear path that follows a line parallel to the Wasenegg ridge in the direction of Speilbodenalp. After approximately two kilometres the path descends steeply over the crags at the eastern of the Wasenegg ridge to reach Speilbodenalp. From here it is an easy walk through pleasant meadows to Mürren.
Suggested Maps
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5004 - Berner Oberland
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:25000 - Sheet SW 2520 - Jungfrau Region
Wanderkarte - Wengen, Mürren & Lauterbrunnental - 1:40000
Recommended Books
Tour of the Matterhorn
A guide to the 145km Tour of the Matterhorn, described anti-clockwise from Zermatt and visits 6 valleys via Zinal, Arolla and Breuil, offering spectacular views of 25 peaks of over 4000m. The route also links up with the Chamonix to Zermatt walkers' Haute Route and the Tour of Monte Rosa. Includes two glacier crossings and takes 8 to 10 days.
Tour of Monte Rosa
A guidebook to walking the The Tour of Monte Rosa, a 9-10 day, 134km trek circling Monte Rosa anti-clockwise from Zermatt. The high route hugs glaciers and has views of over ten 4000ers. All essential information is provided, including outline maps, route profiles, advice on glacier crossing and accommodation.