A little-known village looks like it could be straight out of a fairytale given its postcard-worthy location in the heart of the mountains, cosy chalets and lack of tourists. 

Gimmelwald in Switzerland sits at the foot of Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area, a region so beautiful it’s been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The tiny village has apporximately 100 residents, if you don’t count the wildlife that reside in the area including deer, foxes, buzzards, goats and alpine marmots. 

Despite its breathtaking views, you won’t find hordes of tourists descending upon the village and wandering amongst its handful of chalets, farms and B&Bs. That could be for a start because Gimmelwald is completely car-free. 

In fact, the only ways to reach the village are to either hike up the mountain, or take the cable car from the Stechelberg cable car station(the latter tends to be the more popular choice for obvious reasons). 

As for the views, we’re not just talking some snow-capped mountains; the village’s vantage point means you can see everything from cascading streams to awe-inspiring avalanches. In fact, you’ll find benches throughout the area from which you can take in the views of the surrounding glaciers. 

If it’s skiing that you’re after, then you won’t find slopes or bustling resorts here – but you may want to consider a trip to Europe’s snowiest ski resort instead! 

Still, it’s no surprise that Gimmelwald tends to be a hit with hikers and ramblers who want to get off the beaten path and discover some of the mountains’ hidden gems. In the summer, don’t miss out on exploring the Lauterbrunnen Valley trails and waterfalls, while in the winter months you can get the cable car to other towns such as Mürren from which there are some equally beautiful views. 

Once in the village, the views are the biggest draw; there isn’t a huge going on in the town. There are a few farm shops where you can pick up the likes of dairy, eggs and meats, but if you’re after souvenirs or a bigger shop, then a neighbouring town will be the easier option.

If you want to check it out for yourself, the easiest way from the UK is to get a flight to Zurich – Swiss Airlines and British Airways offer direct routes. You can also fly to Berne however there are no direct routes from the UK so you’ll need to factor in a stopover. Both of these are the closest airports from which you can get to the Stechelberg cable car station. 

Alternatively you can also get a train to Lauterbrunnen from Zurich, and then get a bus onwards to the cable car. 

If you want to spend more than a day in the village, there are a few hostels and B&Bs which you can book, as well as some self-catered chalets (just take note of the fact you won’t have lots of shops easily on hand). 

You can find out more about the village on gimmelwald.ch. 

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