24th December

Our day began with the free shuttle bus again from the campsite to the Lauterbrunnen train station. Although it’s only a 5 minute journey, with icy paths and snowy roads, the shuttle was a godsend.

So, our plan was to take the train to Wengen, but as travel often teaches us, it doesn’t always go to plan — the train service to Wengen was canceled due to a derailment (so we were told) on the line, with repairs expected to take until at least lunchtime. Luckily, Lauterbrunnen always has something magical to offer, and directly opposite the station, we found our next adventure.

The Journey to Mürren: A Scenic Winter Escape

Straight opposite the train station, we discovered the cable car terminal. Not having done much research on the area, we went in for a look and decided it looked like a good alternative for the day. So we purchased tickets to Mürren.

First step was the cable car. A 5 minute, near vertical, ride up the mountainside to Grütschalp. From there, a panoramic train awaited to take us on to the charming, car-free village of Mürren. At just 23 CHF per adult (with children traveling free), the ticket included both the cable car and the scenic train ride there and back—excellent value for a family-friendly adventure.

The cable car ride was simply breathtaking. As we soared above the valley, the view of snow-covered mountain range, frosted trees, and Lauterbrunnen’s dramatic cliffs left us speechless. With sunlight breaking through the clouds, the powdery snow sparkled, creating an almost surreal landscape. At Grütschalp, we found ourselves surrounded by even more incredible alpine scenery before hopping onto the narrow-gauge train to Mürren.

This short but stunning train ride offered panoramic views of rolling snowy hills, quaint Swiss chalets, and the towering peaks. It’s easy to see why the journey to Mürren is often called one of the most scenic in Switzerland.

Exploring Mürren

Mürren greeted us with all the charm you’d expect from a car-free alpine village. Huge wooden chalets covered in fresh snow, a busy and vibrant but still peaceful atmosphere, and incredible views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains makes this an absolute must-see, which, if the train hadn’t been cancelled, we probably wouldn’t have done!

We strolled through the village, taking in the sunshine and the unspoiled beauty of the surroundings. One of our stops was at the Gondelbar, a cozy bar nestled in the snow, where we enjoyed hot drinks with uninterrupted views of the peaks. The powdery snow blowing off the mountaintops only added to the magical atmosphere.

Ice Skating at Mürren Sports Centre

Another highlight of our visit here was ice skating at the Mürren Sports Centre. When you stay at Camping Jungfrau, you’re given a free Camping Card that offers discounts on many local activities. This card gave us free access to the outdoor skating rink (usually 12 CHF per person), and we only had to pay for skate hire.

Skating on the outdoor rink was one of those perfect moments. The sun shone brightly, and the snow-covered mountains created the most magical backdrop. The crisp air and the sights of skiers on the nearby slopes only added to the idyllic setting. The warmth of the day, despite the snowy surroundings, made the experience even more special.

We then sat in the outdoor restaurant/bar area, under the sun, for a couple of drinks while watching others skating. There is also an outdoor communal hot-tub just next to this but we hadn’t brought our swimwear and didn’t fancy braving it in our birthday suits .

The return journey to Lauterbrunnen was just as smooth and scenic as the way up, leaving us with a sense of gratitude for such an effortless day. Whether it was the cable car, the train, the enchanting charm of Mürren, or the skating rink, this adventure reminded us of the unique joys of traveling with flexibility. With a motorhome, adapting to unexpected changes becomes part of the experience, making moments like these all the more memorable.

As the day came to a close, we considered eating out but decided to save some money and enjoy a cozy meal back in the motorhome. It was a simple, budget-friendly dinner of chicken with pasta in tomato sauce, paired with the delicious local Butterkopf bread, generously slathered with butter. Not the most glorious menu but simple food always tastes better when camping. We rounded off the evening with some family games and a couple of cheeky drinks, a cosy end to an unforgettable day in our Christmas roadtrip.

This was just one of many incredible days on our Swiss journey. Stay tuned as we continue to share more of our adventures through this winter wonderland! (I’ll try to catch up but it takes way longer to write/edit these than expected! 🙂