Short info
- Starting point
- Gimmelwald,
1368 m a.s.l. - Endpoint
- Stechelberg Post,
913 m a.s.l. - Track
- 12 km
- Duration
- 5 h
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Ascent
- 800 m
- Descent
- 1260 m
- Lowest point
913 m a.s.l. - Highest Point
2012 m a.s.l.
The tour
The Tanzbödeli is no down-to-earth Disco, but a great view point in the rear Lauterbrunnen valley. However being a plateau, the way up there runs on steep and sometimes narrow paths. Therefore, the dancing shoes remain at home - a good sole profile is requested.
The first section to the Tanzbödeli is overcome by the Schilthorn cable car: it passes the almost vertical wall of the Mürrenflue and drives up to the first stopover Gimmelwald, the starting point of the tour. In a gentle descent you get first into the idyllic valley of Sefinenlütschine. The river is crossed down in the valley, then it goes steeply uphill to the Alp Busen. Initially, the route runs in the forest, later on alpine pastures.
At point 1978 a narrow little path branches off from the main road and leads in a further 20-minutes climb to the Tanzbödeli. It is a remarkably flat, grassy plain, which would certainly have been good enough, at least in the old days, for some snappy pirouettes. Only the irregularly scattered stones would probably put certain limits to the dances and elegance. The view is extraordinary: the whole Lauterbrunnen valley is to your feet - from the villages Gimmelwald, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen in the north to the rear bottom of the valley with the striking Schmadribach in the south.
Alternative Route
Descent over the Ammerta (- 30 minutes) / Overnight in the Berghotel Obersteinberg or Tschingelhorn and hiking by Lake Oberhore, Schmadrihütte and Tanzhubel to Stechelberg (+ 2 h)
Meals
Berghotel Obersteinberg, Berghotel Tschingelhorn, Restaurant Trachsellauenen
General Tips
Note the signage and any information boards on the spot. Further information about the Swiss footpath network and the signposting can be found here.