Mountain Hostel, Gimmelwald                   The view in the morning

Late afternoon                               The sunset

Just open the window...

I challenge you to find a hostel in Europe with a better view than the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald. It's a great feeling to wake up in the morning and see the snow-covered mountain peaks from your window. And they are right in front of you. You can almost touch them. I have never seen a better view from any room anywhere I have traveled in Europe, Canada or the United States. The hostel's atmosphere is fantastic, thanks to the wonderful people who stay there and Petra and Walter Brunner who own and superbly take care of the place. It's a completely different crowd from Interlaken--more mature, more nature-oriented, more hiking-oriented, and more interesting to talk to.

Practical Information:

25 Swiss Franks per night. 50 beds. All beds are the same price. Showers are 1 Sfr. No curfew.
New bedding.
Self-serve kitchen--fully equipped (free), Pool table (free), Internet station (12 Sfr/hour), Laundry facilities (5 Sfr/load).
Hiking trails are easily accessible; free hiking maps provided.
Swiss Army Knives and Swiss Cards sold at discounts.

Check in: The reception is open in the morning from 8:30am until 12.00pm and then from 6:00pm until 11:30pm. The hostel doors are always open! If you arrive anytime between 12pm and 6pm you can drop your bags, go for a hike, use kitchen facilities, play pool -- basically do whatever you want short of sleeping in bed until you get assigned one.

The hostel doesn't have any private rooms -- only dorms! Male, Female or Mixed Rooms -- wherever you prefer to stay.

If you have stayed at the Mountain Hostel at any time during the last half a dozen summers you know Jeff Wall--my friend and an all-around great Canadian guy who has helped Petra and Walter run the hostel. When not building a new roof with Walter or helping Petra clean the hostel or cooking a pizza for you or getting you a cold beer from the fridge, Jeff is an excellent guitar player who frequently plays guitar by the pool table or in the common dining area. All of you have heard his songs through the hostel speakers, but some of you have probably never found out that these songs were written and performed by Jeff.

Jeff's CD--Slipping Through The Tide--is a perfect antidote for your everyday worries in this crazy world--it brings the spirit and atmosphere of Gimmelwald into your home.