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Hearing music in Switzerland
La Gravière suits night people in Geneva: a warehouse on the Rhône bank at Vernier, with a gravel terrace for outdoor summer events from June to September. Mountain Hostel Gimmelwald is not a venue in any formal sense. It is a wooden chalet at 1,400 metres with a communal stove, where travellers play guitar on the terrace at sunset. It suits people who want folk, alpine and singer-songwriter music in a small place, and the advice is to book a dorm bed rather than a private room, since the communal life is the point.
Timing differs. La Gravière runs on Friday and Saturday nights, with doors from 23:00 to 06:00 and the crowd peaking from 02:00 to 05:00. It has occasional summer closures, so check before travelling. The hostel is open year-round, with reception from 08:00 to 20:00 (closed midday in low season). Summer, from June to September, is best for the south terrace and the open mountain music nights, while winter offers the wood-burning stove and a quieter crowd. Arrive by mid-afternoon for a terrace chair.
In Geneva, take tram 14 to Vernier-Village, a 15-minute ride from Cornavin station, then walk ten minutes. To reach Gimmelwald, take the train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (20 minutes), the post bus to Stechelberg (15 minutes) and the cable car up (5 minutes), then walk five minutes to the hostel.
FAQ
Questions people ask
When is La Gravière in Geneva open?
Friday and Saturday nights, with doors from 23:00 to 06:00, plus selected midweek events. The crowd peaks between 02:00 and 05:00. Outdoor summer events run from June to September, and occasional summer closures are possible, so check first.
How do you get to Gimmelwald and the Mountain Hostel?
Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (20 minutes), the post bus to Stechelberg (15 minutes), then the cable car up to Gimmelwald (5 minutes). The hostel is a five-minute walk from the cable car in this car-free village.
When is the best time for music at Mountain Hostel Gimmelwald?
Summer, from June to September, for the south terrace and open mountain music nights. Winter offers the wood-burning stove and a quieter, deeper-listening crowd. The hostel is open year-round.