Lauterbrunnen, the valley of the 72 waterfalls
Lauterbrunnen is a Swiss village nestled in a natural environment that is breathtaking: the valley of the 72 waterfalls, a unique place where water plunges into the void in the Alps down gigantic vertical walls.
This authentic alpine paradise dotted with postcard-perfect views, each more beautiful than the last, is located in the Swiss region of the Bernese Oberland. The bucolic village of Lauterbrunnen is the gateway to this impressive valley where people come to hike, conquer peaks with dizzying viewpoints, and capture incredible landscapes in their minds and cameras.
To help you plan your visit to Lauterbrunnen and make the most of it, here I detail some of the main places to see in Lauterbrunnen, as well as all the practical information you will need to enjoy this destination. Then take a look at the article with important tips if you are going to travel to Switzerland que te vendrán genial.
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Where to stay in Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen has a wide range of accommodation options. To help you, I have selected three very different ones here, but with good value for money:
If you want to sleep in the town center, one of the most recommended hotels is the Hotel Silberhorn, next to the train station, with impressive rooms and a buffet breakfast that people rave about.
In case you are looking for a more economical option without leaving the center of Lauterbrunnen, you can stay at the Valley Hostel, which offers more basic rooms and has a shared kitchen.
Those who prefer more space and privacy will like sleeping in a entire apartment with a small garden such as the Komfortabel Perfekte Lage
Lauterbrunnen, from waterfall to waterfall
If you feel like hunting waterfalls with your camera lens, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the most famous ones, but as the name of the valley indicates, there are up to 72 waterfalls tumbling down the rock. Take note of other Lauterbrunnen waterfalls such as Staldenbachfall, Spissbachfall or Hasenbach Falls
Staubbachfall, the most photographed
I mentioned before that the town of Lauterbrunnen is the gateway to the valley of waterfalls, so much so that as soon as you set foot in its streets, you will be welcomed by the almost unreal image of a stream of water tumbling down forcefully from nearly 300 meters high. It is Staubbachfall, the most famous waterfall in Lauterbrunnen and the third highest in all of Switzerland.
In summer, when the snow has receded, the path opens up allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this impressive free-falling waterfall. From the town, you can take a very short walk to its base and then climb some very slippery steps that will lead you to a small gallery to stand right behind the stream of water. In addition to getting wet from the spray, you will be amazed to hear the deafening sound of the water’s force.
Entrance to the Staubbachfall waterfall is free of charge. If you are going with small children, be careful because it is easy for them to fall. In the case that you are traveling with a baby, as I did, I recommend forgetting the stroller and using a baby carrier to climb safely and comfortably up the stairs to behind the water.
Trümmelbach Falls
The Trümmelbach falls are one of the most impressive hidden natural attractions in Lauterbrunnen, so much so that they were declared Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hidden because they are located underground, these are waters of glacial origin that run and leap inside the mountain, forming the largest underground waterfall in Europe.
Prepare to descend in an elevator into the bowels of Switzerland and come equipped with a good raincoat so you don’t end up soaking wet, some warm clothing to combat the humidity and lower temperatures, and good-grip footwear to traverse the various tunnels, stairs, and walkways that can be slippery.
The Trümmelbach Falls are open every day from early April to early November from 9 am to 5 pm, and in July and August from 8:30 am to 6 pm. However, before you go, confirm the exact hours and ensure they are not closed due to bad weather on their official website.
The price of admission to the Trümmelbach Falls is 14 CHF for adults and 6 CHF for children. Note that entry for children under 4 years old is not allowed because the deafening noise of the water can be dangerous for their ears. Keep this in mind, or you might have to turn back like I did since I was traveling with a baby.
From Lauterbrunnen, it is very easy to reach the Trümmelbach Falls, located about 3 kilometers from the village of Lauterbrunnen. Ideally, walk there to admire the valley of waterfalls from below; it will take you barely half an hour. But you can also take bus 141, which stops at the entrance of the Trümmelbach Falls. If you are going by rental car, there is parking available near the waterfalls.
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Mürrenbachfall, the highest in the country
Before you, the highest waterfall in Switzerland and one of the highest in Europe thanks to a 417-meter drop divided into five stages. With its impressive 417-meter drop, it is the highest waterfall in the country and one of the highest in Europe. The waterfall is particularly visible during the summer months when the snowmelt from the mountains feeds its flow.
You can admire Mürrenbachfall from below; take the hiking trail that runs along the valley floor from Lauterbrunnen. The distance is nearly five kilometers from the village, which would take you about an hour of easy walking, though it will likely take longer because you’ll surely stop a thousand times to take photos. If you don’t feel like walking, you can take bus 141 in the village.
To see it from above, take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and then the panoramic train to Mürren. From Mürren, the waterfall is a little over a 20-minute walk away, following the marked trail.
Another option to admire Mürrenbachfall is to take the Schilthorn cable car that leaves from Stechelberg. During the first section, you will pass right in front of this waterfall, allowing you to see it head-on.
Walking route through the valley
As you have already discovered, there is a very simple trail that starts from Lauterbrunnen and runs along the valley floor parallel to the river. Walking it is a great way to admire the magnificence of the place, reach the most famous waterfalls, and discover others like Mattenbachfall.
From the village to the end of the road, from where you can reach Staldenbachfall, it is just over six kilometers. A good idea is to walk there and return on bus 141 which covers the route between Lauterbrunnen and the Stechelberg hotel restaurant, where you can eat before heading back.
In any case, there are many route options in the area if you like hiking. Stop by the Lauterbrunnen tourism office, at Stutzli, 460, to find out about the different options depending on the time of year.
Are you prepared for whatever might happen to you?
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Places to see near Lauterbrunnen
The surroundings of Lauterbrunnen offer plenty of options to extend your visit to the valley as long as you want
The alpine village of Wengen
Take the train in Lauterbrunnen towards Kleine Scheidegg and get off at the alpine village of Wengen, dotted with typical wooden houses. You can only get here by train or on foot because it is closed to traffic.
On the way, don’t forget to look out the carriage window to see more waterfalls. Once at the top, a spectacular panoramic terrace awaits you from which to overlook the Lauterbrunnen valley, the perpetual snow surrounding it, and the impressive Eiger wall which, along with the Jungfrau and the Mönch, forms the triad of the most important peaks of the Swiss Alps.
How about staying here for the night? It’s not a bad idea to sleep in Wengen to relax and wake up surrounded by a landscape straight out of Heidi. I recommend taking a look at the Edelweiss hotel from where you can see the Jungfrau peak.
From Wengen I suggest you take the cable car to go up to Männlichen, which offers brutal views of the Lauterbrunnen valley. Additionally, that cable car offers the possibility of going up on a sort of open balcony without windows to take amazing photos with the mountains, the village of Lauterbrunnen, and the waterfall in the background.
Once in Männlichen, you can do many things besides looking out from its viewpoint over the valley, including visiting the viewpoint Royal walk, or if you have gone to Switzerland with children, staying to play in a very cool playground. Also with little ones or without them, I suggest taking the descent route to Holenstein to enjoy a stunning landscape. It is the Lieselotte the cow themed children’s hiking trail.
From Männlichen, the hiking trail that takes you to Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Jungfrau also begins.
Going up to Mürren
Wengen’s twin is the village of Mürren, just across the valley. Cars don’t circulate here either, the views are also impressive, and its traditional wooden houses couldn’t be more bucolic.
In addition, many trails start from Mürren so that hiking enthusiasts can give free rein to their boots through alpine landscapes that are as beautiful in winter as in summer. To conquer this alpine village, you can go by direct train from Lauterbrunnen, although the most beautiful option is to take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp to enjoy impressive views on a very short journey.
From Grütschalp, you can take the train that goes up to Mürren. Both transfer options are included in the Swiss Travel Pass. You can also reach Mürren on foot from Grütschalp via an easy path that runs through green meadows and will get you to your destination in approximately one hour.
For the bravest, from Mürren it is possible to go paragliding to fly over Lauterbrunnen, a unique experience. We saw several passing very close and I really wanted to try it.
What is much easier is taking the funicular that goes from Mürren to Allmendhubel where the little ones will have a great time in one of the coolest playgrounds in Switzerland. Meanwhile, adults can watch them play from the restaurant terrace while having a drink. The views, once again, are beautiful.
360 views at the summit of Schilthorn
From Stechelberg, in the heart of the Lauterbrunnen valley, take the cable car that takes you to the summit of Schilthorn, at 2,970 meters high. There you’ll find Piz Gloria, the revolving panoramic restaurant where, in 1969, some scenes of ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ were filmed, one of the most famous James Bond movies.
It is currently undergoing renovations to be completely remodeled, but in December 2024 the section going to Mürren was already inaugurated. A giant engineering feat that has given birth to the steepest cable car in the world with a gradient of 159.4% which also has a glass floor.
Fans of the saga shouldn’t miss Bond World, the interactive exhibition dedicated to the most famous secret agent on the big screen with photographs, objects, and plenty of facts about the filming of the movie. Entrance to this curious museum is free.
While you’re there, why not treat yourself to a James Bond-themed brunch in the heights while the views keep changing without you even moving?
But beyond the movie paraphernalia, the viewpoints at the summit of Schilthorn offer 360-degree views that, on a clear day, range from Jungfrau to even Mont Blanc, and as far as Bern. Additionally, there is a ski resort at the top.
The Schilthorn cable car is open year-round, but schedules vary by season. Generally, the cable car starts operating around 7:25 in the morning, with a frequency of every half hour. The last ascent is at 16:25 in the afternoon.
Defy vertigo in Birg
If you take the cable car to Schilthorn and get off at the Birg stop, an experience not suitable for everyone awaits you: the Thrill Walk. It is a steel mesh suspended in the air, a kind of grid tunnel about 200 meters long that is pure adrenaline. If you don’t dare to cross it, don’t worry because you also have a walkway with a glass floor attached to the rock which is also quite impressive.
Access to Thrill Walk is free; you will only have to pay for the cable car ticket.
Touch the sky at Jungfraujoch or Top of Europe
One of the best excursions from Lauterbrunnen is going up to Jungfraujoch, the highest peak in the area at 4158 meters. You will reach this summit after a two-hour journey and two different trains. The first will take you to Kleine Scheidegg and the second will leave you at the Top of Europe train station, the highest in Europe, specifically at 3454 meters.
Now you can also go up with the cable car Eiger Express that takes you from Grindelwald to the Eigergletscher glacier where you take the final stretch by train.
Just for the journey from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg it is already worth it because the panoramic views from the carriage are truly spectacular wherever you look. However, at Jungfraujoch the experience is multiplied with the various ‘attractions’ such as the Sphinx Observatory, the viewpoint overlooking Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps, Alpine Sensation, a very special exhibition that you cannot miss, Ice Palace where you can admire ice sculptures or the chocolate museum by Lindt.
All these attractions, as well as the two trains, are included in the Jungfraujoch excursion from Lauterbrunnen which is a must on your trip to Switzerland.
But once at the top, you can still do more things like release some adrenaline at Snow Fun Park which is open from mid-May to mid-October from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. There you can go snowboarding, fly over the Aletsch glacier on a zip line, or slide down in an inflatable. Prices vary according to the activity and start at 15 Swiss francs.
If you don’t want to spend more money because your wallet is already trembling, or if you are a hiking lover, take note of the route that goes to the Mönchsjoch Hut. The round trip would take you around two hours from the station, but keep in mind that you can also stay overnight very close to the stars, in what is said to be one of the highest mountain huts in the world at 3,657 meters. However, it requires booking well in advance and both the path and the hut are only open between April and October, depending on weather conditions.
During the months of good weather, you can go sledding at the Snow Fun Park, which we loved.
Map of Lauterbrunnen
To get your bearings and be clear about where the places you’ve been discovering here are, take a look at this map of Lauterbrunnen.
How to get to Lauterbrunnen
From Interlaken, it is only half an hour’s drive if you are traveling around Switzerland with a rental car. It will take you the same amount of time by train, as you have a direct one from the Interlaken Ost station.
From Bern, it will take you one hour by car taking the A6 toll road which covers the distance of just under 70 kilometres. To reach Lauterbrunnen from Bern by train, you have to first take one towards Interlaken Ost and then take another to your final destination. In total, it will take you just over an hour and a half. You could also make the journey by bus, but the time is doubled.
From Lucerne, the distance is longer, as it is about 100 kilometres away, which can be covered by car in just an hour and a half taking the A8 toll road. If you haven’t rented a car, you can also go from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen by train via Bern and Interlaken, a route that will take you three and a half hours and two transfers.
From Zurich, you can reach Lauterbrunnen by car either via Bern, on the A1, or via Lucerne, on the A8. In both cases it will take approximately two hours. A good option would also be to book the excursion from Zurich to Jungfraujoch which includes everything, even the company of a Spanish-speaking guide, and also passes through Lauterbrunnen.
After two trips to Switzerland in which I have used the car and train combination with the Swiss Travel Pass, I can confirm that one of the best ways to get around Switzerland is by train. It is comfortable, punctual and also beautiful because there are lovely panoramic routes that you cannot do while driving.
Where to eat in Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen has a wide variety of dining options offering everything from typical Swiss food to international cuisine.
One of the most recommended places is the Hotel Oberland restaurant, which offers traditional Swiss dishes such as fondue and raclette. You can also try the Pizzeria Da Marco restaurant, which serves freshly baked pizzas and pasta. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, you can visit the restaurant of the Hotel Schönegg, which offers gourmet cuisine
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