Lauterbrunnen: hiking and waterfalls in Switzerland
A few years ago, on a trip to Switzerland, we went to the Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, but didn’t have time to visit Lauterbrunnen and the surrounding area. We absolutely wanted to come back and discover this region. And we did, on a long weekend in May!
Lauterbrunnen is a hidden treasure nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps and a dream destination for nature lovers. Indeed, this picturesque valley abounds in breathtaking scenery, breathtaking hiking trails and majestic waterfalls.
So, in this article, we take you on a tour of Lauterbrunnen’s incomparable natural beauty and the unforgettable activities it has to offer. At the end of the article you’ll find Kiki’s verdict on the beauty of Lauterbrunnen.
Where is Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland?
Lauterbrunnen is located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, in the canton of Berne, in the magnificent Bernese Oberland region.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is nestled in the Bernese Alps and stretches for around 20 kilometers. It is surrounded by impressive rock faces and majestic mountains, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the three famous peaks of the Swiss Alps. The Lütschine River flows through the valley itself.
More precisely, Lauterbrunnen is 12 km from Interlaken, 66 km from Berne, 129 km from Zurich, 220 km from St. Gallen and 226 km from Geneva.
The Bernese Oberland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. In 1911, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, visited the Lauterbrunnen valley. He was completely fascinated by the spectacular scenery. The story goes that the Lauterbrunnen Valley inspired him to write The Lord of the Rings…
How to get to Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is easily accessible by train from all major Swiss cities.
If you’re coming by car, make sure you buy a vignette if you’re taking the freeways in Switzerland.
So what’s there to do in and around Lauterbrunnen? Here are the must-do activities.
The village of Lauterbrunnen
To get you started in the Lauterbrunnen region, let’s explore the village of Lauterbrunnen. Actually, it’s quite simple, as there’s only one main street. The train station, bus stops, restaurants and souvenir stores are all on this street.
Lauterbrunnen church
You can walk from Lauterbrunnen station to the church along this street. You’ll then be able to take the not-to-be-missed photo of the church with the Staubbach waterfall in the background. This famous waterfall plunges over 300 metres into the valley, creating an impressive spectacle not to be missed.
Trümmelbach falls
The Trümmelbach Falls are a spectacular group of ten glacial waterfalls, fed by the meltwater from the Eiger (3,970 m), Mönch (4,099 m) and Jungfrau
(4,158 metres).
This natural site is unique in that it is nestled within the mountains. The Trümmelbach Falls are accessible by elevator. An experience not to be missed! Of course, if you prefer, you can also take the stairs. Once at the top, you can follow a trail to observe roaring waterfalls and narrow gorges sculpted by millennia of erosion.
The Trümmelbach Falls carry up to 20,000 liters of water per second, making them the largest underground cascades in Europe. You can admire the raw power of nature up close as you stroll through the breathtaking scenery and mystical ambience.
To get back down, you can either take the elevator or walk down. We went down on foot, which enabled us to see more of the waterfalls.
The Trümmelbach Falls are not individually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, they are part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch region, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This larger site, inscribed in 2001, encompasses a large part of the Swiss Alps and includes outstanding mountain landscapes, glaciers, valleys and spectacular natural sites such as the Trümmelbach Falls.
Practical information for visiting Trümmelbach Falls
The site is open from April to November daily from 09:00 to 17:00 and in July and August from 08:30 to 18:00. There’s a restaurant, toilets and souvenir store next door. The price is 15 francs per person, whether you take the elevator or not.
We really recommend a visit to the Trümmelbach Falls, so impressive are they.
Visit Mürren
Mürren is a charming mountain village in the Bernese Oberland. Perched at an altitude of 1,650 meters, it overlooks the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Mürren is a car-free village. It can therefore only be reached by cable car from the Schilthorn station at Stechelberg or by cogwheel train from Grütschalp (accessible by cable car from Lauterbrunnen).
Known for its breathtaking views of the iconic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, Mürren is a popular destination in both winter and summer.
In winter, it’s a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts, with ski slopes, snowshoe trails and toboggan runs. In summer, there’s plenty of hiking.
During this weekend in Lauterbrunnen, we went twice to Mürren on hikes that I’ll detail a little further down in this article. We were really impressed by the impressive mountain views. But the best part is that Mürren is a car-free village!
We really recommend visiting Mürren and taking your time in this typical Swiss village! With its authentic atmosphere, traditional chalets and breathtaking views, Mürren offers an authentic and memorable Swiss alpine experience.
Visit Wengen
Wengen is a village on the western slopes of the Männlichen, at 1,274 m altitude. It also overlooks the Lauterbrunnen valley. It can only be reached by train via the Wengernalp railroad from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.
Like Mürren, Wengen is a car-free village.
This Alpine village is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery.
In winter, Wengen is transformed into a winter sports center, hosting the famous Lauberhorn Alpine Ski World Cup race, the longest and one of the most demanding in the world. You can also take advantage of the vast ski areas, toboggan runs and snowshoe trails.
In summer, Wengen becomes a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, with numerous hiking trails. The village is also an ideal starting point for excursions to the Jungfraujoch, accessible via the Jungfrau railroad.
So to be honest, we were disappointed by Wengen. The village is very touristy and doesn’t reflect Swiss authenticity the way Mürren does. In short, we weren’t really charmed.
Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn excursions
Lauterbrunnen is the ideal starting point for discovering Switzerland’s famous peaks.
Going to the Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
The Jungfraujoch, top of Europe, is perched at an altitude of 3,454 metres. It is home to Europe’s highest railway station. The Jungfraujoch offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the Aletsch glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps.
The Jungfraujoch experience is unique. Once at the summit, you can visit the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observatory, an observation platform offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the Alpine landscape. An unforgettable memory when we went to the Jungfraujoch 3 years ago. We can only recommend that you do it at least once in your life, it’s such an incredible experience.
For more details on this trip to the Jungfraujoch, read our blog post.
Going to the Schilthorn
The Schilthorn is an iconic mountain in the Swiss Alps, still in the magnificent Bernese Oberland region. Rising to an altitude of 2,970 meters, the Schilthorn offers spectacular views of the surrounding Alpine peaks, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
What makes the Schilthorn so famous is its association with James Bond. Indeed, the summit is the main filming location for the James Bond movie Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn was used as a hideout for villains in the film. Today it offers a unique culinary experience with a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.
In addition, there are hiking trails for all levels, allowing you to explore the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps. In winter, the Schilthorn also offers skiing and snowboarding in a magnificent alpine setting.
To reach the Schilthorn, you have to take the cable cars from Stechelberg via Mürren. See our blog post for tips on how to get to the Schilthorn.
Hikes starting from Lauterbrunnen
What makes Lauterbrunnen particularly unique is its spectacular scenery. The valley is home to 72 waterfalls. It’s a paradise for nature lovers. From Lauterbrunnen, you can hike through the Swiss Alps.
As for hiking, there’s something for every level and taste. We recommend that you visit the tourist office (located in Lauterbrunnen’s main street) for information on the region. We also recommend that you pick up a map of Lauterbrunnen, which will come in very handy on your hikes.
So, just for you, we’ve put together 2 hikes and a tour starting from Lauterbrunnen that we recommend!
Lauterbrunnen – Stechelberg
This first hike from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg is more of a stroll than a hike. Lasting 1 hour 45 minutes (excluding stops) and covering 6.8 km, it takes in the picturesque Lauterbrunnen valley, where water is omnipresent.
You’ll pass a number of very impressive waterfalls, in a meadow with a backdrop of the surrounding mountains (including the Breithorn). First of all, you can discover the Staubbach Falls after a short walk if you start from Lauterbrunnen.
You then pass the thundering Trümmelbach Falls (which you can visit by elevator). Well, to be precise, the Trümmelbach are on the other side of the road. It’s about a 15-minute walk to visit them. The path then runs alongside the Weisse Lütschine river.
It continues in the direction of Stechelberg. This takes you to Switzerland’s highest waterfall, the Mürrenbachfall. It is located at the Schilthorn cable car station. Do you know why the waterfalls are black in some places? Neither do I, but Kiki will tell you at the end of the article!
This walk, Lauterbrunnen’s best-known, is absolutely magnificent. You’ll see many of the 72 waterfalls. We counted them and saw at least 10!
This walk from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg is a victim of its own success. Which means you won’t be alone.
Oh yes, on the way, you’ll sometimes have to leave the way clear!
If you don’t want to do the whole hike, you can stop off at various points, such as Trümmelbach Falls, air glacier, Schilthorn cable car station and take a bus back to Lauterbrunnen. In any case, this is a walk not to be missed if you’re in Lauterbrunnen.
Grütschalp- Winteregg- Mürren: Panoramaweg
For our second hike in the Lauterbrunnen valley, we took a cable car from Lauterbrunnen up to Grütschalp (1486 m). Here you can take a train to Mürren, or walk up. Which is exactly what we did. This 1h10 hike is in 2 parts: Grütschalp to Winteregg and Winteregg to Mürren.
The first part is an incredible hike from Grütschalp to Winteregg. It’s a 30-minute walk, with a slight gradient at the start.
You’ll have an incredible view of the Lauterbrunnen valley, the Eiger, the Jungfrau and the Mönch.
The second part from Winteregg to Mürren is a little less pleasant. The view is less beautiful, as you’re in the forest and then follow the train line. This section takes 40 minutes.
The total hike from Grütschalp to Mürren is 4.4 km with an ascent of 150 metres.
Our recommendation: hike from Grütschalp to Winteregg and then take the train to Mürren.
Practical information:
Gondolas between Lauterbrunnen and Grütschalp depart every 30 minutes. If you take the train to Mürren, there is a connection between the cable car and the train.
Panoramaweg: Lauterbrunnen
This third 3.1 km hike starts at Lauterbrunnen railway station. It takes about an hour to complete. You’ll head towards Wengen, then climb up to the start of the trail to enjoy an incredible panorama of Lauterbrunnen.
There’s a viewpoint with a bench where you can admire the view…or wait for the train to pass.
For us, this is a must-do hike because it’s a good way to see the waterfall and the Lauterbrunnen church away from the tourists.
Afterwards, you can stop along the river to take a well-deserved break and enjoy the incredible view.
This hike skirts the prairie against a backdrop of waterfalls, river and mountains.
You’ll walk along the river, admiring the wooden bridges. You can even cross them. So romantic!
This hike ends at the Lauterbrunnen church. You can then return to Lauterbrunnen station.
This hike gives you a different view of the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls, but above all it allows you to avoid the crowds, as few people do this magnificent hike.
Stechelberg – Schilthorn cable car station- Mürren-Lauterbrunnen- Stechelberg
We made a loop starting from Stechelberg. We took a cable car from the Schilthorn cable car station to Gimmelwald and then another to Mürren. As you’re in Switzerland, everything is well organized. When the first cable car arrives in Gimmelwald, you immediately board the second. Departures from Stechelberg are every 30 minutes.
We then drove through the village of Mürren to the other station in this small car-free town. We took a train to Grütschalp and then a cable car to Lauterbrunnen. Likewise, connections are guaranteed. There are trains and cable cars every 30 minutes. The train is a wonderful experience.
You’ll arrive at the Lauterbrunnen cable car station, which is opposite the station. You can also walk down from Mürren to Grütschalp. It’s a 1-hour walk. We did it the other way round (from Grütschalp to Mürren) on the hike mentioned above.
Once at the Lauterbrunnen station, you can take the first hike we did from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg and back to the Schilthorn cable car station, or continue as we did to Stechelberg.
This tour from Stechelberg (or from the Schilthorn cable car station) will take you a good half-day, or even a full day if you have lunch in Mürren or Lauterbrunnen. You’ll then be able to discover the highlights of Lauterbrunnen and visit Mürren.
Getting around Lauterbrunnen
Bus 141 runs from Lauterbrunnen station to Stechelberg. It stops at the huge parking lot where you can take the cable car to the Schilthorn and Trümmelbach.
We were in Lauterbrunnen on a long weekend in May. Which meant that the traffic was completely insane. So we left our car in our chalet and took the bus.
For 2.20 francs per person (with the Swiss Pass) we don’t have to worry about taking the car and paying for parking. There are buses every 30 minutes and it works very well.
We recommend that you book accommodation with parking included and take public transport.
You can also opt for the Jungfrau Travel Pass to get around. This allows you to take unlimited trains and cable cars in the Lauterbrunnen region. A real bargain!
Where to eat in Lauterbrunnen
We didn’t go to a restaurant in Lauterbrunnen. We preferred to cook in our chalet. To do our shopping, we went to the Coop store, a must in Switzerland. Special mention for the bread and fresh produce! It’s located opposite Lauterbrunnen station.
And on our walk from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, we stopped at a farm-produce vending machine. We bought some cheese. Even if it’s self-service, don’t leave without paying – it’s not fair on the farmers! There’s also another fresh produce vending machine on the way.
If you get the chance, we recommend a delicious Swiss fondue! There’s no better way to soak up the Swiss atmosphere.
Where to stay in Lauterbrunnen
In Lauterbrunnen, you’ll find several accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. For example, Lauterbrunnen offers several hotels with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for more affordable accommodation, youth hostels in Lauterbrunnen are an excellent option. We have seen several ideally located.
Lauterbrunnen also offers a wide range of vacation rentals, from apartments to traditional Swiss chalets. This is the option we chose, and we loved it! Our chalet was located in Stechelberg, a village lined with traditional chalets and ideally situated for visiting the Lauterbrunnen valley. In less than 10 minutes on foot, we were at the Schilthorn cable car station. What’s more, there’s a bus stop just below the chalet that takes us to Lauterbrunnen.
If you prefer the great outdoors, there are also campsites in Lauterbrunnen where you can pitch your tent or rent accommodation such as cabins or fully-equipped tents.
Book your accommodation in Lauterbrunnen
How long can I stay in Lauterbrunnen?
We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for 3 days. We really took our time hiking and visiting the villages. On the last day we went to Interlaken. Incidentally, we had already been to the region to visit the Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn.
We therefore recommend that you stay at least 4 days in Lauterbrunnen to do :
- a visit to the Jungfraujoch
- visit to the Schilthorn
- the Stechelberg circuit – Schilthorn cable car station- Mürren-Lauterbrunnen- Stechelberg
- Hike from Grütschalp to Mürren and take the train to Wengen.
Lauterbrunnen is 20 minutes from Interlaken, so you can spend a day visiting Interlaken , including the Harder Klum and the city center.
Kiki’s opinion
In Lauterbrunnen, you’ll find Switzerland exactly as Kiki imagines it: green meadows, snow-capped mountains, rushing streams and cows grazing peacefully in the meadows. As if that weren’t enough, there are even 72 waterfalls! Kiki doesn’t know where they all are, but he did manage to discover ten in the Lauterbrunnen valley.
The best part? You no longer need to search for hours for the perfect wallpaper for your computer. Here, all you have to do is click the shutter release on your camera to get the perfect image!
Our loyal readers know that Kiki is a passionate historian. But today, he’s venturing into new territory: geology! After reading the article, did you ever wonder why the steep rock faces of the Lauterbrunnen valley have black spots? The explanation is as interesting as it is disappointing: humidity and moss growth, constant water leaks, the nature of the rock, the weather and even a little pollution all play a part. But don’t worry, Kiki prefers to stick to exciting history lessons rather than geology lectures!
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