Visit Lauterbrunnen: A paradise for nature lovers!

Lauterbrunnen is one of those rare places where nature has remained completely untouched and the landscapes are like paintings: powerful and beautifully rendered. Whether you come here for the pleasure of hiking, winter and extreme sports or simply to contemplate the alpine scenery and recharge your batteries, Lauterbrunnen is a small compilation of the best that Switzerland has to offer.

In the footsteps of Lauterbrunnen

Although little known outside of Switzerland, the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the canton of Bern is actually one of the country's most important nature reserves. There are no fewer than 72 waterfalls tumbling down huge cliffs! The commune of the same name is nestled between the cliffs and snow-capped peaks of this spectacular valley.

It is credited to the glaciers that have shaped this valley for millennia. During the Ice Age, glaciers moved down the slopes of the Jungfrau massif, dropping ice and rock for tens of metres until they carved out a deep V-shaped valley (river valley) and then gradually a U-shaped valley (glacial valley). The German poet Goethe is believed to have been inspired to write his famous poem ‘Song of the Spirits over the Waters’ (‘Gesang der Geister über den Wassern’) here during his visit in 1779, as was JR Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. So what else is behind Lauterbrunnen? Explore further.

Lauterbrunnen waterfalls

The region's waterfalls offer unique spectacles, from powerful underground streams to dizzying cascades, creating breathtaking landscapes surrounded by Swiss mountains. Hidden in the depths of the Schwarzer Monch mountain, the roaring Trummelbachfall is Europe's largest underground waterfalls. Although their flow is hidden from view, the muffled rumble of the Jungfrau glacier meltwater bubbling up inside the mountain gives away their power. 

The Staubbachfall, whose name translates from German as ‘dust flow’, becomes a real spectacle on windy days when the wind blows thousands of tiny droplets, giving the waterfall an almost ghostly appearance. 

Finally, the Mürrenbachfall, which falls from a height of 750 metres, reaches a height of 417 metres, making it the highest waterfall in Switzerland and the fifth highest in Europe. After heavy rains or snowmelt, its majesty becomes particularly impressive.

Peaks and ski areas

Start your trip at Kleine Scheidegg, a cog railway pass at an altitude of over 2,000 metres that offers spectacular views of the northern part of the Eiger. From here you can travel to the ‘top of Europe’ by train, ascending to the majestic Jungfraujoch Pass at 3,471 metres (fare is around 100 euro per person). The area is a year-round tourist attraction, with walks enjoyed in summer and skiing downhill in winter.

Continue on the Lauterbrunnen ring road to Grütschalp and then take the train to Mürren, from where you can climb to the top of the Schilthorn (2970 metres). Here you are treated to a stunning panorama - views of almost 200 mountains including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These views were the backdrop for a scene in the James Bond film Her Majesty's Secret Service.

In winter, the Murren-Schilthorn region becomes a vast skiing area, and in summer it becomes an ideal place for hiking and extreme sports such as paragliding and basejumping.

How to get to Lauterbrunnen?

There are several convenient ways to get to Lauterbrunnen. For travelling by plane, there are regular flights between major cities and Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport in Switzerland. You can use the flight comparison site Ulysse to find the most favourable flight. After arriving in Basel, you'll either have to travel by train to Lauterbrunnen with a connection in Interlaken-Ost, which takes around two hours, or by car, also approximately two hours.

Once you arrive in Lauterbrunnen, local transport options are available: for example, the WAB (Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald resorts can be reached by train, while Mürren can be reached by the BLM (Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren) cable car.)

Where to stay overnight in Lauterbrunnen?

Locally, you'll find plenty of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. You can choose the Jungfrau campsite in Lauterbrunnen or in Breithorn, where accommodation starts from 20 euro per night. If you prefer a more comfortable environment, there are youth hostels (from 25 euro per night in shared rooms), cosy Airbnb homes or hotels that range from 50 euro to 300 euro per night. The charming villages of Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen, Mürren and Isenflüch offer a variety of places to stay and you can use the hotel comparison tool to make the best choice.

If you are unable to find suitable accommodation in these villages, a great alternative is nearby Interlaken and Grindelwald, which also offer a wide range of hotels and guesthouses.

Conclusion

Lauterbrunnen is a place where nature, history and the Alpine spirit come together in harmony to create a unique environment for relaxation and discovery. There is something for everyone: nature lovers and hikers can enjoy the beauty of the wild valley and waterfalls, while winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic slopes and breathtaking panoramas. This Swiss paradise invites you not just to visit, but to melt into the beauty of the mountain scenery, to feel inspired and to take with you lasting memories of a place where time seems to have stood still.