Switzerland is home to many charming mountain villages and resorts, and Lauterbrunnen is one of the best. With easy access to all the best mountains in the Bernese Oberland and some of Switzerland’s most famous waterfalls, this village is a top destination for travelers looking to explore the prettiest landscapes of Switzerland.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is known as the Valley of Waterfalls, with no less than 72 stunning cascades. It offers excellent hiking trails, plenty of climbing opportunities, and loads of options for excursions to striking Swiss summits. Here are some of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen!
See Staubbach Falls
Staubbach Falls is the most famous natural landmark in Lauterbrunnen. It cascades down the cliffs for 297 meters and is one of the best sights in the village.
Staubbach waterfall can be observed during walks through Lauterbrunnen village. A walking path allows you to climb the cliffs via stairs and get close to the waterfall.
Even better, you can stay at chalets near the falls and wake up to spectacular views of this fascinating cascade. Remember that Staubbach Falls is best experienced after a couple of rainy days. The waterfall can be underwhelming if the weather is particularly hot and sunny and it hasn’t rained in a while.
Ride The Mountain Trains
The Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Jungfrau region is home to some of the best mountain excursions in Switzerland. With easy access to both Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, the valley is excellent for anyone who enjoys spending time at high altitudes.
Mountain trains are a staple of this experience and can take you to:
- Jungfraujoch
- Wengen
- Murren
They’re not as fast as the regional trains in Switzerland, but riding on one of these is truly an experience you must have in Switzerland. Plenty of lifts and gondolas are also available in the region, which allow you to soar in the air above the villages and climb hundreds of meters in altitude in a matter of minutes.
The public transportation in the Swiss Alps is better than in some cities worldwide, and it’s fun to take advantage of it. It’s also why I would recommend investing in a travel pass for the region.
The Berner Oberland Pass is one of the best options for this region, as it allows free travel even on gondolas and funiculars. It covers everything from Lucerne to Birg, and it’s perfect for travelers in Lauterbrunnen who plan to go on several day trips.
JUNGFRAU UNCOVERED: A FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE
Everything you need to know when planning a trip to the Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen area.
AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $32
Visit Trümmelbach Falls
Set in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, an easy walk from the village (or bus ride if you’re feeling lazy), Trummelbach Falls is another famous attraction in the area. It’s a system of glacial waterfalls in the mountain, which can be visited at any time.
The cascades carry up to 20,000 cubic liters per second of meltwater from the Jungfrau glaciers down to the valley. They’re always roaring and tumbling and are truly one of the most stunning natural landmarks in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Trummelbach Falls are entirely situated inside the mountain and cannot be viewed from outside. They’re accessible by lifts, walking paths, tunnels, and viewing platforms and are the only attraction of its kind in the world. As such, I think it’s undoubtedly worth it to pay the entrance fee of 14 CHF.
The waterfalls are accessible from April through November. Standard opening times are from 9 AM until 5 PM, although they’re usually open longer in the summer. At the very least, you need an hour to see all the ten waterfalls, but allocate at least 2-3 hours for the visit, including public transport and time spent just admiring the views.
Keep in mind that these are glacial waterfalls that carry very cold water and they’re situated inside a mountain. It will be chillier here than back in Lauterbrunnen, so bring a thin (waterproof) jacket just to be on the safe side. Also, wear shoes with plenty of grip and traction because the walking paths are known to be slippery.
Excursion to Schilthorn & Piz Gloria
Schilthorn is one of several spectacular summits easily accessible from Lauterbrunnen. Famous as the location of Blofeld’s lair in the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the mountain has been attracting James Bond enthusiasts for decades.
Construction of the cable car to the summit and the Piz Gloria complex was rushed for filming purposes. Ever since the mountain summit has doubled as a shrine to James Bond.
The revolving restaurant at the top offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and a chance to eat a 007 burger, experience a simulation helicopter ride, and walk in the steps of George Lazenby.
Schilthon is accessible by cable cars from Murren, and the journey up to the mountain is an adventure in its own right. Birg is the first stop along the way, and it’s worth it to get out here and check out the attractions:
- Skyline Walk (observation deck on a platform that juts out from the cliffs)
- Thrill Walk (steel walkway hanging from the cliffs with a crawl-through tunnel)
THE PERFECT DAY IN LAUTERBRUNNEN: ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
Stop stressing about what to do and how to get there
A BARGAIN AT ONLY $9.99
The full price of tickets to Schilthorn from Lauterbrunnen is 109.20. Discounts are available to passes with one of the following travel passes:
- Swiss Travel Pass
- Half-Fare Card
- Interrail/Eurail Pass
- GA Travel Card
- Berner Oberland Pass
From Lauterbrunnen, you travel via Grutschalp and Murren. I recommend combining a trip to the summit with a half-day visit to Murren, a lovely village at the foot of Schilthorn, with many attractions worth exploring.
Best Hikes in Lauterbrunnen Valley
Lauterbrunnen Valley is a top destination in the Bernese Oberland for hiking. From easy loop trails to challenging summit ascents, the valley offers hikes suitable for anyone’s skill level.
Lauterbrunnen Valley Hike
- Length: 5 kilometers
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 100 meters
Lauterbrunnen Valley Hike is an easy panoramic walk from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg. It’s a beginner-friendly trail over mostly flat terrain that takes approximately an hour and a half. The point-to-point hike is not physically challenging and can be done by anyone.
The trail ends at the Stechelberg bus stop, so you can just jump on the bus to get back to Lauterbrunnen. Or you can hike back the same way you came and experience a different perspective on the valley.
Although the hike takes 2-3 hours from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg and back to the village, there are plenty of detours you can take to make it last even longer. The best detour is to Trummelbach Falls, which adds another hour at least.
While hiking this trail you will pass next to several farm fridges, which are a great opportunity to buy some fresh Swiss delicacies. Farmers set up these self-service fridges (or vending machines) and stock them with cheese, milk, eggs, and cured meat. You can buy whatever you want; if it’s a fridge, just take what you want and leave the money in the collection box.
Staubbach Falls
- Length: 600 meters
- Time: 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 112 meters
As I’ve previously mentioned, Staubbach Falls is the best-known waterfall in Lauterbrunnen. The dramatic cascade can be viewed from anywhere in the village, and a hiking path will take you to an observation platform behind the waterfall.
It’s only a 30-minute hike from the waterfall’s base to the viewing platform. There are a lot of stairs to climb, so the trail isn’t suitable for strollers and wheelchair users. Also, the stairs are pretty slippery towards the top, so wearing closed-toe shoes with lots of grip and traction is recommended.
The viewing platform is behind the waterfall and the spray will reach you. I recommend a lightweight, waterproof jacket, just to keep your clothes dry the rest of the day.
Flower trail from Mürren
- Length: 2.9 kilometers
- Time: 1 hour
- Elevation Gain: 289 meters
The Flower Trail from Murren is a hike best done between May and July when you can see some of the flowers the trail was named for. It’s at Allmendhubel, a hill just above the village. The trailhead is at the Murren train station, and it climbs up Allmendhubel past Hotel Sonnenberg.
Since this is a very easy trail, it’s one of the best things for families to do in Lauterbrunnen. Mainly, because there’s a playground at Allmendhubel, where children can have fun while the parents supervise them from a nearby restaurant.
If you want to cut out most of the trail up, you can simply take the Allmendhubel funicular from Mürren, and just visit the playground or do the easy and fast flower trail loop at the top. These images are taken from there in July 2024. The flowers were very late due to the constant rain in the months prior.
It takes about an hour to hike from the Murren train station to the top of the hill. The way back is shorter because it’s all downhill. Another option is to ride the funicular back into Murren; the ride is only four minutes long and the funicular takes you to the center of the village.
Hike from Grutschalp to Mürren
- Length: 5 kilometers
- Time: 1 hour
- Elevation Gain: 180 meters
A mountain train transports passengers from Grutschalp to Murren in about 25 minutes. It’s a quick and scenic journey, but we’re in Switzerland – the train tickets are very expensive. Another way to travel to the village – and a better way, I might add – is to hike from Grutschalp to Murren.
The trail is mostly easy. It takes about an hour and two minutes and it follows the railway tracks. The total elevation gain is around 180 meters, which is manageable in the timeframe. During the 5-kilometer hike, you can take all the time you need to take in the mesmerizing mountain views instead of just rushing past them on the train.
Tanzbodeli-Obersteinberg (Best Views)
- Length: 14 kilometers
- Time: 5-7 hours
- Elevation Gain: 1100 meters
Hiking to Tanzbodeli and Obersteinberg is a full-day adventure perfect for hikers who want a challenge. The trailhead is at Gimmelwald, and the entire trail route is Gimmelwald-Tanzbodeli-Obersteinberg-Stechelberg.
This entire trail is 14 kilometers and takes 5-7 hours. The elevation gain is more than 1000 meters, so it is not recommended for inexperienced hikers.
The total hiking time is just under 5 hours, but with the steep ascents, you must consider some time to rest. This hike offers the best views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, its many waterfalls, and the dramatic mountain peaks in the distance.
Stechelberg is the trail’s final destination because of its easy bus connection with Lauterbrunnen village.
Other hikes
Many other trails are accessible in the Lauterbrunney Valley and you can read more about them here. Whether you’re looking for easy hikes suitable for kids or the most challenging and technically difficult trails in the Bernese Oberland, Lauterbrunnen won’t disappoint.
THE PERFECT DAY IN LAUTERBRUNNEN: ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
Stop stressing about what to do and how to get there
A BARGAIN AT ONLY $9.99
Cheese Making Tour
Switzerland is known for its delicious cheeses, which are staple ingredients of most national dishes. A trip to villages in the mountains means you can go straight to the source and witness firsthand how cheese gets made.
Cheese dairies and factories usually have shops where you can buy the best local cheeses. It’s souvenir shopping, but Switzerland-style!
There’s a cheese dairy at Winteregg, just a short walk from Murren village. Guided tours of the dairy are available and are the best option for seeing the cheese-making process. The tours include breakfast, the perfect opportunity to taste the cheese and see which you like best so you know what to purchase.
The standard price of a guided tour is 30 CHF. Travelers with a visitor’s card in the Bernese Oberland can get a 50% discount and pay only 15 CHF, which is a steal considering that a meal is included.
These tours take place every Wednesday from mid-July to September. They start in Murren at 7:45 AM, and reservations are necessary.
History Lesson at Lauterbrunnen Valley and Legends Museum
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
The Lauterbrunnen Valley and Legends Museum is an excellent opportunity to travel back to a different era. Go inside the museum and suddenly you’ll find yourself inside a hotel room from the 1900s, complete with period furnishings. You can see the skis used in the first-ever Lauberhorn races in a different part of the museum.
Visit the museum to gain insight into the history of Lauterbrunnen and the ways of the locals in the previous century. It’s a fascinating museum to visit if you’re genuinely interested in the local traditions and culture, and especially if you’re astonished by relics of past eras.
The museum is open from early June through September. In the winter, the museum opens only upon request and organizes occasional special events. Museum tickets are just 5 CHF.
Attend a Workshop With Lace Making Locals
Lace-making has been a tradition in Lauterbrunnen since the late 17th century. Anyone is welcome to attend a lace-making session free of charge and watch the locals at work.
The event occurs every Friday at the Old School house, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. The delicate craft requires a lot of precision and effort, and I found it fascinating to observe.
On top of the lace-making workshops, visitors can also attend textile handicrafts on the first and third Thursdays of every month. And from mid-December to mid-January, there are additional lace-making and textile workshops on Tuesday evenings. In April and May, only lace-making seminars take place on Tuesdays.
See the Sights on an E-Bike Tour
Hiking is the most popular way of exploring the Lauterbrunnen Valley, but it’s not for everyone. Travelers who prefer to get around an area faster can rent e-bikes, and see all the top sights at the valley in less time.
Imboden Bike offers e-bike rentals in Lauterbrunnen, and this is a good option if you want to set on this adventure on your own. But if you prefer to be guided by knowledgeable locals who know all the valley’s secrets and can take you to see the hidden gems, a guided e-bike tour might be a better option.
Most tours start in Lauterbrunnen village and open with the Staubbach Fall. The best tours take 4-6 hours and include a trip to Trummelbach Fall caves and even a picnic with some of the best local delicacies (cheese, sausage, etc.).
The Jungfrau region is a top destination for bikers who want to start exploring. There are more than 30 charging points where you can stop to recharge your bike whenever necessary, and they’re entirely free to use.
Soar Above Lauterbrunnen on a Helicopter Ride
The Lauterbrunnen Valley features some of the most dramatic landscapes in Switzerland, and by far, the best way to experience them is from the air. Book a helicopter tour of the region and you’ll see Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau, Schilthorn, and even Titlis from an angle you couldn’t experience otherwise.
Air Glaciers is a local helicopter flight operator that offers scenic tours of all the major landmarks in Switzerland. They’ve got four options for departures from Lauterbrunnen:
- Jungfrau (13 minutes)
- Flight of the Glaciers (20 minutes)
- The Grand Tour of the Alps (30 minutes)
- Matterhorn (70 minutes)
By far the best and most impressive flight is the helicopter tour to Matterhorn, with dramatic views of the pyramid-shaped peak. But it’s also the most expensive tour, with a price of more than 600 CHF per person.
The shorter flights are significantly cheaper, and the quick excursion to Jungfrau is cheaper than actual train tickets to the mountain saddle. Soaring over the Swiss Alps is an incredible experience everyone should have, and if you can afford to go on a helicopter tour of the region, it should be at the top of your list.
The best thing about helicopter tours is that they can be done whenever. Flights are suspended only in extreme weather conditions but are equally popular in summer and winter.
Visit Mürren or Gimmelwald (Or Both!)
Murren and Gimmelwald are two villages on the slopes above Lauterbrunnen. The former is a necessary stop on the way to Schilthorn, and if you’re already heading up to the mountain, I recommend taking a couple of hours to explore the village.
With many fun and scenic hiking trails, Murren is an excellent destination for travelers who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Scenic trip to Mürren via Grutschalp
Murren is easily accessible from Lauterbrunnen via Grutschalp. A cable car will take you from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp, where you can board a mountain train to Murren. The train ride is approximately 25 minutes and offers stunning scenic views of the surrounding landscapes.
For most people, the next step would be to head to the gondola in Murren and go to Birg and then Schilthron. But I highly recommend you take your time at Murren; if you’re in a rush to reach Schilthorn, then stop by this village on the way back.
With waterfalls and countless hiking trails, Murren offers hikers a lot. The trails at Allmendhubel are particularly interesting and not challenging.
Side trip to Gimmelwald
If you travel to Murren in the summer, you will have the opportunity of going to Gimmelwald following a via ferrata on the cliffs just below the village. The K3 route takes three hours to complete and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain peaks to your sides, as well as the village of Stechelberg below.
The route is safe, but it is fairly challenging so recommended only for experienced climbers. Entrance to the via ferrata is behind Sportchalet Mürren. At one point during the climb, you will even cross a waterfall!
Of course, there are other ways of reaching Gimmelwald, for non-climbers. An easier walking path is available, taking you from one village to the other in only half an hour. And a gondola can transport you from Murren to Gimmelwald in just 7 minutes.
At Gimmelwald you have the opportunity to buy souvenirs at the Honesty Shop. It’s an unmanned shop and the first of its kind in Switzerland. You can grab whatever you like, just leave the money in the collection box. I’m fascinated by how well the honesty system works in Switzerland, and I honestly don’t think it could be as efficient in many other countries.
Watch the BASE Jumpers
The Lauterbrunnen Valley has become so popular with BASE jumpers that it’s even been dubbed Death Valley. It’s not a pleasant attribute, but it is appropriate considering just how high-risk BASE jumping is.
You can see them soaring above the village from virtually anywhere in Lauterbrunnen. The cliffs in the backdrop of the village are perfect for BASE jumping, and it’s common for there to be loads of parachutes in the sky on clear, sunny days.
Of course, if you’re into extreme sports, you can always join them. The Horner Pub is a known hangout spot for BASE jumpers, and there you can usually find people to jump with. Alternatively, there are groups on social media websites where you can find like-minded individuals and arrange BASE-jumping expeditions in Lauterbrunnen.
Enjoy the Views At Männlichen
Männlichen is another towering summit accessible from Lauterbrunnen. First, you’ll need to make your way to Wengen, a village in the mountains above Lauterbrunnen, where you can take a gondola to Männlichen.
Royal Walk
- Length: 2 kilometers
- Time: 40 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 125 meters
The Royal Walk at Männlichen is an easy hike anyone can do. The trail leads from the top station of the gondola to an observation deck, and it’s only 2 kilometers long. That’s for the out-and-back trail, and the entire thing takes most people just 40 minutes.
It didn’t take me 40 minutes because I stopped too often to take photos. The views are spectacular, and I didn’t want to rush it because I enjoyed seeing Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau from this perspective.
This is one of the most easily accessible trails at Mannliches, and it’s highly recommended for inexperienced hikers. It’s also great for families with children. The walk is so easy that even the youngest hikers shouldn’t struggle to do it, plus it’s very fun.
THE PERFECT DAY IN LAUTERBRUNNEN: ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
Stop stressing about what to do and how to get there
A BARGAIN AT ONLY $9.99
Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Panorama Trail
- Length: 4.5 kilometers
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 30 minutes
The panorama trail from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheideg is another easy hike with stunning landscape views. The trailhead is also at the gondola’s top station, but instead of heading north towards the observation deck, head south. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow.
Männlichen is a taller summit, so hiking in this direction means you’re going downhill the entire time. It’s approximately half an hour quicker than starting in the other direction. At Kleine Scheidegg, you have a choice to make: take a train back to Lauterbrunnen, head to Grindelwald for a little while, or continue hiking along one of the most epic trails in the Bernese Oberland.
Eiger Trail
- Length: 6 kilometers
- Time: 2 hours
- Elevation Gain: 90 meters
The Eiger Trail is a scenic hiking path from Kleine Scheidegg to Alpiglen. It follows the north face of the Eiger mountain, offering dramatic summit views the entire time. This is one of my favorite hikes in the area, and it’s an epic experience every avid hiker should have at least once.
The trail is mostly over flat terrain and it can be completed in an hour and some change. The first time I did this hike it took a lot longer because I stopped very often to take photos and admire the views.
At Alpiglen you can take the funicular to Grindelwald, back to Kleine Scheidegg, or continue hiking if you’re still not exhausted.
Lauberhorn Trail
- Length: 8 kilometers
- Time: Approximately 3 hours
- Elevation Gain: 934 meters
One more hike and I’m done. At Kleine Scheidegg, you can discover another trail in the summer. The trailhead is at Hundschopf, west of the Kleine Scheidegg station.
This trail leads to Wengen, following the steepest downhill run in the ski racing World Cup. Skiers develop speeds of up to 110 km/h on this trail, which offers panoramic views of the Bernese Oberland summits.
The difficulty and duration of the hike depend on the direction you take. I recommend starting from Kleine Scheidegg, especially if you’re already hiking. It’s much easier because the trail is downhill from the summit.
But if you start from Wengen, you must climb over 900 meters during the 8-kilometer hike. It takes nearly four hours to reach the summit, while the descent takes approximately three hours.
Day Trip to Jungfraujoch
The mountain saddle of Jungfraujoch is one of the most famous high-altitude tourist destinations in Switzerland. Known as the Top of Europe, the saddle is home to Switzerland’s highest train station and post office. This is why you should bring postcards to mail to friends and family!
Jungfraujoch is accessible from Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen via Grindelwald. The Eiger Express gondola takes you from Grindelwald up to Kleine Scheidegg, where you board a cogwheel train that takes you up to the mountain saddle.
The train stops only once for five minutes at Eismeer, and passengers are encouraged to get off the train and head to a viewing room to see the Aletsch Glacier.
Jungfraujoch is best experienced in the summer. Clear skies are essential for uninterrupted views of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, the three tallest peaks in the area.
Full-priced tickets for Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunen are approximately 214 CHF. It’s not a cheap adventure, but it’s worth the money because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Also, discounts are available with various travel passes:
- Swiss Travel Pass
- Jungfrau Travel Pass
- Berner Oberland Pass
- GA Travelcard
- Half-Fare Card
- Interrail/Eurail Card
The most popular attractions at Jungfraujoch are:
- Sphinx Observation Deck (panoramic views of the peaks in the Bernese Alps and the glaciers)
- Eismeer (views of Aletsch Glacier)
- Ice Palace (tunnel through the glacier with ice sculptures carved into the walls)
- Lindt Chocolate Heaven (the highest Lindt shop in Europe)
- Monchsjochhutte
- Snow Fun Park (winter sports in the summertime – sledding, tubing, and zipline)
It’s worth noting that Monchsjochhutte is accessible by easy walking trails over the glacier. It’s open from March until October, so you can only visit the hiker’s hut if you’re at Jugnfraujoch in the summer and the shoulder seasons.
Everything except for the Snow Fun Park is included in the cost of tickets to Jungfraujoch.
