Lauterbrunnen Waterfall Tour

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Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

The Lauterbrunnen valley is graced with no less than 72 waterfalls in the span of about 6 miles, including the longest fall in Switzerland, and certainly many of the most dramatic. This easy hike can be shortened by hopping on/off any of the many buses that parallel the hike. And if it's not long enough... there are many other options for much longer outings.

This is primarily an amble that should be enjoyed slowly, with your jaw dropped and your neck craned upwards. It's good on a cloudy or even rainy day with the high peaks shrouded in clouds well over a vertical mile above.

This hike is an assembly of trails and short parts of road. Some of the trail is lovely crushed gravel along the river, and there are signs at all intersections, and it's easy to follow.

Generally, start at the south end of town at the parking lot past the church and start off following the signed one-lane road to "Camping Jungfrau". There are also yellow "Wanderweg" signs for all trails at all intersections.

Right out of town is the iconic Staubbach Falls with a drop of 297 meters. An optional steep but short climb takes you right up to, and then behind the curtain of water. After a few switchbacks, you enter a long tunnel, and then cling to the edge of the cliff as water swirls in the air all around you. Worth the trip alone.

Next up on the right is Spissbach Falls, nearly as tall as the last one but with much less water. After the third big falls on the right (Aegerternbach Falls), you can either continue straight, or take a left and detour to Tremmelbach Falls, a gem extremely worth your time (and 11 Swiss Francs). This set of 10 waterfalls is sculpted inside the mountain and is quite extraordinary. And you get to ride a cable car INSIDE the mountain! Once done with this gem, take the road south and take a right turn at the campground in 200 yards to regain the trail.

Next, back on the right side of the valley, is Buchenbach Falls, where you'll almost certainly see paragliders or BASE jumpers leaping from the top. In 2007, the entire waterfall froze and was climbed to the top using ice tools.

The final waterfall, Murrenbach Falls, is the tallest in Switzerland at 417 meters. An incredibly steep gondola car travels right next to it and is the primary way to get to the car-free town of Murren.

The trail continues on the Stechelberg, where you'll find a restaurant, hotel, and bus stop (there are many bus stops along the way, so you don't have to go this far if you tire). Savor the moment and turn around or catch the bus back to town.