The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of Switzerland’s most photogenic mountain gorges, set amid the better-known Jungfrau Region. And wedged on the valley floor between towering rock faces sits the village of Lauterbrunnen itself, attracting visitors seeking a traditional Swiss mountain town vibe and nature lovers in search of the valley’s famous 72 waterfalls. Cascades aside, there’s no shortage of things to do in Lauterbrunnen, with skiing, hiking, and even base jumping among the options.
Lauterbrunnen’s ski season runs from December through April. If your main goal is to ski, this is the best time to travel. Summer is also a great time to visit Lauterbrunnen, as the (mostly) warm and sunny days are ripe for alpine adventure. The iconic Staubbach Falls and Trümmelbach Falls are at peak water flow then, with the latter open from April to early November. While the shoulder seasons offer lower prices and fewer people, some say that the hemmed-in rocky valley gives the place a gloomier edge when there’s a lack of snow and sunshine.
You won’t need a car to get around Lauterbrunnen village, but if you want to check off some of those 72 falls, you’ll need public transport at some stage. If you plan on at least three days in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Jungfrau Travel Pass covers all transportation, including trains, buses, boats, and cableways. Or, if your Lauterbrunnen trip makes up part of a longer Switzerland vacation, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all journeys and modes of transport, too.
James Bond fans will recognize many alpine sights in the area from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, which was filmed around Lauterbrunnen and Mürren. One of its most iconic locations is the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, custom-built as the baddie Blofeld’s allergy clinic on the Schilthorn summit. Today you can visit Piz Gloria from Mürren via one of the Alps’ longest aerial cableway journeys. A menu featuring 007-themed cuisine, a James Bond museum, and sweeping mountain vistas await.
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Yes, if the Swiss Jungfrau Region is on your list of places to visit, Lauterbrunnen makes a great mountain base. Smack in the center of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the village is flanked by grand mountain peaks, and boasts easy access to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg in one direction and Mürren to the other.
...MoreSeek out the cascades. Hike the short but steep walk from the village to Staubbach Falls, where you can wander around the back of the spray. In the summer, you can continue to Trümmelbach Falls via the tunnel lift. Other options include visiting nearby Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg, or Mürren.
...MoreIt depends. If you come to ski, you’ll want at least a week to explore the slopes in the Jungfrau Region. For spring or summer breaks, a long weekend gives you ample time in the village, some mountain action, and day trip opportunities to Gimmelwald, Interlaken, and beyond.
...MoreStay in Lauterbrunnen if you want a more scenic valley base than Interlaken, which feels busier and more modern. If your pockets are a little deeper and you want to stay higher in the mountains, Grindelwald offers chocolate box scenery, albeit at a higher price.
...MoreYes, you can walk around Lauterbrunnen village—and even do some fairly easy hikes that start from the village, including the valley walk to Stechelberg. If you plan to explore further afield, there are cableways, cogwheel trains, and buses that link up the key towns and mountain sights.
...MoreThe two must-see waterfalls are Staubbach and Trümmelbach. Staubbach is reached easily on foot from the village, while the UNESCO-listed Trümmelbach is either a bus ride away or a hike that lasts just over 2 miles (3 kilometers). Note that Trümmelbach is closed in the winter and is off-limits to kids under 4.
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