Lauterbrunnen is the heart of Switzerland’s storybook scenery – a narrow U-shaped valley flanked by sheer cliffs and dotted with 72 waterfalls, alpine chalets, and cow-dotted meadows that inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell. The village itself is small but perfectly positioned between Mürren, Wengen, and Grindelwald, making it an ideal base for exploring the Jungfrau region and beyond. From here, we set out on some of our favorite adventures – hiking from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg via the Panorama Trail and the Eiger Trail, tackling the ridge hike from Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First, riding the gondola to Oeschinensee for the lake loop and mountain toboggan, and ending with a ferry ride across Lake Thun. The charming main street is lined with cafés, shops, and the phenomenal Hotel Oberland Restaurant, while chalets like our Nussbaumerhaus 3 Airbnb offer cozy kitchens and patios overlooking the valley. Whether chasing alpine peaks or unwinding beneath waterfalls, Lauterbrunnen is the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility.
🏔️ Lauterbrunnen Base
We based out of Lauterbrunnen at Nussbaumerhaus 3 chalet for 3 nights from August 25-27. See our other blogs for detailed itineraries and tips for activities we did while based in Lauterbrunnen.
- Day 1 (Aug 25)
- Day 2 (Aug 26)
- Day 3 (Aug 27)
- 🛷 Oeschinensee Toboggan
- 🛶 Hike: Lake Oeschinen (Oeschinensee) Loop
- ⛴️ Lake Thun Ferry: Spiez → Thun
- 🍽️ Dinner in Interlaken @ Lal Qila Indian
💡 Lauterbrunnen Tips
- 🚊 Base yourself smartly in the village center – Staying near the Lauterbrunnen train station keeps you perfectly positioned for easy access to Grindelwald, Männlichen, Wengen, Mürren, and even day trips to Oeschinensee.
- 🏡 Stay in a chalet – Our cute Airbnb chalet, Nussbaumerhaus 3, offered a cozy kitchen and laundry line, making it ideal for longer stays.
- 🕓 Duration matters – Berner Oberland deserves at least 6 full days to truly experience its highlights. Splitting your stay between Lauterbrunnen and Mürren minimizes travel time, giving you direct access to each area’s best activities without constant backtracking. For activities well suited for a Mürren home base, see our Mürren blog.
- ☀️ Block out downtime in the village – We packed our schedule with hikes and day trips, leaving little time to enjoy Lauterbrunnen itself. The moments we did have were cloudy, near dusk, or just a quick bike ride through. Set aside a few relaxed daylight hours to wander the main street, photograph Staubbach Falls, and soak up the valley’s charm.
- 🌦️ Check weather and webcams – Conditions in the valley can differ dramatically from the peaks above. Check live cams before heading out to decide which mountain to tackle first.
- 📅 Plan a flex day for weather – Building an open day into your schedule is a lifesaver in the Alps, where conditions can change by the hour. Our flex day let us shuffle plans when storms rolled in, saving our Oeschinensee hike for a clear, sunny window instead of hiking in rain. Waterfalls – Trümmelbach and Staubbach Falls – are great for rainy or cloudy days as they are gushing.
- 📍 Map detours wisely – If the weather shifts, Oeschinensee, Spiez, Thun, or Brienz are easy day-trip swaps accessible via train/ferry without backtracking too far.
- 🕰️ Start early for clear views and fewer crowds – Begin hikes around 8–9 AM for the best visibility and quiet trails, especially at Männlichen, Schynige Platte, and Oeschinensee. Popular spots like Grindelwald First and Oeschinensee’s toboggan fill fast, so go early; visit valley highlights like Trümmelbach and Staubbach Falls before 10 AM or after 5 PM to avoid tour groups.
- 🥾 Combine hikes efficiently – The Royal Walk, Panorama Trail, and Eiger Trail all connect nicely if sequenced, but try to include rest between long hike days (we were very sore for a few hikes due to schedule shifts putting major hikes back-to-back!).
- 🧥 Pack layers – Temperatures shift quickly between the sunny valley floor and high-alpine trails. A lightweight rain jacket is essential in summer and zip-off hiking pants allow max flexibility.
- 👟 Bring hiking poles – Many trails (like the descent from Eigergletscher or Oeschinensee) are steep and rocky. Poles help relieve knee strain, especially on long downhill stretches.
- 🧳 Pack rain protection for luggage – Bring rain covers or even a few sturdy trash bags for non-waterproof gear. We may have looked a little ridiculous with our bags wrapped in plastic during a rainy transfer, but everything stayed perfectly dry – totally worth it in unpredictable alpine weather.
- 📸 Capture evening glow – The golden light hitting the Staubbach Falls and cliffside chalets around sunset makes Lauterbrunnen one of the most photogenic valleys in Europe.
- 🚆 Check transit schedules and plan ahead – Always verify routes and updates in the SBB app before heading out. Temporary detours, like the Lauterbrunnen↔Zweilütschinen bus replacement, can add time or crowds, so pad your transfers. Also note that gondolas between Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp–Mürren and Gimmelwald–Stechelberg stop around 7–8 PM, so plan dinner and return times accordingly.
- 🚡 Ticketing nuance: The Berner Oberland Pass is extremely convenient, covering most regional transport and saving you from buying individual tickets; the Swiss Half-Fare Pass also provides a discount for this pass.
- 🚲 Rent bikes in Lauterbrunnen – Intersport Mürren can be unresponsive and doesn’t include cable car transport for bikes. Imboden in Lauterbrunnen is more reliable, offers mounts and locks, and avoids the hassle of hauling bikes on cable cars if you want to primarily bike the valley. See more tips here – Bike: Mürren → Lauterbrunnen via Trümmelbach & Staubbach Falls.
- 🛒 Grocery hours – Coop has grab-and-go meals that make perfect picnic fuel for day trips, but they do close fairly early so grab food for the next day before it closes.
- 🌾 Gluten-free (GF) friendly – Our top pick is Hotel Oberland Restaurant (also a Rick Steves favorite). This rustic spot is perfectly located in the village center and has a clearly marked GF menu featuring safe options like rösti and their fabulous fondue with GF bread.
🏡 Lauterbrunnen Village
Tucked in one of the most breathtaking valleys in the Swiss Alps, Lauterbrunnen feels like a fairytale brought to life. Sheer cliffs tower above meadows filled with wildflowers and cowbells, while waterfalls like the iconic Staubbach Falls cascade right beside the village. Wooden chalets with flower-filled balconies line the quiet lanes, offering postcard views in every direction – from misty cliffs at dawn to golden sunsets over the valley. Lauterbrunnen’s simple charm, framed by its 72 waterfalls and alpine serenity, captures everything people dream of when they picture Switzerland.
🌊 Staubbach Falls
Staubbach Falls is Lauterbrunnen’s most iconic veil, dropping free from the cliff above the village. The valley-floor view is already spectacular, and there is a steep path to get closer if time and lines allow. It pairs perfectly with a leisurely bike roll into town and the classic church-and-waterfall photo angle.
🚴♂️ Biking the Valley of 72 Waterfalls
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is the famed Valley of 72 Waterfalls, a straight-from-a-storybook U-shaped glacial valley. A flat, wide path runs from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen, ideal for relaxed biking past meadows, barns, and cliff-falling cascades, with constant photo stops and easy access to both Trümmelbach and Staubbach.
See tips for biking and visiting the falls under this blog: Bike: Mürren → Lauterbrunnen via Trümmelbach & Staubbach Falls.
🏡 Nussbaumerhaus 3 Chalet
Our Airbnb chalet, Nussbaumerhaus 3, couldn’t have been in a better location – right in the center of Lauterbrunnen and a short walk from the train station. From our patio, we had gorgeous views of Staubbach Falls cascading down the cliff and the entire Lauterbrunnen Valley stretching out below. Inside, the chalet featured a bright kitchen and living room that made it easy to unwind after long hiking days, plus a clothesline for drying laundry – a surprisingly handy touch during a multi-day trip. The shower was on the smaller side with a separate toilet room, but everything was clean, functional, and full of alpine charm. It was the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and unforgettable views.
🫕 Hotel Oberland Restaurant
Hotel Oberland Restaurant in Lauterbrunnen was the perfect place to end our day – just steps from our chalet and serving one of the most memorable fondues of the trip. The restaurant’s patio overlooks the village with stunning views of the valley. We sat outside under the evening glow, dipping into creamy Swiss fondue while watching the last light fade over the cliffs. It’s easy to see why this spot is one of Rick Steves’ favorites – rustic, welcoming, and perfectly located in the heart of town, it’s the quintessential Lauterbrunnen dining experience. For gluten-free travelers, it’s also a standout choice with a clearly marked GF menu and safe options like rösti and fondue with GF bread.
☔️ Rain Realities and Roaring Falls
Rain is practically a rite of passage in Lauterbrunnen – and honestly, it just adds to the valley’s magic. We came prepared, wrapping our luggage in trash bags like DIY waterproofing pros. Sure, we looked ridiculous dragging plastic-wrapped suitcases through puddles, but everything stayed perfectly dry (a small price for dry socks). The good news? Rain makes Staubbach and Trümmelbach Falls even more spectacular, with water roaring down the cliffs in full force – especially the day after (see 💦 Trümmelbach Falls). It’s also a great excuse to slow down – ride a ferry across Lake Thun or Lake Brienz and watch the clouds drift over the Alps, or explore Trümmelbach Falls, where you’ll be wet anyway. Just pack smart: bring a rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots, and a compact umbrella so you can enjoy the valley no matter what the skies have in store.
No Comments