Want to find the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen? I’ve got you covered.
This area of Switzerland offers a diverse range of experiences, from stunning sights and thrilling adventures to delicious culinary delights, and I’m here to ensure you make the most of your visit.
Lauterbrunnen is in a valley and is part of the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland which is widely considered the most beautiful part of Switzerland.
I visited here on my first trip to Switzerland and I was in awe of the dramatic mountains, the fresh air, the charming villages and how everything felt so clean, pure and well-cared for.
It left a lasting impression on me and I have been back a handful of times on my subsequent trips to Switzerland because it makes a great home base to explore the Berner Oberland region.
12 Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen
Keep your camera handy as you explore Lauterbrunnen, where you’ll encounter breathtaking landscapes. From waterfalls nestled within mountains to stunning mountain vistas and cows peacefully grazing in lush fields, everything here feels straight out of a storybook.
Lauterbrunnen is located in a beautiful valley in Switzerland, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and picturesque villages. Here are 12 of the best things to do while visiting Lauterbrunnen:
1. Marvel at the sheer height of Staubbach Falls
This is the iconic waterfall that Lauterbrunnen is known for and that you see in many photos. It’s the second-highest waterfall in Switzerland at 900 feet and you can walk right up to the viewing area for an up-close experience.
You can follow the small side road past the church to the cemetery. At the cemetery is a large tree-trunk bench where there is a short path of steep switchbacks that will lead you to a viewing platform behind the waterfall.
The path is closed in winter. Personally, for photos, I think the view is better from a distance so you can see the waterfall in relation to the valley and the town.
2. Ride An Elevator Through A Mountain At Trümmelbach Falls
Marvel at the impressive and powerful series of waterfalls inside the mountains. These 10 glacier waterfalls are accessible by riding an elevator up through the mountain and then hiking down several walkways with lots of stairs through wet caves.
Pro Tip:
It’s best to wear a rain jacket or poncho when visiting. This is perfect for a cloudy or rainy day because it’s located inside the mountain. Lastly, for some people it may be claustrophobic.
Cost and Hours:
15 CHF, children under 4 not admitted, daily 9:00-17:00, July-Aug 8:30-18:00
closed Nov.-March, opening date varies based on ice conditions.
If you are traveling solo and want to join others while exploring the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls, including Trümmelbach Falls, one thing you might consider is to…
3. Rent a bike and go cycling among the alps
You can join a private E-Bike tour that visits the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls and includes views from the town of Mürren.
You will discover hidden spots that most visitors miss and you’ll taste local specialties during a picnic with breathtaking alpine views.
4. Experience Europe’s highest train station at Jungfraujoch
Take a day trip to Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe.” You take the train from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine-Scheidegg where you switch trains to continue onto Jungfraujoch.
I don’t recommend buying these tickets in advance because the weather plays a huge roll as to whether or not you will see anything. Take a look at webcams to make sure it’s clear a the top before buying tickets.
You can find the webcam for Jungfraujoch here: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/ Tickets for this are expensive and the trip is long, slow, crowded and cold (be sure to take layers if you go).
To help avoid the largest crowds, go as early as possible. It will be snow-covered up there, which is a fun experience in the summer.
Cost and Hours:
Round-trip fare from Lauterbrunnen is 250 CHF. The train runs about 2 times per hour year-round. From May to late October, an early ticket saves you 25 percent on the earliest departures of the day.
To get the discount you must leave the top no later than 13:17. At peak periods (July-Aug), trains are standing-room only. If you want a seat you can reserve a seat at a specific time the day before at an extra cost of 5 CHF for each leg, both up and down.
5. Hike among the most beautiful mountains in the world
You can take an easy stroll in Lauterbrunnen valley, ideal on a cloudy day, when you aren’t going to go up in the mountains. A good, easy hike is from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg.
Pro Tip
First, don’t walk along the main road. There is a good, paved lane designed for walkers, bikers that goes all along the valley. It’s on the opposite side of the river from the main road.
As you’re leaving Lauterbrunnen, take the side road to the right just past the Horner Pub. This is a 3 mile relatively flat hike.
One of the best hikes in the area is called the North Face Trail. This is a fairly easy, 2.5 hour, four-mile hike that provides amazing mountain views, flower-filled meadows, and mountain huts.
Another easy and very scenic hike is the Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg hike. This 1.5 hour, downhill, 2.5 mile hike has incredible mountain views.
Pro Tip
If the weather cooperates, get an early start and go to the Lauterbrunnen train station and take the train to Wengen. Sit on the right side of the train for scenic views of the valley and waterfalls.
6. Appreciate the lush-green pastures and see the world-famous cows
Admire the beautiful pastures and see how the cows graze in some of the most idyllic scenery you will see anywhere. Listen for the cow bells and walk in that direction to find them. They are pretty prevalent.
And, keep in mind, the cows eat the lush grass and the wildflowers in this area. That food source contributes to the taste of the milk and the cheese that they produce. You can enjoy some of those products by buying them from farm stands and even vending machines.
The honor system is the rule, so leave the correct payment and take what you want. I’ve never had the milk fresh from the cow, but the next time I go I will.
7. Admire the paragliders and watch them land
This area is a popular destination for adventure sports like paragliding. It’s interesting to watch the paragliders float above the valley and then land near the Schilthorn cable car station in Stechelberg.
If you decide to be adventurous, and want to paraglide for yourself, you can get tickets for a tandem ride with a professional.
8. Explore the traffic-free town of Mürren
This fantastic, idyllic mountain town is also an ideal place to stay in this region. The town sits on the edge of a cliff that provides dramatic views of the surrounding mountains.
You can make the quick trip to Mürren from Lauterbrunnen by taking the cable car right across from the train station. The cable car goes to Grütschalp where you immediately transfer to a small train that takes you to Mürren.
Pro Tip
Be sure to sit on the left of the train so you can see the dramatic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.
Once in Mürren, you can walk the traffic-free roads and enjoy the restaurants, shops and cafes. I recommend sitting outside at the restaurant at Hotel Alpenruh with incredible views of the mountains while enjoying a Rugenbräu beer.
Mürren also has fantastic hiking opportunities. One of the best hikes in the area is called the North Face Trail. This is a fairly easy, 2.5 hour, four-mile hike that provides amazing mountain views, flower-filled meadows, and mountain huts. You will pass a few farms that serve meals and drinks (only in the summer).
To do this hike from Mürren you need to walk to the Allmendhubel funicular station to take the funicular to Allmendhubel. Leave the funicular and take the path uphill and walk around the play area. From here, follow the trail or road towards Sonnenberg.
While hiking, pay attention to the yellow directional signs to the different hamlets or farms in the following order from Allmendhubel: Sonnenberg, Suppenalp, Schiltalp (Im Schilt), Gimmeln, andMürren.
Mürren also offers a variety of winter activities, including skiing and snowboarding.
9. Feel like you’re on the set of a James Bond movie at the Schilthorn
Another fun option while in Mürren, if the weather is good, is to ride the cable car to the Schilthorn for panoramic views of the Swiss Alps.
Pro Tip
In Mürren walk along the only main road through the town to the cable car station which you see below in the map.
While at the Schilthorn you can visit the famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant. This location was used in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
10. Imbibe in a beer from Staubbach
The only truly local brewery is Staubbach. You can buy Staubbach Bier from 3 different places in Lauterbrunnen: Airtime Cafe and Bakery, Hotel Restaurant Silberhorn, and Camping Breithorn.
They have a variety of styles so I’m sure you can find one you will like. I’m partial to Belgian style beers so I would order the Belgian Dark Strong Ale. Raise a glass to yourself for visiting one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Prost!!
11. Savor a traditional Swiss meal
While in Switzerland you must try all of the local dishes. A great restaurant for traditional hearty Swiss cuisine is Restaurant Weidstübli.
It’s located in the heart of Lauterbrunnen and is known for traditional Swiss specialties like fondue, which is made with local cheeses and is served with bread and potatoes. Other popular dishes include raclette (local cheese), schnitzel (think pork tenderloin), and rosti (potatoes, raclette and ham or bacon).
I’m a sucker for meat and potatoes meals in Switzerland and I often order things like Rösti that you see below.
12. Capture a photo from the most iconic spot in Lauterbrunnen
This location is pretty easy to find. Just off the main road and across the street from Hotel Schützen is a trail that leads towards the church. It provides an idyllic scene with the Staubbach Falls, the small church and the Swiss alps all nicely composed.
Getting Around
The public transportation options in Lauterbrunnen are fantastic. If you drove here, you can park your car in the parking garage by the train station and forget about it since you have easy access to trains, cable cars, gondolas, funiculars and buses.
You don’t need a Swiss Travel pass if you are only staying for a few days in this region. You can just buy tickets for the destinations you want to visit and pay as you go.
However, If you are staying for more than a few days, consider the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland or the Jungfrau Travel Pass. Check your itinerary: Use the SBB website to compare costs for your specific mountain excursions.
FAQs
Is Lauterbrunnen worth visiting?
Absolutely! It’s one of the best home bases in the Berner Oberland region. You have easy access to all the available sites via public transit. And, if you drove your car, there is a large parking garage adjacent to the train station where you can leave your car.
How many days do you need in Lauterbrunnen?
A minimum of 2 days and ideally 3 days. Weather can be unpredictable in the mountains and by staying longer you have a better chance for good weather and more time to visit many of the mountain destinations.
Is it better to stay in Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken?
Lauterbrunnen without a doubt. You come to this region to witness and explore the mountains and Lauterbrunnen is more embedded in all of the alpine fun.
What’s the best way to get to Lauterbrunnen?
You can get to Lauterbrunnen easily by train, car, or bus. Personally, I prefer having a car so that I can quickly and easily get to remote locations in Switzerland for photos. For great rental rates on a car, I suggest using DiscoverCars.com.
Final Thoughts
If you are visiting Switzerland for the first time, you really need to spend time in the Berner Oberland region to experience the awe-inspiring, storybook charm that makes Switzerland so famous.
Lauterbrunnen makes for an amazing home base with charming village vibes, great restaurants, interesting shops, stellar mountain views and easy access to all of the incredible alpine scenic activities. This best things to do in Lauterbrunnen list will help make your time here unforgettable.
