Lauterbrunnen Valley

Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip

Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the deepest and most spectacular glacial valleys in the Swiss Alps, nestled between enormous rock faces and mountain peaks in the Bernese Oberland region. The valley is home to 72 waterfalls, the most famous being Staubbach Falls, which plunges 297 metres from an overhanging rock face directly beside the village — one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe. The valley is widely believed to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's description of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings, and it's easy to see why: the combination of soaring cliffs, cascading water, and lush green meadows creates a truly otherworldly atmosphere. Trümmelbach Falls, accessible inside the mountain via a tunnel lift, is a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls that have carved their way through the rock over millennia. The valley also serves as the gateway to the famous Jungfrau region, with trains departing to Wengen, Mürren, and the Schilthorn. The village of Mürren, perched on a cliff above the valley, offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views in Switzerland.

Planning the wider trip? The Switzerland planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes Lauterbrunnen Valley.