Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: the paradise of nature lovers!

What if you let yourself be tempted by the majestic landscapes of the Lauterbrunnen valley in Switzerland?

Lauterbrunnen is one of these rare paradises where nature, totally preserved, has kept its rights and whose landscapes are similar to those of a painting: intact, powerful and perfectly valued. Whether you’re there to indulge yourself in the joys of hiking, winter sports or extremes, or simply to contemplate its alpine landscapes and rejuvenate, Lauterbrunnen is a small condensed of what the Switzerland has better to offer.

In the footsteps of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Although quite unknown outside Switzerland, the Lauterbrunnen valley, in the canton of Lauterbrunnen Bern , is in fact one of the most important natural reserves in the country. There are no less than 72 cascades that rush through huge cliffs! The commune of the same name is nestled between the rocky walls and the snowy summits of this spectacular valley.

It is worth the glaciers in the region that have carved this valley for thousands of years. During the glacial era, the latter moved on the slopes of the Jungfrau massif, resulting in ice and rock drops over tens and tens of metres, to dig a deep valley in the form of V (fluvian valley), then gradually in the form of U (ice valley).

The German poet Goethe there would have found inspiration to compose his famous poem “Dearing Spirits over the Waters” (“ Gesang der Geister über den Wassern “), when he arrived in 1779, just as JRR Tolkien , the writer at the origin of the novels Le Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, a century and a half later. These are anecdotes that precisely illustrate the magic that emerges from this haven of peace.

What's behind Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland?

The impressive stunts of this valley of the Swiss Alps are the main attraction, but they are not the only ones to fascinate, as well as the followers of extreme sports as visitors.

Waterfalls

Roughing fall of Trümmelbach , which are also the largest underground waterfalls in Europe, are hidden inside the mountain of Schwarzer Monch. But the deaf noise of the melting waters of the Jungfrau glaciers that whirling the betrayal.

Staubbachfall, in German, translates into the “dust stunt”, like this impressive fall when the wind blows, carrying thousands of fine droplets with it.

With a drop height of 417 metres over five levels, at 750 metres above sea level, the Mürrenbach waterfall is the highest drop in Switzerland and the fifth in Europe! The show is all the more majestic after violent rains or snow melting.

summits and ski areas

Let's take a little height to reach by train to Cremailer Kleine Scheidegg , a railway pass at more than 2000 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of the northern face of the Eiger.

From there it is possible to access the “top of Europe” on board a train (100€ per person, on average) to the pass of the imposing Jungfraujoch, which peaks at 3471 meters! The Scheidegg/Männlichen area is very popular with walkers in the summer, and skiers in the winter.

After taking the device to Lauterbrunnen until Grütschalp , then a train to Mürren We reach the top of Schilthorn (2970 m)! From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic, breathtaking view of nearly 200 mountains and the UNESCO world heritage, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau summits. This panorama also served as a decor to some scenes in the film "At the Secret Service of Her Majesty" of the James Bond saga.

In winter, Mürren – Schilthorn turns into a vast ski area, while in summer it remains a paradise for hiking and extreme sports enthusiasts (paragliding, base-jump ...).

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

At the bottom of the valley, we find the exceptional site of Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and information on the evolution of our planet and its ecosystems. The first thematic path of Unesco was even created, at altitude, on the ridge. Only experienced hikers who do not have vertigo are invited to take up the challenge!

To go

How?

Since France, there are several options:

• By plane: there are regular flights (1h15 on average) between major French cities and Basel (Aéroport Basel Mulhouse Fribourg) in Switzerland (to find the cheapest flight, go to the flight comparison website Ulysses). It will then be necessary to take a train to Lauterbrunnen, by operating a change at Interlaken-Ost (Berner Oberland Bahn – about 2h30), or rent a car on site to reach Lauterbrunnen (about 2 hours drive)
• By train: TGV allows to connect several large French cities to Switzerland (Berne or Basel). The connections (Berner Oberland Bahn) between these two cities and Interlaken-Ost, then Lauterbrunnen allow to reach the valley
• By car: Lauterbrunnen is also accessible by car from France, passing through the city of Bern.

Once on site, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald stations are accessible by train with the WAB (Wengernalpbahn) , while Mürren is connected to Lauterbrunnen by the BLM cable car (Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren).

When?

We're going to Lauterbrunnen May to October To admire its stunts as close as possible, enjoy the kilometers of hiking trails of the region, reach the summits of Jungfraujoch (on train) and Schilthorn (on cable car), visit the charming villages of the area, or try new outdoor activities.

De end November to April , the Lauterbrunnen valley offers vast ski areas (Wengen-Petite Scheidegg, Mürren-Schilthorn) with more than 200 kilometers of slopes (ski, snowboard, sledge, cross-country skiing...), but also nearly 100 kilometers of winter hiking trails.

To sleep

On site

The choices are multiple, just like the price ranges! Guests can stay at Jungfrau campsite in Lauterbrunnen, or Breithorn (from 20€ per night), in a youth hostel (from 25€ per night, in a dormitory) Airbnb or at the hotel (from 50€ to 300€ per night, on average), in the charming villages of Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen, Mürren or Isenfluh. This is Compare hotels will allow you to make the best choice!

The nearby addresses

If you don’t find your happiness in Lauterbrunnen or one of its neighbouring villages, Interlaken and Grindelwald can be excellent alternatives.

To eat

Exploring is good but it digs! Each village has a few restaurants, but prices can quickly climb, especially on the heights. If you plan to go on the day hiking, the picnic is a more affordable option. Just think about taking your waste away with you after lunch!

Similarly, about six supermarkets are located within a radius of ten kilometers around Lauterbrunnen.

What budget are you planning to visit Lauterbrunnen?

It must be borne in mind that the cost of living in Switzerland remains one of the highest in Europe!

The cost of transport to Lauterbrunnen is not negligible because it is estimated at 350€ per person , for the return trip. On the housing side, it is possible to get out of it to 40€ per person per night On average.

Its access to the valley is free , on the other hand, fees are to be expected to visit the underground waterfalls of Trümmelbach (approximately 10€ per adult / 3.5€ per child ), access the ski areas in winter, and use the ski lifts or trains between the stations throughout the year.

Good to know: of pass and packages can allow you to make some savings, and some trains, such as Jungfraujoch, are free for under 6 years!

To take in my backpack

With Lauterbrunnen surrounded by mountains, for all excursions and in all seasons, it is best to ensure that you always have with yourself, at least:

• A good sweater
• A waterproof
• Solar cream
• Sunglasses
• A bottle of water (or even better, a dildo!)
• Good walking shoes
• To immortalize his discoveries

What I can discover in the region

This region does not lack natural beauties to explore. One of them is:

• Beautiful lakesOeschinenBrienz and Thoune
• ♪ Gorges de L’Aar
• The Rosenlaui valley
• ♪ Giessbach Falls
• The summit First
• The Glacier de Griessee

Lauterbrunnen in image