Home » Destinations » Europe » Switzerland » Lauterbrunnen Valley » 10 Best Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen
- Last Updated on November 3, 2024
Lauterbrunnen valley is one of the most relaxing and naturally beautiful places in Europe. It is a must-see in Switzerland, and a fun break from the city. This area is home to the towns of Lauterbrunnen, Murren, and Gimmelwald. It is also the world capital for paragliding, and an excellent place for first-timers to try this exhilarating activity. You could easily spend a week relaxing, hiking, and eating cheese in this area. This list of things to do in the Lauterbrunnen valley, organized in order of importance, will help you narrow down which attractions make the cut for your trip.
Table Of Contents - 10 Best Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen
STAR RATING KEY:
★★★ Top priority
★★ Highly recommended
★ Worthwhile
No Star – Skippable if not interested
Best Things To Do In The Lauterbrunnen Valley
1. Hike From Lauterbrunnen To Stechelberg Schilthornbahn Station
Start walking through the valley from the edge of Lauterbrunnen. This beautiful, flat, easy hike will have you walking on paved paths surrounded by fields, cows, waterfalls, and honor-system cheese fridges. You don’t need any special shoes or equipment for this hike. It is important that you walk in this direction, as this will give you magnificent views (views walking towards Lauterbrunnen are just okay).
2. Gimmelwald
Gimmelwald is the cutest of the Lauterbrunnen valley towns. It is a tiny alpine village populated by goats and log cabins. It is too far up the mountain and too underdeveloped to have been very affected by tourism. Wander around this adorable town from one end to the other. Get there via the Schilthornbahn cable car.
3. Murren
Murren is the town with the best combination of views and convenience. Wander through town, appreciating the alpine architecture and breathtaking vistas. Get to Murren via the Schilthornbahn cable car from Stechelberg or Gimmelwald. You can also get there by taking the train from Grutschalp (you can get to Grutschalp by cable car from Lauterbrunnen).
4. Edelweiss Restaurant
This Murren restaurant has the best views in town, with the valley floor plunging beneath you, and paragliders passing by every few minutes. This is a must-do in the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Address: Rauft 1068, 3825 Mürren, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 33 856 56 00
Website: www.edelweiss-muerren.ch/en/
5. Paragliding
Paragliding is not as scary as it sounds – you’ll see when you get there. Only tandem paragliding is offered, so you’ll have someone doing all the work for you. There is not a sensation of falling when paragliding, because the parachute is constantly pulling you upward. It might be a stretch for some, but if you’re going to try paragliding sometime, we highly recommend doing it here. The flights take off near the Murren cable car station and land near the Stechelberg station. No experience is necessary.
Two companies offer these flights. Check their websites to see what works best for you. They have the same itinerary, and roughly the same prices (~CHF 180 per person).
Airtime Paragliding: www.airtime-paragliding.trekksoft.com/en
Paragliding Jungfrau: www.paragliding-jungfrau.ch/wp/
6. Jungfraujoch Day Trip
A day trip to Jungfraujoch is the highlight of a summer trip to the Swiss Alps. The highest train station in Europe at 11,333 ft, it is nicknamed the “Top of Europe.” This is the best way to get those classic snowy alpine glacier views (and pics) in summertime. See our Jungfraujoch Day Trip guide for everything you need to know for your visit to the “Top of Europe”.
7. Trummelbach Falls
This is the valley’s mightiest waterfall and the only one with an elevator. To get an inside look at the falls and the rock it has carved, go up the elevator and start from the top. There are several relatively dark areas with wet stairs, so tread carefully. Make your way down to the bottom of the falls, stopping for views along the way. There is only one path, so you won’t get lost. If you do the hike from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, you will see signs to Trummelbach Falls at about the halfway mark of your hike – just follow those signs. If you want to visit the falls without doing the hike, you can get there by bus from Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg.
Cost and Hours: CHF 14 per adult, open 9:00am-5:00pm, longer in July-August, check website for details
Website: www.truemmelbachfaelle.ch/e/
8. Explore Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is the main city of its eponymous valley. While small, it is the biggest of the three towns and has the most amenities, e.g., several restaurants, a grocery store, lots of hotels, and convenient train access.
9. Hiking
If you have extra time in the valley, you can do some serious hiking. Pick up a hiking map from your hotel or rental. These maps are free, detailed, and easy to follow. Your hotel or host can recommend a good hike from your location if you can’t decide.
10. Piz Gloria
This summit with its 360° revolving restaurant serving “James Bond Brunch” is a highlight for many visitors, and can be done on the day you leave. It is very easy to get to (unlike Jungfraujoch). The same Schilthornbahn cable car that takes you to Murren and Gimmelwald will take you to the Piz Gloria (change at Gimmelwald, then Murren, then Birg).
The reason we have not made this a main attraction is that it’s expensive (tickets from Murren and back are CHF 85 per person), and not as good an experience as a trip to Jungfraujoch. If you’re going to only see one (which most people do), go to Jungfraujoch. However, if you have the time and budget to see both, throw in Piz Gloria for brunch one day. If, on the other hand, you don’t have the time or budget (at least CHF 200 per person) for the day trip to Jungfraujoch, it is imperative that you at least go to the Piz Gloria.
As with Jungfraujoch, prioritize the viewpoint, as the clouds come and go unpredictably. If it’s sunny (or only somewhat cloudy) when you arrive, go straight for the terrace and get your photos. If it’s cloudy to the point of reduced visibility, do your indoor activities first and try for photos again later.
Practical Info
Getting Around The Lauterbrunnen Valley
You do not need a car in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. In fact, cars are not allowed in Murren, Gimmelwald, or Wengen. You can take the train to get to Lauterbrunnen (or the bus within the valley floor), and cable cars to Murren, Gimmelwald, and Wengen.
Where To Stay In Lauterbrunnen Valley
The short answer to this is either Lauterbrunnen or Murren. Lauterbrunnen is more central to surrounding adventures, e.g. Jungfraujoch. Murren is cuter and has better views. Depending on your goals, schedule, and budget, choose between one of these two towns. We recommend against Gimmelwald, as it does not have enough access to amenities, such as restaurants and stores.
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