Lauterbrunnen Valley: hiking, waterfalls and mountainpeaks

A week in Lauterbrunnen is enough to give you a taste of what the region has to offer, but the question really depends on your budget.

Lauterbrunnen is one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and there is so much to do from hiking to adventure activities. But excursions and travel costs can really add up when hitting the top activities, and the big mountain summits.

Hiking

If you enjoy hiking, Lauterbrunnen is the perfect place for you. Hiking here means paths for all levels of fitness and interest, from easy walks that offer a great way to stretch your legs and fill your lungs with fresh mountain air, to more demanding hikes that lead to breathtaking lookout points.

You can take a leisurely stroll to see the Trummelbach Falls or challenge yourself with the trek to the Schilthorn. Either way, you’ll be treated to fresh air, stunning views, and maybe even a bit of local cheese along the way.

Jungfraujoch

Known as the “Top of Europe”, Jungfraujoch is the most elevated railway station in Europe and the highest point you can get to without hiking/climbing.

From the viewing area you can see Jungfrau Mountain at 13,642 feet, as well as mighty glaciers and year round snow, making it a top visitor attraction in the region. There is also an ice sculpture palace, a Lindt chocolate shop and a cafe/restaurant, and of course the scenic cog railway that leads you up the mountain - which is an attraction in itself.

Travel to Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen by train - though tickets aren’t cheap, you can combine it with other hikes and top things to see and do in Bernese Oberland.

Paragliding

Lauterbrunnen is an adventure seekers paradise with climbing, helicopter rides, and even base-jumping drawing in risk-takers from around the world. One of the safer options for visitors is paragliding. There probably isn’t anywhere more stunning to take to the skies than the area surrounding the Jungfrau region, take a look at some of the available paragliding tours here.

Snowsports

In winter, you can experience snowsports in the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region, with Lauterbrunnen at its heart, is a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding.

The famous Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen and Schilthorn resorts provide a variety of slopes that cater to both beginners and seasoned experts. These areas are easily accessible and offer breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.

If you prefer a more serene experience, snowshoeing is a delightful way to explore the winter landscapes. Traverse through quiet trails and enjoy the stillness of the valley blanketed in snow, a contrast to the bustling ski slopes.

Schilthorn and Birg

On the opposite side of the valley to Junfrau, Schilthorn and Birg offer alternative attractions for visitors. Piz Gloria is the panoramic revolving restaurant at the summit of Schilthorn, famous as the secret hideaway of Bond’s arch-nemesis Blofeld in the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service. There’s also the Bond World exhibition and 007 Walk of Fame.

On the same train journey, Birg has a fantastic Skyline and Thrill Walk that allows people of all fitness levels to experience the thrill of mountaineering without any of the risks. Glass walkways, steel-cable tunnels, and cliff edge lookouts offer a family-friendly mountain adrenaline-rush. To get there, catch the cable car from Murren, accessible via cable car, train or a short hike from Lauterbrunnen.

First Mountain

Like tobogganing without the snow, the First Mountain Cart offers a thrilling ride down the side of the mountain, with beautiful scenery in abundance. The off road go-kart hurtles down a three kilometre long unpaved road from Schreckfeld to Bort, leaving you in total control of steering and brakes.

There’s also the First Flyer zip line, mountain scooter, and the First Cliff Walk by Tissot. Stop by at the beautiful mountain village of Grindelwald, one of Switzerland’s Bernese Alps top places to visit. Trains and cable cars connect Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and First.

For an affordable place to stay in Lauterbrunnen, Camping Junfrau offers tent pitches, cabins and hostel dorm rooms in one of the most scenic locations in town. Promising comfortable stays with climate-friendly furnishings, there’s no better spot to enjoy the outdoors from.

For something a bit more traditional, stay in the wood-clad Hotel Silberhorn located right next to the train station and cable car station. The stylish interiors and wonderful views make it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding mountains, while the onsite Alpine-style restaurant delights with Swiss specialities and a generous buffet breakfast.

You can access Lauterbrunnen from the nearby city of Interlaken, with hourly trains that depart from Interlaken East Train Station. There’s no need to hire a car as there are few roads in the mountainous areas and travel is usually via cable car or train.

Switzerland is a great country to travel sustainably as the rail network is first-class. You can get unlimited rides on trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass. It also offers discounts to many museums and up to 50% off mountain excursions - prices start at 232 CHF for three days.

Visiting Lauterbrunnen is stunning at any time of year, but spring and summer are best for hiking, while obviously winter is best for snow-sports. Many of the walking trails around Lauterbrunnen are closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall or poor weather conditions.

Summer can get busy with tourists and prices rise during July and August, but from April to June can be quieter with colourful fields of alpine flowers covering the mountainsides.

There are also beautiful Christmas Markets in Lauterbrunnen in December.

From Lauterbrunnen, you may want to continue on to Zermatt, the village at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn. Zermatt is known for its skiing, snowboarding and hiking. Travel from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt typically takes about 3-4 hours by train, with transfers at Interlaken Ost and Visp. The journey passes through lovely Swiss scenery and is beautiful in itself.

For a different kind of beauty, head to Lucerne, a city known for its medieval charm and stunning natural scenery. The train journey from Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne takes around 2-3 hours, with a transfer in Interlaken.