A Quick Guide to 12 Top Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen Valley

Lauterbrunnen Village

Lauterbrunnen is the main village in Lauterbrunnen Valley and the first stop if you’re coming from Interlaken by train or car. Take some time to capture its picturesque townscape, framed by towering cliffs and waterfalls. Along the main road, you’ll find shops and cafés with outdoor seating, offering great views of Staubbach Falls as it sways in the wind. Be sure to pause and take in the surreal scenery.

Check out my article on the seven best viewpoints in Lauterbrunnen to find the best spots.

Staubbach Falls

Staubbach Falls is the graceful waterfall you’ll see behind the houses in Lauterbrunnen. It stands 297 meters (about 1,000 feet) tall and is at its most impressive in early summer when melting glaciers send torrents of water over the edge. You can admire it from the town, but I recommend getting closer to its base for a different perspective.

The viewpoint and the path leading to it are surrounded by beautiful countryside, making the short walk from the town center even more enjoyable. If you want, you can climb up to the middle of the cliff for a view of the valley behind the cascades. Just be careful—it can get slippery.

Trummelbach falls

Trummelbach Falls is another waterfall in Lauterbrunnen Valley, but this one is unique—it’s Europe’s largest underground waterfall! Inside, it’s even more impressive, with rock formations sculpted by glacial waters over thousands of years. You can explore it through a network of lifts, platforms, and tunnels—an incredible feat of engineering.

Unlike Staubbach Falls, Trummelbach Falls is a bit farther from Lauterbrunnen village. You can hike there, but I recommend taking the bus, which gets you there in less than 10 minutes. For more details, check out its official website.

Murren Village

Mürren is the highest village in Lauterbrunnen, sitting on a sunny terrace with incredible views of the valley below. Near the Alpina Hotel, you’ll find a viewpoint overlooking a nearly 90-degree drop to the valley floor.

Beyond strolling past its charming chalets and traditional houses, you can hike the scenic Flower Trail, tackle via ferrata routes, or ride funiculars along a picture-perfect railway. If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss Allmendhubel, a beautiful spot above Mürren with a restaurant and a playground. Take a look at my guide to the best activities and attractions in Mürren to make the most of your trip.

Schilthorn

Schilthorn is one of the most famous peaks above Lauterbrunnen Valley. At the summit, you’ll find Piz Gloria, a revolving restaurant featured in a James Bond movie. Enjoy a meal while the scenery constantly changes as the restaurant rotates! There’s also a James Bond museum at Schilthorn. If you love mountain photography, I recommend hiking from Piz Gloria to Grauseeli, a nearby lake. On a clear day, you can capture stunning reflections of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau on its still surface.

You can reach Schilthorn by cable car from Mürren. While hiking up is an option, I wouldn’t recommend it. The trail requires intermediate skills, and there are more scenic hikes to explore elsewhere in Lauterbrunnen Valley. For more information, here’s Schilthorn’s official website.

Birg

The cable car from Mürren to Schilthorn has a middle station called Birg, a great stop for thrill-seekers. Here, you’ll find the Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk—a glass platform over a sheer drop and a metal walkway with open mesh sections, giving you heart-pounding views below.

Like Piz Gloria, Birg also has a stylish restaurant where you can dine with a view of Lauterbrunnen’s three iconic peaks: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. If you’re lucky, you might even witness a dreamy sea of clouds rolling through the valley. For more information, here’s Schilthorn’s official website.

Gimmelwald Village

Gimmelwald is a small village in Lauterbrunnen that overlooks the valley. Located south of Mürren, it’s the first stop if you take the cable car from Stechelberg to Mürren. With only about 100 residents and sitting at the far end of the valley, Gimmelwald is the most peaceful and picturesque village in the area.

Here, you’ll experience pure tranquility—the only sounds are waterfalls echoing in the distance, cowbells ringing, birds chirping, and animals in the barns. Traditional Swiss chalets line the village, adding to its charming countryside feel. Check out my guide to Gimmelwald to discover what makes this village so special.

Tanzbödeli

Tanzbödeli is a high grassy plateau and a hidden gem for hikers at the southern end of Lauterbrunnen Valley. From its highest point, you’ll get a stunning panoramic view of the entire valley, including all its villages in one sight.

The hike starts in Gimmelwald and ends in Stechelberg, passing waterfalls, glacial cirques, and dense forests along the way. You’ll also come across the rustic 19th-century Obersteinberg Hotel. Completing the full Tanzbödeli trail takes at least six hours. Check out this article for a detailed hiking guide.

Interactive Map for Tanzbödeli Hike (Komoot)

Wengen

Wengen is a village just north of Lauterbrunnen and a great place to stay, thanks to its many shops, restaurants, and hotels. Its convenient location near top attractions in the Jungfrau Region makes it a popular choice for tourists, so it can feel busier than other villages in the valley.

A stroll through Wengen offers views of charming hotels and, most importantly, breathtaking scenery. In fact, Wengen is one of the best spots to take in the beauty of Lauterbrunnen Valley! Check out my guide to Wengen to see how it compares to other villages in the Jungfrau Region and decide if it’s worth a visit.

Männlichen

Männlichen is a must-visit in Lauterbrunnen, offering some the BEST view in the Jungfrau Region.

This peak sits at the center of the region, overlooking both Lauterbrunnen and Lütschine Valleys. From the top, you’ll get a breathtaking panorama stretching to Interlaken, Lake Thun, Grindelwald, and Tanzbödeli. It’s also one of the best spots to admire the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The Royal Walk Crown viewpoint is perfect for taking in the scenery.

Getting to Männlichen is easy. A cable car connects it directly to Wengen, though you’ll need to take a short hike to the summit along the Royal Walk. If you’re up for a challenge, you can also hike up from Wengen on a steep but rewarding trail. For more information, see my guide to Männlichen.

Kleine Scheidegg

Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass between the Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks and a popular ski resort, often visited after hiking from Männlichen. Thanks to its location and rail connection, it’s one of the easiest places to reach for an up-close view of the Eiger’s north face. If you’re curious about its history, check out the 2008 German film North Face.

The hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is incredibly scenic, with the Eiger’s towering north face growing larger as you get closer. Once you arrive, you’ll find restaurants, lodging, and a great spot for photographers—Fallbodensee, a lake reflecting the surrounding peaks.

Kleine Scheidegg is also the gateway to Jungfraujoch, home to the valley terminal of the Jungfrau Railway. If you’re using public transport, take a train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, then transfer to another train to Kleine Scheidegg.

Jungfraujoch

For many, Jungfraujoch is the highlight of a trip to Lauterbrunnen. It’s where you can experience both Swiss engineering at its finest and the breathtaking natural beauty of the Jungfrau massif.

The adventure begins with a scenic ride on the Jungfrau Railway. Fun fact—Jungfraujoch is the highest train station in Europe! As you ride up, you can’t help but marvel at how Swiss engineers built the railway’s tunnels and tracks through the mountains.

Once you arrive, there’s plenty to explore. Attractions include the Sphinx Observatory, the Ice Palace, and the Aletsch Glacier—the largest glacier in the Alps and a must-see while you’re here. For more information, here’s jungfrau.ch (official website).