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Switzerland has a plethora of places manifesting such heavenly spectacles, from Mount Pilatus in Lucerne to Interlaken’s fairytale Lake Thun and turquoise Lake Brienz.
But nothing compares to the wonder of Lauterbrunnen’s trough-shaped valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains with waterfalls plummeting on both sides. Absolutely magical!!!
Lauterbrunnen is my definition of heaven-on-earth. No words can justify the beauty it possesses. It is the ultimate destination in Switzerland, and you must not miss it no matter how long your Switzerland trip is.
Four days in Switzerland? A six-day Swiss journey? Two weeks? You have to see Lauterbrunnen.
This place is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime destination, especially for travelers from the other side of the world like me. If you also consider Lauterbrunnen as your dream destination and don’t want to miss its most spectacular views, you no longer need to worry.
I’ll tell you where they are and I’ll also provide a map to guide you.
Good to know
Okay… When I first heard about Lauterbrunnen, I was a little clueless.
I had no idea about Lauterbrunnen other than this: it was a picturesque valley with many waterfalls that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Rivendell, the elven homeland in his Lord of the Rings series (my favorite!)…
Yep… That was simply it.
I did not know that it’s more than a valley and a picturesque part of the Alps. But, after exploring the place, I discovered a lot.
What I’ve discovered are gems. And you should be aware of them too.
In my exploration, I found that Lauterbrunnen is not just a valley.
It’s also a picturesque village and a scenic commune made up of more villages and hamlets, all of which offer their own spectacular views.
The first village is, of course, Lauterbrunnen. It is the central village, located on the valley floor. It boasts the best views of Staubbach Waterfall.
Also on the valley floor of Lauterbrunnen is Stechelberg, a place surrounded by imposing valley walls. It’s a 15-minute bus ride from Lauterbrunnen village.
Isenfluh is another hamlet located west of the Lauterbrunnen village, overlooking the valley. It has great views, but other villages offer even more stunning scenery. You can get to Isenfluh by car or by funicular.
The village with the best overlooking view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, however, is Wengen The view here is unbelievable! From the valley floor, you can also get there by funicular.
The fifth settlement in the valley is Mürren, which has amazing activities/attractions. It is the highest village in the Lauterbrunnen commune, with the best view of Monch, Eiger, and Jungfrau.
The last settlement is Gimmelwald, which is the most idyllic in the Lauterbrunnen commune.
You can get to Mürren and Gimmelwald from Lauterbrunnen village by bus then cable car via Stechelberg, or cable car then train via Grütschalp.
Lauterbrunnen is located 67 kilometers or 41 miles south of Bern in an area within Bernese Oberland called the Jungfrau Region — a spectacular place where you need spend 4 days (or more) to explore.
The closest town to Lauterbrunnen is Interlaken — the usual home base for exploring the Jungfrau Region.
From Interlaken, you can quickly reach not only Lauterbrunnen but also Grindelwald and other places in the Bernese Oberland like Thun, Oberhofen Castle and more.
Specifically, to reach Lauterbrunnen, begin at Interlaken (Interlaken OST) — the central transportation hub of the Interlaken-Oberhasli Region.
This hub provides direct train connections from major Swiss cities like Zurich.
Upon arrival at the Interlaken OST train station, a separate train ride, approximately 30 minutes long, will take you to Lauterbrunnen.
The quickest train from Zurich to Interlaken takes about 2 hours, while from Bern, the travel time is significantly shorter, typically under an hour.
If you’re driving to Lauterbrunnen, parking is available in the garage located behind the train station or at Kirche Lauterbrunnen.
If you’re coming from Interlaken, you’ll see street signs directing you to the parking lot just before you enter the village. Lauterbrunnen is a 20-minute drive from Interlaken.
Please note that the villages above the Lauterbrunnen Valley are car-free. You can leave your car in Lauterbrunnen to explore more villages and hamlets in the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Before you visit Lauterbrunnen, it’s important to remember that it’s a natural attraction
Needless to say, the weather and the time of year you’ll be visiting Lauterbrunnen matter. If you want a high chance of seeing Lauterbrunnen under blue skies, mid-summer is the best time to go.
Typically dry, it’s also a great time for hiking to see more breathtaking views.
However, late spring and early summer are when Lauterbrunnen becomes truly picturesque. This is when the waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen appear thicker due to the enormous volume of water from the melting snow in the mountains.
For a truly stunning view, visit Lauterbrunnen in the morning (if possible, catch the sunrise).
Staubbach Waterfall, located on the west side of the valley’s wall, is illuminated by the rising sun, making it appear like a giant glowing angelic white silk plummeting down the valley.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to travel to, so I completely understand why most people try to squeeze as many destinations as possible into their short Switzerland trip.
Often, these travelers include Lauterbrunnen in their itinerary.
However, they only drop by the village to stroll down the main street, snap a photo of the Staubbach waterfall with the quaint chalets along the road, and then immediately leave for their next destination.
I’ve even asked several people on Instagram, “What do you suggest I should see in Lauterbrunnen?” They told me the same story that most people do, similar to what I’ve mentioned previously.
I felt sad because they could have visited more places in Lauterbrunnen where unforgettable views await! (As you might have read in my introduction of Lauterbrunnen, they are the different villages and small hamlets in the valley)
Additionally, these places aren’t difficult to reach, and they’re totally free to visit; there are no expensive train rides or sky-high admission fees.
1. In Front Of Chalet Pironnet
Even before you arrive in Lauterbrunnen, rewarding views will already fill your sight. Take Lake Thun as an example if you are coming from Bern.
However, at first glance, you can instantly tell that Lauterbrunnen is a place like no other. The dizzying, almost perpendicular limestone precipices surrounding the village are uniquely spectacular…
Where can you pause for a moment in Lauterbrunnen to admire the valley’s unique beauty?
The spot is the wooden chair in front of Chalet Pironnet (building #438D). This viewpoint beside Chalet Pironnet is the most accessible vantage point in Lauterbrunnen.
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2. Kirche Lauterbrunnen
Kirche Lauterbrunnen, the village’s primary landmark, is another beautiful vantage point you should also visit.
While the view from the church isn’t as stunning as the scenery from Chalet Pironnet’s wooden chair, the small churchyard is undoubtedly a fantastic spot to capture dramatic pictures of the Staubbach waterfall…
3. Along Stocki Road
The view from Stocki Road is similar to the scenery from Chalet Pironnet but with a slight twist.
Not only can you see the Staubbach waterfall, Kirche Lauterbrunnen, and the snow-capped mountains from a higher viewing perspective, but from Stocki Road, you can also see the Weisse Lütschine River as if it’s flowing down from Kirche Lauterbrunnen.
4. Staubbach Falls
If you’re looking for a vantage point in Lauterbrunnen that offers a bit of adventure, Staubbach Falls is the place to be.
Did you know that you can climb the cliff wall behind Staubbach waterfall and enjoy a unique view overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley?
Yes, you can! There’s a hiking trail from the village to the grottos behind the waterfall. These grottos have openings that serve as viewpoints.
The scenery from Staubbach waterfall primarily features the formidable granite rock face of the Jungfrau massif, which acts as the valley wall.
The chalets dotting the green meadows and a portion of Lauterbrunnen village are also included in the view.
Of the viewpoints in the Lauterbrunnen valley on this list, this is the last one I would recommend if you’re looking for epic scenery like what you can see from Wengwald (you’ll see it next).
However, climbing Staubbach waterfall is definitely something you can try, especially since entry to the waterfall’s grottos is free.
Also, it’s a rare experience to hike behind one of Europe’s tallest waterfalls, don’t you agree?
Staubbach waterfall, according to Wikipedia, stands at nearly a thousand feet. Can you imagine how tall that is?
Getting to the trailhead of Staubbach waterfall is a no-brainer since it’s visible from all over Lauterbrunnen village. Simply walk in the direction of the waterfall, and you should arrive at its base even without using a map.
If you’re coming from the train station, you can expect a 10-minute walk before you reach the trailhead of Staubbach waterfall, which is located beside Lauterbrunnen Cemetery.
The landmark for the trailhead is a large wooden bench with “Lauterbrunnen Tourismus” written on it.
The hiking trail to the viewpoint behind Staubbach Falls involves hiking on an inclined winding path, passing through a tunnel, and climbing slippery steel stairs.
Don’t forget to wear slip-resistant shoes before you come!
You can also expect to get wet during the hike. This is more likely when it’s windy, and the strong breeze blows the water into a mist in the air.
5. Wengwald
In addition to the previously mentioned locations, Wengwald is another spot in Lauterbrunnen that you must visit for its awe-inspiring views.
Situated between Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, it boasts what I consider to be the perfect bird’s eye view of Lauterbrunnen.
Wengwald offers a viewing angle of Lauterbrunnen that allows you to see the entire length of the valley; at the perfect elevation for beholding the unique trough shape of the Lauterbrunnen valley.
As a map enthusiast with an interest in geography, the dizzying precipices on both sides of Lauterbrunnen, as seen from Wengwald, have left me in awe.
Their form is truly awe-inspiring.
The flat meadows on the valley floor, along with these precipices, have made me realize the creativity of nature.
Another reason you might like to visit Wengwald is that it’s also a viewpoint for the Jungfrau massif. From Wengwald, you can spot the snowy Jungfrau overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley.
If you want to see Lauterbrunnen at its most spectacular, I suggest going to Wengwald during sunrise, but only when the sky is clear.
If you’re lucky, you can witness the sun painting the right side (the west precipice) of the Lauterbrunnen valley with vivid bright colors, gradually from top to bottom.
Visitors unable to catch the sunrise at Wengwald and witness the morning spectacle of the Lauterbrunnen valley can visit at their convenience. The view is a visual feast throughout the year.
However, I would advise against it when fog blankets the valley, obscuring the scenery…
There are two ways you can get to Wengwald from Lauterbrunnen:
- Hiking = 1.5 hours, 3 kilometers, 410-meter elevation gain
- Train + Hiking = 8-minute train ride to Wengwald train station, then a 10-minute hike (0.6 kilometers) downhill to Wengwald viewpoint.
You can check the map below as a guide.
The yellow line indicates the hiking trail from Lauterbrunnen to the viewpoint in Wengwald.
Conversely, the blue line shows the path from the Wengwald train station to the vantage point in Wengwald.
You can see Lauterbrunnen from most parts of Wengwald. There are wide-open meadows and benches where you can rest and relax while taking in the beauty of the valley.
If you prefer a more secluded space, consider hiking to the far corner of Wengwald, past Ferienwohnung Chalet Mönchsblick.
6. Hiking Trail Between Lauterbrunnen & Wengen
As previously mentioned in my introduction, Wengen is another village in Lauterbrunnen.
Perched on a sun terrace overlooking the valley, you can find scenery that’s almost as beautiful as what you can see from Wengwald.
However, did you know that you don’t have to do a 1.5-hour hike to Wengwald or hop on a train to get to Wengen to see such stunning views of Lauterbrunnen?
Another awe-inspiring view of the valley awaits you east of Lauterbrunnen, and it’s only a 30-minute hike from the village center.
There’s no specific name for this vantage point, but it’s very easy to reach while hiking the trail that links Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. Take a look:
When you reach this point, you can literally spot the farthest end of the Lauterbrunnen valley to the south, bordered by the 3000-meter-high Breithorn and Grosshorn.
On a sunny day, you will see the precipice layers of the Jungfrau massif. Amazingly, rhis viewpoint has a waiting shed, which serves as its landmark. You can rest while admiring the surrounding scenery.
This spot also offers a beautiful vantage point of the Staubbach waterfall and the mountain range where Schilthorn is located.
Let’s say you’re already on Stocki Road; this viewing spot along the Lauterbrunnen-Wengen hiking trail would be just a 25-minute hike away.
Overall, it’s an easy hike with only a 140-meter elevation gain throughout the course. Here’s a map to help you visualize the path:
7. Hiking Trail Between Lauterbrunnen & Stechelberg
The beauty of Lauterbrunnen isn’t confined to the village and isn’t solely observed from the elevated vantage points overlooking the valley.
If viewing Lauterbrunnen from its vantage points is a glimpse of heaven on earth, then the hiking trail between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg is a taste of it.
Lauterbrunnen Viewpoints Exact Location (Map)
Below are the maps that show the exact location of the viewpoints in Lautebrunnen.
The portions of the map above encircled by a yellow line indicate the villages and hamlets in Lauterbrunnen. Then, the part of the map highlighted in yellow is the Lauterbrunnen area, where some breathtaking vantage points of the village and valley are located. There are seven viewpoints in Lauterbrunnen that you can visit for truly stunning scenery. The zoomed-in maps of Lauterbrunnen below show their exact locations.
Viewpoints Exact Location (Resources)
So, those are beautiful viewpoints in Lauterbrunnen. I hope you enjoy your trip to Lauterbrunnen and that it proves to be both memorable and rewarding!
If you’re using Google Maps to explore beautiful places, the links below will quickly direct you to the locations of the viewpoints and places of interest mentioned in this post.
- Chalet Pironnet
- Kirche Lauterbrunnen
- Chalet 165 (along Stocki Road)
- Staubbach Falls
- Wengwald viewpoint
- Viewpoint in Lauterbrunnen-Wengen hiking trail
- Hiking information Lauterbrunnen-Stechelberg
A while ago, I mentioned that you can find Trummelbach Falls along the road/hiking trail between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg. Here is the link to its official website to learn more about its visiting information: Trummelbach Falls (Official website).
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If you’re interested in experiencing more breathtaking views in the Jungfrau Region beyond Lauterbrunnen, consider visiting Harder Kulm and Mannlichen. In my opinion, they offer the most panoramic views in all of the Jungfrau Region or Bernese Oberland. Check them out! 😍
