In the summer of 2023, while I was visiting Interlaken, Switzerland, I took a train to Lauterbrunnen to have a look at the famously beautiful valley. It’s a narrow valley running between huge cliffs, decorated with picturesque waterfalls. Some have said that Tolkien was inspired by Lauterbrunnen when he was imagining Rivendell, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is true.
Lauterbrunnen
I took the train to Lauterbrunnen and, on walking through the small town, spotted the Tourist Information office, where I inquired about where I should go walking. They recommended visiting Trümmelbach Falls and suggested walking over taking a taxi or bus.
The valley of Lauterbrunnen has 72 waterfalls, and you can spot quite a few of them simply by walking through the valley. The Trümmelbach Falls are a little different through; these are waterfalls within a cave system in the mountainside. A ticket is required to enter the falls, but it’s worth it!
Hiking to Trümmelbach Falls
It was very easy to follow the route to the falls. The path was really wide and there were lots of other people out there. The hike was 3.5 km (2.2 miles) one-way but completely flat. It was, however, mostly in the sun, so sunscreen and water are recommended. At Trümmelbach Falls, there’s a restaurant with a patio, where you can take a break (I certainly did before hiking back).
The falls themselves were difficult to capture well on camera, and I admit I didn’t try all that hard. There was a lot of spray, small spaces, and dark caves. When you arrive, you can take the elevator up, but it was just closing as I reached it, so I decided to take the stairs up. The caves are damp and chilly, and the waterfalls are incredibly loud. I highly recommend the visit!
Other Hikes in Lauterbrunnen
There are several other trails out of Lauterbrunnen, and I spotted many hikers on my day out.
Lauterbrunnen to Wengen – This 3.0-km (1.9-mile) hike takes you from the town of Lauterbrunnen up to the village of Wengen.
Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp – This challenging 12.2-km (7.6-mile) hike passes through the village of Isenfluh and the Saustal Valley before ending at Grütschalp Station, where you can take a cable car back down to Lauterbrunnen.
