10 unique Lauterbrunnen waterfalls you should visit (+ map) - Adventurous Miriam (2024)

Ready to explore the 10 best Lauterbrunnen waterfalls? This beautiful valley in Switzerland has no less than 72 thundering waterfalls, and in this post, I’ll show you the most unique.

Lauterbrunnen is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in my life. I mean, those Lauterbrunnen waterfalls are out of this world.

What makes it unique is the combination of majestic waterfalls, the towering steep rock walls and theAlps’magical charm. AndI’m not the only one who’s been smitten by this Swiss valley.

Several writers and movie producers have been inspired by Lauterbrunnen, from J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Conan Doyle.

So, let’s take a look at this Alpine mountain village and it’s beautiful waterfalls.

Read next: 12 dreamy things to do in Lauterbrunnen in winter

The 72 Lauterbrunnen waterfalls

The valley of Lauterbrunnen is one kilometer in width and it’s tucked between dramaticvertical rock walls and snow-capped mountains that rise high above the meadows.

This littlevalley in the Swiss Alps has no less than 72 thundering waterfalls, some of whichare several hundred meters high.

Anywhere you go in Lauterbrunnen you always hear the hypnotisingsound of water rushingdown the rocks. The air ismoist, but fresh and crisp like after a heavy rainfall. It smells like flowers sky diving through the summer air.

🇨🇭 In German, Lauterbrunnen means: “Loud Springs”, and the name is spot on.

Lauterbrunnen in movies and books

Lauterbrunnen’s thunderous waterfalls and dramatic cliffs have inspired many great writers and poets, such as J.R.R. Tolkien who got the inspiration for Rivendell duringa hike from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen.

Those of you who areSherlock Holmes fans know that it’s also the waterfalls where Holmes has his presumed mortal combatwith his archenemy Professor Moriarty (at Reichenbach Falls).

And, let’s not forget the 1969 James Bond movie which was filmed in Lauterbrunnen.

🐮🔔 Read next: How to spend an amazing one day in Lauterbrunnen

Map of the best waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen

With 72 waterfalls to choose from, it can be a daunting task to locate the best ones. So, I recommend using this map below where you can find the locations of all the waterfalls in this post. I’ve numbered them 1-10 so you can easily find them.

Use the + and – sign in the corner to zoom in and out, and then click on the numbers to see the waterfall.

10 must-see waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen

1. Staubbach Falls

Lauterbrunnen is pretty spectacular on its own, but thestar of the show is the Staubbach waterfall.At297 meters,plunging from a vertical cliff wall, it’s just about the first thing you notice when you arrive in Lauterbrunnen.

Staubbach is one of the highest waterfalls in Europe and possibly one of the mostbeautiful if you ask me.

The impressive thing about this waterfall is that the water is free-falling off the cliffs and sends clouds of mists into the air. On a windy day, the flowing mist is almost lost in the wind before it reaches the rocks below.

🇨🇭 Read next: Jungfrau itinerary: 20 things to do in Jungfrau region

2. Trümmelbach Falls

Trümmelbach Falls is another famous Lauterbrunnen waterfall that you should visit. Hidden behind a mountain, Trümmelbach is a sequence of 10 waterfalls fed by glaciers. It’s actually the world’s only glacier waterfalls that you can access underground by lift, tunnels and paths.

During hot summer days and after intense thunderstorms, it transports up to 20,000 litres of water per second through a narrow gorge, which, as you can probably imagine, is quite a sight. Not to mention loud.

3. Mürrenbach falls

TheMürrenbach Falls isthe highest waterfall in Switzerland. It’s located just outside Lauterbrunnen, in Stechelberg. The water from Mürrenfluh plummets down from a height of 417 meters in five beautiful cascades.

The waterfall is active throughout the year, but it’s at its most beautiful after the snow melts in the spring (May).

4. Staldenbachfall

On the right side of the Lauterbrunnen valley, you’ll find Staldenbachfall. The waterfall is fed by both the river Staldenbach and the Silberhorn glacier, which results in the water cascading over multiple stages.

Staldenbachfall is around 300 meters high, and it’s an impressive waterfall! Close by, you can also find Mattenbachfall.

5. Mattenbachfall

Mattenbachfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen. With a total height of 300-500 meters, the river Mattenbach cascades over multiple stages.

The waterfall is fed by melted snow and ice from the glacier Silberhorn gletscher and Giesengletscher, which makes early summer (May/June) the perfect time to visit Lauterbrunnen valley.

6. Spissbachfall

With a single drop of 280 meter, Spissbachfall is one of the 10 highest single drop waterfalls in Switzerland.

Spissbachfall is close to the village of Lauterbrunnen and it’s fed by melted snow from the surrounding mountains.

7. Talbach falls

At the end of Lauterbrunnen valley near Stechelberg lies the powerful Talbachfall. The water from the River Tschingel Lütschine shoots through the hard rock and plunges below, creating this beautiful waterfall! On your way up, you can watch climbers climb up the waterfall.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and watch your step on the slippery stairs leading to the falls.

8. Sefinenfall

The impressive Sefinenfall is located in the lower section of the Sefinen Lütschine river and consists of several smaller cascades as well as a 40-meter-high main waterfall.

If you continue further upstream along the river, there’s another stunning waterfall with a single large drop. To access these waterfalls, take the trail on the left side (south side) of the river. Here, you can explore three beautiful waterfalls!

To reach the Sefinenfall waterfall in Lauterbrunnen, you’ll need to drive deeper into the valley, passing the Trummelbachfall and continuing on to Stechelberg.

Once you reach the end of the road in Stechelberg, you will see the Sefinenfall on the right side of the valley.

9. Wasserfall Sprutz

Sprutz Wasserfall is 235 meters (771 feet) high and one of the highest waterfalls in the region.

The waterfall is situated on the eastern side of the valley and can be accessed by taking a scenic hike along the Sprutzbach creek. Sprutz wasserfall will treat you to cascading water and mist creating an ethereal atmosphere.

10. Holdrifälle

The Holdrifälle, also known as Holdrifäll, is a powerful waterfall located near Stechelberg.

To get there, you must pass Staubbachfall on the right-hand side of the valley and drive to the end of Lauterbrunnen.

From there, it’s a 90-minute walk to the Holdrifälle, which is only 40 meters in height but is a beautiful, two-stage waterfall with strong water flow. A hike that covers Holdrifälle, Schmadribachfall, Talbachfall, and Sefinenfall takes approximately 2.5 hours, with a height difference of 800 meters.

🕵️‍♂️ BONUS: Reichenbach falls (Sherlock Holmes)

If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes, then a trip to the Reichenbach waterfalls is a must-do activity. This is the location where the epic showdown between Holmes and his infamous nemesis, Professor Moriarty, took place.

Reichenbach falls is located 44 km from Lauterbrunnen, which is why I didn’t include it in the top 10 Lauterbrunnen waterfalls. It’s close to Meiringen and easy to get to with train or car.

It’s a powerful waterfall with a total drop of 250 meters.

Find the Reichenbach waterfall on Google Maps.

🥾 Best waterfall trails in Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is easy to get around on foot, and you can visit all of these waterfalls by waking.

Here are the 5 best Lauterbrunnen hikes that include waterfalls:

What to wear

What you need to wear when you’re chasing waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen entirely depends on the season. However, these are the things you should always pack for a trip to Lauterbrunnen:

• Sturdy shoesto kept your feet dry and make sure you don’t slip
• Rain jacket
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm to protect your lips from the wind
• Camera
• A waterproof daypack: see my post about the best travel daypacks

Where to stay in Lauterbrunnen

Are you spending the night in Lauterbrunnen? Here are some of the best places to stay:

Valley Hostel (⭐ 8.9) – a cheaper option with free WiFi, a garden and shared kitchen. It has free parking and a swimming pool.Click here to see the latest prices.

Hotel Oberland (⭐ 8.4) – Quaint rooms with balcony and a magnificent view of the waterfalls. It’s definitely worth splurging for the view here.Click here to see the latest prices.

How to get to Lauterbrunnen

The easiest way to get to Lauterbrunnen is by train.

FromInterlaken, take the 20-minute train to Lauterbrunnen train station. The train ride itself is a scenic journey through the mountains and valleys, so be sure to sit by the window!

Where to next in Switzerland?

So, after your magical visit to Lauterbrunnen, you’re probably wondering where you should go next?

Luckily, this area of Switzerland is particularly stunning and you will have plenty of choices.Here are some amazing things to do near Lauterbrunnen in the Jungfrau Region.

Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)

If you’re into breathtaking mountain views, you’ll love a trip to Jungfraujoch, which is the highest train station in Europe.

The Jungfraujoch experience begins from the minute you step into the cogwheel train and begin the ascent of 3,400 meters. The views from the train are amazing, and there are fun activities at the Top of Europe for both solo travelers, families and kids.

Interlaken Helicopter Skydiving

Just a short train ride away you’ll find Interlaken, which is Europe’s adventure hub.

One of the most popular activities is skydiving. So, if you’re into adventure sports and always wanted to try sky diving, this is an amazing place to do it. They’re specialists, and you can’t ask for better views.

FAQ about Lauterbrunnen waterfalls

How many waterfalls are there in Lauterbrunnen?

There are 72 waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

What is the main waterfall in Lauterbrunnen?

The main waterfall in Lauterbrunnen is called Staubbach Falls. It’s one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe, with a total height of 297 meters (974 feet).

How do you see the waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen?

There are several ways to see the waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen. The best way is to walk through the village and enjoy the views from the street.

You can also choose to take a scenic hike along the many trails that wind through the valley.

Another option is to take a cable car or train up to a higher altitude for an even better panoramic view.

What is the largest waterfall in Lauterbrunnen?

The largest waterfall in Lauterbrunnen is the Trümmelbach Falls. It’s not a single waterfall but a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls cascading down sheer rock walls inside a mountain.

The Trümmelbach Falls are unique in that they’re located entirely underground and only accessible through a tunnel lift. Here, you’ll experience the raw power of nature!

Can you swim in Lauterbrunnen waterfalls?

No. Lauterbrunnen waterfalls are not made for swimming. Most of them are cascading down the cliffs.

Read more posts from Switzerland

• Jungfrau itinerary: 20 things to do in Jungfrau region
• A brilliant one day in Grindelwald itinerary
• Amazing things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland’s adventure hub
• The Ultimate Guide to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
• Where to stay in Interlaken
• An amazing one day in Spiez Switzerland
• How to visit the beautiful Oberhofen castle in Switzerland

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