Revel in the Magic of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Firstly, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland is one of my favorite travel destinations of all time. So, I hope I can do it justice with my post.
Lauterbrunnen is a charming village of wooden chalets scattered in Lauterbrunnen Valley. Additionally, for those of you that are LOTR (Lord of the Rings) fans, Lauterbrunnen is well known as J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for the fictional town of Rivendell. As legend tells it, in 1911 Tolkien traveled to this village at the age of 19 and gained inspiration from its many waterfalls. Translated from German to English, Lauterbrunnen literally means “many fountains”. There are 72 waterfalls within this valley, to be exact.
Not only does this tranquil village hold the title of J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for Rivendell, but it’s also close to other picturesque villages. Certainly, this cluster of mountain villages is the perfect area to add to your Switzerland summer travel itinerary. Below are a few of my favorite things to do (including Mürren and Gimmelwald) and my favorite place to stay in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.
What To Do in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland:
1. Explore Lauterbrunnen Valley on Foot
Taking a stroll down the center of the valley is extremely peaceful. During the walk we were also able to see other waterfalls that were not visible from the main part of the village and whiteish-blue glacial river water. Later we also saw BASE jumpers above the valley.
2. Explore Mürren
The village of Mürren sits a level above the Valley of Lauterbrunnen, giving you a great view of the Alps. We took the funicular from Lauterbrunnen up the mountain and then trekked to Winteregg, Mürren, and Gimmelwald.
While walking through the villages we saw goats and cows, as well as a restaurant and a shoppe that sold fun flavored yogurts. I got the mocha flavor and it tasted yummy and fresh. Lastly, while exploring this area we came across another funicular, which led to an alpine playground.
3. Visit Gimmelwald
Gimmelwald is an even smaller village than Lauterbrunnen. This was such a tight-knit and trusting community that no one works in their store. It’s called the Honesty Shop and you just go in, take what you want and then leave money. There may have been a notepad to write the transaction down, but overall, this was very odd to me indeed. Mainly because, living in the United States, I am always cautious of crime.
However, I like the idea of this type of shop and wish it could work everywhere. As I mentioned above, we walked here from Mürren and the walk was scenic. So, if the weather is nice, definitely take the time to walk between villages.
4. Take a Cable Car Back to Lauterbrunnen Valley
To get back down we took the cable car system to Stechelberg, a small village on the level of Lauterbrunnen Valley. This was an experience in itself, seemingly straight out of a Bond movie.
Then we walked back to the village of Lauterbrunnen (home base for us) on the road that goes through the center of the valley. It is a bit of a long walk at 2.8 mi/4.5 km from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen, so catch the bus if you’d like.
5. Have a Traditional Swiss Meal in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Meals in Switzerland are so cozy. Some restaurants have furs on the chairs to keep you warm so you can still enjoy the views whilst you eat a proper Swiss meal! We ate at Restaurant Hotel Oberland.
I will note that although part of Lauterbrunnen’s charm is its remoteness and laid-back village atmosphere, there are not too many options for food in Lauterbrunnen Valley. Moreover, those available may be pricey. But, it’s Switzerland so what can you do (nervous laugh). I can say that the expensive food was delicious. Also, the restaurants in Lauterbrunnen close early, so plan for this!
Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: Hotel Staubbach
Similarly to the valley itself, we LOVED everything about this hotel. The staff were extremely friendly, and if you are lucky, they may even put a Swiss chocolate on your pillow. The views from the rooms and the breakfast area are breathtaking. The foam on top here was the porch overlooking Staubbach falls, where one could cozy up in a blanket and drink a morning coffee.
I do want to make a quick note about the alpine weather. The blanket on the porch was not for the aesthetic, the weather was actually quite chilly.
I figured August would be relatively warm. This was not the case. Avoid my mistakes so you are not stuck trying to buy a sweater in a tiny village with only very expensive ski attire. And I don’t know about you all, but here at the foam on top we live on the budget, in which $90 sweaters are not included. So, us peasants must remember that Lauterbrunnen sits at an elevation of 2,631 feet above sea level, so the weather in Lauterbrunnen, even in August, warrants long pants and a coat.
We love this area and hope to go back to explore more mountain villages in the future. Please comment your experience in the area and any insights you have! For more Swiss destinations visit my Switzerland travel page.