A fantastic village in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
Lauterbrunnen, a Swiss village in the municipality of the same name, is located in the Lauterbrunnental valley. Romantic, lovely and with great views of the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. Surrounding Lauterbrunnen are the villages of Wengen, Mürren, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg and Isenfluh.
My first holiday in Switzerland was in Lauterbrunnen and I was completely surprised. Compared to Austria, Switzerland would be a lot less romantic and actually rougher but nothing was further from the truth. Lauterbrunnen exudes all cosiness, romance and tranquillity. It is a super-touristy village, but that doesn't really bother at all. You will find Japanese, Americans and Europeans from various countries. In fact, in Lauterbrunnen you can take the train up the Jungfrau.
Staubbachfall
The village is home to the Staubbachfall, a waterfall you see as soon as you drive into the village. It is said that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired by this waterfall when writing one of his hymns.
Jungfraujoch
Atop the Jungfraujoch (the summit below the Jungfrau itself), you'll find Europe's highest train station at 3454 metres. A ride is very pricey though, in 2012 a return ticket cost €190.20 per person. Those are some prices. We did not do it in 2008 because the weather was not cooperative. If you do it make sure you go when the weather is clear because otherwise you won't have a view at the top.
Trains and cable cars
If you like trains and gondolas then Lauterbrunnen is really fantastic. Highly recommended is the 'Jungfraubahnen Pass', a discount card valid for 6 days that allows you to use most gondolas and trains in the area for free. Only the ride to the Jungfrau and to the Schilthorn are not included. The card costs €150 in 2012. This seems like a lot of money but you will have 6 days of great fun with it and you basically don't need to use the car during that time. Just go up a different mountain each day by train/gondola and you'll have earned the card back in no time. Best of all, you get to know the area really well this way.
Trümmelbachfälle
A little further down the valley are the Trümmelbachfälle, a collection of waterfalls all located inside the mountain. These waterfalls are open to visitors so you can see this impressive spectacle with your own eyes. It does make a deafening noise but that's part of the experience.
Public transport
So the village is a good base for exploring the area and you don't need the car for it as trains are plentiful here. In the middle of the village is the train station from where you can travel by train to Grindelwald or to Interlaken. There is also a mountain train from here to the Jungfrau via Wengen. You can take a gondola to a narrow-gauge railway up to Mürren. If you like hiking, just walk further into the valley where you will find another gondola taking you in two stages, via Gimmelwald to Mürren. In Mürren, you can catch the gondola that goes up the Schilthorn. The Schilthorn is better known as the Piz Gloria, the famous revolving restaurant from the James Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'.
Lauterbrunnen in figures
- Swiss village in the canton of Bern
- Founded in 1240
- Inhabitants: just over 2,500
- Known for: Jungfraubahn, Wengen, Trümmelbachfälle, Piz Gloria, Schilthorn
