The Lauterbrunnen Valley is a U-shaped glacier trough with cliffs of about 300 m on both sides. Rain and snowmelt run off the edges and turn into waterfalls, which is why Jungfrau Region and Interlaken Tourism both call it the valley of 72 waterfalls. The number is a tourism label, not a count you can tick off, so think in terms of the handful that are worth a plan.
The ones to see
- Staubbach Falls: free, no hours at the base, and the symbol of Lauterbrunnen. A gallery path climbs behind it in summer.
- Trümmelbach Falls: the glacier falls inside the mountain, ticketed and seasonal.
- Mürrenbach Falls: on the Mürren side of the valley; Wikipedia calls it Switzerland’s highest waterfall by total drop. We did not verify access details, so check Lauterbrunnen Tourism before planning a trip to it.
- Smaller falls on the cliffs: many only run after heavy rain or snowmelt, and you see them from the valley road, the train to Wengen or the Wengen trail.
How to see several in a day
A simple order: train to Lauterbrunnen, Staubbach in the village (15 to 30 minutes), then the bus to Trümmelbach (one to two hours). Add the Staubbach gallery if it is May to October. Getting there has the transport; things to do lists what else fits.
When the falls run best
Spring and early summer, when snowmelt feeds the cascades, and after rain. Dry spells in late summer leave only the big ones. The best time to visit page explains how to balance flow against crowds.
Some of the best waterfall views are from above: the Mürren paragliding flight in our tour widgets flies over the cliffs and falls. It depends on the weather.
Planning to stay overnight? Compare rooms in Lauterbrunnen.
Frequently asked questions
How many waterfalls are in Lauterbrunnen?
Tourism sources call the valley the valley of 72 waterfalls. Most are small and only run after rain or snowmelt.
Which is the best waterfall in Lauterbrunnen?
Staubbach Falls for a free view from the village, and Trümmelbach Falls for a close look inside the mountain. The 72 total includes many seasonal falls you see from the road.
Are the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls free?
Staubbach Falls is free. Trümmelbach Falls charges admission (CHF 18 adults per the operator). Many other falls can be seen from the valley road or trails at no cost.
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