Swiss Excursion Part 3: Exploring Lauterbrunnen
After about a 2 and a half-hour train ride from Lucerne, we arrived in what we would later see as possibly one of the most picturesque places on earth, Lauterbrunnen. I was quite amazed by the beauty of being 7,000 feet above sea level at Mount Pilatus, but taking in the expanse and the grace of Lauterbrunnen is something totally different.
Lauterbrunnen is a small village inside of the canton of Bern (headed there next!) Locals say it translates into the words “many springs” which could very well be true as there are a few springs flowing off f the cliffs into the valleys
We arrived in the dark of night and so we encountered a slight difficulty locating our chateau as GPS was a bit shoddy but once we found it, we were quite ecstatic about it. The chateau was nice with two floors, two bathrooms, a hot tub (hell yea) and a large tv as well as a fire a place.
In the morning, being able to sit outside on the porch of our chateau with a cup of coffee in our hands and listen to and watch the glacier waterfall (literally right across from our chateau) was quite calming and serene, Lauterbrunnen literally looks like a magical place from a movie or storybook. We could also see hang gliders and parachuters leaping off of the mountains above.
Things to do:
Explore Lauterbrunnen’s Surrounding Areas and Main Village
It’s a great place to casually walk around and take in the amazing scenery including the many mountains and the wooden Chateaus in the center of the village.
Go See the Lauterbrunnen Church and Clock Tower Up Close
Clockwise from top: Lauterbrunnen town center; Lauterbrunnen Church; A view of Lauterbrunnen with a glacier path
Hiking
Take a hike up the stepped path to the Staubbach Falls viewing gallery (pictured above) and you’ll end up with an amazing view of below whilst being behind the waterfall. We thought the climb would be higher but it was still a fun experience nonetheless. The viewing gallery is seasonal, so check current access before planning the climb.
Photos clockwise from the top: Mountain Views surrounding Lauterbrunnen; Visitors hiking up to one of the waterfalls; A close up of the glacier waterfall
See the Annual Swiss Cow Parade
If you’re there in the fall, you can experience the annual cow festival. Watching the cows come down the mountains around the alps outfitted with wreaths and bells is pretty mesmerizing. Dates and locations vary; check the regional events calendar before planning around a parade.
Hang Gliding in Interlaken
Take a short trip over to Interlaken and go hang gliding. I did this on my birthday and it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. I’d recommend Hang Gliding Interlaken. They were funny, very knowledgeable and kept us feeling good throughout the experience
Day-Trip to Nearby Towns
Visit the nearby village of Murren. A quiet car-free town, if you travel to the top of Schilthorn by cable car, you’ll be presented with some amazing views of the Alps as well as Lauterbrunnen. If you’re a 007 fan like myself there’s also Piz Gloria, the 007-themed revolving restaurant, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Check the official Schilthorn site for current cableway schedules and restaurant information
Where to eat:
Since we stayed in our own chalet, we took a stroll to the Coop supermarket down the road and bought a few things to cook during our stay.
Where To Stay:
I loved staying in a chalet among the alpine meadows, with cows roaming and waterfalls nearby. Check the location of individual properties when booking, as not every chalet is in the village centre.
An exploration of timeless style, travel, and the art of living.
Exploring Lauterbrunnen
