Discovering the Lauterbrunnen Valley

Lauterbrunnen Valley - via Wikipedia

When you think of Switzerland, you might imagine breathtaking Alpine scenery, farmers tending their livestock and traditional homes adorned with bright flowers. In a world that never seems to slow down, such a vision might seem like just a fantasy. However, it still exists in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the deepest gorges in the Alps. It is narrow, less than one mile across at its widest point, and features dramatic limestone cliffs on either side. The valley is famous for its stunning waterfalls, including Trümmelbach and Staubbach Falls, some of which cascade from heights of 900 feet.

Avalanches are quite common in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, so residents build their houses extra sturdy to withstand heavy snow loads. Most mountain houses are made of timber and have whitewashed facades and flower boxes in the windows. People living along the valley floor often build their houses and barns next to large boulders to shelter them from snow that can drop from upper mountain ledges.

While tourism and winter sports play a major role in the economy of the valley, many of its full-time residents still earn an income by farming. Cow bells ring out throughout the area and farmers tending sheep and hauling hay are a common site.

The valley has a number of small towns and village to explore, including Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Gimmelwald and Mürren, which lie at various altitudes. Each community has unique attractions and activities and offers a different perspective for enjoying the stunning views.

Most activities revolve around the outdoors, such as hiking, skiing and mountain climbing. Hiking routes vary from short half-hour jaunts between villages, to full- and multi-day treks that take you through unspoiled landscapes. If you prefer to enjoy nature by relaxing, you can always admire the view in a comfortable lounge chair on the lawn of your hotel.

Trains depart for the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Interlaken’s Ost station. You can also bike to the valley from Interlaken, or hitch a ride with a passing farmer. Many of the villages do not have cars. However, these communities are very small, so you can walk or hire a golf cart taxi to get almost anywhere you need to go.

Lauterbrunnen - via Wikipedia

Lauterbrunnen

The town of Lauterbrunnen lies in the heart of the valley and is the connection point for villages in the Interlaken-Oberhasli municipality. Lauterbrunnen has just over 2,500 inhabitants and most residents speak German. However, people throughout the region use words that also draw upon Italian and French dialects.

The origin of the town’s name is a topic of debate among locals. It comes from the combination of two words, “lauter” and “brunnen”. While most agree that brunnen means fountain, well or spring, the debate lies in the meaning of lauter. Some believe lauter means many, while others claim it actually means clean or clear. Both definitions are fitting, because Lauterbrunnen is indeed clean and surrounded by many beautiful springs.

Melting snow from surrounding mountains feed the Weisse Lütschine River, which flows in front of Lauterbrunnen. The water is so pure that locals and campers often use it as a source of drinking water. The river is typically a peaceful element of the valley, but tends to overflow in the spring.

The land surrounding Lauterbrunnen resembles a bright green carpet, with patches of forests and orchards. While visiting, you can relax to the sounds of rushing streams and the bleats of sheep.

Gimmelwald- via Wikipedia

Gimmelwald

Gimmelwald lies south of Lauterbrunnen, halfway up the mountain on the western side of the valley, at an elevation of about 4,400 feet above sea level. To get to the tiny village, you can catch a gondola from the Stechelberg or Schilthorn stations, or hike from Stechelberg.

Most of Gimmelwald’s residents are descendants of one of three families and the population numbers less than 200. Locals work as farmers, raising hay for cattle, and also produce delicious cheeses. The village has a large hostel and a number of small bed and breakfast inns.

Relaxing and admiring the spectacular sights are common activities enjoyed by tourists, but Gimmelwald also offers fantastic hiking. Many residents and visitors enjoy hiking to nearby Mürren, about 30 minutes away, to shop for groceries while enjoying the fresh mountain air.

If you are up for something a little more challenging and adventurous, go for a hike to the lake at Oberhornsee, which takes about seven hours round trip. The walk is breathtaking, winding through beautiful wildflower meadows and past surging waterfalls.

Mürren - via Wikipedia

Mürren

While Mürren has fewer than 500 residents, its hotels can accommodate up to 2,000 visitors. The village lies at an elevation of around 5,400 feet above sea level and is not accessible by public roads. In fact, Mürren has no cars, but you can easily walk from one end of town to the other.

The village is accessible by four cable cars, with service to and from Stechelberg, Gimmelwald and Schilthorn. You can also reach Mürren via train from Lauterbrunnen.

Mürren was traditionally a farming hamlet, but winter sports and tourism are the primary contributors to its economy today. It became a major ski resort in 1924, when Englishman Sir Arnold Lunn established the Kandahar Ski Club in the town.

The area has more than 30 miles of ski runs, along with sledding routes and a bobsleigh track. If skiing is not your sport, you can also enjoy ice skating, swimming, mini-golf, tennis and squash at Mürren’s sports center.

Wengen - via Wikipedia

Wengen

Wengen is situated halfway up the mountain on the eastern side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, about 1,300 feet above the town of Lauterbrunnen. The small village is a favorite winter holiday escape for European travelers and the main hub for exploring the Kleine Scheidegg Pass and Männlichen Mountain.

Like its neighbor, Mürren, Wengen is car-free and you can only get there via cog train on the Wengeralp Railway. It sits on a sun terrace and typically receives daily sunshine, even when other towns have cloud cover. At daybreak, you can often look down upon a layer of clouds floating above the valley.

Wengen is home to around 1,300 people, but winter tourists often increase its population to 10,000. Its first guest lodgings were built in the mid-nineteenth century and have welcomed the famous and infamous, including German composer Felix Mendelssohn and Adolf Hitler.

From the village, you can enjoy stunning views of the Jungfrau and Mönch Mountains. During summer months, you can often hike from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg, where you can enjoy indoor or outdoor dining, while admiring the scenery. During winter months, several feet of snow cover the trail, but you can still travel through the pass on a cog train.

Jungfrau mountains above Lauterbrunnen valley - via Wikipedia

Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Mountains

Kleine Scheidegg offers fantastic views of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger Mountains. The Jungfrau stands as the centerpiece of the trio and rises to a height of more than 13,500 feet above sea level. It was first summited in 1811and is now part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Mönch stands to the east of the Jungfrau and appears in the center of the bend in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The Jungfraubahn Railway runs through the mountain beneath its peak.

The Eiger is perhaps the most famous mountain in the group. It rises to an elevation of around 13,000 feet above sea level and faces Kleine Scheidegg. The northern side of the Eiger peers down on the small town of Grindelwald and its south side features some of the most massive Alpine glaciers.

The first successful assent of the sheer north side of the Eiger occurred in 1938. Since that time, dozens of climbers have lost their lives trying to achieve the same goal. Because of its deadly reputation, the Eiger has earned the nickname “Mordwand”, which means murder wall.

The Eiger has appeared in many books and films over the years. Rodney William Whitaker’s novel “The Eiger Sanction” tells a story of intrigue that features a breathtaking climb of the north wall. The book was made into a film in 1975, which stars George Kennedy and Clint Eastwood.

Leave a Reply