Lauterbrunnen's Waterfalls: Staubbach, Trümmelbach and the Valley of 72 Falls

The Lauterbrunnen valley is known as the valley of 72 waterfalls, and it earns the name. Water pours over its cliffs on both sides: some falls drop freely through the air and turn to spray before they reach the ground, others roar hidden inside the rock. Two of them are famous — the Staubbach, which you can see from the village, and the Trümmelbach, which you visit inside the mountain — and they could hardly be more different.

This guide covers both in detail, the walk along the valley floor that links them, and the other ways to see the falls: by e-bike, from the terraces above the valley, and from the air — with the practical details you need for each.

The valley of 72 waterfalls

The Trümmelbach falls are part of the valley’s 72 waterfalls, which also include the Staubbach falls. The waterfalls are the product of the valley’s shape: a deep glacial trough with near-vertical rock walls, down which streams from the high terraces and glaciers plunge to the valley floor.

You do not need to go far to see them. From Lauterbrunnen village, falls are visible on the cliffs around you, and a mostly flat walk leads from Lauterbrunnen to the Trümmelbach falls, passing more along the way.

The Staubbach falls

What makes it special

The Staubbach falls drop about 297 metres, and the local tourist board calls them the highest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland. The water leaves the lip of the cliff above Lauterbrunnen and falls through the air, much of it dissolving into spray on the way down — which is where the name comes from: Staub means dust.

How to see it

The Staubbach is part of the village scene. You can see it from the streets of Lauterbrunnen and from the station area, and it is free to see. It is the waterfall that appears in countless photographs of the valley, with the village church and the cliffs around it.

When to see it

The Staubbach is at its most impressive when there is plenty of water, and at its most photogenic in the morning or late afternoon light. Even when the flow is lighter, the sheer height of the drop makes it worth seeing.

The Trümmelbach falls

What they are

The Trümmelbach falls are unlike any other waterfall most visitors will have seen. They are ten waterfalls inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift, and they are the only glacier waterfalls in Europe inside a mountain that are accessible.

The Trümmelbach drains the huge glacier walls of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and carries up to 20,000 litres a second through the rock. Inside, the water has carved a series of gorges and chutes, and walkways and stairs let you follow it up through the mountain, with the roar of the water all around you.

Opening times

The falls are open daily from early April to early November — until 9 November in 2026. Opening and closing dates in spring and autumn can vary with the weather.

Months	Hours
April to June	9:00 to 17:00
July and August	8:30 to 18:00
September to November	9:00 to 17:00

Prices

Adults: from CHF 18.
Children and young people aged 6 to 15: from CHF 8.
10% discount with the Lauterbrunnen guest card.

What to expect inside

The visit is an indoor-outdoor experience: the tunnel lift takes you up inside the rock, and walkways and stairs lead between the falls. It is damp, cool and loud. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring a light jacket, even on a warm day. The walk between the falls involves stairs, so allow time and take it steadily.

A good bad-weather choice

Because the falls are inside the mountain, the Trümmelbach is one of the best things to do in the region on a cloudy or wet day, when the views from the terraces and peaks are hidden.

The walk along the valley floor

The best way to see the waterfalls is to walk. A mostly flat walk leads from Lauterbrunnen to the Trümmelbach falls, along the valley floor between the cliffs.

The walk is easy, with gentle gradients, waterfalls on both sides and the cliffs rising hundreds of metres above you. It suits families, older walkers and anyone who wants to enjoy the valley at its own pace. Along the way you pass the Staubbach and other falls on the cliffs, farms and meadows on the valley floor, and ever-changing views of the rock walls above.

A few tips:

Start at the Staubbach in Lauterbrunnen, then walk up the valley.
Allow time for photographs; the views change at every bend.
Combine it with the Trümmelbach visit, and walk back or take public transport.
Carry a layer. The valley floor is shaded by the cliffs for part of the day and can be cool.

By e-bike: the valley of 72 waterfalls tour

For a longer day, the e-bike tour through the valley of 72 waterfalls is an excellent option. It is a guided e-bike ride from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, stopping at the Staubbach falls and the Trümmelbach falls inside the mountain, with a Swiss picnic along the way, in about 6 hours.

The e-bike takes the effort out of the gentle climb from Interlaken, and a guide handles the route and the stops. It is a great choice if you want to cover more ground than a walk allows, or if you are staying in Interlaken.

From the air: paragliding over the valley

The most spectacular view of the waterfalls is from above. The tandem paragliding flight from Mürren starts above the valley: you meet your pilot in Mürren, take off in front of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and fly for up to 20 minutes over the Lauterbrunnen valley, its cliffs and waterfalls. The whole experience takes about 1 hour.

It is not for everyone, but for those who do it, seeing the waterfalls pour off the cliffs from the air is unforgettable.

Photographing the falls

The Staubbach from the village, framed by the church and the houses, is the classic picture. Morning and late-afternoon light are kindest to the cliff.
From the valley walk, look back towards Lauterbrunnen for a view of the Staubbach with the whole cliff face.
Inside the Trümmelbach, the light is low and the spray is everywhere; protect your camera and use a fast setting rather than flash.
From Mürren or Wengen, the terraces above the valley give a bird’s-eye view of the valley floor and its falls.
From a paraglider, of course, the view is unbeatable — but leave the photography to the pilot’s camera if you are nervous.

Visiting with children

The waterfalls are a hit with children, and the valley is an easy place to explore as a family.

The flat valley walk suits young legs, with plenty of waterfalls to count along the way.
The Trümmelbach tunnel lift is an adventure in itself, and the roaring water inside the mountain is thrilling.
Children aged 6 to 15 pay from CHF 8 at the Trümmelbach; adults from CHF 18.
Hold hands on the walkways inside the Trümmelbach, which are wet and busy.
Bring a change of layers; spray and cool air can leave children cold.

Accessibility

The valley walk is mostly flat and suits most visitors, including those who prefer to avoid climbs.
The Staubbach can be seen from the village without any walking at all.
The Trümmelbach is reached by a tunnel lift, but the visit between the falls involves stairs and wet walkways inside the mountain. Visitors with limited mobility should allow plenty of time and may prefer to see only part of it.

Combining the waterfalls with the terraces above

The waterfalls are the valley’s lower half; the car-free villages and the peaks are its upper half, and a full day combines both.

To Mürren: take the cableway from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and the train on to Mürren, or the cableway from Stechelberg at the head of the valley, beyond the Trümmelbach — with a gradient of 159.4%, its operator calls it the steepest cableway in the world.
To Wengen: take the train from Lauterbrunnen up to the car-free village on the opposite terrace.
To the Schilthorn: continue up from Mürren to Piz Gloria at 2,970 m.

Our guide to Mürren, Wengen and the Schilthorn covers the terraces and the lifts.

Seeing the waterfalls on a day tour

The guided day tours from Zurich (about 12 hours) and Lucerne (about 10 hours) include a walk in Lauterbrunnen village by the Staubbach falls, as part of a day that also covers Interlaken and Grindelwald. They are a good way to see the Staubbach if your time is short, though they do not include the Trümmelbach falls.

Getting to the waterfalls

The waterfalls start at Lauterbrunnen station, so getting to them is the same as getting to the valley.

By train: the Berner Oberland-Bahn from Interlaken Ost, platform 2A, reaches Lauterbrunnen in 24 minutes.
By car: 20 to 30 minutes from Interlaken, depending on the season, with the 974-space garage at Lauterbrunnen station (CHF 18 for 8 hours, open 24 hours all year).
By e-bike: the guided tour from Interlaken rides the whole way, about 6 hours with stops.
On a day tour from Zurich or Lucerne, which includes a walk by the Staubbach falls.

From the station, the Staubbach is a short walk into the village, and the valley path to the Trümmelbach starts from there. Our guide to getting to Lauterbrunnen has the full details.

When to visit the waterfalls

Spring and early summer bring snowmelt, and the waterfalls are often at their fullest. The Trümmelbach opens in early April.
High summer (July and August) brings the longest Trümmelbach hours, from 8:30 to 18:00.
Autumn is quieter, with the Trümmelbach open until early November.
Winter is a different season altogether: the Trümmelbach is closed, and the valley is dominated by snow and the ski areas above.

A waterfall day in the valley

Morning: the Staubbach from Lauterbrunnen village, then the flat walk up the valley.
Late morning: the Trümmelbach falls — the tunnel lift and the walkways inside the mountain.
Lunch: a picnic in the valley, or back in Lauterbrunnen.
Afternoon: up to Mürren for the view down into the valley, or a paragliding flight if the weather is right.

Mistakes to avoid

Visiting the Trümmelbach out of season. It is open from early April to early November only; in winter it is closed.
Dressing for a sunny valley. Inside the Trümmelbach it is cool, wet and loud; bring a waterproof layer and good shoes.
Seeing the Staubbach only from the car park. Walk into the village and along the valley for the full view of the cliff.
Rushing. The valley walk is short, but the falls reward slow walking and frequent stops.
Leaving the terraces out. The view down into the valley from Mürren or Wengen shows the falls in a way the valley floor cannot.

A two-day plan

If you have two days in the valley, you can see the waterfalls from every angle.

Day one: the valley floor. Start with the Staubbach from Lauterbrunnen, walk the mostly flat path up the valley to the Trümmelbach falls, and spend time inside the mountain. In the afternoon, continue towards Stechelberg or return to the village.

Day two: from above. Take the cableway to Grütschalp and the train to Mürren, and look down into the valley and across to the falls on the far side. If the weather is right and you are feeling brave, take a tandem paragliding flight from Mürren over the cliffs and waterfalls; otherwise continue up to the Schilthorn.

Splitting the valley over two days also gives you a second chance at the terraces if the first day is cloudy — and the Trümmelbach is the perfect cloudy-day visit.

What to bring

Shoes with a good grip for the wet walkways at the Trümmelbach.
A light waterproof jacket; the spray inside the mountain soaks the unprepared.
A layer for the cool valley floor and the damp interior of the falls.
Cash or a card for the Trümmelbach entrance.
Your Lauterbrunnen guest card, if you have one, for the 10% discount.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the Staubbach waterfall?

About 297 metres. The local tourist board calls it the highest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland.

Is it free to see the Staubbach falls?

Yes. You can see them from Lauterbrunnen village.

When are the Trümmelbach falls open?

Daily from early April to early November (to 9 November in 2026): 9:00 to 17:00 in April to June and September to November, 8:30 to 18:00 in July and August.

How much does it cost to visit the Trümmelbach falls?

From CHF 18 for adults and from CHF 8 for children aged 6 to 15, with 10% off with the Lauterbrunnen guest card.

What is special about the Trümmelbach falls?

They are ten glacier waterfalls inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift — the only accessible glacier waterfalls inside a mountain in Europe — carrying up to 20,000 litres a second from the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Can I walk from Lauterbrunnen to the Trümmelbach falls?

Yes. A mostly flat walk leads there along the valley floor.

Is the Trümmelbach worth it in bad weather?

Yes. Because the falls are inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift, they are one of the best things to do in the valley when cloud hides the peaks.

How many waterfalls are there in the Lauterbrunnen valley?

The valley is known for its 72 waterfalls, including the Staubbach and the Trümmelbach.

Can I see the waterfalls on an e-bike?

Yes. The guided e-bike tour from Interlaken rides through the valley of 72 waterfalls to Lauterbrunnen, stopping at the Staubbach and the Trümmelbach falls, with a Swiss picnic, in about 6 hours.

What is the best view of the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls?

From the valley floor for scale, from Mürren or Wengen for the bird’s-eye view, and — for the brave — from a tandem paragliding flight over the cliffs and waterfalls.