About Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen (795 m) lies in a striking trough-shaped valley between towering rock faces and mountain peaks. 72 waterfalls plunge down the rock faces into the valley. The Staubbachfall – one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe – inspired Goethe to write his poem ‘Song of the Spirits over the Waters’. The village is the starting point for countless excursions. In summer, numerous hiking trails and mountain bike routes invite visitors to explore the area.
In winter, both the Mürren–Schilthorn and Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen ski slopes are in the immediate vicinity. One of the longest ski runs leads from the Schilthorn all the way down to Lauterbrunnen – a descent with a vertical drop of over 2,000 metres. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, Lauterbrunnen offers a trail around 16 kilometres long that runs alongside the frozen waterfalls.

In 1240, Lauterbrunnen was mentioned in a letter as “in claro fonte”. The scattered settlement probably got its name from the more than seventy waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley – “lauter Brunnen” (literally ‘many springs’) or ‘lautere Bäche’ (literally ‘clear streams’). In the 14th century, the Walser village of Lauterbrunnen was the main centre of the Lötschern settlements in the Oberland.

Lauterbrunnen Vicarage, 1780

In the mid-18th century, a ‘passion for the Alps’ began to take hold in Europe. The desire for relaxation in the fresh mountain air, an interest in exploring the Alps, the sporting thrill of reaching greater heights, and an appreciation of the beauty of high-mountain nature attracted not only the educated and the nobility to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Albrecht von Haller, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lord Byron and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sparked a wave of travel with their accounts and poems. In Lauterbrunnen, visitors could stay overnight in the vicarage, which had been fitted out to accommodate travellers. Alternatively, visitors could stop off at the Steinbock inn (L’Auberge du Capricorne) at the far end of the village or spend the night in a farmer’s hayloft. From the mid-19th century onwards, modest inns gradually sprang up throughout the region. The composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809–1847), who was also a painter and a frequent visitor to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, produced the oldest known drawing of Wengen, as well as numerous other noteworthy drawings and watercolours of the region.

Hotel Staubbach, Lauterbrunnen, 1839

The Hotel Staubbach stands next to Lauterbrunnen Church, in front of which the legendary 15th-century Lötscherglocke still stands today. For a long time, it was not the high peaks that attracted travellers, but the waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, particularly the Staubbach Falls. Thus, Christian von Almen (1815–1882) built the Hotel Staubbach at the far end of the main street in Lauterbrunnen, from where one has an incomparably beautiful view of the world-famous waterfall. The dedicated hotelier also promoted the region’s infrastructure; for example, he helped to cover the costs of laying the telegraph line into the valley. However, he had many conservative opponents and envious rivals in the community, who were nevertheless unable to halt the development of tourism.

In the final years of his life, Christian von Almen made preparations to open the Trümmelbach Falls to tourists. To this end, he acquired the land stretching from the Lütschine river to the rocky gorge. His sons Hans and Peter took over the Hotel Staubbach and the estates, whilst his son Fritz (1855–1895) inherited the Tr

Lauterbrunnen Rectory, 1780

In the mid-18th century, a ‘passion for the Alps’ began to take hold in Europe. The desire for relaxation in the fresh mountain air, an interest in exploring the Alps, the sporting thrill of reaching greater heights, and an appreciation for the beauty of high-mountain nature attracted not only the educated and the nobility to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Albrecht von Haller, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lord Byron and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sparked a wave of travel with their accounts and poems. In Lauterbrunnen, visitors could stay overnight in the vicarage, which had been fitted out to accommodate travellers. Alternatively, visitors could stop off at the Steinbock inn (L’Auberge du Capricorne) at the far end of the village or spend the night in a farmer’s hayloft.

From the mid-19th century onwards, modest inns gradually sprang up throughout the region. The composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809–1847), who was also a painter and a frequent visitor to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, produced the oldest known drawing of Wengen, as well as numerous other noteworthy drawings and watercolours of the region.

Hotel Staubbach, Lauterbrunnen, 1839

The Hotel Staubbach stands next to Lauterbrunnen Church, in front of which the legendary 15th-century Lötscherglocke still stands today. For a long time, it was not the high peaks that attracted travellers, but the waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, particularly the Staubbach Falls. Consequently, Christian von Almen (1815–1882) built the Hotel Staubbach at the far end of the main street in Lauterbrunnen, from where one has an incomparably beautiful view of the world-famous waterfall. The dedicated hotelier also helped to develop the region’s infrastructure; for example, he helped to cover the costs of laying the telegraph line into the valley. However, he faced many conservative opponents and envious rivals within the community, who were nevertheless unable to halt the growth of tourism.

In the final years of his life, Christian von Almen made preparations to open the Trümmelbach Falls to tourists. To this end, he acquired the land stretching from the River Lütschine to the rocky gorge. His sons Hans and Peter took over the Hotel Staubbach and the estate, whilst his son Fritz (1855–1895) inherited the Trümmelbach Falls. In 1886, the first and second falls were opened to the public. In 1888, the Hotel Trümmelbach opened. The Trümmelbach Falls became a popular destination for day trips. This revitalised the valley, from which Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg also benefited.

The Hotel Jungfrau Wengernalp

A refuge had stood on the popular Wengernalp Trail as early as 1818. Applications for a licence to operate an inn were soon submitted. However, the Wengernalp mountain community did not receive the first licence to operate an inn until 1834, due to opposition from the Lauterbrunnen innkeepers; they built an inn on the site of today’s Hotel Jungfrau.

Initially, only milk, cheese, bread and strawberries were available here, but as early as 1841 the ‘De la Jungfrau’ hotel was built. It quickly became the traditional base for mountaineers. The hotel has been extended and renovated several times since then, partly because it was damaged on numerous occasions by the dreaded Föhn storm and by fire (it burnt down completely as early as 1865). Since 1958, it has been owned by the von Almen zum Trümmelbach family.

The Hotel Bellevue Kleine Scheidegg

In 1835, the mountain inn “Zur Gemse” was established on the Kleine Scheidegg pass, converted from a dairy hut. The first owner, Peter Brawand, was regarded as a capable innkeeper, but competition from the inn at Wengernalp may have been too fierce, so that he was forced to sell his establishment in 1840 to the Seiler-Wyss family from Bönigen. They built the Hotel Bellevue in 1842 and successfully developed summer tourism on the Kleine Scheidegg over the following decades. In 1896, the Hotel Des Alpes was built. In 1925, ownership of the Hotel Bellevue passed to his son-in-law, Fritz von Almen zum Trümmelbach (1890–1965), who went on to become a prominent entrepreneur and influential politician (Liberal Party) and worked tirelessly to promote tourism in the region.

The Hotel Silberhorn in Mürren

In 1857, Heinrich von Allmen from the Winteregg mountain community built the first inn offering guest accommodation amongst the 35 sun-baked little farmhouses of Mürren. In 1858, the simple “Hotel Silberhorn” opened its doors. Until then, hikers on their way to the Schilthorn could only get a bed of hay, milk or soup from the farmers.

Pension Lauener, Wengen

The history of tourism in Wengen began in a Jura stone house on the Kneubach. Christian and Anna Lauener-Gertsch welcomed their first holidaymakers into their home, which also housed a smithy. In 1859, they built a modest little inn with six rooms, and as early as 1860, the “Pension Lauener” for 30 guests. Christian Lauener possessed a quality found in all the biographies of successful hoteliers and significant pioneers of tourism and mountaineering in the region: he was fluent in a foreign language (French).

The Grand Hotel and Kurhaus in Mürren

In 1870, the enterprising tenant of the Hotel Silberhorn in Mürren built his own hotel, the “Hotel Mürren”, on the land in front of the Hotel Silberhorn. He later took over the Hotel Silberhorn as well. Following several extensions, the two buildings were linked together and, in the 1880s, developed into a successful large-scale establishment known as the “Grand Hotel and Kurhaus”. At the turn of the century, the hotel even earned a star in Karl Baedeker’s renowned “Handbook for Travellers”.

Hotel des Alpes Mürren

In 1872, the stately Hotel des Alpes opened on the so-called “Hehmatten” in Mürren. In 1884, it was destroyed by fire during one of the dreaded Föhn storms and rebuilt as the Grand Hotel des Alpes, even more beautiful and grand than before. This marked the beginning of Mürren’s heyday as a successful health resort. Staying in Mürren was considered the height of good taste and part of the romantic way of life. Aristocrats, politicians, poets, painters and scholars sought rest and inspiration in Mürren. Sir Henry Lunn and his Alpine Sports Ltd. acquired the Grand Hotel des Alpes around 1912 and continued to run it as the Hotel Palace.

Pension Wengen

In 1880, the Christian Lauener family built the first well-appointed ‘Hotel and Pension Wengen’ to accommodate almost 100 guests, run by their son Ulrich and his French wife. Something quite special for the time was the hotel’s own power station, which was built in 1895 to provide lighting for the buildings. Four hotels, including the Silberhorn and Alpenrose, were family-owned, but a chapel and farms were also built.

New professions in tourism

Tourism opened up entirely new earning opportunities for the local population, and new professions emerged. As well as working in the hotels, people also earned money by ensuring the comfort of guests: Horses and mules were hired out for transport, and there were porters who carried guests in sedan chairs up to the Schilthorn or the Kleine Scheidegg, as well as young lads who even offered guests summer tobogganing from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen. To do this, the metal runners were removed from the hand-pulled sledge, and it is said that the bare wooden runners could glide quite quickly over the stones. Soon, simply reaching the heights of the passes was no longer enough for guests, and the high-Alpine summits were scaled: the Jungfrau (1811), the Mönch (1857), the Eiger (1858), the Breithorn (1865) and the Gspaltenhorn (1869). This is also how the profession of mountain guide came into being. The Lauener brothers from Lauterbrunnen, amongst others, have a legendary reputation.

Trümmelbach Falls. In 1886, the first and second falls were made accessible. In 1888, the Hotel Trümmelbach opened. The Trümmelbach Falls became a popular destination for day trips. This revitalised the valley, from which Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg also benefited.

The Hotel Jungfrau Wengernalp

A mountain hut had stood on the popular Wengernalp trail as early as 1818. Applications for a licence to operate an inn were soon submitted. However, the Wengernalp mountain community did not receive the first licence to operate an inn until 1834, due to opposition from the Lauterbrunnen innkeepers; they built an inn on the site of today’s Hotel Jungfrau. Initially, only milk, cheese, bread and strawberries were available here, but as early as 1841 the ‘De la Jungfrau’ hotel was built. It quickly became the traditional base for mountaineers. The hotel has been extended and renovated several times since then, partly because it was damaged on numerous occasions by the dreaded Föhn storms and by fire (it burnt down completely as early as 1865). Since 1958, it has been owned by the von Almen zum Trümmelbach family.

The Hotel Bellevue Kleine Scheidegg

In 1835, the mountain inn “Zur Gemse” was established on the Kleine Scheidegg pass from a dairy hut. The first owner, Peter Brawand, was regarded as a capable innkeeper, but the competition from the inn on the Wengernalp may have been too fierce, so that he was forced to sell his establishment in 1840 to the Seiler-Wyss family from Bönigen. They built the Hotel Bellevue in 1842 and successfully developed summer tourism on the Kleine Scheidegg over the following decades. In 1896, the Hotel Des Alpes was built. In 1925, the Hotel Bellevue passed into the ownership of his son-in-law, Fritz von Almen zum Trümmelbach (1890–1965), who rose to become a prominent entrepreneur and influential politician (Liberal Party) and worked tirelessly to promote tourism in the region.

The Hotel Silberhorn in Mürren

In 1857, Heinrich von Allmen, a member of the Winteregg mountain community, built the first inn and guesthouse amongst the 35 sun-baked little farmhouses of Mürren. In 1858, the simple “Hotel Silberhorn” opened its doors. Until then, hikers on their way to the Schilthorn could obtain a bed of hay, milk or soup from the farmers.

Pension Lauener, Wengen

The history of tourism in Wengen began in a Jura stone house on the Kneubach. Christian and Anna Lauener-Gertsch welcomed their first holiday guests into their home, which also housed a smithy. In 1859, they built a modest little guesthouse with six rooms, and as early as 1860, the “Pension Lauener”, which could accommodate 30 guests. Christian Lauener possessed a quality found in all the biographies of successful hoteliers and significant pioneers of tourism and alpinism in the region: he was fluent in a foreign language (French).

The Grand Hotel and Kurhaus in Mürren

In 1870, the enterprising tenant of the Hotel Silberhorn in Mürren built his own hotel, the “Hotel Mürren”, on the land in front of the Hotel Silberhorn. He later took over the Hotel Silberhorn as well. Following several extensions, the two buildings were connected and, in the 1880s, developed into a successful large-scale establishment known as the “Grand Hotel and Kurhaus”. At the turn of the century, the hotel even earned a star in Karl Baedeker’s renowned “Handbook for Travellers”.

Hotel des Alpes Mürren

In 1872, the stately Hotel des Alpes opened on the so-called “Hehmatten” in Mürren. In 1884, it was destroyed by fire during one of the dreaded Föhn storms and rebuilt as the Grand Hotel des Alpes, even more beautiful and impressive than before. This marked the beginning of Mürren’s heyday as a successful health resort. It was considered good form and part of the romantic way of life to stay in Mürren. Aristocrats, politicians, poets, painters and scholars sought rest and inspiration in Mürren. Sir Henry Lunn and his Alpine Sports Ltd. acquired the Grand Hotel des Alpes around 1912 and continued to run it as the Hotel Palace.

Pension Wengen

In 1880, the Christian Lauener family built the first well-appointed “Hotel and Pension Wengen” for almost 100 guests, run by their son Ulrich and his French wife. Something quite extraordinary for the time was its own power station, which was built in 1895 to provide lighting for the buildings. Four hotels, including the Hotels Silberhorn and Alpenrose, were family-owned, but a chapel and agricultural holdings were also built.

New professions in tourism

Tourism opened up entirely new earning opportunities for the local population, and new professions emerged. In addition to working in the hotels, people also earned money by ensuring the comfort of guests: Horses and mules were hired out for transport, and there were porters who carried guests in sedan chairs up to the Schilthorn or the Kleine Scheidegg, as well as young lads who even offered guests summer toboggan rides from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen. To do this, the metal runners were removed from the hand-pulled toboggans, and it is said that the bare wooden runners could glide quite quickly over the stones. Soon, simply reaching the pass heights was no longer enough for the guests, and they began to climb the high Alpine peaks: the Jungfrau (1811), the Mönch (1857), the Eiger (1858), the Breithorn (1865) and the Gspaltenhorn (1869). This is also how the profession of mountain guide came into being. The Lauener brothers from Lauterbrunnen, amongst others, have a legendary reputation.

In Goethe’s Footsteps

The human soul

Is like water:

It comes from the heavens,

It returns to the heavens,

And must once more Descend to the earth,

Ever-changing.

(Goethe)

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is the valley of the 72 waterfalls. Experience the fascinating landscape in the most beautiful trough valley in the Alps and get up close to the waterfalls. Take a closer look at the falls and feel the immense energy emanating from the water. Admire the highest, most picturesque and most thunderous waterfalls during a walk from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg. The walk is easy, fairly flat and therefore also suitable for pushchairs.

The most famous waterfalls

Staubbachfall

The landmark of Lauterbrunnen and one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe. Made famous by J.W. von Goethe’s poem ‘Song of the Spirits over the Waters’.

Mürrenbachfall

The mighty one. During the snowmelt and heavy rainfall, the surging waters cascade foaming down the 417-metre-high Mürrenfluh.

Trümmelbach Falls

10 glacial waterfalls deep within the mountain; awarded 3 stars in the Michelin Guide. On hot summer days and after heavy thunderstorms, up to 20,000 litres of water per second thunder through the narrow gorge.

Talbach Falls

Discover a hidden gem, the Talbach Falls, deep in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, within the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like an arrow, the water has pierced the hard rock and then gathered in a foaming pool. The catchment area of the ‘Talbach’ is the Tschingel-Lütschine region.