Primeval Nature and Water in Lauterbrunnen Valley
Glaciers, waterfalls, wild mountain streams, mountain lakes, Alpine moors, Alpine flora and traditional agriculture have made it into a high valley of spectacular beauty. Lauterbrunnen is a small unspoilt village in Switzerland nestled between the towering walls of a sheer-sided valley that is famed for its waterfalls. This Alpine valley – Lauterbrunnen is situated in the impressive glaciated valley with the beautiful mountain ranges of Jungfrau, Shilthorn, and Breithorn on its doorstep. It is the departing point to the famous car-free resorts of Wengen and Murren, as well as the Jungfraujoch -Top of Europe (the highest train station in Europe) and the Schiltorn/Piz Gloria (made famous by James Bond).
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the most scenic areas on the face of the earth. Lauterbrunnen is tucked into a deep, long valley of rocky cliffs and green pastures. The valley has 72 waterfalls, including the Staubbach Falls and the equally famous Trummelbach Falls, a series of 10 falls inside a mountain gorge that require a descent by undeground funicular. In Lauterbrunnen itself, the Talmuseum has exhibits on iron mining and other aspects of the valley’s history.
Trummelbach Falls is unique, in that seven of its 10 cascades are inside a mountain. A lift takes you up inside the mountain, and you start climbing up to the cascades. The
tunnels and stairs that lead to the cascades are dimly lit and damp, with water dripping everywhere. Add the deafening roar of water and the constant vibration in the rock, and considering we were the only two there, it was downright spooky. 20,000 litres of water flows through Trummelbach per second! Switzerland is incredibly beautiful – lots of perfectly kept chalets with flower boxes under each window, the Swiss flags over the balcony, firewood stacked neatly in the back and cows bells ringing in all directions.
For hikers, skiers, and alpine sightseers with limited budgets, Lauterbrunnen has much to offer–including a valley location that makes it a convenient touring base for the Jungfrau Region, especially when traveling by car.
The river Weisse Lutschine flows through Lauterbrunnen and overflows its banks about once a year. The source of the river comes from melting snow high in the mountains, thus making it a very pure and clean source of water. It is common practice in the camp sites to chill drinks in the water.
