Day Trip: Lauterbrunnen

Best known for its Instagram-famous waterfalls and as Tolkien’s inspiration for Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, the valley of Lauterbrunnen delivers for those seeking a fantasy setting. Steep cliff walls sprinkled with plunging waterfalls frame a grassy green valley, with a picturesque river flowing down the middle—and, of course, there is the mountain village of Lauterbrunnen tucked in the middle. Spend a day or an afternoon strolling through the valley, stopping in the village stores, cafes and restaurants and visiting the Trummelbach Falls.

There are two ways to reach Lauterbrunnen:

The Train: Visitors can take the train from Interlaken or from Grindelwald (connecting at the Zweilütschinen stop). Either trip takes just under an hour.

Hike/Train Combo: Lauterbrunnen can easily be worked into a day of hiking. You can take the Eiger Express or mountain train up to Klein Scheidegg or Eigergletcher and follow one of the hiking trails to Mettlenalp. A tram or a hike can take you down to Wengen, another small mountain village and from Wengen you have the option to hike or train (10 minutes) to Lauterbrunnen. Trains come frequently and are in expensive, so this option allows for plenty of flexibility.