Snapshot Sunday: Lavaux Vineyards, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: The Hills Are Alive

Best For:  Natural Beauty, Outdoor Activities, Relaxation, Charm, and Public Transportation

Best Time to Visit:  Year-Round

The Valley Floor

As part of a European tour in 2009, I planned a two-night stopover in Lauterbrunnen so that I could go look at some pretty mountains.  I knew that the neighboring town of Interlaken had a reputation for attracting backpackers and frequenters of active-wear shops, so I booked a room in the village that seemed more my speed.  The minute I stepped foot in Lauterbrunnen, I realized I had made a grave planning error:  this place was magical, and I needed to spend the rest of my days here.  During the one day I had in the region, I was an outdoorsy superstar!  I went sledding on top of the Jungfrau (at 11,000 ft!), zip-lining amongst snow-capped peaks, and hiking under crashing waterfalls (though I passed on jumping off the cliff side in a flying squirrel suit).  Then, true to form, I saddled up at a café, ate raclette, and watched the world go by... and in this heavenly wonderland, that world mainly consisted of mooing cows.  So, go to Lauterbrunnen, even if you do just want to look at some pretty mountains, but be prepared to find that athlete lurking inside.

Top of the Jungfrau

Natural Beauty:  The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the world’s great visual stunners.  Nestled in the mountainous Berner Oberland, it presents a striking combination of landscapes.  Lauterbrunnen allows impressive views of craggy, snow-covered mountains with the soft, lush backdrop of rolling meadowlands.  Running the length of each side of the valley floor are two imposing cliff faces, adorned by no less than 70 different waterfalls.  This spot is especially striking during the warm-weather months, when the expansive valley floor has a vibrant green hue, made to appear even brighter against the electric blue sky and patches of yellow wild flowers.  Lauterbrunnen also makes the ideal base for exploring the region’s other scenic offerings.  Nearby Interlaken, true to its name, links two dazzling lakes:  Thun and Brienz.  Travel to the top of the Jungfrau for breathtaking views of the Aletch glacier and the nearby summits of the Eiger and the Mönch.

Outdoor Activities:  This year-round travel destination offers outdoor activities for both the warm- and cold-blooded sportsman.  Switzerland is the second-most-popular destination for adventure sports in the world (behind New Zealand), and nearby Interlaken is at the heart of the industry.  Here, adrenaline junkies can book guided tours for paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, river rafting, or rock climbing, to name a few.  Outdoor enthusiasts with a more restrained sense of adventure can explore the area’s many scenic trails on foot or mountain bike.  Snow bunnies will want to take advantage of the many local skiing and snowboarding spots.

       

Looking Down into the Valley

Relaxation:  The valley’s astounding scenery encourages visitors to sit back and soak in their surroundings.  Travelers looking to slow down their pace have many options for relaxation.  Take a ferry ride on Lake Thun and enjoy the water’s serenity before stopping for lunch in one of many charming lakeside towns.  Or, ride the cog train up the mountain, stop in one of the ski towns, and find a café with a breath-taking view. 

Charm:  The quaint, chalet-filled, mountain towns scattered through the region are the cherries on top of this destination.  Lauterbrunnen has one main street with a bakery, cheese shop, small grocery store, bar, and a smattering of hotels and restaurants.  Loiter on one of the eatery’s porches for a twilight dinner, and your meal will almost certainly come with evening entertainment: a farmer herding his cows down the road, their bells clinking a serenade as you enjoy your fondue. 

Public Transportation:  Don’t bother with a car around these parts – the punctual and expansive Swiss rail system does not disappoint even amongst Europe’s tallest peaks.  Lauterbrunnen serves as an excellent transportation hub for exploring the Berner Oberland.  Interlaken, which is easily accessible from all of the major Swiss cities, is one stop down the mountain.  Heading further up the mountain, travelers can stop in their choice of ski villages, each connected to one another by a series of gondolas and funiculars.  Or, just head straight to the top of the Jungfrau, home to the highest rail station in Europe.

The Valley Floor

You could spend an entire lifetime taking in this region’s beauty, but some travelers like more variety in their trips.  Here are some suggestions for Lauterbrunnen trip add-ons: 

Consider heading southeast to Lake Como, Italy, via the charming Swiss cities of Lucerne and Lugano.  Lake Como is almost as beautiful as Lauterbrunnen and offers the added benefits of amazing food, a different culture, the chance to live in the lap of luxury for a few days, and the possibility of a George Clooney sighting.

Head southwest to gorgeous Lake Geneva.  Though not as ideal for sporty-types, you will get a touch of culture, nightlife, and shopping in the lux lakeside cities of Lausanne and Geneva.