When I was in high school, we went on a school trip to Lauterbrunnen. This place has always been the place in my mind when wanting to visit somewhere unusual and interesting. When planning a day trip in Europe, this is the place to go if you are looking to explore and see amazing views and wondrous waterfalls.
The closest major city is Berne, which is where I started the trip; we arrived by plane and from there we took a coach to the village of Lauterbrunnen. The coach ride alone was amazing as we went straight through the mountains, and it was filled with spectacular views of the distance covered in snow, which was so hard to believe when it felt like such mild weather. We had gone there as a high school trip in June toward the beginning of summer vacation. The journey to Lauterbrunnen took just under an hour, and it was definitely worth it when we got there. If you enjoy amazing views of nature and exploring mountain tops, then here is some information and tips for you.
Traveling and preparations
Getting into Lauterbrunnen can be tricky as it is right in the middle of the Swiss Alps; there is one road in, so driving a hired vehicle or using a bus service is possible. If you are planning on driving in Switzerland, take care to note that they drive on the right hand side of the road and have small roads that weave, so preparing for this can be important, especially if you are accustomed to driving on the left-hand side. Once in Lauterbrunnen, you can walk to anywhere in the village within 30 minutes and there are train services to take you to points of interest; however, just walking around the village can be a point of interest in itself. Always look at booking a hotel or cabin ahead of time if you wish to stay more than just a day – there are many places to stay that can be found with a quick Google search.
Clothing
Having the appropriate attire is always important when traveling; pack for the season you intend on visiting during, but it never hurts to bring extra clothing for unexpected changes in the weather. In most cases, you will want to make sure that you have good fitting walking boots with decent ankle support as this is a place where you will be doing a lot of exploring by foot. Going near waterfalls can be quite a wet experience so take waterproof clothes and, if you have a love for photography, an HD waterproof camera might be a good investment for those beautiful views.
Sights to see
There are many amazing sites in Lauterbrunnen; the main attraction is a train which will take you up a mountain near Grindelwald. There, you will see a beautiful glacial river and many small villages near waterfalls with a grand view of the mountain range. In these villages, there are no vehicles of any kind and it is very quiet and peaceful. There are places to stay up there, such as cabins and hotels, if you wanted to spend the night. Lauterbrunnen is also known for its upward lift which is notable for people who enjoy mountain climbing or hiking as well as for its waterfalls where the mist can be seen rising as the water falls.
I hope you have enjoyed this guide to Lauterbrunnen; here, here and here are some images of the amazing views this beautiful place has to offer.
