7 Alpine Activities to Do in Lauterbrunnen in the Summer

Nov 14

EST. READING TIME: 5 MIN

Have you ever seen a landscape so unreal it looked fake—almost like you were looking at a green screen? The little Swiss town of Lauterbrunnen is the first destination where I experienced this breathtaking phenomena, and for this reason I firmly believe the valley belongs at the top of your travel bucket list!

Charming alpine villages and cascading waterfalls are the norm here, and experiencing them up close and personal encompasses many of the top things to do in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland during the summer. Prepare to step into a mountainous landscape unlike anything you’ve ever seen as an epic outdoor adventure awaits you!

Lush green meadow overlooking the picturesque Lauterbrunnen Valley with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop and traditional Swiss houses dotting the landscape.

Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen

Plan your trip to Lauterbrunnen with the goal of visiting each of the alpine areas detailed below. This comprehensive dive into the immediate area of Lauterbrunnen Valley will ensure you leave no stone unturned during your Swiss rendezvous in this natural wonderland. Scale the full length of the Schilthorn, stopping at each station along the Schilthornbahn cable car route, and admire the snow from the peak cascading down the valley as it fuels three powerful waterfalls you need to experience up close and personal!

Already planning a trip to Lauterbrunnen? Check out my ultimate 2-day Lauterbrunnen travel guide detailing everything you need to know when visiting Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

#1. Schilthorn

Beginning at the highest point north of the Sefinenfurgge Pass, reach the Schilthorn peak towering over Lauterbrunnen Valley via cable car while scaling 9,744 feet in the process.

This panoramic point will grant you snow-capped views of the Bernese Oberland mountain range in all directions—with a frosty altitude requiring warm clothes even in the summer! Visit this Lauterbrunnen must-see vista in the early morning before thick cloud coverage obstructs your view.

Serving up skyline views of over 200 summits alongside spy-themed exhibits is the peak’s 360° rotating restaurant, Piz Gloria. The James Bond classic "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed in this very spot, with free exhibitions highlighting movie stunts and spy memorabilia dotting the premises today.

Breathtaking view of the snow-capped Swiss Alps from a cable car window, highlighting the natural splendor encountered while exploring Lauterbrunnen.

#2. Birg

Descend 8,783 feet to Birg, trading views of snowy scapes for rugged, rocky terrain. Snap a more summery shot of the craggy landscape on the Skyline Walk, an observation deck suspended over the vertical abyss below.

This is the only stop along the cable car route where you’ll truly be able to perceive the sheer size of the mountain, since the immense distance between yourself and the ground is sure to form a pit in your stomach!

A young woman leans on a railing gazing at the Alpine scenery in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, with majestic snow-covered mountains in the distance.

For more adventurous types, face your fear of heights on the Thrill Walk. Encompassing a chainlink walkway hanging precariously off the perpendicular wall of an imposing rock massif, this steel structure juts out over Lauterbrunnen below to create a depth-defying experience!

Crawl through tunnels, creep over a glass floor, and traverse a rope and cattle grid to deepen the sense of adventure as you scramble around the rock face.

#3. Mürren

The next stop down the cable car route is Mürren, a traditional Walser mountain village, where the Northface Trail will serve as your top Lauterbrunnen sightseeing activity. This hike embodies exactly what comes to mind when you think of classic Switzerland, and if you’re only going to do one hike — this should be the one.

Snow-capped Alpine peaks towering over a lush meadow with wildflowers and a small building with a blue roof in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

The trail has a little bit of everything: stunning mountain vistas, rustic cabins nestled in the hills, flower-filled alpine meadows, and cows with tinkling bells dangling from their necks. If the views on the ground weren’t compelling enough, look up towards the sky to see dozens of paragliders floating in the clouds above!

Although this route is described as a hike, in reality it’s closer to an easy walking trail suitable for the average person. Some houses on the trail even offer bathrooms, food, and water, should you need them along the route.

Assuming you’re going to visit the Schilthorn and continue on the Northface Trail in the same day, wear removable layers so your outfit can be easily adjusted depending on the local climate of each stop.

#4. Sprutz Waterfall

While embarking on the Northface Trail, consider a detour to the Sprutz Waterfall. Take a well-marked, yet less trodden path to walk directly behind a raging waterfall.

Peacefully soak in the sounds of this roaring water while fully immersing yourself in nature, to the point where some of the fall droplets may even splash you. This is where the fall’s name comes from as well, since “sprutz" refers to the splashing sound of the water!

Dynamic view of a powerful waterfall cascading down rugged cliffs on a popular hiking trail in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

The detour to the Sprutz Waterfall is quite muddy and on a much steeper downward slope than the flat Northface Trail — if you complete this hike after it’s rained, make sure to wear hiking boots to avoid taking a tumble.

#5. Gimmelwald

During the last stop on the cable car route before reaching the base of Lauterbrunnen’s mountain, find the quaint vehicle-free village of Gimmelwald. Stroll amongst the sheep farms, charming cottages, and bed & breakfasts dotting this wholesome haven where every structure looks straight out of a storybook.

Rather than staying in a Lauterbrunnen hotel, I recommend lodging above Lauterbrunnen in the Mountain Hostel located here in Gimmelwald. Wake up in the most adorable wooden cabin you’ve ever seen, situated against staggeringly enormous snow-capped mountains in every direction. It’s so quiet and perfectly peaceful you can hear roaring waterfalls cascading down rock faces as this sound echoes throughout the valley—these hills are alive!

Rustic Retreat Amongst the Lauterbrunnen Alps (Copy)

Nestled in Nature: Lauterbrunnen's Mountain Village (Copy)

Alpine Serenity in Lauterbrunnen Valley (Copy)

Snow-Capped Mountains in Lauterbrunnen (Copy)

Even if you don’t stay at Mountain Hostel, consider enjoying a pint of beer with choose-your-own-topping pizza baked inside their wood-fired oven. Otherwise, pop into the Honesty Shop which—like the name implies—has no employees present and depends on your integrity to leave correct payment in exchange for anything taken. If you wander into Hotel Pension, you might just find a rowdy, piano-led sing-along to “Sweet Caroline” underway!

#6. Staubbach Falls

Staubbach Falls, the signature waterfall of Lauterbrunnen Valley, towers over the quaint village, free falling nearly 297 meters from the ledge of an overhanging cliff. One of the quintessential places to visit in Lauterbrunnen, nothing screams Switzerland like a snapshot in front of a green meadow with a cascading waterfall behind you!

Happy young traveler posing with arms wide open in front of the impressive Lauterbrunnen waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery.

Staubbach Falls can be enjoyed from various vantage points across town. Take pictures with this thundering wall of water next to the Cycling Coffee Shop or embark on a short hike to get a closer look.

Since the hike meanders behind the falling water, this area can get damp and slippery—consider bringing a rain jacket to stay dry and shoes with sufficient tread.

#7 Trümmelbach Falls

After beginning this exploration of what to do in Lauterbrunnen at the top of the mountain, the final alpine adventure recommended for your Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland itinerary will take you underground! Trümmelbach Falls includes 10 glacial subterranean waterfalls connected via a network of walkways, tunnels, and galleries originating from the enormous drainage of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.

Tourists on a viewing platform inside the Trümmelbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen, witnessing the raw power of water sculpting through the mountain.

A spectacular 20,000 liters of water flows through the caverns each second. This figure may not seem that impressive when read on a screen, but in-person the deafening noise vibrating through these underground caverns will undoubtedly make you understand the sheer power of this water rushing by!

If you accomplish each of these alpine activities while visiting the valley, you will have checked the top things to do in Lauterbrunnen off your travel bucket list!

Lauterbrunnen stands out as a premier travel destination for its breathtaking natural beauty within the majestic Swiss Alps, and to truly enjoy each waterfall and stop along the cable car route I recommend visiting for at least two days. Ideally one day of your journey will be spent scaling the Schilthorn, and the other will be used to enjoy the town of Lauterbrunnen and nearby falls. If you only have a single day to spare in Lauterbrunnen during your Switzerland travel, select the one day agenda which aligns with your travel preferences.

No matter what your journey holds, an unparalleled outdoor experience for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts awaits!

✺ ABOUT ME ✺