Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
▲▲▲ Cloudy-Day Lauterbrunnen Valley Walks
Try the easy trails and pleasant walks along the floor of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. For
a smell-the-cows-and-flowers lowland walk—ideal for a cloudy day, weary body, or tight
budget—take the PostBus from Lauterbrunnen town to the Schilthornbahn cable-car station
near Stechelberg (left of river), and follow the riverside trail back for three basically level
miles to Staubbach Falls, near the town church (you can reverse the route, but it's a very
gradual uphill to Stechelberg). A trail was cut into the cliff to take visitors up “behind”
Staubbach Falls (at the uphill end of Lauterbrunnen town). But, depending on the wind, the
trail may be closed short of the actual falls.
You don't ever need to walk along the road. A fine, paved, car-free riverside path goes
all the way along the valley (popular with bikers). Detour to Trümmelbach Falls (described
earlier) en route (it's a 45-minute walk from the Schilthornbahn station to Trümmelbach
Falls, and another 45 minutes to Lauterbrunnen). In this “Valley of Many Waterfalls” (liter-
ally),you'llseecone-likemoundspiledagainstthesidesofthecliffs,formedbycenturiesof
rocks hurled by tumbling rivers. Look up to see BASE jumpers between Trümmelbach Falls
and Lauterbrunnen.
If you're staying in Gimmelwald, try this plan: Take the Schilthornbahn lift down to the
station near Stechelberg (5 minutes), then walk 1.5 hours along the river to Lauterbrunnen
(side-tripping to Trümmelbach Falls after 45 minutes). To return to Gimmelwald from Laut-
erbrunnen,takethecablecaruptoGrütschalp(10minutes),theneitherwalktoGimmelwald
(1.5 hours) or take the train to Mürren (10 minutes). From Mürren, it's a downhill walk (30
minutes) to Gimmelwald. (This loop trip can be reversed or started at any point along the
way—such as Lauterbrunnen or Mürren.)
Hang Out with BASE Jumpers
Inrecentyears,theLauterbrunnenValleyhasbecomeanElDoradoofBASEjumping(para-
chuting off cliffs), and each season thrill-seekers hike to the top of a cliff, leap off—falling
as long as they can (this provides the rush)—and then pull the ripcord to release a tiny para-
chute, hoping it will break their fall and a gust won't dash them against the walls of the
valley. (For a fascinating look at this sport, search for “BASE jumping Lauterbrunnen” at
www.youtube.com . )
Some Swiss consider BASE jumpers reckless and don't respect them. But, like other ad-
venture sports, it is getting safer and more accepted. To learn more, talk with the jumpers
themselves,whocongregateatthe PubHorner, attheupperendoftown(nearthewaterfall).
ThisisthegrittiestplaceinLauterbrunnen,providingcheapbedsandmealsforBASEjump-
ers and the only real after-dark scene in town. Locals, jumpers, and stray tourists gather here
in the pub each evening (9 rooms, bunks-32 SF, D-86 SF, cheaper apartments, no break-
fast, free Wi-Fi and Internet access for customers, dancing nightly from 22:00 upstairs, tel.
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