Lauterbrunnen: 30 Best Activities & Hikes for Families

Lauterbrunnen is a great destination for families, with easy access to some of the most beautiful and famous mountains in Switzerland.

There are many easy and fun activities for kids of all ages, including alpine playgrounds, no-hike viewpoints, activity trails, and easy hikes. 

Here are the very best family-friendly activities in Lauterbrunnen, based on our experience visiting this area with our kids many times over the past 20 years.

Lauterbrunnen overview

This map shows where Lauterbrunnen is located in the Jungfrau Region. 

The region is split into two valleys: Lauterbrunnen on the west and Grindelwald on the east, with a big mountain separating them. You can travel between the valleys by car, train or cable car.

In this post, I’ve focused on hikes and activities that are in Lauterbrunnen, Mürren and Wengen.

But Grindelwald is so close, you should also consider that area in your planning. See also Best hikes & activities in Grindelwald for families

How to get to Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is located south of Interlaken in the Jungfrau Region. See on Google Maps. 

The Lauterbrunnen village is easy to access by train or car. Once in Lauterbrunnen, you can travel to the hikes and activities in this post via bus, cable cars and mountain trains.

By train:

From Interlaken Ost, take a train to Lauterbrunnen. When boarding the train, make sure you get into the front half of the train labeled Lauterbrunnen. This train goes to both Lauterbrunnen & Grindelwald, the train splitting in half once it reaches the Zweilütschinen stop.

By car:

There are two main parking areas in Lauterbrunnen. As you enter the village, there are signs pointing you to the large Lauterbrunnen parking garage near the train station. This is convenient if you are traveling to Wengen or Mürren via Grütschalp.

At the south end of the village, there is an open metered parking lot at Kirche Lauterbrunnen, near the Staubbach Falls. This is convenient if you are doing the Lauterbrunnen valley path.

If you are going directly to Mürren, Gimmelwald or Schilthorn, park at the Stechelberg Schilthornbahn parking.

If all parking is full, you may have to use the Park’n’Ride lot at Matten bei Interlaken and then ride the train to Lauterbrunnen.

Feeling overwhelmed? Book a Travel Consultation with me and I’ll create a personalized itinerary for you.

Alpine Playgrounds

These playgrounds are the best ones near Lauterbrunnen. You’ll also find smaller playgrounds in each village that are nice if you are staying nearby.

1. Flower Park Playground at Allmendhübel

From Lauterbrunnen, you take a short bus ride, then cable car up to Mürren. Then short funicular train to Allmendhübel, where you’ll find a big playground and restaurant with views of the Jungfrau and Eiger mountain peaks.

Next to the playground, there is a short flower theme trail, with little flower gardens and activities teaching you about alpine flowers.

This is an ideal outing with small children or anyone who doesn’t want to hike. If you want to hike, you can follow the Mürren Blumental “Flower Valley” Path back down to Mürren.

➡️ See details for Allmendhübel Flower Park

2. Herdsman Cow Playground at Männlichen

This iconic playground is at the Männlichen viewpoint, right next to the cable car station. Among other amusements, tt has this big cow, where you climb in the backend and slide out the mouth.

To get here from Lauterbrunnen, ride the mountain train to Wengen, then cable car to Männlichen, about 30-40 mins travel time.

Cost: Free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and Bernese Oberland Pass. Discounted with most other passes.

It’s nice to combine this with the Lieselotte activity trail, short Royal Walk to a panorama viewpoint or panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg.

➡️ See details for the Männlichen playground

3. Gimmelwald Playground

This fun playground is right next to the Gimmelwald cable car. Not as many people visit this area as the other playgrounds, so your children won’t have to compete as much for the play equipment.

The views are spectacular and it’s right next to the Mountain Hostel, which is a great place for food and drink anytime of day. We particularly like their pizza and craft beer.

➡️ See Gimmelwald playground on map

4. Schynige Platte Alpine Playground

To reach this playground, you ride the vintage Schynige Platte cogwheel mountain train to the top of the mountain. The playground small, but has fun elments including a slide, swing, climbing structures, etc.

You can combine this playground with the fun activity trail – Lily’s Treasure Hunt – that wanders through the alpine garden.

➡️ Learn more about visiting Schynige Platte

Fun Activity Trails

5. Lieselotte Alpine Trail

This fun trail has 13 activities along the way related to the animals on the alp, like pretend milking a cow and playing an alphorn.

Kids get a card to punch at each station, helping them to discover a secret word. They can turn in the completed card and get a little prize.

The trail starts at the top of the Grindelwald-Männlichen gondola, where you’ll find a nice playground with a view and restaurants. We suggest doing the short Royal Walk up to a higher viewpoint before starting the trail.

Hike: Easy • 1h30 • 3.6 km • 590 m down

See Lieselotte trail map.

6. Wengen Marble Run

In the Wengen village, there are a series of elaborate marble runs (aka “Kugelbahn”) placed around the village. It’s a short but fun amusement, a nice way to explore the village with children.

You can purchase the wooden ball from the Wengen Tourism office, Männlichen cable car station, Swiss Made Shop, and Hair Salon Gabi Lanz.

➡️ More info on wengen.swiss or www.ig1268wengen.ch

7. Detective Trail (Grütschalp to Mürren)

As kids walk this easy activity trail, they solve 16 puzzles related to local plants, animals, and mountains. The puzzles help you discover a code that is used to open a treasure chest at the end of the hike and get a prize.

You access the clues via an app on your phone. So you’ll need an active internet connection and enabled location services.

The trail starts at the top of the Grütschalp cable car and leads to Mürren. In the middle of the hike, you can stop at the Winteregg station, which has a restaurant, playground and toilets.

This trail parallels the mountain train that follows the cliffs above Lauterbrunnen, with absolutely gorgeous panorama views. It’s a wide gravel path, suitable for strollers with sturdy all-terrain wheels.

Trail: easy • 2.5 hours • 4.7 km one way • 120m up

➡️ See trail info and Detective app

8. Lily’s Treasure Hunt at Schynige Platte

Wander through a beautiful alpine garden at the Schynige Platte mountain, while the kids visit nine stations, doing little activities and puzzles at signboards.

At each station, they answer a question and record the answer in the free activity booklet, hosted by the cute cartoon “Lily the Cow.” After figuring out the code word, they can show it at the restaurant to choose a small prize from the treasure chest.

It’s a typical dirt path, with bumpy parts and stairs. No strollers on this one.

Trail: easy • 40 mins • 850m loop • 120m up & down

➡️ Learn more about Lily’s Treasure Hunt for Kids.

Easy stroller-friendly hikes

These trails are quite easy, with minimal elevation gain or descent. The paths are also wide and obstacle free, making them possible with pushchairs and strollers.

12. Lauterbrunnen valley path

Bikes and pedestrians share this quiet road down the beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley, with 72 waterfalls spilling from the cliffs on both sides and big mountain peaks all around.

We loved that our little kids could ride their scooters instead of walk, so we could go further without them getting tired. You can walk as far as you like and return by bus at various points along the trail.

Hike: Easy • 1 h • 4.4 km • ↗ 60 m ↘ 0 m

➡️ Details for Lauterbrunnen valley walk

13. Männlichen Panorama Trail

This easy trail traverses the mountain between the Männlichen viewpoint and Kleine Scheidegg mountain pass. The whole way, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Grindelwald valley and the famous peaks, including the Eiger. 

It’s easy walking on a wide dirt path. It’s a little lumpy in parts, but no stairs, so possible with an all-terrain stroller.

Hike: Easy • 1.5 h • 4.7 km • ↗ 68 m ↘ 237 m 

➡️ See details for Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg trail.

14. Mürren to Gimmelwald

This trail follows a service road that connects the Mürren and Gimmelwald alpine villages. It’s all downhill, making it easy to enjoy the views without much work.

The trail is mostly on a paved service road, occasionally taking shortcuts on a dirt footpath. If you have a stroller or prefer a smooth walking service, just stay on the road.

In Gimmelwald, you can visit the castle playground and have lunch at the Mountain Hostel. You can also visit two honesty shops, one on the trail and one in Gimmelwald.

After the walk, you can ride the cable car back to Mürren or down to Stechelberg and bus back to Lauterbrunnen.

Trail info: 45 mins • 2.1 km • 270m descent • See trail map.

➡️ See trail map for Mürren.Gimmelwald walk

Mountain trails

15. Flower Valley Panorama Trail

If you are visiting the Allmendhubel flower playground, instead of riding the funicular back to Mürren, you can hike down on the “Blumental Panoramaweg” trail.

It starts through pretty alpine meadows, then turns into, sometimes steep, switchbacks in the forest down to Mürren. Since it’s short and all downhill, it’s good one to do with kids that are learning to hike.

Hike stats: Easy • 1h • 2 km • 10 m up, 260 m down

➡️ See details for Flower Valley Panorama Trail

16. Mürren Northface Trail

This trail wanders the alps above the Mürren village, with fantastic views of the mountain peaks across the valley.

The trail starts at the top of the Allmendhubel funicular, where you’ll find a restaurant and playground. The trail is mostly downhill, on dirt footpaths through alpine meadows and some forest.

The trail has an optional detour to the Sprutz waterfall, where you can walk under the roaring falls. You end the hike back in Mürren.

Hike: 2h30 • 7.4 km • 170 m up, 420 m down

How to get there: From Lauterbrunnen, travel to Mürren via Grütschalp cable car and mountain train to Mürren. Then short walk through village to Allmendhubel funicular. Ride the funicular up to Allmendhubel to start the trail.

Costs: mountain railways to reach trail. Free with Bernese Oberland Pass. Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, and Eurail Pass.

➡️ See details for Mürren Northface Trail

17. Mürren Mountain View Trail

This trail traverse the alps between Grütschalp and Allmendhubel, above Mürren. During the hike, you have very nice views across the valley to Wengen area and the famous peaks.

The trail ends at the Allmendhübel flower playground and restaurant, a great reward for good little hikers. Or for an easier day, you can start at the playground and hiking down to Grütschalp.

From Allmendhubel, you can ride the funicular down to Mürren or hike down on the Flower Valley Trail (40 mins) or Northface Trail (2.5 hours).

It’s one of the least expensive mountain hikes if you don’t have any discount travel cards and free with most travel passes.

How to get there: From Lauterbrunnen, ride the cable car to Grütschalp. The trail starts next to the cable car station.

Hike: Moderate • 2 h • 5 km • 400 m up, 40 m down

➡️ See details for the Mürren Mountain View Trail

18. Schynige Platte ridge trail

A short train ride from Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswil where you can catch a mountain train up to a breathtaking viewpoint over Interlaken and the two lakes.

At the top, you can hike spectacular ridge trail, enjoying flower filled alpine meadows, the bright blue Brienzersee lake on one side, and all the Jungfrau mountain peaks on the other.

Hike: Moderate • 2.5 h • 5.6 k • 150m up/down

Costs: mountain train return ticket

If you have small children, you can instead do the short Treasure Hunt activity trail that wanders through a large garden of alpine flowers with mountain views.

➡️ See details for Schynige Platte panorama ridge trail

No-hike mountain viewpoints

If you don’t want to hike, you can still reach many beautiful viewpoints directly with mountain trains and cable cars. This is a great option if you are traveling with small children or anyone with reduced mobility.

19. Mürren village

One of the easiest ways and least expensive ways to get mountain views is simply from the Mürren village.

You can enjoy amazing views right from the main street. But even a short wander through quieter parts of the village will reward you with even more spectacular sights.

How to get there: From Lauterbrunnen, ride the cable car to Grütschalp and mountain train to the Mürren BLM stop, 18 mins travel time.

Cost 2025: Round trip CHF 23.60. Free with Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass, Bernese Oberland Pass, Eurail Global Pass, and SBB Day Pass.

➡️ See Mürren on a map

20. Gimmelwald village

If you’d like it even quieter than Mürren, head to Gimmelwald, a place so tiny you can’t really call it a village. The views are amazing right as you step off the cable car, but a short wander among the chalets is even nicer.

To get here from Lauterbrunnen, ride a bus to Stechelberg and the older cable car to Gimmelwald (not the direct cable car to Mürren).

Or if you are in Mürren, you can walk down (45 mins) or ride the cable car down (5 mins).

Everyone likes to visit the honesty shop at the Pension Gimmelwald. We like the pizza at Mountain Hostel Gimmelwald. The castle playground near the cable car station is also pretty nice.

➡️ See Gimmelwald on a map

21. Männlichen

The Männlichen mountain stands directly between the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys, accessed by cable cars from both sides of the mountain.

From the top, you get this fantastic perspective of the Lauterbrunnen valley. You can also see the Mürren and Gimmelwald village perched on the edge of the cliffs in the distance.

Near the cable car station, you’ll find a restaurant and the popular Herdsman cow playground. If you want to hike, you can do the short Royal Walk, easy panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg, or Lieselotte activity trail for kids.

To get here from Lauterbrunnen, ride the mountain train to Wengen, then cable car to Männlichen, about 30-40 mins travel time.

Cost: Free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and Bernese Oberland Pass. Discounted with most other passes.

➡️ See details for the Männlichen viewpoint

22. Schilthorn Viewpoint & Birg Thrill Walk

From the Lauterbrunnen valley, take a bus to Schetchelberg, then ride a series of cable cars up to the Schilthorn, a gorgeous viewpoint at 2970m.

At the top, there is the 007 Walk of Fame, a short walk with information boards honoring the stars and crew of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”

When you ride the cable car back down, get off at the Birg middle station to explore the Thrill Walk. It has a safe metal walkway built onto the sides of the cliff, with fun features like these metal tube you can crawl through.

➡️ See details for Schilthorn & Birg Thrill Walk

23. Jungfraujoch

The most popular tourist attraction near Lauterbrunnen is the Jungfraujoch, a glacier viewpoint at 3,454m. From Lauterbrunnen, you ride mountain trains 1hr45 to reach a visitor center with indoor and outdoor observation areas.

There are multimedia presentations, an ice cave to explore, restaurants, gift shops and outdoor areas where you can walk on the snow. In summer, they offer sledding and skiing as a novelty, equipment and clothing rentals on-site.

Although this place is very beautiful and special, this outing is very expensive at over CHF 200 per adult. If it’s not in your budget, we don’t think it is necessary to having a fantastic time in the Lauterbrunnen area.

➡️ See tips for visiting the Jungfraujoch

Waterfalls

Since Lauterbrunnen is in the valley of 72 waterfalls, you should definitely visit a few falls during your visit. Here are the easiest to reach if you don’t want a long hike.

24. Staubbach Falls

The Staubach falls are just a short walk from the Lauterbrunnen village, a nice activity for an evening stroll or stretching your legs on a rainy day.

You can optionally walk up a path to get a closer look and even walk behind the falls and get a little wet. 

➡️ See details for visiting Staubbach Falls

25. Trümmelbach falls

These impressive falls cut through an enormous cavern in the Lauterbrunnen valley, which you can safely explore on fenced walkways and stairs through the cavern. This is a nice add-on if you finish your hike early in the day.

Although it’s not a hike and an elevator skips most of the climb, it does take some effort to walk up and down the stairs to visit the various viewpoints.

Unfortunately children under 4 (even in baby carriers) are not allowed at this attraction due to safety concerns.

➡️ See details for Trümmelbach falls.

26. Mürrenbach falls

These falls are directly across the river from the Stechelberg Schilthornbahn cable car station.

You can easily visit them before or after riding the cable car up to Mürren. It’s also a nice stop if you are walking or biking on the Lauterbrunnen Valley Path.

➡️ See Mürrenbach falls viewpoint on Google Maps.

27. Sefinen Falls

These falls are at the far end of the Lauterbrunnen valley. These waterfalls are at the far end of the Lauterbrunnen valley.

They are a 5 min walk from the Stechelberg, Hotel bus stop and parking. It’s also a nice stop if you are biking in the Lauterbrunnen valley.

➡️ See Sefinen falls viewpoint on Google Maps.

Rainy Day

28. Mürren Alpine Sports Centre

For the Alpine Sports Centre in Mürren offers indoor swimming, an alpine spa, fitness gym, and indoor playroom.

The swimming area includes a 25 x 11 meter lap pool heated to 28 C, children’s shallow paddling pool (34C), plus an indoor bubble pool (33C) and outdoor jacuzzi (37 C) with mountain views.

The wellness center (age 16+) includes a Finnish sauna 80 – 90° C, Biosauna, 55° C, Turkish steam bath, 45° C, Plunge pool, Kneipp facility, and relaxation room.

It’s open to the public with an entrance fee for the various services. Entrance fees are discounted with the guest card you receive from your hotel.

Location: Alpines Sportzentrum Mürren – Höhematte 1047b, 3825 Mürren

Website: www.sportzentrum-muerren.ch

29. Grindelwald Sports Center

Sportzentrum Grindelwald is a bit further away but has more attractions. They have a heated indoor pool, sauna facilities, climbing gym, fitness center, ice skating, and racket sports.

Prices vary depending on which activities you want to do. If you are staying in the area, you get a discount with your guest card.

Location: Dorfstrasse 110, 3818 Grindelwald. Next to Grindelwald train station. There is a large parking garage near the sports facility.

Website: www.sportzentrum-grindelwald.ch

30. Trauffer Toy Museum

Trauffer is an popular Swiss toy brand, producing adorable wooden animals for children, including the iconic wooden cow. Seemingly every home, day care, and play area has some of these adorable farm-themed wooden toys.

Near Interlaken, they have a “World of Experiences” tour that takes visitors through an exhibition showcasing the history and culture of Switzerland’s Alpine region. The tour features life-sized models of traditional Swiss animals like cows, goats, and sheep, as well as interactive displays on Swiss folklore and customs.

They offer workshops where children can paint wooden animals and adults can carve them.

Location: Holzkuhplatz 1, 3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz (about 1h by train from Lauterbrunnen)

Tickets: daily / Must book tour for specific 3 hour time slot 10:00, 12:00, 15:00. Book tickets.

Website: en.trauffer.ch

Budget Tips for Lauterbrunnen

Here are a few ways to save money during your stay in the Lauterbrunnen region.

Jungfrau Region Guest Card

If you stay overnight in Lauterbrunnen or other village in the Jungfrau Region, you will get a Digital Guest Card that gives small discounts on attractions and mountain transport. See guest card benefits.

In general, the travel passes below always give a better discount on the mountain railways than the guest card. But the guest card is useful for discounts on activities like bike rentals, indoor sport centers, wellness facilities, paragliding, etc.

Travel Passes

A travel pass can save you money on public transport and mountain railways. These passes are usually only worth it if you plan to high price trips each day.

Jungfrau Travel Pass – available for 3 to 8 days. It covers most mountain transport in the Jungfrau region and near Interlaken, including the boat rides. It includes a discount on the Jungfraujoch journey. Learn more.

Regional Pass Berner Oberland – This pass provides free travel on public transport as well as free and discounted travel on many mountain railways in the Bernese Oberland region . Learn more. 

Swiss Travel Pass – This pass includes free travel on bus, train, and boat in all over Switzerland. It also gives you a 50% discounts on all mountain railways in the Jungfrau Region. Learn more.

Swiss Half Fare Card – This pass gives you a 50% discount on public transport and mountain railways all over Switzerland. Tourists can get a short term card valid for 30 days. Learn more.

Children tickets

Children under age 6 are free on all public transport and mountain transport. For children age 6-15, tickets are usually half-fare. However, there are a few ways that they can travel for free.

If you have one of the travel passes above, you can get a child’s version of the pass (either free or CHF 30), sometimes called the Swiss Family Card. This allows the child to ride free on both public transport and mountain railways when traveling with their parent who has a valid pass and ticket.

If you do not have a travel pass and are just buying regular tickets, you can purchase a SBB Junior Travelcard for your child. It costs CHF 30 for one year. It allows the child to ride free on both public transport and mountain railways when traveling with their parent who has a valid ticket.

Free hikes & activities

To access many of the hikes and mountain activities, you must use mountain transport, which can be expensive. Of course, you can hike up the mountain to save money, but that is not for everyone.

So here are a couple free hikes and activities near Lauterbrunnen that do not require mountain transport:

Staubbach falls – these falls are right on the edge of the Lauterbrunnen valley, no entrance fee. About 15 min walk from Lauterbunnen train station. How to get to the Staubbach falls.

Lauterbrunnen valley walk – this walking path stretches from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg and is one of the prettiest walks in the region. It’s free if you want there and back. If you choose to walk one way and take the bus back, you’ll need to pay the bus fare. Walking time 30 mins to 2 hours. See Lauterbrunnen valley trail info.

Sefinen falls – These waterfalls are at the far end of the Lauterbrunnen valley. They are a 5 min walk from the Stechelberg, Hotel bus stop and parking. See location on Google Maps.