Switzerland has so many beautiful waterfalls, at least 150 named falls. Some are easy to access and other require a little hiking and effort to reach. Choosing a waterfall as a hiking destination can be a great way to stay motivated on the trail.
So here are the best waterfalls in Switzerland, from little known treasures to famous tourist attractions. We’ve included links to the hikes and directions so you can easily visit all of them.
Contents
Jungfrau Region
1. Staubbach Falls Lauterbrunnen
Staubbach Falls is one of the most iconic of Lauterbrunnen Valley’s 72 waterfalls. Standing at 297 meters, it’s the third tallest in the area and easily accessible with just a short walk from the train station or parking—no gondola or long trek needed.
For a closer view, you can take a short dirt trail leading to a scenic vantage point and even pass through a tunnel to experience the waterfall from behind.
Hike: easy 10 min walk from Lauterbrunnen train station
Location: Lauterbrunnen (see on map)
Cost: free
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2. Trummelbach Falls
No trip to the Jungfrau region is complete without a visit to these enormous glacial waterfalls roaring through the cliff walls, a popular tourist activity for good reason.
You pay a fee to visit and start by riding an elevator high up into the cavern. Then you explore by walking on a paved path up lots of stairs to different viewpoints.
Since the visit takes less than an hour, it’s an easy add-on to other activities you might be doing in the area. In this same area, you can enjoy lots of waterfalls for free simply by walking down the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Hike: about 500m on stairs through cavern
Location: Lauterbrunnen (see on map)
Cost: entrance fee to visit
3. Sprutz Falls
You must hike to reach these impressive falls, a short detour from the popular North Face trail from Mürren. The best part is the path that goes right behind the raging water!
You can hike here directly from Mürren, following the Northface trail, clockwise uphill. After about 45 mins, you’ll see a yellow sign pointing left, labeled Sprutz. You can walk a few mins to the falls then back the way you came to rejoin the trail.
Hike: from Mürren 2.3 km, 45 mins one way • 140m up & down • see trail map
Location: near Mürren – see falls location on map
Cost: cable car to reach Mürren where the hike starts
4. Mürrenbach Falls
The Mürrenbach Falls are the tallest in Switzerland, plunging an impressive 417 meters down the cliffside. It’s one of the most breathtaking sights in the region and easy to reach, located just across the river from the Stechelberg-Schilthorn cable car station.
For the best pics, cross the bridge over river to the footpath that passes by the falls. Hopefully some cows will agree to pose for you. After heavy rain or snowmelt, the water flow is especially powerful, making it an unforgettable sight.
Hike: none
Location: next to Stechelberg parking and bus stop
Cost: free
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Preview itinerariesBernese Oberland & Interlaken
5. Giessbach Falls
Ride a ferry from Interlaken across Lake Brienz to the base of these multi-step falls. Then ride a vintage funicular to the historical Giessbach hotel and a view of the main falls.
You can optionally hike further up the falls and even walk behind the rushing water on walkways built into the mountain. Then back to the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal.
Hike: optional hike up the falls, about 2km there and back
Location: near Interlaken & Brienz (see on map)
Cost: CHF 20–30/adult for ferry and optional funicular ride
6. Reichenbach Falls
This popular tourist attraction near Interlaken is famous as the setting for Sherlock Holmes’ apparent death. A vintage funicular takes you up to a lookout over the falls, then an optional short hike up to see more up close.
For a little excitement, you can rent mountain scooters at the top and ride back to the valley. Afterwards, visit the nearby town of Meiringen for ice cream sundaes and meringues.
Hike: optional hike to upper falls, 1.5km round trip
Location: Meiringen, east of Interlaken (see on map)
Cost: funicular round trip CHF 22/adult
7. Engstligenalp Falls
Enjoy a view of the second highest waterfall in Switzerland as you ride a cable car up the mountain to a high alpine valley. From the top, you can wander down the mountain a bit to a closer view point of the falls. Or you can skip the cable car and do a longer, harder hike up from the valley.
Hike: about 2km round trip to waterfall viewpoint or longer hike up the falls
Location: Adelboden, west of Interlaken (see on map)
Cost: funicular round trip CHF 22/adult
See Engstligenalp directions & hiking map
8. Simmenfälle & Seven Springs
You can enjoy some gorgeous waterfalls right at the beginning of this hike. But don’t stop there. Continue hiking up Simme river to reach the “Seven Springs” where water rushes out of slits in the rock, creating fan-like falls.
Location: Lenk, west of Interlaken (see on map)
Hike: 7km round trip
Cost: free
9. Oeschinensee
Many waterfalls spill down the mountains into the bright blue Oeschinensee lake below. The spectacular panorama trail is the best way to enjoy these falls as you explore this arena.
When the snow is melting in spring and early summer, there is an enormous waterfall right at the lake, which you can sometimes walk underneath.
Hike: 8.5 km loop, 430m up/down
Location: Kandersteg, west of Interlaken (see on map)
Cost: cable car CHF 30/adult
10. Geltenschuss
These impressive falls are the backdrop for an easy walk around the lovely Lauenensee. For a closer look, you can hike up the Gältebach river to a mountain hut for a meal or memorable overnight.
Hike: easy 4km loop or moderate mountain hike 8.2 km
Location: Lauenensee, Gstaad (see on map)
Cost: parking CHF 8/day or bus ride CHF 20 round trip from Gstaad
Eastern Switzerland
11. Seerenbach Falls
After a short boat ride across the Walensee lake, it’s a beautiful walk through grassy fields and past farms to reach the tallest freefall waterfall in Switzerland.
The surrounding views are classic Swiss, so green and manicured, often with some cows grazing. Back at the lake, there is a restaurant with a small playground and picnic areas along the water where you can swim.
Hike: 3.5 km there and back, 110m up/down (also longer options)
Location: Betlis, south of Zürich (see on map)
Cost: about CHF 13/adult for ferry round trip
12. Batoni Wasserfall-Arena
Hike up a narrow valley to a circular arena with three tall falls tumbling down. Bounce across a new suspension bridge and hike a little further to see more falls.
The hike is a bit of a climb, but a beautiful path along the river with cliff walls on both sides. If you prefer not to hike, you can drive right up the Mattbach falls in this same area.
Location: Weisstannen, south of Zürich (see on map)
Hike: 8km there and back, 520m up/down
Cost: free
13. Rhine Falls
Admire the largest volume waterfalls from stairs and viewing platforms built next to and over the rushing water. Ride a boat to the center of the falls for extra excitement.
Hike: short walk on stairs along the falls
Location: Schaffhausen, north of Zürich (see on map)
Cost: CHF 5/adult to access viewpoints and castle, extra for boat
14. Berschner Falls
These hidden falls in Heidiland are a local’s secret. From a quiet village, it’s a short hike up along a rushing river to the dramatic Berschner Falls, about 46m tall. Nice place to have a picnic.
Hike: 2.7 km loop, 200m up/down
Location: Heidiland, south of Zürich (see on map)
Cost: free
Lucerne & Central Switzerland
15. Fürenalp Stauber Falls
If you can believe it, these roaring falls aren’t even the main attraction on this beautiful hike in the Engelberg. The long, but gentle, hike with huge mountain views leads to this waterfall.
Then you follow the river down into the Engelberg valley, dipping through fields and forests all the way back to valley station. This trail opens much earlier than other mountain trails in this area, so it’s a good choice for late spring.
Location: Fürenalp, Engelberg (see on map)
Hike: 9km one way, 730m down (waterfall at 3.5km)
Cost: cable car CHF 14/adult
16. Dundelbach Falls
These two-tier falls flow into Lungerersee, a gorgeous bright blue lake on the drive between Lucerne and Interlaken. It’s a short walk from the train or parking directly to the falls (about 1km).
Or you can hike an easy 10km all the way around the lake including a visit to the falls.
Location: Lungern, west of Lucerne (see falls on map)
Hike: 2km round trip to falls or 10km loop around lake
Cost: free
17. Stäubi falls
Many will only see these big waterfalls only from a distance, as you drive over the Klausenpass. But locals know how to get up close. Luckily I did the research and have linked a trail map below.
Location: Unterschachen, southeast of Lucerne (see on map)
Hike: easy 4km there and back or longer loop in the mountains
Cost: free
Graubünden, southeastern Switzerland
18. Segnesboden, Flims
It takes some effort to reach these waterfalls, but it’s well worth it. After taking a couple chair lifts up the mountain, you hike to a high alpine valley with this slightly hidden waterfall around the corner.
Then you hike down along the river flowing from this waterfall, with lots of beautiful gorge formations and some interesting artistic bridges along the way.
Hike: 14 km one way, 1000m descent
Location: Flims, Graubünden (see on map)
Cost: gondolas about CHF 27/adult
19. Cascata da Pigniu
Hike around this remote alpine reservoir to reach two enormous cascading falls. You can optionally hike up the falls to see it up close and enjoy the cool spray. Great place for a picnic.
Location: Pigniu, near Flims Laax (see on map)
Hike: 4 km loop
Cost: free
20. Cascada da Bernina
Location: Morteratsch, near St Moritz (see on map)
Hike: optional 1.8 km hike up and down the falls
Cost: free
See hiking map
Ticino, Southern Switzerland
21. Foroglio
These huge waterfalls are visible directly from the parking, bus stop and restaurant terrace. You can do a short hike to the base of the falls and get wet with the spray.
For a little adventure, hike to the top of the falls and explore a beautiful high alpine river valley.
Location: Valle Maggia, north of Locarno (see on map)
Hike: optional 15 mins to base of falls and back and/or 2hr climb to top of falls and back, 360m up/down
Cost: free
22. Cascata del Salto
These stunning waterfalls near Locarno are a little hidden, but easy to reach if you know where you’re going. Located in this small village Maggia north of Locarno, it’s a short walk through the forest to reach the viewpoint.
At the base of the falls, you’ll find a refreshing natural pool perfect for a swim and plenty of opportunities for amazing photos.
On hot days, it can be busy with locals, lounging on the big boulders to soak up the warm sunshine, then doing brief dips in the water to cool off.
Location: Maggia / Bus stop: Maggia, Centro
Hike: about 15 mins
Cost: free
23 . Piumogna
The lower falls are easy to see, a short walk from the train station or parking. Nearby is a large grassy picnic area with grill pits and a big playground with slides, swings and a zip line.
The upper falls require a cable car ride and longer hike, but totally worth the extra effort.
Location: Faido, near Gotthard tunnel (see on map)
Hike: optional 6km loop to upper falls
Cost: free for lower falls, cable car for upper falls, no discount with travel passes
Zermatt & Valais
24. Zermatt Gorner Gorge
Starting in the Zermatt village, you hike up into the hills with views of the Matterhorn. After paying a small entrance fee, you can wander through the narrow Gorner Gorge on raised wooden walkways.
A river rushes through the gorge with lots of cascading falls. Great add-on to other activities in the area.
Location: Zermatt (see on map)
Hike: 2.7 km loop, 100m up/down
Cost: CHF 5 to enter gorge
25. Mattmarksee
We went for the lake, but the waterfalls were the surprise star of this hike. Lots of water rushing down the mountains on all sides of this reservoir near Saas Fee. It’s an easy walk with very little elevation gain, good for beginners.
Location: Saas Fee (see on map)
Hike: easy 8 km loop
Cost: free
2 Responses
If we buy the weekly train / bus pass does it include the waterfalls?
Thank you
I don’t know. You’d have to tell me which waterfall and which pass you are considering.