Lauterbrunnen Valley Path

Hiking map

The map below shows the walking route starting at the Lauterbrunnen train station. The path ends at the Stechelberg cable car station, where you can catch the bus back to Lauterbrunnen. The full path is 6.7 km, which takes about 2 hours. But you can shorten this by just walking there and back a couple km as you like.

Shorter version to Trümmelbach falls

I usually suggest just walking the first hour of the trail, branching off the Trümmelbach Falls, a tourist attraction with enormous waterfalls cascading through a gorge cut into the mountain. After your visit, you can catch a bus here back to Lauterbrunnen. Or retrace your steps to the valley path and continue walking to Stechelberg.

On the trail, you’ll see a yellow trail sign pointing left to the falls. After a short walk, you’ll join the main busy road through the valley. Just a minute walking on this road to the Trümmelbach Falls entrance.

Trail conditions & accessibility

The route starts on a lightly used paved private road, frequented by both pedestrians and bikes. After about 4 km, the road ends and you continue walking on a dirt path the rest of the way to Stechelberg.

The paved section of the path (first 4 km) is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, kick scooters and bikes. The dirt portion has some obstacles and a bridge with stairs that cannot be managed with a wheelchair, but you could probably easily carry a stroller over those parts. Kick scooters won’t work well on the dirt portion of the path. 

How to get there

Lauterbrunnen is located south of Interlaken in the Jungfrau Region. See on Google Maps. This valley hike is easily accessible by car or train, no gondola necessary.

By public transport:

Take a train to the Lauterbrunnen, Bahnhof station. Walk along the main road south through the village as shown on the map below.

By car:

Drive to Lauterbrunnen and park in the metered lot next to the church – 46°35’31.7″N 7°54’28.4″E. If that lot is full, you may be able to park in the Lauterbrunnen parking garage behind the train station – Gütli 481, 3812 Wilderswil

To return from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen

Catch bus 141 from the Stechelberg (Schilthornbahn) bus stop, directly adjacent to the cable car station (see on map). This bus leaves every 30 minutes on the xx:10 and xx:40. It takes about 17 mins to reach Lauterbrunnen.

A one-way bus ticket costs CHF 4.40/adult, CHF 2.20/child. Normal discounts with SBB travel cards. It is free with travel passes like Jungfrau Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Regional Pass.

Planning your day

Costs

This walk is free unless you want to take the bus back to your starting point. If you are staying in the area, the bus is covered by your hotel guest card. It’s also free with the Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Region Pass, Berner Oberland Travel Pass, and SBB Saver Day Pass.

Other activities in the area

We suggest visiting the Trummelbach Falls as part of this outing. On your bus ride back from Stechelberg, you can get off at the Trümmelbach stop and visit the falls. Then get back on the bus and ride back to Lauterbrunnen. Or you could cut your walk short and walk directly to the falls instead of all the to Stechelberg. 

At Stechelberg, you can also ride a cable car up to Mürren and/or Schlithorn for a mountain experience. 

Riding bikes on Lauterbrunnen valley path

Bikes are allowed on this path between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg, but please yield to pedestrians. It is possible to ride a longer route from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, then on to Stechelberg. But I haven’t ridden this section, so I can’t tell you about it.

If you are on bikes, you should plan to ride your bikes to Stechelberg and back. Although it is allowed to transport bikes on the bus, the bus is usually too crowded for that. If you do take your bike on a bus or train, remember you need a Half-fare ticket for your bike in addition to your own ticket. 

Best time to visit

You can walk this path anytime of year, even winter. The waterfalls are usually flowing strongly from April to early September. In winter, the road is often cleared of snow but the dirt portion of the path may be impassible due to snow. The bus schedule varies in different seasons, so check the current schedule carefully before planning your trip.

What to wear and bring

Check the Lauterbrunnen weather forecast and dress appropriately for the weather. The path is easy walking and only requires comfortable walking shoes, not hiking shoes. You do not need hiking sticks. Bring at least 1L of water per person and enough food for your 2 hour journey.

Where to eat

In Lauterbrunnen, there are several restaurants, a small grocery store and bakery in Lauterbrunnen. There are no restaurants along the path or at Stechelberg. If you stop at Trümmelbach falls on your way back, there is a restaurant just outside the entrance.

Near the Stechelberg cable car station, there is a picnic area with a fire pit near the river (see on map).

Photo story

You can see the Staubbach falls already from the near the Lauterbrunnen train station. This photo is taken from the popular photospot just below the main street – see on map.

Walk on the main road through town. When the road curves to the left near the church parking lot, stay straight on private road. Follow signs toward Staubbach falls.

After 10 mins walk from the train station, you’ll reach the Staubbach Falls viewpoint.

You can do a short 10 mins detour, walking up the dirt path to a lookout behind the falls. Learn more.

The path starts on a quiet paved road. But it’s not a completely car-free area. There will be an occasional vehicle or tractor from one of the farms or homes on the road. So don’t let your kids get too far away from you.

Gorgeous mountain views.

Waterfalls on both sides of the valley and big mountains ahead of you.

Nice for cycling too, no big hills.

About 2.5 km before you reach Stechelberg, the path turns to dirt. But it’s relatively smooth, fine for bikes, ok for strollers. Kick scooters, not so much.

This path is also nice in winter. This pic was taken in early November.