Staubbach Falls Waterfall

Address: Staubbach Falls, Lauterbrunnen, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Hours: Open year‑round

Admission: Free

Staubbach Falls is a high free-falling waterfall above the village of Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, notable for a single dramatic drop of nearly 300 metres. The fall plunges from a hanging valley into the U-shaped Lauterbrunnen valley.

The cascade is visible from the village and surrounding valley walkways, with mist and spray creating distinctive seasonal displays; the flow is strongest in spring and after heavy rain. A network of paths and viewpoints on the valley floor and nearby cliffs provides varied perspectives of the fall.

The falls have been noted in travel writing and literature since the 18th century and helped make the Lauterbrunnen valley a popular destination for Alpine visitors. Over time the area around the falls has developed modest visitor facilities while retaining the natural setting.

Staubbach Falls sits directly above the village of Lauterbrunnen in the canton of Bern, in the heart of the Swiss Alps; Lauterbrunnen is in the Bernese Oberland region, reachable from Interlaken by road or rail.

• Height: The main fall plunges almost 300 metres, making it one of Europe’s higher free-falling waterfalls.
• Viewing points: Best viewed from the Lauterbrunnen village promenade and nearby cliff paths, with close-up views from village-level walkways.

Take the train to Lauterbrunnen: regular regional services run from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen on the Bernese Oberland route (Berner Oberland Bahn/BLS). From Lauterbrunnen station it’s an easy 300-500 m (about a 5-minute) walk along the village main street (Dorfstrasse) to the Staubbach Falls viewing area.

By car the Lauterbrunnen valley is reached from Interlaken by the valley road (drive roughly 12 km into the Lauterbrunnen valley); public parking is available in the village and the falls are a short walk from the village centre.

• Visit Staubbach Falls early in the morning or late afternoon for softer light on the falls and far fewer day-tour crowds; the village is a short walk from Lauterbrunnen train station so arriving by rail avoids parking pressure.
• Approach via the signposted footpath from Lauterbrunnen village to the base of the fall for the classic view, then take the steep path above the village for cliff-edge viewpoints-these different vantage points give very different photo opportunities.
• Most visitors stick to the main viewpoint; don't miss nearby Trümmelbach Falls (in the same valley) and the quieter trails branching off the village if you want a less touristy alpine experience.