Hiking Staubbach Falls to Mürrenbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen

Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by Charlotte

Two hikers standing at the base of a waterfall along the Lauterbrunnen Valley walking trail

For the lovers of long walks, Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its seventy-two waterfalls, is so much fun to explore on foot. This easy walk from Staubbach Falls to Mürrenbach Falls follows the flat valley floor for 7 km (4.4 miles), passing farms, quiet paths, and a dramatic midpoint stop at Trümmelbach Falls. Aside from the short climb up to Staubbach Falls, the route is mostly paved and accessible, making it a great option for families, first-time visitors, and anyone looking for a scenic day without a steep alpine ascent. In this guide, we’ll share photos from our day in Lauterbrunnen Valley, trail stats, and practical tips for your visit.

Just a heads-up: some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. Your support helps to keep the blog running.

Trail Stats: Staubbach Falls to Mürrenbach Falls

This route is more of a walk than a hike. Anyways, here’s a quick breakdown of the distance, difficulty, and terrain so you can plan accordingly:

Distance: 4.42 miles (7 km)
Point-to-point route: Staubbach Falls → Trümmelbach Falls → Mürrenbach Falls
Elevation gain: Minimal, aside from Staubbach stairs
Surface: Mostly paved paths with gravel in places
Difficulty: Easy, stroller-friendly except for stairs at Staubbach, and the stairs in Trummelbach
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Trail map: Komoot (please note that this map shows the round trip loop, but you can totally do it one way as we did).

Staubbach Falls plunging from a high cliff into the Lauterbrunnen Valley below

The Journey Begins

This walk begins right in the heart of Lauterbrunnen, just a few minutes from the train station. Lauterbrunnen Station is well connected to the mountain towns of Wengen, Mürren, and Grindelwald, and also to the city of Interlaken.

Staubbach Falls

Located just a 15-minute walk from the Lauterbrunnen Train Station, Staubbach Falls is perhaps the most iconic waterfall in the valley.

Lauterbrunnen valley with a view of the church in front of the famous Staubbach Waterfall

This 297-m (974 ft) high waterfall is free to visit, but if you’d like to get up close, you’ll have to climb quite a good number of steep and slippery stairs.

A series of switchbacks and stairs lead up to the Staubbach Waterfall

In the Summer, a cave behind the falls is accessible via a rock gallery that’s carved into the cliff. For the rest of the year, the path behind the waterfall is closed due to icefall and potential rockfalls. In my opinion, this waterfall is actually prettier from afar, as the path leading behind the waterfall can get congested with visitors.

Scenic view of a majestic waterfall cascading in the Swiss Alps during summer.

From Staubbach Falls, it is close to an hour’s walk to Trummelbach Falls, which is the next waterfall on this itinerary. If you (like us) hoped to see the cave behind Staubbach Falls and didn’t get the chance, Trummelbach Falls is sure to blow you away. And along the walk, you might be able to spot Spissbachfall and Buchenbachfall if you are lucky!

Trummelbach Falls

Midway down the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Trummelbach Falls is a series of ten glacial-fed waterfalls that thunder through a series of caverns and gorges carved into the mountain.

Powerful waterfall rushing through a narrow rock chute at Trümmelbach Falls

While this spot is not free to visit, we really enjoyed our stop at Trummelbach Falls. Visitors can either take an elevator to the upper falls or walk, and then enjoy numerous bridges, lookouts, and underground passageways. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, check out our full guide to Trummelbach Falls.

Visitor standing inside Trümmelbach Falls cavern, looking out at powerful waterfall pouring through the mountain

After you’ve had your fill of Trummelbach Falls and have enjoyed a coffee at the small cafe, it’s a 30 or so minute walk to the base of Mürrenbach Falls.

Wide view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley with green meadows, towering cliffs, and distant waterfalls

The trail follows a gentle path, and passes fields of happy cows with bells alongside a babbling brook.

Mürrenbach Falls

Mürrenbach Falls tumbles down the valley walls from the village of Mürren. While you shouldn’t get too close to the base of this waterfall due to rockfall risk, it is quite spectacular to see from the trail.

At 417 m (1368 ft), Mürrenbach Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in all of Switzerland! This was our absolute favorite waterfall that we saw on our walk in Lauterbrunnen Valley.

I thought that compared to Staubbach, the pattern of the cascades at Mürrenbach was much more interesting to look at. Plus, we had the added benefit of not having to deal with any crowds! We were able to sit and enjoy some delicious Swiss chocolate in peace, while admiring the scenery.

What to Do After Mürrenbach Falls

Once you’ve had your fill of Mürrenbach Falls, you have a few options. Luckily for you, the Stechelberg Liftstation is a short three-minute walk away, so you could catch a bus back to Lauterbrunnen Station, or continue your adventure by taking the Stechelberg Lift toward Mürren and the Schilthorn.

Originally, we had hoped to go up to the Schilthorn — Piz Gloria Restaurant, but the restaurant and “thrill walk” were closed for renovations during our visit! Luckily, we did get to go on the Grindelwald First Cliff Walk, so I didn’t have too much FOMO from missing out on the Schilthorn Cliff Walk.

At the time of writing this (December 2025), it seems that the majority of the construction work has been completed. But please be sure to check the Official Schilthornbahn Website before you get your hopes up and plan your day around the Schilthorn.

Was It Worth the Trip?

This was the very first proper “hike” we did in Switzerland, and at the time, it felt special to be wandering through such an iconic valley on foot. But after tackling more dramatic trails like the Eiger Trail and the North Face Trail, this walk ended up feeling a bit tame by comparison. The scenery is beautiful, but it lacks the sense of wildness and elevation that define some of Switzerland’s more dramatic hikes.

Explore the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley with its lush fields, wooden fences, and majestic mountain views.

If I were planning this trip again, I’d still absolutely visit Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, and Mürrenbach Falls, but I’d do it differently. Rather than dedicating a full day to this walk, I’d treat it as a flexible add-on: something to do on a lower-energy day, a cloudy afternoon, or in between bigger mountain hikes. As a half-day outing, or paired with a lift up to Mürren or the Schilthorn, it makes much more sense.

All in all, this walk is a fantastic choice for first-time Switzerland visitors, families, or anyone looking for an easy, scenic experience without steep climbs or exposure. It’s accessible, beautiful, and the subject of almost every postcard of Switzerland.

Ready To Plan Your Trip To Switzerland?

Check out our guide on where to stay in the Bernese Oberland to learn about the different mountain villages. If you’re still figuring out your transportation, our Swiss Travel Pass Calculator can help you compare the total cost of different passes for your own itinerary. And lastly, also be sure to check out my guide to the Oeschinensee Panorama Loop, my favorite hike that we did in all of Switzerland!