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Lauterbrunnen is known for its breathtaking views, crystal-clear streams, and 72 cascading waterfalls. Located in the Jungfrau region, it is one of the most picturesque tourist destinations in Switzerland. Though Lauterbrunnen has so many activities to offer, those who spend several days there might still want to take day trips from the town. Below are some suggestions for the best day trips from Lauterbrunnen for those based there.
These day trips are typically one to two hours away from Lauterbrunnen by train.
This article discusses the 10 best day trips from Lauterbrunnen. Among these are mountain resorts, busy towns, and other lakes. Let’s go!
1. Grindelwald
Grindelwald, an easy day trip from Lauterbrunnen, offers breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps. It is located approximately forty minutes away from Lauterbrunnen.
Grindelwald is a famous mountain village in the Bernese Oberland, located at the foot of the Eiger (3,970 meters) and Wetterhorn (3,701 meters). Grindelwald is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Bernese Oberland.
The Grindelwald Valley is characterized by soft green meadows and mountain forests on one side, and rocky walls and icy peaks of the Eiger, Schreckhorn, and Wetterhorn on the other. The alpine summer here is short, and as with many other alpine villages, they mow the grass and dry it for use as hay in winter. Due to rainfall, the north-facing slopes have abundant grass.
As recently as 1860, the Grindelwald Glacier reached the outskirts of the village. Between 1860 and 1914, glacier ice was mined and exported commercially. In this way, Grindelwald gained its second name “Glacier Village”. Unfortunately, millions of cubic meters of glacier ice have melted away in Grindelwald.
There are many places to visit in and around Grindelwald. Some of the highlights of the Grindelwald region include Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee Lake, Schynige Platte, Grindelwald Glaciers, Grosse Scheidegg, First Cliff Walk, Männlichen, Eiger Glacier, and Jungfraujoch.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Grindelwald |
| * Grindelwald First * First Cliff Walk * Eiger Glacier * Jungfraujoch * Bachalpsee Lake * Grindelwald Glaciers * Grosse Scheidegg * Männlichen |
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald?
To travel by train, you can ride the regional train from Lauterbrunnen to Zweilütschinen. In Zweilütschinen, you can take the regional train to Grindelwald.
2. Spiez
Spiez is a scenic day trip destination from Lauterbrunnen. A wine resort nestled in a picturesque bay, offering a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Spiez is only approximately 35 minutes away from Lauterbrunnen by car.
For those who love nature and the outdoors, Spiez is the perfect destination. This peaceful town is situated on southern the banks of Lake Thun, in a small protected bay, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains of Niesen and Niederhorn. With its beautiful landscapes and tranquil atmosphere, it is the perfect place to unwind and simply spend some peaceful time by the lake.
You can take a leisurely stroll along the Spiez Promenade and soak in the breathtaking views of Lake Thun. Embark on a scenic boat cruise to fully immerse yourself in the serenity of the lake. For history enthusiasts, a visit to Spiez Castle is a must, where you can uncover the secrets of its medieval past.
Furthermore, you can also explore the Alpine viticulture in Spiez by visiting the local vineyards, indulging in wine tastings, and even purchasing some bottles to take home as souvenirs. For outdoor enthusiasts, a hike to Faulensee provides an opportunity to discover the natural beauty of the region.
In addition to the above, Spiez offers vibrant events, swimming opportunities, child-friendly adventures, and the chance to explore the magnificent Niesen Mountain. There are also more fantastic attractions near Spiez for those who want to further expand their exploration of the area.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Spiez |
| * Cruise on Lake Thun * Spiez Castle * Alpine Viticulture (Vineyards, Museum) * Spiez Promenade |
If you would like to read more about Spiez, you can check out our article 10 Best Things to Do in Spiez, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Spiez?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Spiez, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the Intercity train to Spiez. The total travel time from Lauterbrunnen to Spiez is 50 minutes.
3. Brienz
Brienz can be reached from Lauterbrunnen in less than an hour. Discover one of the most beautiful streets in the world and then ride the train to Brienzer Rothorn for breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.
Brienz is a charming, unassuming Swiss village set along the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz. Known for its woodcarving tradition, Brienz has a museum and a school dedicated to wood carving. It is also home to Brunngasse, one of Switzerland’s prettiest streets.
Following your exploration of the village, I recommend heading up to Brienzer Rothorn. A few of the other beautiful attractions in the area include Iseltwald, Giessbach Falls, and Ballenberg Open-air Museum.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Brienz |
| * Brunngasse * Woodcarving Museum * Brienzer Rothorn * Iseltwald * Giessbach Falls * Ballenberg Open-air Museum |
If you would like to read more about Brienz, you can check out our article 12 Things to Do in Brienz Switzerland.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Brienz?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Brienz, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the panoramic train to Brienz. The total travel time from Lauterbrunnen to Brienz is 49 to 52 minutes.
4. Thun
In just 45 minutes, you can travel to the lovely town of Thun from Lauterbrunnen. As a picturesque lakeside city with an old town, Thun is one of the best day trips that you can do from Wengen.
Described as the gateway to Bernese Oberland, Thun in Switzerland is also one of the biggest cities in Canton Bern. You can find it on the northern part of Bernese Oberland sitting on the northern edge of Lake Thun. Thun boasts of beautiful castles, the reformed town church on the Schlossberg, an old church, a park, an accessible lower bridge, and majestic views of the mountains.
If you would like to learn more about Thun, check out our article 10 Best Things To Do In Thun, Bernese Oberland.
Lake Thun
Between April and October, you can take passenger boats on Lake Thun. Boats in Lake Thun stop in Interlaken West, Neuhaus (Unterseen), Beatushöhlen-Sundlauenen, Leissinge, Beatenbucht, Merlingen, Faulensee, Spiez, Gunten, Einigen, Gwatt Deltapark, Längenschachen, Oberhofen am Thunersee, Hilterfingen, Hünibach, and Thun.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Thun |
| * Old Town of Thun * Thun Castle * Lake Thun * Schadau Castle and Park * Wocher Panorama * Art Museum * Scherzlingen Church * Aare River * Thuner Wasserzauber (September/October) |
You can also check out all the different things to do in Lake Thun in this article: 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Thun, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Thun?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Thun, change to the connecting regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the Intercity train to Thun. The total travel time from Lauterbrunnen to Thun is 1 hour.
5. Aare Gorge
With steep rock walls, rushing water, and stunning natural scenery, visiting the Aare Gorge makes for a stunning day trip from Lauterbrunnen. It takes around one hour to get there by car from Lauterbrunnen.
Known for its limestone formations, Aare Gorge is a large piece of bedrock. It stretches 1,400 meters long and 200 meters deep between Innertkirchen and Meiringen. With a system of safe paths and tunnels, you can walk through the gorgeous gorge to experience nature in a unique way.
Access to Aare Gorge has been possible for more than a century. It has been open to the public since 1888. Restaurants, a winter-covered terrace, and a playground have expanded the tourist appeal over the years. Throughout the years, they have also made continuous efforts to make the gallery safer.
If you would like to read more about Aare Gorge, you can check out our article The Aare Gorge Canyon Walk in Haslital, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Aare Gorge?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Aare Gorge, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, take the Lucerne-Interlaken Express train to Meiringen. In Meiringen, take the connecting train to Aareschlucht Ost or Aareschlucht West.
It takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 31 minutes to travel from Wengen to Aare Gorge train station via Meiringen, depending on which entrance you choose. It takes only a few minutes to walk from the train station to the Aare Gorge entrance.
6. Bern
A day trip to Bern, Switzerland’s de facto capital, is probably one of the most important day trips you can do from Lauterbrunnen. You can discover the historic Old Town, the clock tower, and many interesting museums, restaurants, and shops. It is also a good choice during rainy days.
Nestled along the banks of the Aare River, Bern offers a variety of attractions for all tastes, whether you enjoy history, art, animals, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting. It is the federal city of Switzerland. There is much more to discover when you take the time to explore this charming city.
There is no better place in Bern to start your day than the Old Town, located across the Aare River. The Old Town of Bern, which consists of a number of well-preserved buildings from the medieval era, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. A famous symbol of Bern, which dates back to 1218-1220, can be seen right at the entrance to the Old Town: the Zytglogge.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Bern |
| * UNESCO World Heritage Old City of Bern * Parliament Building * Bern Minster Cathedral * Historic Museum * Bern Bear Pit (Bärengraben) * Bern Zoo (Tierpark Dählhölzli) * Zentrum Paul Klee * Gurten * Museum of Communication |
If you would like to plan a day in Bern, you can check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Bern, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Bern?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Bern, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the Intercity train to Bern. The total travel time from Lauterbrunnen to Bern is 1 hour 20 minutes.
7. Jungfraujoch
With its incomparable views of the glacier and mountain peaks, Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) is one of the top day trips you can take in Switzerland from Lauterbrunnen.
Jungfraujoch – It is often referred to as the saddle between Jungfrau and Mönch. The word Joch in German means “ridge between two peaks.”
The railway station at Jungfraujoch, on the other hand, is the highest in Europe and never fails to market itself as such. The statement is true. With an elevation of 3,454 meters (or 11,332 feet), it is the highest railway in Europe.
Rail construction began in 1896. In 1912, the railway was officially opened after sixteen years of construction. As a tourist destination with easy train access, Jungfraujoch was given the nickname Top of Europe. This station lies just below Sphinx station and is connected to the Top of Europe building.
The Top of Europe building houses panoramic restaurants, shops, and a post office. From the outside, you can also see the surrounding mountain peaks and the Aletsch Glacier.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Jungfraujoch |
| * Views of the Bernese Alps and Aletsch Glacier * Ice Palace * Eismeer * Alpine Sensation * Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven * Jungfrau Panorama * Snow Park |
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch?
From Lauterbrunnen, you can simply take the train to Kleine Scheidegg. In Kleine Scheidegg, change to the connecting railway to Jungfraujoch. It takes around 1 hour and 37 minutes to 1 hour and 41 minutes to get from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch via Kleine Scheidegg.
8. Blausee
Blausee is worth visiting for its crystal-clear blue waters, tranquil natural surroundings, and picturesque alpine scenery, which together create a magical and unforgettable experience. If you want to see a place that looks like something out of a fairytale, Blausee is the ideal day trip from Lauterbrunnen.
Lake Blausee is worth a visit any time of year. Hiking, picnicking, and boating are a couple of things you can do at Blausee. Blausee is a stunning pearl in Kandergrund, one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland. Anyone who wants to relax will get their money’s worth.
You can visit it at any time of the year since it is open all year long. It is owned by Blausee Corporation, which also owns the hotel, restaurant, organic trout farm, and nearby shop. For dining, there is a Gault Millau restaurant that serves fresh trout. Or you can grill your own food.
Guests are provided with a boat ride as part of the fee. There’s no extra charge to ride the boat all the way around the lake.
The area is not suitable for swimming and fishing. Nevertheless, they hold one fishing and one swimming event each year in autumn and winter, respectively.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Blausee |
| * Blausee Lake * Boat Trip * Alpine Trout Farm |
If you would like to read more about Blausee, you can check out our article Breathtaking Blausee Lake – A Day Trip In Kandergrund.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Blausee?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Blausee BE, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the RE train to Spiez. In Spiez, take the connecting RE train to Frutigen.
Take the bus from Frütigen to Blausee BE. The journey from Lauterbrunnen to Blausee by train and bus typically takes 1 hour and 39 minutes in total.
9. Rosenlaui
Rosenlaui is an alpine paradise with lush green meadows, dramatic rock formations, and a stunning glacier gorge. If you want to see pristine wilderness, then Rosenlaui is the ideal day trip from Lauterbrunnen.
You can find Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge in Rosenlaui Valley. The Rosenlaui Valley is an incredibly beautiful and romantic valley with old trees, rocky cliffs, and snowy peaks. It is at the foot of the Engelhörner, Dossen, Wellhorn, and Wetterhorn mountains.
Located 1,328 meters above sea level, Rosenlaui village is the highest settlement in the valley. It’s a popular starting point for many excursions. The yellow Post Buses go over the Grosse Scheidegg to Rosenlaui from Grindelwald (via Schwarzwaldalp).
Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge has scenic rock and water formations, whirlpools, and waterfalls. This gorge is accessible from mid-May to October. It’s a 30-minute walk (about 500 meters trail) from the ticket office and hut. It is part of the Jungfrau Aletsch Alpine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge is where glaciers melt and flow. Its water comes from the Rosenlaui Glacier, a 4.5-km-long glacier in the Bernese Alps. Slate and limestone here were carved by the Weissenbach River.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Rosenlaui |
| * Rosenlaui Valley * Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge * Grosse Scheidegg |
If you would like to read more about Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, you can check out our article Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge – One of Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Gorges.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Rosenlaui?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Rosenlaui, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, take the Lucerne-Interlaken Express train to Meiringen. In Meiringen, take the connecting bus to Rosenlaui. This total journey from Lauterbrunnen to Rosenlaui via Meiringen takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes.
10. Solothurn
An 85-minute drive from Lauterbrunnen takes you to Solothurn, which is around 105 kilometers away. Solothurn is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities and well worth a day trip from Lauterbrunnen.
Solothurn is generally regarded as Switzerland’s most beautiful Baroque city. Solothurn is a city, municipality, and the capital of Solothurn, a canton in Switzerland. The city is situated along the Aare River and at the southern end of the Jura mountain range.
Combining French charm with German practicality, Solothurn is a fascinating small city. The old town is a pleasant place to walk among historical monuments, patrician houses, and strong fortifications. It is closed to cars and has many small shops and hotels. Aside from its impressive past, Solothurn offers a wide range of contemporary art and entertainment.
Those looking for a place with a stunning view should visit the St. Ursus Cathedral. With beautiful stained glass windows and interiors, this stunning Cathedral was built between 1762 and 1773 by the architects Gaetano Matteo Pisoni and Paolo Antonio Pisoni. It is the city’s main attraction.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Solothurn |
| * St. Ursus Cathedral * Historic Old Town * St. Verena Gorge and Hermitage * Jesuit Church of Solothurn * Solothurn’s Clock Tower * Museum of the Old Arsenal * Weissenstein Mountain |
If you would like to learn more about Solothurn, check out our article Solothurn – 9 Best Things to Do in this Beautiful Baroque City.
How do you get from Lauterbrunnen to Solothurn?
To get from Lauterbrunnen to Solothurn, you have to take the regional train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the Intercity train to Bern. in Bern, take the connecting regional train to Solothurn. The total travel time from Lauterbrunnen to Solothurn is 2 hours and 8 minutes.
Summary: 10 Best Day Trips from Lauterbrunnen
For those who are staying for a couple of days in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, and wish to venture out to other places, we hope that this list was helpful.
To summarize, if you are looking for larger cities, then Bern and Solothurn are the best options near Lauterbrunnen. If you want a smaller town or village with still lots of activities, Thun, Brienz, and Spiez are great choices.
Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, and Rosenlaui are suitable choices for those who want to visit the mountains. You may also opt to experience Blausee and Aare Gorge’s scenic beauty and capture some unforgettable photographs.
Considering all the options at your disposal, I hope you will be able to find something from this list that you will enjoy and have a great day trip from Lauterbrunnen.
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.