Lauterbrunnen - The valley of the waterfalls

Lauterbrunnen is a municipality in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, located in the administrative district of Interlaken-Oberhausli. It covers the village of Lauterbrunnen, nestled in a valley with rocky cliffs and stunning waterfalls.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the deepest in the Alps in terms of height with mountains rising straight up on both sides, one kilometer wide and up to 300 meters high. Streams of glacial origin descend from the nearby mountains, reach the edge of the rocky slopes of the valley between the limestone cliffs and form waterfalls that erupt through the crevices of the mountains, facing the viewing platforms. The waterfalls are so high that these streams are almost lost in the air before reaching valley level.

The Lаuterbrunnen valley is one of the largest and most attractive nature reserves in Switzerland with its 72 waterfalls, flower meadows and secluded mountain hotels.

Lauterbrunn can be reached by train or car. If you are traveling by train via Bern or Lucerne to Interlaken East, then change to the final destination Lauterbrunnen. Take the Interlaken road by car and follow signs to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. When you arrive in the village of Lauterbrunnen, you will easily find a parking space in one of the large car parks at a great and affordable price.

The village of Lauterbrunnen is the starting point for the most famous tourist destinations in the Jungfrau region. When you get there the choice is yours, you can stay in the village and enjoy the beautiful nature and the atmosphere filled with the sounds of cows, accompanied by the sounds of waterfalls. You can also enjoy the wonderful panorama overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley from the high cliffs if you go up the village of Murren or Wengen.

Murren is a village of about 450 inhabitants, located 1638 meters above sea level, on a cliff above Lauterbrunnen. Access by car is not possible, passengers and goods must be transported by cable car or train. The cable car takes you to the top of Shiltorn, 2,971 meters above sea level, which is known to have served as the setting for the filming of the classic James Bond 007.

The railway connects Lauterbrunnen to the Wengen terrace on the east side of the Lauterbrunnen and Klein Scheideg valleys, where you change trains to reach Jungfraujoch. The Wengen car-free station is located on an insulating plate and offers a magnifying glass on the Jungfrau.

In addition to the exceptional and original idyll created by the many waterfalls that descend from the high cliffs, accompanied by beautiful nature and landscapes and the song of the cows, the Lauterburnnen region offers a wide range of activities and excursions throughout the year.

You can enjoy many hikes, panoramas and unusual experiences. After a few kilometers of a narrow mountain road downstream from Lauterbrunnen, at an altitude of 1024 m, perched on a steep terrace, the quiet little mountain village of Isenfluh is found, starting point for hikes in the romantic valley from Saus and further on for Mürren or the Lobhörner. If the itinerary is not sufficient as an objective, we can of course choose certain points of arrival. There are many. Why not a lake? The cable car brings dedicated cyclists to Grütschalp in a matter of minutes. Just below the hill station, this is where the trail of the same name begins. Experience the fascination of paragliding, go climbing with a breathtaking view of the valley, enjoy a traditional cheese fondue in Mürren, river rafting ... The vast ski areas of Wengen-Petite Scheidegg and Mürren-Schilthorn are quickly accessible by means of ski lifts. Over the entire Jungfrau region, 45 transport facilities, 213 km of pistes, fun parks, 100 km of winter hiking trails and 50 km of toboggan runs await winter sports enthusiasts. The Lauterbrunnen valley has many cross-country ski trails.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Jungfrau region have a wide variety of experiences and things to do to suit all tastes, so if you are unsure of your next vacation destination, be sure you won't regret for choosing the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Zermatt - The land of natural wonders

Zermatt is a Swiss municipality in the canton of Valais, located in the district of Visp. At the foot of the Matterhorn, its development is closely linked to this summit, which is undoubtedly one of the most famous mountains in the world. It is one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland and Europe, especially because of the altitude and the extent of its ski area, the highest in Europe and one of the largest in Europe. Open all year round, the Zermatt-Matterhorn holiday destination is a unique world of discovery. The highest ski lift station in Europe, the most beautiful ski slopes and the most charming hiking trails. Panoramic mountains inviting excursions and comfortable mountain bistros. High level gastronomy and window shopping. All gathered in a single village, closed to traffic.

The village has kept its typical appearance of a Valais mountain village, thanks to very strict town planning and construction rules. In particular, cars are prohibited in order to avoid air pollution which could disturb the view from the town towards the Matterhorn. This decision was confirmed by the vote by the inhabitants. Cars can be parked in the village of Täsch, which has numerous paid parking lots, where visitors leave their cars for the duration of their stay and then continue - if necessary with suitcases and ski equipment - by the paid train to center of Zermatt. This journey takes 12 minutes, with trains leaving every 20 minutes.

Zermatt is the superlative mountain village. It can boast a rich offer, always renewed. The Matterhorn, the 38 four-thousand-meter peaks, sumptuous hotels, top-level gastronomy, endless skiing 365 days a year and the Mecca for mountaineers. Zermatt is quite simply an unforgettable place, the nature that unfolds in the heart of the highest mountains of the Alps ... Fascinating and magnificent. Unparalleled richness: chamois, ibex, eagles, edelweiss and gentians. More than 150 mountain lakes, alpine panorama with the Matterhorn in sight, wild nature, superlatives from every point of view. To discover up close in Zermatt.

In winter, the snow-covered ski area offers 360 km of slopes in three very different regions: Sunnegga-Rothorn, Gornergrat-Stockhorn and Matterhorn glacier paradise. Snowboarders and freestylers find their happiness at Snowpark Zermatt, where the candidates for the Olympic Games also train. From the Matterhorn glacier paradise / Col de Théodule, it is possible to reach the Italian ski area of ​​Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche. And, if you like a change, you can try your hand at paragliding or heliskiing off the prepared slopes, supervised by an experienced mountain guide.

Zermatt offers everything that makes skiing the perfect winter experience. Anyone who wants to learn to ski in Zermatt or to deepen their knowledge will find a total of nine ski schools there with experienced instructors who are gifted in foreign languages. Ski equipment can be rented from one of the sports shops.

Hiking, mountain biking, climbing and high mountain treks are popular activities in summer and fall. The 4000m altitude attracts many climbers every year. But 400 km of hiking trails also allow you to explore the beauty of the Alpine world around Zermatt more leisurely.

The cogwheel railway takes you from Zermatt to the Gornergrat, which culminates at 3089 meters. From there you will discover a magnificent panorama of the Matterhorn, the glaciers and the Monte Rosa massif.

The highest cable car in Europe takes you to an altitude of 3883 m and allows you to discover a fascinating panorama of the Matterhorn (4478m) and the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. 15 meters below the glacier's surface you can admire the Ice Palace. Six ski lifts and a cable car serve the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest summer ski area in the Alps on the Theodule Glacier.

The family resort Zermatt - Matterhorn provides support for children all year round. Everywhere you meet the little sheep "Wolli", children are king. The mascot accompanies families on the climatic path in winter, children up to 9 years old circulate for free throughout the ski area. There is also the ice rink, the cheese factory or the climbing room. Mountain lakes invite swimming - and there is no shortage of fun in nature and at Forest Fun Park.

The land of excursions offers families with children, the young at heart and spirit, foodies and adventurous explorers an extraordinarily varied and captivating program of activities and experiences.

For more information on activities in the region, visit https://www.zermatt.ch/en

Matterhorn - The mountain of the mountains

The Matterhorn is the most famous and one of the highest mountains in Switzerland, with an altitude of 4,478 meters. The "mountain of mountains" is the symbol of the entire Zermatt region and is one of the most photographed mountains in the world. The unique rock faces are impressive, as they rise freely and steeply into the sky from the rest of the mountain range, perfectly shaped as inspired by an Egyptian pyramid. The pyramidal shape symbolizes the link between nature and culture, landscape and history.

It sounds incredible, but millions of years ago it was part of the African continent. 100 million years ago, enormous compressive movements of tectonic plates brought Africa and Europe closer together. The ocean between the two continents begins to recede. 50 million years later, rock masses begin to warp and curl. The rocky masses pushing upwards give birth to the Matterhorn.

The mountain of the mountains

The Matterhorn is mentioned for the first time in medieval documents such as "Mons Silvus". The name then changes to "Mons Servinus" and "Mons Servin" then finally becomes "Cervin" in French and "Cervino" in Italian. Etymologists do not all agree on the origin of the name: some suppose that it comes from the Latin "silva" (forest), others from the Italian "cervo" (deer). The Matterhorn is mentioned for the first time in 1581 as "Mont Cervin" and later as "Monte Silvio" and "Monte Servino". The German word "Matterhorn" appears for the first time in 1682. The etymology of the name probably comes from the word "Matte", that is to say the grassy alluvial plain below the gorges of the Gorner, today almost completely covered by the village of Zermatt ("zur Matt"). Locals call the mountain "ds'Hore" (= das Horn (the horn), Zermatt dialect) or "ds'Horu" (Valais dialect). "

Many attractions around the Matterhorn are just waiting to be discovered. Romance, action or relaxation? A cry of joy, a personal success or a breathtaking moment? Summer party or winter magic? You are spoiled for choice. Some of the many activities you can do are: hiking and rock climbing, mountain biking, family vacations, year round skiing, helicopter rides, mountaincarts and others.

Gornergrad is, for example, an unforgettable excursion destination: at the top of the rocky cliff, an observation platform has been created with an unforgettable view of the Matterhorn and the mountainous world that surrounds it at an altitude of three thousand meters. The Matterhorn can also be admired from Rothorn. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest summer ski area in Europe and is open all year round. But boredom is unlikely when the weather is gloomy: the Matterhorn Museum presents the evolution of Zermatt from a mountain village to a tourist resort, as well as a lot of information and photographs of the first ascent of the mountain.

Among the favorite adventures, you will surely find your tailor-made moments of happiness. For us it was just eating a waffle and enjoying the view. Is it the same with you? Alright, than going through WhooFy Gaufres, grab your favorite waffle and have a safe trip.

For more information on activities in the region, visit https://www.zermatt.ch/en/matterhorn