8 Unforgettable Stops on the Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald Road Trip

ByRachna Chandira

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A small mountain village surrounded by snow-covered peaks, with people walking near a bus stop and alpine buildings.
Gotta Be Worth It/Pexels

Few road trips pack as much alpine wonder into a short stretch as the journey from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald. Tucked in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland, this route offers breathtaking scenery, charming mountain villages, and unforgettable nature encounters. From towering waterfalls and glacier gorges to panoramic viewpoints and cliffside adventures, these eight stops transform a simple drive into a once-in-a-lifetime memory. Whether you’re road-tripping, hiking, or riding scenic trains, each stop delivers a postcard-perfect experience.

Lauterbrunnen Village

A scenic mountain village nestled in a lush valley, surrounded by steep cliffs and misty clouds, with a curved stone viaduct in the foreground.
OMID VISUALS/Pexels

Begin your journey in the storybook village of Lauterbrunnen, nestled in a dramatic valley of cliffs and waterfalls. Surrounded by 72 cascades, including the soaring Staubbach Falls, the town is a peaceful paradise with alpine charm. Wander past wooden chalets, visit the local church, or sip coffee while soaking up the views. This serene village offers the perfect blend of Swiss culture and natural beauty, and serves as the ideal launch point for your road trip into the Bernese Alps.

Trümmelbach Falls

A powerful waterfall rushing through a narrow, rocky gorge with mist rising from the churning water.
Simisa, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

Located inside the mountain just outside Lauterbrunnen, Trümmelbach Falls channels glacial meltwater from the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. A series of 10 thundering waterfalls roar through limestone rock, viewable via an underground lift, pathways, and platforms. It’s cool, misty, and loud, but also mesmerizing. As the only accessible glacier waterfall inside a mountain in Europe, this stop provides a raw, unforgettable look at nature’s power in action. Don’t forget a raincoat!

Stechelberg Valley Road

Aerial view of a peaceful mountain valley with green fields, scattered houses, and a river winding through the center, surrounded by forested cliffs.
Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5/Wikimedia Commons

After leaving Lauterbrunnen, follow the scenic Stechelberg Valley Road for jaw-dropping alpine views. Towering cliffs, grazing cows, and wildflower meadows line the route, making it one of the most beautiful stretches of road in Switzerland. Along the way, you’ll pass traditional Swiss barns, charming hamlets, and quiet pull-off points perfect for photos. This peaceful section offers a slower pace and a chance to experience the valley’s raw, untouched charm before ascending toward the highlands.

Männlichen Cable Car Station

Snow-covered alpine landscape with cable cars crossing above ski slopes, surrounded by tall pine trees and majestic mountain peaks.
Marco Mayer, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

Whether you board from Wengen or Grindelwald, the cable car ride to Männlichen delivers sweeping alpine views you’ll never forget. At the top, the Royal Walk, a short trail, leads to a summit platform offering 360° panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It’s a gentle but jaw-dropping hike, perfect for couples looking to savor the views. Picnic at the summit or breathe in the crisp mountain air as the valleys stretch out below you in every direction.

Kleine Scheidegg

Lush green alpine meadows stretch beneath towering snow-capped mountains, with scattered buildings and winding trails under a bright blue sky.
Stéphane Enten, CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

Midway between Wengen and Grindelwald sits Kleine Scheidegg, a picturesque mountain pass at the foot of the iconic Eiger north face. Reachable by train or foot, it’s a hub for hikers and photographers, offering alpine lodges, restaurants, and access to the Jungfrau Railway. Enjoy a scenic lunch with unbeatable views or walk the trails for close-up encounters with nature. This high-altitude stop feels like a mountain dream, peaceful, panoramic, and incredibly photogenic.

Grindelwald First Cliff Walk

Tourists stand on a scenic metal walkway overlooking a breathtaking panorama of green valleys and snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
allPhoto Bangkok/Pexels

In Grindelwald, thrill-seekers will love the First Cliff Walk, an elevated metal walkway that wraps around the cliff’s edge, offering heart-racing views of the Eiger and its snowy companions. The 45-meter suspension bridge and glass platform provide a dramatic overlook of the Grindelwald valley. If you’re feeling extra bold, finish the visit with a zipline, mountain cart, or trotti-bike ride down the hill. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, romance, and a Swiss engineering marvel.

Grindelwald Village

Charming alpine village with wooden houses nestled in a lush green valley, surrounded by towering rocky mountains and dappled sunlight.
Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5/Wikimedia Commons

Cap off your trip in Grindelwald, a charming mountain town filled with cozy lodges, local shops, and lively cafés. Whether you’re browsing Swiss souvenirs, sipping hot chocolate with a view, or hiking a nearby alpine trail, Grindelwald is a dreamy place to relax and reflect. The town also serves as a base for more adventures, including glacier hikes and cable car rides. With its friendly vibe and epic scenery, Grindelwald is the perfect finale to your alpine journey.

Bachalpsee Lake Hike

Crystal-clear alpine lake reflecting snow-capped peaks and green hills, with a walking trail curving along the shoreline under a bright blue sky.
Ryan Gsell, CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

From the top of the First gondola station in Grindelwald, a scenic 3-mile round-trip hike takes you to Bachalpsee, a serene alpine lake that mirrors the snowcapped peaks on a calm day. The trail is well-maintained and moderately easy, making it ideal for couples looking to enjoy breathtaking views without an intense trek. Surrounded by wildflowers in summer and silence in early fall, the lake offers the kind of beauty that makes you pause, breathe deeply, and truly connect with the landscape and each other.

Rachna Chandira is a travel writer and communications professional known for her culturally rich and emotionally resonant storytelling.
With a background in development journalism, she brings a nuanced perspective to her writing, focusing on people, place, and purpose. Her work spans India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, often exploring slow travel, solo adventures, and underrepresented local narratives.
From crafting immersive city guides to curating thoughtful itineraries, Rachna combines journalistic depth with a storyteller’s heart. She views travel as a way to connect cultures, inspire empathy, and leave a meaningful impression on readers seeking more than just destinations.