Lauterbrunnen Switzerland

Lauterbrunnen sits in one of the most impressive trough valleys in the Alps, between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks. With its 72 thundering waterfalls, secluded valleys, colourful alpine meadows and lonely mountain inns, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the biggest nature conservatories in Switzerland. Dave and I spent three days here visiting some of the waterfalls as well as watching one of the most extreme sports; basejumping which Lauterbrunnen is a haven for. We could hear the helicopter bring people up to the top of the cliff faces daily and even caught a few glimpses of a jumper at the tail end of his jump after pulling his parachusette and landing in the "garden" which is the green valley floor in the middle of the cliff peaks. There are 18000 jumps here every year, the death rate is 4 in 10,000. We saw Staubbach falls which is one of the highest free flow waterfalls in europe dropping 974 feet. This area is also home to the Jungfrau station the highest railway station in Europe as well as the Great Aletsch Glacier which stretches across the mountains which you can see behind the cliff faces in a few photos. This Glacier is 23km long and is the largest Glacier in the Alps as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Read more