In Switzerland, there’s a place so breathtaking that it inspired one of the most famous fantasy worlds ever written. This place is called Lauterbrunnen Valley, and it’s often called the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls.” Imagine standing in a deep valley with giant cliffs almost 1,000 meters high and waterfalls tumbling down from above—like nature’s own castles made of water!
Some of the waterfalls here are world-famous. The Staubbach Falls drops like silver threads from the cliffs, while the Mürrenbach Fall is one of the tallest in Switzerland. The Mattenbachfall is known across the world as one of the highest cascading waterfalls. It’s a dreamland for anyone who loves nature.
But Lauterbrunnen is not only about waterfalls—it’s also tied to pop culture history. In 1911, writer J.R.R. Tolkien visited here, and the magical landscape inspired him to create Rivendell, the peaceful Elven valley in The Lord of the Rings. That means every time fans read about Rivendell, they’re actually reading about Lauterbrunnen’s real beauty!
The valley is also a playground for thrill-seekers. Every year, about 20,000 people come here to try wingsuit base jumping—leaping off cliffs and flying through the air like superheroes.
And then there’s the record-breaking ride: the world’s steepest cable car. In the nearby village of Stechelberg, a new cable car opened last year. It climbs 775 meters in height along a 1,200-meter track at a jaw-dropping 159.4% gradient incline. Each car can carry 85 people and feels like going almost straight up the mountain! From there, visitors reach the mountain village of Mürren.
But the adventure doesn’t stop in Mürren. You can travel even higher to the Schilthorn summit, where you’ll find the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant—famous for being in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Both Mürren and Lauterbrunnen even appeared in the film itself.
From Lauterbrunnen, it’s also easy to travel to other stunning Swiss destinations like Interlaken, Grindelwald, and the icy Jungfraujoch, often called the “Top of Europe.”
✨ Lauterbrunnen isn’t just a valley—it’s a place where waterfalls, adventure, and stories collide. It’s where fantasy meets reality, making visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a magical world.
