Staubbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen) – Switzerland’s Famous Free-Falling Waterfall

The Staubbach Falls are one of the best-known natural sights in the Bernese Oberland. The waterfall is located right next to Lauterbrunnen and is often the first “wow moment” when you enter the valley.
With a free fall of almost 300 meters, Staubbach is considered the highest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland.
Together with the nearby Trümmelbach Falls, it is the most famous waterfall in this “waterfall valley”.

What makes Staubbach special is not only the height, but also the way the water behaves in the air. On windy days, the falling water turns into
fine spray and “dust” (German: Staub) – this is exactly where the name Staubbach comes from.
It is a classic photo spot, and because the waterfall is easy to reach, it fits perfectly into a day in the Bernese Oberland.

Where Are the Staubbach Falls?

The waterfall is in the valley of Lauterbrunnen.
If you arrive from Interlaken, you simply drive through the village of Lauterbrunnen. The Staubbach Falls appear shortly after the village, right next to the road toward
Stechelberg, on the right-hand side.

Many visitors stop here first and then continue deeper into the valley – for example to the Trümmelbach Falls, to the cable cars in Stechelberg, or to mountain villages like Mürren and Wengen.

What Can You Do at the Waterfall?

The Staubbach Falls can be admired all year round from the valley floor. The view from below is free, easy and very photogenic,
especially in the morning or late afternoon when the light in the valley is softer.

A real highlight, however, is the walk up to the gallery. This path takes you to a viewpoint behind the falling water.
Standing behind a waterfall is a special experience: you hear the roar up close, feel the cool spray, and see the valley through the water curtain.

Important: the gallery is typically accessible only in the summer season. In colder months the path is closed because of safety risks such as falling rocks or ice.

Why Staubbach Falls Is a Must-See in the Lauterbrunnen Valley

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is famous for waterfalls like few places in Europe. Steep rock faces, hanging valleys and glacier water create ideal conditions for dramatic falls.
Staubbach is the most iconic one because it is so high, so close to the village, and visible from many points in the valley.

If you want to turn your visit into a “waterfall day”, you can combine Staubbach with the
Trümmelbach Falls
(paid entrance, inside the mountain) – the contrast between an open free-falling waterfall and the thundering waterfalls inside rock is impressive.

Video Staubbach Falls

Impressions of the waterfall and gallery (from YouTube, 3 min):

How to get there, opening hours and admission Staubbachfall Lauterbrunnen

The Staubbach Falls are free of charge and can be viewed at any time. The area is not fenced, and there are no official opening hours.
This makes Staubbach one of the easiest natural sights to visit in Switzerland.

Parking tip:
A practical place to park is the parking lot near the church in Lauterbrunnen.
In 2024 it cost about 1 euro per hour. The parking lot is at the back of the village near the sharp 180-degree bend.
You can already see the waterfall from here, so it is hard to miss.

Arriving without a car:
From the Lauterbrunnen train station, walk along the main street deeper into the valley
for about one kilometer until you reach the church area and the big bend. From there you continue straight, and the Staubbach Falls appear ahead on the
right side.

Compared with other waterfalls in the region, Staubbach is very budget-friendly: for example, the nearby Trümmelbach Falls charge an entrance fee (16 Swiss francs for adults in 2026).
Staubbach, in contrast, is freely accessible.