Staubbach Falls

Staubbach Falls (also Staubbachfall or Staubbachfälle in German; pronounced "STAHW-bahkh-fell-uh") is perhaps the signature waterfall of Lauterbrunnen Valley, because I'm pretty sure this waterfall is noticed by just about everyone that comes to this valley. And that's no small claim considering some of the signage here claims that Lauterbrunnen Valley is home to some 72 waterfalls (though we didn't see nearly as much as that on our visit).

What makes this waterfall so striking is its position (see photo above). It's very easy to spot it as you approach the Lauterbrunnen town once you leave the Lauterbrunnen Train Station. However, it's also complementing the landscape that includes the steep, glaciated U-shaped Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Swiss Alps peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. And it does so in a very similar manner to the way Bridalveil Fall complements Yosemite Valley and El Capitan.

But of course, in order to even be noticed in the context of such towering vertical cliffs and peaks, the waterfall itself must sport pretty impressive dimensions, which it does. Basically, the falls has been measured and confirmed to be 297m, of which almost all of it is in freefall. Therefore, depending on its flow and how much wind there is, it's not unusual to see Staubbach Falls scatter with the wind (almost disappearing before making it to the bottom). In my mind, its height puts it amongst one of the tallest waterfalls based on vertical drop.

When we visited this waterfall in June 2010, it had a fairly impressive flow, but I do wonder whether this waterfall can last far into the late Summer since its source is pretty much all snowmelt. Since June is typically considered the peak snowmelt period, and we happened to visit the waterfall in an unusually high rainfall year, I reckon this waterfall might not last well into August unless its drainage is protected as a spring or there are other steadier, supplemental sources that I'm not aware of.

In addition to seeing this waterfall on the approach to Lauterbrunnen Valley from the north, it's also easily visible from the exposed walkways at Trümmelbach Falls (further to the south) as well as a gorgeous view from the hanging town of Wengen (looking right into the mouth of Lauterbrunnen Valley from above).

If you want to get close to the Staubbach Falls, there's a trail that leads right up to sheltered cove right behind part of the falls. See the directions below for how to get there.

The trail up to the back of Staubbach Falls ascends steeply uphill (you might notice paragliders hovering above the falls) for a few switchbacks before reaching the entrance of a tin tunnel. I believe the tunneling was necessary because vertical cliffs like this always pose a rockfall danger. Beyond the tunnel, the path then ascends some stairs cut into the cliff, and the path eventually ends at a dead-end right behind the waterfall.

Depending on the wind conditions and the flow, the droplets can blow right into the somewhat sheltered walkway. When I was there, it wasn't bad enough to require a rain poncho, but I could foresee how it can be a drenching experience given the right conditions. And from up here, I was also able to get a birds eye views both up and down Lauterbrunnen Valley (sometimes even through the misty waterfall itself).

From the train station, in order to get close to Staubbach Falls, you walk through the Lauterbrunnen town (it probably takes around 15 minutes to cover this stretch, but I swear you'll probably take longer to appreciate the falls towering over the town itself), and continue past the town for a few minutes until you reach an established walk that leads right up to its backside. The trailhead is besides some barn, bordered by some paddocks (there were some sheep grazing behind the fences when we were there), and there's even a free-flowing fountain (lots of people were drinking from it; including I).

It took me (Julie didn't go behind the falls with me) about an hour round trip to do the whole excursion from Lauterbrunnen town, including all the photo taking throughout. So that should give you a rough idea of how much time to budget for this.

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Another look at Staubbach Falls from the train as we're leaving Wengen

The falls as we walk through Lauterbrunnen town

Something blooming in someone's field before the falls

Ascending the steep path to go behind the waterfall

Looking up at Staubbach Falls before entering the tunnel

The tin tunnel

Behind the falls

Looking to Lauterbrunnen town from behind the falls

Looking back at Staubbach Falls and Lauterbrunnen Valley on the way back to the rail station

Looking back at Staubbach Falls and Lauterbrunnen Valley from Trummelbach Falls

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Bottom up sweep of the free-falling waterfall from the start of the trail to its backside

Turbulent and misty view from behind Staubbach Falls at the end of the trail

Right to left sweep from the backside of Staubbach Falls

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TRIP REPORTS

• June 8, 2010 to June 9, 2010

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Trümmelbach Falls
• Ägertenbach Falls
• Mürrenbach Falls

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