LAUTERBRUNNEN 2024-12-10
A weekend trip to Interlaken and its surrounding areas in December 2024, part 3. Read all posts here.
After an uneventful yet humbling excursion in Klein Scheidegg, I decided that we should stop by Lauterbrunnen on the way back to Interlaken. I heard that it was a beautiful place, so I wanted to see it for myself.
The views down the mountain. Simply breathtaking!
Entering the infamous valley. The pictures don't do it justice.
It was a lot more majestic in real life.
Speaking of taking pictures:
WHERE YOU SIT ON THE TRAIN IS VERY IMPORTANT.
There's probably a YouTube or blog guide that will tell you the most optimal place to sit on the train. I always get this wrong. I sit on the wrong side going up the mountain, so I sit on the opposite side going down (or the same side, I forget), and it's somehow still wrong!
I'm a lazy tourist, so I won't get out of my seat and clamber to the other side just to take some subpar photos. I also figured that I could come back someday and do this again, so I'll just get it right next time.*
*Maybe in like, 5 years. Or if anyone comes to visit me.
The village
Since we were on vacation, I wanted to treat myself to a snack break. I searched for cafés nearby, but there was only one that was open. (It was Friday, but a lot of places were already closed!) I didn't take any pictures because I was filming, but I believe I had a Glühwein (my favorite drink during winter) and a pastry.
Then it was time to explore the town.
This wasn't the café we ate at. I just liked the building and the Steinbock aka the Alpine ibex statue in the front.
Here's a decent photo of me where the coat looks more proportional.
The start of the main street. The train station is on the left.
Like most tiny Swiss villages, there's just one main road with shops... And that's pretty much it. The road breaks off into smaller streets that lead to residential areas. Most of the shops and restaurants were closed, which was strange for a Friday, as it wasn't a public holiday or anything. After walking slowly for about 30 minutes, we decided we'd seen enough.
The moon! I cropped out all the construction work happening below.
Every city will fly the Swiss flag paired with their cantonal flag. The flag with the black bear on it represents the canton of Bern.
This was sort of where the street "ended." I mean, we could've gone forward, but it felt like we were entering residential territory.
The road did lead us to a cool waterfall though.
Much cooler in person, obvs.
And that's it. That's Lauterbrunnen. I was perplexed. What's so famous about this place? Yes, yes, beautiful scenery and views, but I'm guessing nobody actually stops by the town, they just take pictures and admire it from the train?
I can finally check Lauterbrunnen off my list of Swiss places to visit. Unless I missed something, I don't think I'll be coming back here again. (Sorry to the townsfolk and to any Lauterbrunnen lovers out there.)
Bye bye, see in you passing next time.
I have one more post from this trip to write about! Part 4 coming next week.
I hope you've been enjoying this series. I sure have! It's been fun reminiscing and finally having a place to share my photos.