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Waterfall · Lauterbrunnen, Berna
Staubbachfall
A 297 m waterfall that falls freely from a cliff beside the centre of Lauterbrunnen. A trail with a tunnel leads to a viewpoint behind the fall, open from May to October.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Staubbachfall
The Staubbachfall plunges 297 m from a hanging valley, over a vertical cliff, down to the floor of the Lauterbrunnen valley. The name comes from Staub, meaning dust: in wind the water breaks into mist before it reaches the ground.
Goethe visited the waterfall in 1779, and the trip inspired the poem Gesang der Geister über den Wassern (Canto dos espíritos sobre as águas). The fall also appears in 19th-century travellers' engravings.
From the foot of the waterfall, a path with steps and a tunnel in the rock climbs to a gallery behind the water, from where you can see the valley through the mist. The path is open from May to October and is wet.
The flow varies greatly: it is higher after rain and during the thaw, from May to July, and becomes weak in dry summers.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to an hour, including the climb to the gallery.
Best time
From May to July, with the thaw, and after rainy days. When it's windy, the waterfall's mist spreads across the street.
How to get there
About a 10-minute walk from Lauterbrunnen station, following the main street south.
Tip
Bring a raincoat for the gallery. The classic view, with the church and the waterfall, is on the main street just before the fall.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Staubbachfall
How high is the Staubbachfall?
297 m of free fall.
Can you go behind the Staubbachfall?
Yes — via a trail with a tunnel leading to a gallery behind the waterfall, open from May to October.
What is Goethe's connection to the Staubbachfall?
Goethe visited the waterfall in 1779, and the trip inspired the poem Gesang der Geister über den Wassern.
When does the Staubbachfall have the most water?
During the snowmelt, from May to July, and after rain.