Trümmelbach Falls

Trümmelbach Falls are a set of ten glacier-fed waterfalls that thunder through a gorge inside the mountain in the Lauterbrunnen Valley of the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. The meltwater of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau drains here at up to 20,000 litres per second, and the site is described as Europe's largest subterranean waterfall system. Visitors enter by a tunnel lift built into the rock, then follow a route of galleries, stairways and viewing platforms that leads past the falls one after another, with the noise and spray growing stronger higher up. Lights illuminate the polished rock walls, and the gorge is narrow enough that the water seems to fill the whole space. A visit takes one to one and a half hours, and the path is wet, slippery and cold, so waterproof clothing and good footwear matter. The site is open from early April to early November, roughly 9:00AM to 5:00PM in spring and autumn and 8:30AM to 6:00PM in July and August, with exact dates depending on weather. Adult entry starts from CHF 18, children 6 to 15 from CHF 8, and children under 4 are not admitted. Cash is the safest way to pay, and the Swiss Travel Pass is not accepted at the gate. From Interlaken Ost, visitors take the train to Lauterbrunnen in about 20 minutes and then local bus 141 to Trümmelbachfälle in about 10 minutes, or walk about 40 minutes along the valley floor. Flow is greatest in late spring and early summer when the snow melts, and the falls are quieter in autumn. Mornings generally bring fewer visitors, while midday in July and August is the most crowded period. Photographers should protect their cameras from the spray.