Hiking the Bernese Oberland: Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswil

Here in the Swiss Alps, winter is slowly fading into spring. The snow is melting. The waterfalls are heavy and beautiful with glacial melt. And the rain has slowly turned the valley floor from muddy brown to bright, vibrant green.

And, so, it makes sense that the year’s hiking adventures have begun—with a hike from Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswil along the valley floor.

The hike begins at the Lauterbrunnen train station, takes you through Zweilutschinen, and takes about two hours to complete.

To follow in my footsteps, simply walk to the large, wooden pizzeria next to the train station, pass behind it to the left, walk down the stairs, take a left at the road, and then take another left to follow the signs toward Zweilutschinen and Wilderswil. When you see a gravel path, usually surrounded by green and flowers, you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Follow the gravel path through the flowers and down toward the water.

When the road forks at the river, take the left path.

Keep following the path with the river on your left and forested slope on your right.

Eventually, you’ll pass into the forest and see a waterfall (or several) to your left.

When the road forks, take the left path.

When you come to this gravelly stretch of river, you’re nearly at the Zweilutschinen train station (where, if you’re tired, you can catch a train).

This is where you can find some of my favorite views of the whole hike.

Cross the road and walk toward the train station. You’re now in Zweilutschinen.

Walk past the train station and up to the old wooden building ahead. Then turn right to walk over the train tracks.

Turn left again once you are across the train tracks and walk over the bridge to keep following the trail to Wilderswil.

Continue following the path as it turns into a road through one of the charming, small towns in the region.

The views to your left might just take your breath away.

When you come to the big house with green shutters, follow the left fork in the road.

As you walk along the road, you’ll notice a signpost on the right. Here, you can either follow the signpost to the right or continue following the road. Both lead to Wilderswil.

In this instance (and most others, mostly because I usually miss the signpost), I followed the road.

As you follow the road, you’ll see Wilderswil spread out below and to the left.

When you come to the old, pretty church tower, you have reached Wilderswil (and are only a few minutes from the train station). Take a left to walk across a covered bridge.

Once you reach the cobblestones, keep left and you’ll end up at the train station.

Total walking time: about two hours.
Difficulty: easy.

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