Lauterbrunnen

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Coordinates: 46°36′N, 7°54′E

Lauterbrunnen
Country Switzerland Coat of Arms of Lauterbrunnen
Canton Berne
District Interlaken
46°36′N, 7°54′E
Population 2,663  (December 2002)
  - Density 16 /km² (42 /sq.mi.)
Area 164.4 km² (63.5 sq mi)
Elevation 795 m (2,608 ft)
Postal code 3822
SFOS number 0584
Localities Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg, Isenfluh
Surrounded by Aeschi bei Spiez, Blatten (Lötschen) (VS), Fieschertal (VS), Grindelwald, Gündlischwand, Kandersteg, Lütschental, Reichenbach im Kandertal, Saxeten, Wilderswil
Website www.lauterbrunnen.ch
Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland)
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is a municipality in the district of Interlaken in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

The municipality lies in the Lauterbrunnen Valley and comprises the villages Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg and Isenfluh. The population of the Lauterbrunnen village is less than that of Wengen, but greater than that of the others.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley in winter from Männlichen
The Lauterbrunnen Valley in winter from Männlichen
The Lauterbrunnen Valley in early May 2007. The village of Lauterbrunnen (foreground), the Staubbach Falls (centre right), the Jungfrau (top left) and the Lauterbrunnen Wall (background). Photograph taken from the cable car gondola that runs from the village to the station at Grütschalp (4,876 ft).
The Lauterbrunnen Valley in early May 2007. The village of Lauterbrunnen (foreground), the Staubbach Falls (centre right), the Jungfrau (top left) and the Lauterbrunnen Wall (background). Photograph taken from the cable car gondola that runs from the village to the station at Grütschalp (4,876 ft).

According to locals, the name Lauterbrunnen is a combination of lauter meaning many, and brunnen meaning spring, fountain, or well. However, there is considerable dispute about the meaning of 'lauter', with some translating it as louder and others as clear, bright, or clean.

The river Weisse Lütschine flows through Lauterbrunnen and overflows its banks about once a year. The source of the river comes from melting snow high in the mountains, thus making it a very pure and clean source of water. It is common practice in the camp sites to chill drinks in the water.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem Gesang der Geister über den Wassern (literal translation: Song of the Spirits above the Waters) was written while he stayed at the parish house near the Staubbach Falls waterfall in Lauterbrunnen. The Lauterbrunnen valley also provided the pictorial model for J. R. R. Tolkien's sketches and watercolors of the fictitious valley of Rivendell, and possibly also the name of the Bruinen river (meaning 'Loudwater') which flowed through it.

Lauterbrunnen lies at the bottom of a hanging or U-shaped valley that extends south and then south-westwards from the village to meet the 8-kilometre-long Lauterbrunnen Wall. The shape of the valley is best viewed from above in Wengen or from the cable car gondola to Grütschalp.

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[edit] Transport

The Berner Oberland Bahn (BOB) train runs to Interlaken.

The Wengernalpbahn (WAB) train leads to Kleine Scheidegg and on to Grindelwald,

The aerial tramway and connecting train, both operated by the Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren (BLM), provide service to Mürren. An alternative route to Mürren is available using the bus via the Trummelbach Falls to Stechelberg and then the Luftseilbahn Stechelberg-Mürren-Schilthorn (LSMS).

[edit] Transfers by Bus and Taxi

to / from Interlaken-Bern -Zurich/Zuerich/Zürich -Genf/Geneve/Geneva - Basel/Bale/Mulhouse mysterytours

[edit] Gallery

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] Transfers by Bus and Taxi

to / from Interlaken-Bern -Zurich/Zuerich/Zürich -Genf/Geneve/Geneva - Basel/Bale/Mulhouse mysterytours