Trummelbach Falls are the largest subterranean waterfalls in Europe, a series of 10 cascades hidden inside a mountain. The 10-tier falls start at a height of 459 feet (139.9 metres) and almost 5,300 gallons (20,000 litres) of water tumble down the falls every second.
To get close to the powerful natural attraction, take the elevator that has been cut into the cliff. This will bring you to the tallest chute, and from there you can walk along passageways and descend staircases to reach the others. You can also see some of the cascades through windows cut into the rock.
Stand on gantries and feel the sprays as the water rushes past you. The powerful surges of water are so strong that some visitors have remarked that the falls sound like a lion roaring. Watch your step as you walk through dimly lit tunnels and passages, because the water makes the surfaces slippery.
As you make your way through the mountain, stop to look at the unusual shapes of some of the rocks. They have been sculpted over thousands of years by the erosive power of the water, which is meltwater coming from the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains.
Trummelbach Falls are just under 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) outside of Lauterbrunnen in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The area has been nicknamed the valley of 72 waterfalls for its large number of cascades. Among them are the towering Staubbach Falls, which tumble nearly 1,000 feet (300 metres) down a hanging valley. You will pass these falls if you decide to hike through the meadows from Lauterbrunnen to Trummelbach. Alternatively, you can arrive by bus or car.
Trummelbach Falls are open daily from April through November, from morning until late afternoon. There is a small extension to the opening hours during July and August. Admission charges apply and there are discounts for children. Give yourself at least 1 hour to explore the falls, then finish your visit at the café outside the main entrance.
