Switzerland is a country not only of picturesque mountains and thousands of lakes, but also of magnificent waterfalls. It is very difficult to count them all, the number of large and interesting objects reaches 120. The most visited waterfall is the Rhine Falls, tourists love it for its fame and livability. But there are unknown corners here that hide real gems. The path to them can be difficult, but the reward will be unforgettable views and experiences.
Lovers of beautiful landscapes must visit the Lauterbrunnen Valley. There are hidden ancient stone villages, green meadows and 72 waterfalls of various sizes. Among them are the highest Swiss waterfall Mürrenbach, and the most unusual one is Trummelbach, hidden inside the rock. The Swiss consider these powerful streams of water to be a source of strength and energy, a good place for solitude and reflection.
The most beautiful waterfalls in Switzerland
List, photo with names and descriptions of the main waterfalls of the country.
Rhine Falls
To travel to this waterfall, you must visit the town of Neuhausen am Rheinfall. This is the most visited and largest flat waterfall in Europe, its width is 150 meters and its height is 23 meters. It was formed 14 - 17 thousand years ago, as a result of the erosion of limestone and gravel by the Rhine, it is most deep in summer. Nearby, on the top of the cliff, an ancient castle is open to visit. There is an embankment on the bank of the river, and you can get to the rock in the center of the waterfall by boat.
Staubbach
Until recently, the waterfall was considered the highest in Switzerland. A powerful stream, falling from a height of 297 meters, at the very bottom turns into a cloud of water dust. At the foot of the mountain, from which the waterfall flows, is the village of Lauterbrunnen - a very picturesque corner and a specially protected natural area. You can admire the waterfall both from the outside and from the inside - from a tunnel made in the mountain.
Steuben
A visit to this Swiss landmark is a journey into a truly reserved Switzerland. The waterfall is a powerful stream flowing from a high mountain. At its foot is the village of Ash, tourists are not allowed to travel here by car. From the parking lot to your destination, you need to cover 2.5 km on foot, the path goes through very picturesque places. From the village you can climb the mountain by a lift, from above there is a beautiful view of the valley.
Engstligen
This natural monument is formed by several streams connecting and falling down from a height of 370 meters. The stream goes over two steps. The upper one can be easily viewed from the lift cabin or from the mule road that goes over the rock. The lower part can be seen from the hiking trail leading up from the cable car station. Engstligen is visited by 250,000 people a year. In early summer, you can see the alpine ascent of 400 head of livestock, ice climbing is available in winter.
Seerenbach
This place is located on the shores of Lake Walen, near the village of Betlis. The cascade complex of three waterfalls has a total height of 585 meters: the upper one is 50 meters, the middle one is 305 meters and the lower one is 190 meters. The third part is joined by the Rinquelle karst spring, which falls from a height of about 40 meters. Behind the spring there is a water cave - a place for divers' research.
Iffigfall
A series of waterfalls in the Ifigtol Valley, in the Swiss canton of Bern, in the eastern part of the Simmental Valley. Located in the Gelten-Iffigen nature reserve. The waterfall overcomes a height of about 200 meters with steep cascades, for 100 meters the water is in free fall. At the moment, this natural object has not been developed and studied completely. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bern.
Giessbach
A chain of 13 waterfalls on the mountain river of the same name. The cascade is located directly in front of the confluence of the river into Lake Brienz, its total height is 400 meters. This tourist route is very popular; since the middle of the 19th century, painters have come here for beautiful views. Now the waterfall has been landscaped, evening lighting has been organized, and a hotel is operating on the slope of the mountain near the mouth of the river.
Reichenbach
Not the highest, but one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Swiss Alps. It consists of several cascades covering a distance of 250 meters. This place is popular with tourists, as Meiringen is located nearby - the birthplace of meringues (or meringues). Another reason for its popularity is the mention of Sherlock Holmes in the novel as the place of the death of the great detective. On the day of the centenary of this event, a commemorative plaque was erected on the observation deck.
Murrenbach
In 2009, new measurements were made of this waterfall, after which it was recognized as the highest in Switzerland, overtaking Staubbach. Murrenbach's height is 417 meters. Both sites are located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. In the spring and early summer, it has the most impressive volumes, towering over the village of Murren. There is a cable car nearby, from which you can clearly see it.
Trummelbach Falls
This unique object has been known since 1913, when a system of paths, stairs and tunnels was built here to inspect it. The water stream of 10 cascades falls from a height of 140 meters. The upper cascades are located deep in the gorge, practically inaccessible to the sun's rays. Therefore, the name of the underground waterfall appeared. The natural area is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Foroglio
Located in the only Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland, Ticino, in the Bavona Valley. The height of the waterfall is 110 meters, it is a stream falling from an almost sheer cliff. Located near the village of the same name. To explore this area, a convenient walking route has been laid; it passes by stone villages and a waterfall, ending high in alpine meadows.
Berglishtuber
This waterfall is considered the most beautiful in Switzerland, located near the Klaussenpass, near the village of Linthal. The stream of water does not flow over the rock, but is in free fall, due to which the hiking trail is laid behind the waterfall. It is cut through a limestone rock that is 150 million years old. Bergley Restaurant is located next to the waterfall.
Bignasco
The waterfall gets its name from a small village in the canton of Ticino, in the south of the Alps. Located in the Madja Valley. A noisy stream breaks down from a great height, from an almost sheer cliff. You can come here by train, on the Centovalli railway, which runs through picturesque valleys, bridges and viaducts. There is a hotel and a restaurant in Bignasco.
Simmen
The waterfall is located in the vicinity of Lenk, canton Bern, in the Simmental Valley. It is formed by seven mountain springs at the foot of a high limestone wall. The stream flows rapidly among narrow mountain crevices into the valley. The height of the flat waterfall is 200 meters. The flow of water is very powerful, it passes through many cascades, enveloping the surroundings in water mist. The waterfall can be reached via a bridge, which is reached by a path from Hotel Restaurant Simmenfälle.
Sau-du-du
Located on the French-Swiss border, in the eastern part of Lake Brenz, in a national nature park. The waterfall is 27 meters high and was formed by a landslide 12,000 years ago. You can get here on foot, along the tourist route, in the summer - by boat. Views of the waterfall open from observation decks, two are on the French side, and another on the Swiss side. Both sides of the stream can be reached by footpaths.
