Lauterbrunnen is often touted as the most beautiful place on earth. It is one of dozens of valleys located in the Berner Oberland, or “Bernese” in English. It’s located south of Bern, the Swiss capital city, and in the canton of Bern. “Oberland” translates to highlands, though the scenery departs vastly from any “Highlands” that immediately comes to mind for most Americans (namely, the Scottish Highlands). Absent are any stormy cliffs from this region. Lauterbrunnen may be more closely compared to other valleys around the world, such as Yosemite Valley. And while Lauterbrunnen is truly unique, the Berner Oberland region is populated with dozens of other stunning Swiss valleys that haven’t yet caught the attention of the masses. 

This iconic view focuses centrally on the steepled-church, a sure indication of this particular valley. The tall limestone cliffs on either side serve as the playground for BASE jumpers from around the world, and the snowier peaks reside quietly in the backdrop. Difficult to see from this angle, but a beautiful river runs through the green valley, and you can follow it all the way from one end to the other while picking up the scent of wildflowers in the spring.