After soaking all of the Christmas magic in Annecy we were ready for our next adventure, Switzerland and road tripping through the Swiss Alps. The especially breathtaking villages of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are just a short 30 minute drive from each other and about three hours from Annecy. Lauterbrunnen is best known for its glacial valleys, and towering cliffs that have numerous waterfalls falling into the valley. Grindelwald is a traffic-free village which hangs on the edge of a cliff high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Lauterbrunnen is known for it’s magical waterfalls. For all of you Lord of the Rings fans, it is believed that J.R.R Tolkien’s creation of Rivendell was inspired by this special place.
With our weekend bags packed and both dogs in tow, we walked across town to pick up our rental car. The city was still waking up; it was such a treat to see the bakeries bustling with locals grabbing their fresh croissants and baguettes for the day. Renting a car in Europe always requires a little extra attention because automatic cars are not as common. So we made sure to request one along with snow tires since the Alps can throw just about any kind of weather at you.
Border Crossings in the Schengen Zone
Driving from France to Switzerland was surprisingly simple. Since both countries are part of the Schengen Zone, the border crossing was just a matter of navigating through the roads. That said, patrol officers do have the right to pull people over at any time.
Straightaway once we crossed into Switzerland the scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. Rolling green fields stretched endlessly, dotted with charming villages whose A-frame rooftops peaked above the trees, chimneys sending up wisps of smoke into the crisp air. About an hour into the drive hunger set in and the dogs could use a little walk. And then, like a beacon in the distance, we spotted a sign for a McDonald’s or as the Swiss call it “MacDo”. We certainly had to check this out at a Swiss MacDo!
My First MacDo
Let me tell you, Swiss McDonalds is on a whole other level! The restuarant was packed and parking was a challenge. Ordering a meal was completely automated, no standing in line, just massive kiosks where you made your selections. And the menu? Four different kinds of vegetarian burgers, a variety of local desserts and table service for dine-in customers. In Switzerland, MacDo isn’t just fast food. It’s considered a step above!
Finally fueled up and ready for the final stretch, we set off to Lauterbrunnen Valley. The last 45 minutes road tripping through the Swiss Alps was both thrilling and nerve wracking. It’s filled with winding, narrow roads with no shoulder climbing higher and higher into the Alps. But the view? Absolutely unreal. It felt like driving straight into a storybook.
Road Tripping Through The Swiss Alps – Lauterbrunnen
As we rolled into Lauterbrunnen the first snowflakes started to fall. Such a gift, so perfect! All adding to the fairytale charm. Towering cliffs surrounded the village, their tops dusted with white, seeing waterfalls streaming down massive mountainsides. The main street was lined with so many cozy cafes offering Alpine treats, ski shops, and souvenir shops that sell Swiss knives and watches . Everything was unquestionably picture perfect!
Our Airbnb was on the outskirts of town, nestled among the charming chalets at the base of a massive mountain face. As dusk settled, we could see the ski lift glowing in the distance ferrying skiers up the slopes. Taking a stroll alongside the chalet was a park with a babbling stream, with the continuous snowfall it felt like a dream.
After we walked and fed the dogs we set off for our next adventure, the St Beatus Caves about 30 minutes away. You can find out more about the caves here. By the time we arrived , it was nearly 4:00 pm, too late for a guided tour, but perfect for exploring on our own.
St. Beatus Caves
Before even reaching the caves, we had to tackle a steep series of switchback pathways leading to the entrance. Personally, at the time I felt that climbing this successfully was an activity in and of itself. What possibly could we do next? Talk about a workout! But the climb was worth it. At every level, we were rewarded with stunning views of Lake Thun. Lake Thun was across the street shimmering in the fading light of the day,
Inside the caves, we descended several stories into a hidden world of cascading waterfalls and towering limestone formations. The roar of the water echoed through the chambers vibrating beneath our feet. It was mesmerizing, nature’s full power on display all tucked away under the mountain. We carefully navigated the stone pathways, winding through the narrow archways, past crystal clear underground lakes that reflected the stone formations above. Each level was just as stunning as the last, and the deeper we went the more incredible it became.
Afterwards, we made our way back down the switchbacks that are dimly lit by little lights. We returned to Lauterbrunnen and found a cozy little restaurant inside a hotel. German is the main language spoken but most people are proficient in English which makes ordering easy. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was warm, friendly and relaxed. A warm pot of fondue was exactly what we needed after an adventurous day road tripping through the Swiss Alps!
Next up, Grindelwald and a ride on the Gondola with the dogs!
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
Want to read more about the special holiday time in the France? French Christmas Market Magic
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