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Several iconic trails snake through the Lauterbrunnen valley, all of which are listed on the Lauterbrunnen Tourism website. The simplest option is to follow the river out of the village heading south, up the valley. It takes just an hour to reach Stechelberg, where you can catch a bus back (141), walk, or take a cable car into the mountains. More ambitious is hiking up to the small, car-free village of Mürren, high above Lauterbrunnen on the cliffside. Ascending in the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to the station at Grütschalp will put you at the start of the two-hour (one-way) Mountain View Trail – a walk with views of the world-famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains across the valley. Alternatively, the Northface Trail departs from the cable car station at Stechelberg (served by the 141 bus, also with free parking) and meanders up to Mürren for a more challenging two-and-a-half hour journey (one-way). Then get the cable car back down. Always check the status of hikes before you depart.  

There are 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen valley area. Above the village is Staubbach – at 297-metres it’s the highest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland. In May you can access a viewing platform (for free) a 10-15 minute walk from the station. The subterranean Trümmelbach Falls are found en route to Stechelberg – they drain the colossal glacier walls of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau at a rate of up to 20,000 litres per second. Trümmelbach is on the 141 bus route, slightly less than a 10 minute ride from Lauterbrunnen, and costs CHF 14 for admission. Check it’s open before setting off, and take care – the paths directly adjacent to the falls can get a little slippery. Finally, Mürrenbach is Switzerland’s highest waterfall, at 417 metres, albeit in sections, and is found close to Stechelberg.

Air-Glaciers SA has a base in Lauterbrunnen that opened in 1972, and the team love taking curious travellers skyward, when they aren't carrying out essential rescues. A 20-minute flight with them will set you back 230 CHF per person, depending on group size. Swiss Helicopter AG knows all the most scenic photo opportunities up over the high peaks and valleys, and trips cost from 210 CHF per person, setting off from Gsteigwiler, about 12 minutes away from Lauterbrunnen by car. 

Airtime Paragliding will drive you from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg in order to take the cable car up to Mürren. Then, with an instructor/pilot, you’ll glide back down from Mürren to Stechelberg. Cost: CHF 190. Alternatively, go to Grindelwald and meet at the bottom station of Firstbahn, where the team at Paragliding Jungfrau will join you on the cable car up to the First mountain (First is the name of the mountain!) and get off at an altitude of 2,150m. A short intro will follow, then a practice run, followed by an epic flight, with the mountains of Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Eiger spread out before you. The cost is CHF 210, and for an additional CHF 40 they’ll give you photos and/or footage of your flight. 

The Lütschine is a powerful river offering some of the best whitewater rafting anywhere in the Swiss Alps. For CHF 149 per person (minimum age 14, maximum weight 125kg, confident swimmers only) you can hop in a boat with the team from outdoor.ch with all equipment provided, navigating continuous class III-IV rapids. It’s a great option if the weather is wet – they hit the water from May-September in almost any weather conditions. They’ll pick you up (specify the location when you book) and you can finish the adventure with a swim in the pretty Lake of Brienz. 

Family-run bike rental company Imboden Bike has been helping visitors to Lauterbrunnen get on two wheels for over 25 years now. Mountain bikes, racing bikes and e-bikes are all in stock, so you can make the most of the sublime scenery from the comfort and ease of a well-maintained saddle, for as little as CHF 25 for two hours, or CHF 45 for a whole day.