Get ready to lace up your hiking boots for an unforgettable journey to Stäubifall, one of Switzerland’s hidden natural wonders.
When I first saw a photograph of this incredible place online I knew I had to visit it myself. So when we traveled to Switzerland for our babymoon I tried to figure out the best possible time to visit and how to exactly get there.
At a height of 180 meter, this spectacular waterfall is one of Switzerland’s most scenic and powerful. To add on that, the location is one of the most picturesque in Switzerland where the waterfall drops down into green pastures and is surrounded by aesthetic Swiss chalets.
And do you want to know the best part? The hike to Stäubifall is very easy and starts from a dirt road in the small town of Unterschächen.
Stäubifall Hiking Stats
Hiking Distance – 8km (4.9 miles)
Elevation – 250m (820 feet)
Route Type – Out and Back
Difficulty – Easy
Duration -2.5 hours
Parking – There’s a small parking lot in the village of Unterschächen
Best time to visit – The waterfall is in the shadow for most of the day when sunny. It briefly catches some light in the morning and is directly lit by the sun only in the afternoon.
How to get to Stäubifall
Start your adventure by driving to Unterschächen, a quaint village nestled in the Uri canton, which serves as the gateway to your hike. You’ll reach the village of Unterschächen by driving the Klausenpass. So make sure to also stop along the away to take in the scenic views.
You can park your vehicle in the designated areas in or near the village. Do know that the amount of parking is very limited.
The road leading up to the waterfall is a private road so even that you can actually reach the waterfall by car this isn’t legal.
From there, follow the marked hiking trails that lead towards Stäubifall. The hike is relatively moderate and takes you through lush alpine meadows and dense forests, offering picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.
As you approach, the sound of the waterfall becomes your guide, leading you to the magnificent Stäubifall, where you can enjoy the stunning sight of the water cascading down the cliffs.
Make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring along water and snacks for the journey.
The best time to photograph Stäubifall
Different factors play a role here. First and foremost, you want the waterfall to be as powerful as possible. Early Spring or Autumn might cause problems for this since the volume of water will be way lower.
During the Summer months the temperature starts to rise in the higher altitudes cause the snow to melt. This snow then turns into water that feeds the waterfall.
We visited Stäubifall during the last two weeks of June and it was absolutely stunning!
The waterfall is in the shadow for most of the day when sunny. It briefly catches some light in the morning and is directly lit by the sun only in the afternoon.
During an overcast day you won’t have to worry about this of course but on a sunny day you either want it to be completely lit up by the sun or in the shade so you don’t have to deal with harsh shadows dividing your photograph.
And as you an see from the photographs below Stäubifall is defintely one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland to take some baby bump photos.
When can you hike to Stäubifall
As I said before the best time to hike to Stäubifall is during the Summer months. At this time the waterfall will be at its most powerful and all of the snow on the trail will have melted.
Travel distances to Stäubifall
To reach Stäubifall near Unterschächen, here are the travel distances and average driving times from nearby big cities:
- From Zurich: Approximately 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) with an average driving time of 1.5 hours.
- From Bern: Around 120 kilometers (roughly 75 miles), taking about 2 hours to drive.
- From Lucerne: About 60 kilometers (approximately 37 miles) away, with a driving time of around 1 hour.
- From Basel: Roughly 140 kilometers (about 87 miles) with an estimated driving time of 2.5 hours.
If you have any questions about how to visit Lucerne or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on Lucerne
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Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
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