Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Take a moment to rub your eyes in disbelief.

Then allow us to reassure you that no, you’re not looking at Hollywood CGI – these are real photos of a mountain valley that really does exist.

The images capture Switzerland’s impossibly picturesque Lauterbrunnen Valley, a ‘trough valley’ that contains no less than 72 waterfalls.

Plus alpine meadows and lonely mountain inns.

The most photographed of the waterfalls is undoubtedly the free-falling Staubbach Falls. Here water cascades dramatically almost 1,000ft from an overhanging rock face.

Scroll down and behold the Alps at its most breathtaking.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley, says www.myswitzerland.com, is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland

The Lauterbrunnen Valley, says www.myswitzerland.com, is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland

At the free-falling Staubbach Falls, water plunges dramatically almost 1,000ft from an overhanging rock face

At the free-falling Staubbach Falls, water plunges dramatically almost 1,000ft from an overhanging rock face

Lauterbrunnen Valley is a ‘trough valley’ that contains no less than 72 waterfalls

Lauterbrunnen Valley is a ‘trough valley’ that contains no less than 72 waterfalls

The valley town of Lauterbrunnen, pictured, sits at an elevation of  795 metres (2,608ft)

The valley town of Lauterbrunnen, pictured, sits at an elevation of  795 metres (2,608ft)

Heavenly: The town of Lauterbrunnen draped in sunlight one winter morning

Heavenly: The town of Lauterbrunnen draped in sunlight one winter morning

Lauterbrunnen town is linked by railway to the holiday resort of Mürren, which overlooks the valley, and Interlaken Ost, the gateway to the Jungfrau Region

Lauterbrunnen town is linked by railway to the holiday resort of Mürren, which overlooks the valley, and Interlaken Ost, the gateway to the Jungfrau Region

Just up the valley from Lauterbrunnen town is the mindblowing Trümmelbach Falls - which thunders down the inside of the 'Black Monk' mountain. Up to 20,000 litres of water per second cascade over 10 glacier falls from a total height of about 650ft, according to www.myswitzerland.com

Just up the valley from Lauterbrunnen town is the mindblowing Trümmelbach Falls – which thunders down the inside of the ‘Black Monk’ mountain. Up to 20,000 litres of water per second cascade over 10 glacier falls from a total height of about 650ft, according to www.myswitzerland.com

Vast ski areas can be reached from Lauterbrunnen, which looks like a fairy-tale village from every angle

Vast ski areas can be reached from Lauterbrunnen, which looks like a fairy-tale village from every angle

Pockets of low-lying cloud hang lazily in the valley, which looks eye-catching through every season

Pockets of low-lying cloud hang lazily in the valley, which looks eye-catching through every season

An amazing aerial view of the village of Mürren, which sits right above the valley in dramatic fashion. It's easily accessible from Lauterbrunnen

An amazing aerial view of the village of Mürren, which sits right above the valley in dramatic fashion. It’s easily accessible from Lauterbrunnen

The cableway from Stechelberg, which is a 3.5-mile walk along the valley floor from Lauterbrunnen. It takes visitors to the 2,971m (9,747ft) peak of the Schilthorn, famous for being the setting for 007 classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

The cableway from Stechelberg, which is a 3.5-mile walk along the valley floor from Lauterbrunnen. It takes visitors to the 2,971m (9,747ft) peak of the Schilthorn, famous for being the setting for 007 classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

In 1779, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the valley and was inspired by the Staubbach Falls to write his well-known poem Spirit song over the Waters, says www.myswitzerland.com

In 1779, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the valley and was inspired by the Staubbach Falls to write his well-known poem Spirit song over the Waters, says www.myswitzerland.com

By Snowy