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Reichenbach Waterfall

Landmarks ·Meiringen
4.73.1K
#2things to do in MeiringenTravelers' Choice
  • Visit: about 8 h

Erwachsene retour CHF 15.– / einfach CHF 10.– CHF 15 · Kinder 6–15 Jahre retour CHF 10.– / einfach CHF 7.– CHF 10 · Erwachsene CHF 25.– CHF 25

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About

Reichenbach Waterfall is seven cascades in Schattenhalb, near Meiringen, Bern, known for Holmes and Moriarty’s fictional duel.

Menu & prices

Getränke- und Speisekarte

More photos 4

1 / 4
Reichenbach Waterfall — Reichenbach Fall dropping beside a high cliff and wooded slope

Reichenbach Waterfall — Reichenbach Fall dropping beside a high cliff and wooded slopeReichenbach Waterfall — A narrow view of Reichenbach Fall descending into the gorgeReichenbach Waterfall — The upper Reichenbach Falls among green trees and rocky ledgesReichenbach Waterfall — The lower Reichenbach Falls spreading over several rocky tiers

Why go

  • Three viewing terraces overlook the waterfall and Haslital near the mountain station.
  • The upper waterfall drops 120 metres and reaches up to 40 metres wide.
  • Original 24-passenger railway carriages cross the stream, gorge and bridges in a few minutes.

Plan your visit

Prices

Erwachsene retour CHF 15.– / einfach CHF 10.–CHF 15
Kinder 6–15 Jahre retour CHF 10.– / einfach CHF 7.–CHF 10
Erwachsene CHF 25.–CHF 25
Kinder 6–15 Jahre CHF 16.–CHF 16
Erwachsene CHF 18.–CHF 18
Kinder 6–15 Jahre CHF 12.–CHF 12
Erwachsene CHF 26.–CHF 26
Kinder 6–15 Jahre CHF 22.–CHF 22
Erwachsene CHF 69.–CHF 69

From the venue's website · checked 12 Oct 2026

Don't miss

  • Memorial plateA plate at the funicular station commemorates Sherlock Holmes.At the funicular station
  • Viewpoint walkFollow the uphill path from the mountain station past several viewpoints to above the fall.Above the waterfall, from the mountain station
  • White starA white star marks the fictional fight location and is visible from the railway station.Across the falls from the funicular

Know before you go

  • The path linked to the fictional duel has eroded and is unsafe; the falls have receded farther into the gorge.
  • A footpath from Hotel Zwirgi ends at a fenced dead end. Respect the fence.

Tips for your visit

  • The railway has only a few visitor parking spaces; public parking is available at Alpbach in Meiringen.
  • There is no luggage storage at the railway.

Best time to visit

  • In summer, the upper fall carries 3–5 m³ of water per second, sometimes rising to 30 m³ after heavy storms.
  • From autumn to spring, water is diverted from the falls while the funicular is closed, reducing the flow.

With kids

  • The railway is unsuitable for baby carriages.
  • For the descent towards Schwendi and Willigen, a family trail is an alternative to the direct route.

Interesting facts4

1/4

  1. The falls lie in the lower Reichenbachtal on the Rychenbach, a tributary of the Aare.

    Reichenbach Falls - Wikipedia

  2. The upper waterfall is the largest of the seven cascades.

    Reichenbachfall - Wikipedia
  3. 1 power

    In summer, water below the fall is captured for the Schattenhalb 1 power station.

    Reichenbachfall - Wikipedia

  4. Jeremias Gotthelf praised the waterfall in a novel about Jacob’s travels through Switzerland.

    Reichenbachfall - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Jeremias Gotthelf praised the waterfall in his novel Jacobs, des Handwerksgesellen, Wanderungen durch die Schweiz. J. M. W. Granada filmed its television adaptation of The Final Problem at the falls.

  1. early 19th centuryJ. M. W. Turner painted the falls in several works.
  2. 1891In the story, Holmes and Moriarty fall during their duel on 4 May. The ledge plaque records this fictional date; the story later reveals that Holmes survived and only Moriarty died.
  3. 1893Arthur Conan Doyle published “The Final Problem,” bringing the falls international fame.
  4. 1899The railway began carrying visitors to the waterfall.

How to get there

  • 20 minOn footWalk about 20 minutes from Meiringen railway station to the Reichenbach Funicular lower station at the private clinic in Willigen.
  • 6 minBusTake a six-minute bus ride from Meiringen railway station to the lower station. Nearby listed stops include Willigen, Klinik Reichenbach and Meiringen-Innertkirchen-Bahn.
  • TrainTake the Reichenbachfall-Bahn from its lower station to the upper waterfall.

Accessibility

  • Step-free entry The railway is stair-only, so it is not wheelchair accessible and is unsuitable for visitors with walking difficulties.

On the same route

  • Hike from Casinoplatz to the Sherlock Holmes crash site, then via Zwirgi to the railway’s mountain station and back to the valleyThe route goes via Willigen and Schwendi to the site beside the falls, then continues via Zwirgi. No walking times are given. The historic duel path is eroded and unsafe; its endpoint is fenced, so access to the ledge is not assured.

Hidden gems nearby

  • Sherlock Holmes MuseumThe museum is in Meiringen. No walking time is given.

Sources: Reichenbach Falls - Wikipedia · Reichenbachfall-Bahn | Grimselwelt · Reichenbachfall - Wikipedia · Chutes du Reichenbach - Wikipedia · Cascate Reichenbach - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Meiringen, 3860

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How much does the Reichenbach Waterfall railway cost?

Adults pay CHF 15.– return or CHF 10.– one way. Children aged 6–15 pay CHF 10.– return or CHF 7.– one way.

What are the Reichenbach Waterfall’s hours?

The site’s stated daily hours are 09:00–17:30. The funicular closes from autumn to spring; exact operating-season dates are not supplied.

Does the Sherlock Holmes duel path reach the water at Reichenbach Waterfall?

No. The path ends about 100 metres from the falls.

Is the Sherlock Holmes ledge on the same side as the Reichenbach Waterfall railway?

No. The ledge associated with Moriarty’s fall is across the falls from the funicular.

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