In the eyes of Poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Staubbach was at times a tempestuous spirit, its raging waters diving head first down an unobstructed fall of 300m to be broken into miniscule droplets against the flat boulders beneath. At times it was an elegant acrobat, exceptional grace written into its arc from the cliff lip and a poignancy in the mist shrouding its feet. To the early romantic, it bore all the traits of a human imbued upon a cascade of water with a striking character of its own.

Perhaps this is what sets it apart from the 71 other waterfalls of the region. As the most visible of the lot, it has grown to be equated with the rustic village of Laternbrunne valley. One can see its silver strands upon entering the main housing cluster itself, giving the town the quality of having been sown onto the pre-existing natural landscape instead of a village that has expanded and made space for nature. The grounds surrounding the falls are a garland of greens grazed by lackadaisical goat and cattle let loose, hardly batting an eyelid at the visitors that pass them by. Invariably, visitors are stopped short by the sight of the falls, adding it to their itinerary on the go and even taking the time to explore. A narrow stair set by the side winds up the cliff side towards a tunnel and a landing beyond. Emerging from the disorienting darkness, you are greeted by a screen of white at the Staubbach Gallery which quite literally reveals the Staubbach’s appearance behind the scenes (read screens). Hidden by a watery curtain from the prying eyes of the world, you would be left to a space of your own as the gentle spray of the falls and its tinkling music from below ease you into blissful rest.