We set out on a quest to the Secret Wooden Bridge of DDLJ, did we find it?

We were quite surprised at the same time excited to know the details. A quick google search revealed that it was one of the main shooting locations of DDLJ and because of its popularity this picture was placed there. As we searched more, we came to know that most of DDLJ’s Switzerland scenes were shot in and around Saanen. There were many articles, blogs and videos of the shooting locations of DDLJ in Switzerland. It is not so difficult to find those locations and you would even see posters of Sharukh and Kajol in some of them. And no wonder those are the hottest tourist attractions in Switzerland. Like the Interlaken, Jungfrau, Titlis. It was surprising to know that there are even custom tailored DDLJ tours in Switzerland which would take you exclusively to these locations. So determined to check out all the blogs and videos and visit these locations, we continued the journey to the start of our hiking point. At the end of our hike, near the lake Launen we came across the stunning view of a waterfall which was shown in a song in DDLJ. As we were relaxing along the lake at the end of the hike, we searched further to know the details. It was then that we came to know that, the exact location of one particular wooden bridge in DDLJ with an astounding alpine backdrop is still not known and people were asking questions in all forums for information about this bridge. That triggered the curiosity of the explorers in us and the desperate urge to find this bridge if it at all exists.

As we saw the exact waterfall and the mountains that were shown in the movie scene, we were confident that the bridge should not be far away. We tried to walk further towards the valley from lake Launen,hoping to find this epic location. In our long walk of about an hour, we came across two wooden bridges, but to our disappointment, none of them was the bridge shown in the movie. We were discussing it throughout the return journey about the very fact that with so much popularity and tourism revolving around this movie, this bridge still remains undiscovered. Even after reaching home, we continued our research, calculating all the possible locations and facts. All permutations and combinations with the words “ DDLJ wooden bridge location” on Google and Youtube gave us empty results. We were shocked to learn that this location still remains as a “Secret hidden gem” even after 25 years !!! It changed our perspective, we took it as a “treasure hunt” and we wanted to find it out and reveal the hidden gem which remained elusive for almost 25 years, to the World ! It was a determination.

We searched everywhere we could, watched the song scenes 100 times taking notes of all tiny details from the scene, did virtual walks with the google street view, looked at all perspectives with google earth, google map, google images , and even analysed historical maps from the region to find out possible changes. We coined down many wooden bridges in that area. None of them was located perfectly to conclusively say that it should be the one. We started losing hope thinking the possibility that either the bridge was a set for the movie or for some reason it got removed. Then came the idea to call one of the local restaurants to get the details. We contacted the tourism office of Gstaad, a town close to this area and also to some restaurants and guesthouses. A hotel in the region called Alpenland had a picture put on its website which appeared to be having the same perspective. It was after a call to this hotel in the town of Launen, that we concluded that there does exist a bridge which could be the one we are looking for. And to further boost our confidence this bridge was also the first one in our list that we had noted down from all our research. Having this information in hand we couldn’t actually sleep or wait until the weekend to explore and find that dreamy bridge. So we took a day off and set on to discover this location the next day.

We went first straight to Lake Launen and the plan was to admire this beautiful lake again and walk to the bridge location. Near the lake an old guy was repairing a boat. After seeing us taking many pictures, he asked us if we were making a movie. We got into a conversation and told him the story and our intense wish to find out the dreamy wooden bridge of DDLJ. We showed him the picture and at first glance he said, "of course this bridge exists" and the view from there is very beautiful. The only fact that was puzzling to him was that the path leading to the bridge is forbidden for vehicles and the only explanation is that they would have got special permission to take the Mercedes there for this shot. We couldn't control anymore and instead of walking we took a bus to reach there as soon as possible. We got down near the hotel Alpenland and continued walking in the direction of the bridge. At the start of this walkway there was a ‘No vehicle entry’ signal and hence we were sure we were on the right track based on the comments from the person whom we met at the Launen lake.

The view got better and better and we could see the waterfall in the same perspective and the mighty mountains behind it. Within 10 minutes of walk we came to the exact view as in the scene and were left speechless. Yet we haven't found the bridge. A few steps further, hidden between the trees, there was a bridge. It was a hurray moment for us. We were overflowed with joy and a strong satisfaction of having found the treasure. It really was a DDLJ moment. The only place in this World to dance for the song “ Ho gaya he ..”. But there was a twist. And there was a reason why this bridge remained hidden for so long. Also why there are no other pictures from this most epic DDLJ bridge in Switzerland. The small bushes that were in front of the wooden bridge in the movie have now all grown up to big trees. These trees have covered the bridge totally and you don't see the same view while standing on the bridge as it was in the movie.

Yet the view from either side of the bridge is still stunning. We walked a bit around admiring the wonderful views.

Imagine this location in Spring when the mountains would be all white. It would be stunning!

After taking as many pictures to celebrate our find, we walked back to the town of Launen. On the way back, we spoke to the receptionist in the hotel Alpenland. She confirmed that in winter or in early spring as the trees would lose their leaves, the view would get even more magical. Also, the mountains would be covered in snow and would resemble more like in the movie. The scenes in the movie should have been shot definitely in the months of April or May. Determined to come back in winter and in Spring we headed onto other DDLJ locations.

Few more pictures from around the wooden bridge

Launen is such a magical town.

How to reach the DDLJ wooden bridge with public transport

Take a train to Gstaad(which is again a DDLJ location for the popular song Zara Sa Jhoom Loon main, which is an another topic) from Interlaken or Bern or Montreux. From Gstaad, take the Postbus to Launen. This is a special bus which provides connectivity to Swiss villages and mountains. Find the full information for the postbus here: https://www.postauto.ch/en/excursion-tips/lake-lauenen-route. They are not very frequent and doesn't run in every season. So check their time table on SBB website or directly on the Postbus website. Get down at the stop named ‘Lauenen b. Gstaad, Rohrbrücke’. From the stop walk backward a few steps(Just less than a minute) in the direction in which the bus came and you will arrive at a small junction. Then turn left from there and you will see the hotel Alpenland. Walk along the narrow path which goes behind the hotel and along the river. Now walk away from the hotel towards the mountains and in around 10 minutes you will reach the location.

If you are driving, there is a free parking spot behind the hotel Alpenland. So you can park there and walk to this place.

The GPS coordinates of the wooden bridge of DDLJ : 46.411018, 7.327526

Additional Tip :

Before going directly to the wooden bridge in DDLJ, drive straight to Launensee, even the postbus runs directly up to Launensee. It would be a trip to remember for sure. With the lake and an amazing backdrop of the mountains, Launensee is one of the many most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. You would be surprised to see the waterfall in the movie closer and even with the view of the lake. There are numerous hikes around the area. There is also a restaurant near the lake.In connection to the Bollywood movies made here, this lake is also called Chopra lake.

Here is the another gift for you, remember this scene?

This is just two stops away from the wooden bridge !! We guarantee that you wont leave launen valley without a DDLJ moment. Take the bus or ride to the stop “Enge”. From the stop walk along the highway for a minute and you will see the street “ Bodenstrasse”. Walk along this street, Bodenstrasse, for two minutes and you will reach this location. For a true DDLJ fan, that would be the moment. You will see the road and the point where Kajol stood with the lambs and the road where Sharukh drove and with exactly the same backdrop as in the song. We were surprised to notice that nothing, literally nothing had changed even the houses there !! It remains exactly like the same in the shot. That is Switzerland. Wonder how they beautifully maintain every single thing even after many long years. No industrialisation has killed the natural beauty of this country. This location is easily accessible and you won't be disappointed to leave the area without a DDLJ moment with the stunning Ho gaya he backdrops!!!!!

The GPS coordinates of this location: 46.439961, 7.310145

So who is waiting to take a picture from this location?

Come and fall in Love!

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