Top of Europe - A breathtaking and unforgettable trip
Jungfraujoch, known as the Swiss-Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, also called top of Europe where the continent’s highest railway station is located.
For more than 100 years, the Jungfrau railway has been making its journey to Europe’s highest-altitude railway station at 3454 metres. All through the year, the cog railway runs steeply up through a tunnel to the Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg. The tunnel leading up from the station Eigergletscher is seven kilometres in length and was built between 1896 and 1912. One stop within the tunnel offers spectacular views onto the glacier world outside through windows in the Eiger North Face. On the summit, visitors are greeted by a high-Alpine wonder world made of ice, snow and rocks. All of this can be marvelled at from the viewing platforms “Sphinx” and “Plateau” on the Aletsch glacier or from the “Ice Palace”.
Travel
With the Berner Oberland regional pass we paid CHF99 p/p (US$105).
However, a round trip journey to Jungfraujoch can cost 200 CHF p/p (US$200). For more details, latest ticket prices and timetables, click here.
Travel Duration: 2 h 10 mins
We had a beautiful, clear and warm sunny day. The trains were not crowded as well as for all the attractions of Jungfraujoch for this time of year. Our journey began at around 6.30am.
The train journey from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch is done in three stages, using three different railways. The first leg from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen is on the Yellow-Blue Bernese Oberland Railway. From Lauterbrunnen, the Yellow-Green Wengernalp Railway runs till Kleine Scheidegg. And finally, from Kleine Scheidegg, the Red-Yellow Jungfraujoch Cog Railway runs right up to the top of Jungfraujoch. The last leg is particularly remarkable because seven out of nine km between Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch is through a tunnel, dug deep inside the mountain.
Kleine Scheidegg at 6,762 feet is a high mountain pass, between the towering Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks of the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It is a popular skiing destination in winter and hiking destination in summer. Hiking trails connect Kleine Scheidegg with Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen.
Here we had ten minutes to change our trains, and took this opportunity to take in the breathtaking Alpine views all around.
What makes the mountain pass and the tiny railway station of Kleine Scheidegg uniquely spectacular is that it is located north of the point where Mount Eiger makes a sudden and striking angle. From this location, a series of towering peaks rise and stretch in the northeast direction. We got a spectacular view of the formidable north face of Eiger from this place. On the southern side of Mount Eiger are the summits of Mönch, Jungrau, Gletscherhorn and Mittaghorn – the views are intimidatingly beautiful.
From Kleine Scheidegg, the cog wheel train took a steep ascend and entered into a seven km long tunnel cutting through Mount Eiger and Mönch. The train stopped briefly twice – at Eigerwand (9,396 feet) and Eismeer (10,361 feet), before reaching Jungfraujoch.
Located inside the mountain, along the tunnel, tiny Eigerwand and Eismeer stations have viewing windows bored into the rocks, from where one can have an amazing view of the Alpine landscape. From the viewing window at Eigerwand, we could gaze straight down on the famous north face of the Eiger, and from the Eismeer window, we got a great view of the Grindelwald-Fiescher glacier – a vast expanse of snow and ice.
The journey through the tunnel took about 45 minutes
From the train station, we walked along a tunnel, to reach the Alpine Sensation – an exhibition (of images, lights and music) that was opened in 2012 to mark the centenary of the Jungfraujoch Railway, where we learned the history of the Jungfraujoch railways.
A shiver runs down the spine when entering the 250 meter long corridor between the Sphinx Hall and the Ice Palace on a moving walkway. And not just because of the freezing temperatures, but also because of the sacrifices that the miners made to open up the Jungfraujoch to the railway. 30 plaques bear witness to this. The music on the way also causes goosebumps: it brings the beginnings of the Jungfrau Railway to life, together with the pictures from the time of the tourist visionaries. At the end of the corridor is a giant snow globe.
Alpine Sensation
From the ‘Alpine Sensation’ exhibit, we took another tunnel to what is called the ‘Ice Palace’ – a sparkling, blue, sub-zero world of sheer ice. On a mirror-smooth tour through a frosty world, discover works of art in niches. Eagles, penguins and bears appear as if they have just frozen to ice, they look so lifelike.
Eventually, we did a loop and found ourselves at the base of the futuristic looking observatory elevator called the Sphinx. An elevator ascends from the subterranean train station, up the observatory hall.
Tip:
Without realising, we made the right choice of doing the Alpine Sensation and Ice Palace first as it was quiet and hardly anyone. Most people head straight to the Sphinx Observatory, not to mention the lineup at the elevator or out to the Snow Park.
The Sphinx observatory, built at an altitude of 11,715 feet, is a tall, slender and imposing, concrete-metal-glass structure, precariously perched on top of a steep, narrow, rocky cliff. It was built in 1937; 25 years after the train station opened. A metal-grate terrace is built around the observatory, providing 360 degree views of the high alpine landscape, including Europe longest glacier at 22 Kms - Aletsch.
The perpetually snow bound observatory, which serves as a research station for subjects such as glaciology, astronomy, meteorology, radiation, and cosmic ray studies lies in the heart of a pristine high-alpine environment.
From the lift, we approached the circular glass paneled observation hall, from where we got breathtaking views of the craggy peaks, glaciers and seemingly endless expanses of snow and ice.
There are a few restaurants, an impressive Lindt Chocolate workshop and souvenir shops at the observatory building.
Restaurants :
Restaurant Crystal (Swiss and international cuisine), restaurant Bollywood (Indian cuisine), self-service restaurant Aletsch.
Took the elevator down and made our way out – there is the Snow Park, a vast and open glacier plateau where you can go sledging, skiing and snowboarding. It was a bright and sunny day, and as we got out from the tunnel, it took our eyes some time to adjust to the bright light reflecting off the snow and ice. Don't forget to bring your sunglasses.
The weather was so good that we tried to walk to get closer to the peaks, but we did not take into account how thin air is at this high altitude. After 15 mins we were gasping for air and just stopped to instead marvel at this once in a lifetime view and fool around a bit with the alpine snow.
We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon, before heading back. When we reached Interlaken, we decided to head to Schynige Platte as we still had plenty of time left for the day. ( more details next page ).
Specials:
Europe’s highest-altitude post office with its own area code (3801)
Extra Tips:
1. Jungfraujoch is an extremely popular tourist destination, particularly with Indians and Japanese. In order to avoid the crowds, go early in the morning. The weather tends to be clearer too. There is a new train leaving/arriving every thirty minutes.
2. You get the best views during the entire journey, sitting on the right side. And take the circular route, via Lauterbrunnen one way, and Grindelwald, the other.
3. Jungfraujoch is often cloudy. So check the weather forecast before booking your tickets.
4. The restaurants up there are expensive and you are sure to get hungry. So if you on a budget, you might want to carry snacks / light lunch and water with you.
5. It gets gradually cold as you go up and it can be very windy at the top. When we went the temperature at the top was normal and not freezing. So dress in layers, take gloves, good sunglasses,and a hat
6. At 11,332 feet above sea level, you can have mild altitude sickness. we were a bit breathless at times. So take it easy and take a painkiller, in case you have a headache. And keep yourself well hydrated.
Comments