Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe

Hi y'all! Welcome to my first official blog post!

Our current home, Bern, is situated pretty much smack dab in the center of Switzerland in an area known as the Berner Mittelland. To the south is another area called the Berner Oberland (Bernese highland to translate directly). It is in this area that the Bernese alps are located. There are three peaks in particular that are particularly famous: the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau (the ogre, monk, and maiden). If you have spent any time in Lauterbrunnen valley on a nice day, you will have seen these three peaks. I haven't found any "official" accounts of why the mountains received those names, but if I do that'll be another post.

This photo was taken from Grutschalp looking toward the three peaks

The tallest of these three peaks is Jungfrau. The very top is just over 4000 meters high. And of course, since this is Switzerland, there is a train that will take you there. The Jungfrau railway is the highest in Europe. You can access it from either the Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald valleys, by taking either a cable car or a train. We opted for the Eiger Express cable car leaving from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher, and then hopped on the train from there to Jungfraujoch, the yoke of the Jungfrau. There is quite a bit to do at the top. There is an "ice palace" with really cute ice sculptures, a viewing platform called the Sphinx, a Lindt store, several restaurants, and if you have more time you can hike to a mountain hut or do a glacier hike on the Aletsch gletscher (only do this last one with a guide, as it can be very dangerous). The journey to the top takes about 45 min-1hr. The gondola is continuously running but the train departs on a schedule. We did this trip during the low season and it was still fairly crowded. If you go, no matter your route, pay the extra 10 chf to reserve a seat for a specific time, otherwise you may find yourself waiting for the next train.

We took this trip on a day when the lower altitudes were blanketed by fog and low lying clouds. Once we got above the cloud layer it was a beautiful clear day. When there are no clouds, one can see all the way to Bern. However, we really liked this effect and enjoyed seeing the cloud sea.

The train ride takes place in a long mountain tunnel and is fairly uneventful, except for the five minute stop in the middle to see the eismeer (ice sea), the Aletsch glacier/gletscher. There are also bathrooms at this stop if you need to make a quick pit stop, but be sure to take in the views of the glacier.

The Eismeer/Sea of Ice

Once you exit the train, just follow the signs/all the other people away from the tracks. If you want to do the hike to the monk's hut, there are signs that veer you off to a door to get outside. Otherwise follow signs to the viewing platform and ice palace. We opted to go straight to the viewing platform. Follow the signs and take the elevator on a long (but surprisingly fast) ride up to the top.

After hanging out at the viewing platform and freezing, we took the lift back down to the plateau where we walked out and had a lovely view of the Aletsch Glacier. We also wandered through the ice palace and had lunch at the self serve restaurant. If you get there outside of the crowds you can score a seat by the window and take in all the gorgeous views while having your Jungfraujoch wine! There is also a fun audiovisual section with cow statues and a giant snow globe. When you visit the ice palace, keep an eye out for Scrat!

After lunch we decided it was time to head back down. The train back down does not stop at the eismeer, so be sure to check that out on the way up. The gondola ride was just as lovely coming down.