If you only visit one part of Switzerland, make it the Jungfrau Region. The iconic mountain landscape has world-famous Alpine peaks, thundering waterfalls, large glaciers, and vast meadows, and are plenty of unforgettable activities to enjoy in all seasons. Here is our pick of the top 10.
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch boasts one of the most famous European peaks and the highest railway station on the continent (hence the phrase ‘Jungfrau’, meaning ‘Top of Europe’). The track leads through the mountains of Eiger and Mönch, up to incomparable panoramas of the surrounding peaks and the Aletsch Glacier. The Jungfraujoch is also home to the space-age-like weather station, appropriately named The Sphinx, which contains restaurants, souvenir shops, indoor viewing terraces, and the ice palace. The ice palace was carved entirely by hand, the entire 1,000 square metres being chiselled painstakingly with an ice axe and saw, and is a spectacular sight.
Most famously known as the filming location of the James Bond classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Schilthorn is an iconic peak on the Jungfrau skyline. The revolving restaurant of Piz Gloria is where the scenes were filmed, and die-hard Bond fans can also visit the interactive James Bond exhibition. If you prefer to act out the spy’s most famous exploits, the mountain also has the Inferno Run between Schilthorn and Mirren; it is a difficult slope for amateur skiers.
The Ballenberg Open Air Museum showcases Swiss history in an interactive historical village. Original century-old Swiss houses and farms from various parts of Switzerland are on display, each with its own regional architecture. The museum aims to show the traditional Swiss lifestyle, with craftsmen demonstrating skills such as hat-making or weaving, gardens of vegetables, herbs, medicinal plants, and more than 100 farm animals in the area. Ballenberg should be seen over the timespan of a few days, as it is too large to be properly viewed in one.
Open from early April to October, 10.00am – 5.00pm
The St. Beatus Caves are an easily-accessible excursion from the Jungfrau Region, located on the eastern shore of Lake Thun. The caves are named after the legendary Saint Beatus, who is said to have killed the dragon living inhabiting them. Filled with limpid pools, chiselled gorges and waterfalls, these limestone caves are a wanderer’s delight. There are several formations of stalactites and stalagmites, lending every new turn a magical, fairy-like air, and the sight is worth a trip.
Grimselpass is a mountain pass that leads directly into the Jungfrau region, and links the Hasli Valley with Goms in the canton of Valais. The scenery is wild, sparse, and rugged: a mountainous region with few trees (if any). There are sky-reflecting reservoir lakes and dams, but the landscape is otherwise dominated by hydroelectric power plants and pylons, reminescent of the Norwegian Fjell area. This area is best explored by car, as the walking trails may sometimes be closed off, and the car routes are well-situated with frequent stopping areas.
Panoramaweg
The Panoramaweg is a hiking trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, which, true to its name, shows the most stunning Alpine panoramas. A relatively easy trail, walkable in just an hour and a half, it has a variety of sights. The views are spectacular: you see the great triumvirate of Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau, as well as the Silberhorn. However, the peaks are not the only thing to marvel at here; there are also several Alpine floral varieties, cows grazing alongside the path, and occasionally even yodelling. It is quintessential Switzerland at its loveliest.
Pat, as she is otherwise known, is currently studying for an MA Honours in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh. Her passions include poetry, travelling, wit, and cooking. She has a perfectionist’s attitude to coursework and essay-writing and wants to write hers as artistically and exquisitely as possible. She is always open to learning more about new ideas, opinions, cultures and lifestyles. She would like to continue studying literature for a few more years and eventually branch out into academia and/or researching and presenting documentaries, as both allow her to share the things she’s learnt with the world.
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