What can you do when Zurich is hitting the 35 degrees Celsius?
Well, one option is to escape the city and enjoy the refreshing air of the mountains. And, about that, the higher, the better. That is why today I will cover one of the unmissable high-altitude destinations in Switzerland: the Jungfraujoch.
Jungfraujoch. Those people look quite small over there! And although it seems so white and cold, it was actually a pleasant temperature of few degrees Celsius above zero.
Photo taken in June 2019.
The Jungfraujoch is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch and is located between the peaks Jungfrau and Mönch, at an altitude of 3454 m. It is called Top of Europe, which does not mean that it is the highest peak in Europe but rather the highest train station.
The good thing is that this makes the Jungfraujoch easily accessible from Interlaken. The bad thing is that the train ride is pretty expensive, but on the other hand everything is expensive in Switzerland.
There are two possible train routes to go to the Jungfraujoch. They both start in Interlaken Ost and go to Wilderswil and Zweilütschinen, where they take two different directions: one route goes to Grindelwald, while the other goes to Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. Both routes then continue to Kleine Scheidegg, where visitors have to change train to go up to the Jungfraujoch. You can reserve the train tickets in advance, which is a good idea especially during the high season if you do not want to wait due to the countless groups that go there on a guided tour. The whole trip from Interlaken Ost to the Jungfraujoch takes approximately two hours and goes through several ecosystems, with the white gradually replacing the green. See with your eyes from the pics below!
On the way to Jungfraujoch. There are still many signs of human activity here.
Photo taken in June 2019.
On the way to Jungfraujoch. The landscape is gradually changing, and it is hard to find a house in the surroundings.
Photo taken in June 2019.
The top of the Jungfraujoch hosts the Sphinx Observatory, which has an observation terrace, an astronomical dome, four laboratories, a workshop and a weather observation station. There, you will find also the starting point of a walk on the Aletsch Glacier, the impressive Glacier Plateau, some facilities for winter sports, the Ice Palace and the Alpine Sensation.
Jungfraujoch. View from the terrace of the Sphinx Observatory.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Sphinx Observatory. You have probably seen this picture one thousand times, since it is the classic choice for most of the brochures advertising this unique place in the Swiss Alps. However, I could not resist taking my own picture on the way from Kleine Scheidegg to Männlichen.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Aletsch Glacier. The Aletsch Glacier is 22 km long and nearly 900 m thick, which means that you have almost one kilometre of snow and ice below your feet! The glacier walk, which takes approximately 45-60 minutes, brings you to the highest serviced hut in Switzerland, the Mönchsjochhütte.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Mönchsjochhütte. The restaurant is actually pretty good and has a fabulous view! Bring some cash, since the minimum amount you can pay by card is 30 CHF. If you want, you can also stay overnight in the dormitory of the hut at a very convenient price.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Jungfraujoch. After many years in Switzerland, it is time to conquer one of its highest peaks!
Photo taken in June 2019.
Jungfraujoch. View over the immense Glacier Plateau, seen from the top of the Jungfraujoch.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Jungfraujoch. If you are into adventure sports, the top of the Jungfraujoch might be the right place for your next jump off a cliff!
Photo taken in June 2019.
Jungfraujoch. Paragliders having fun on top of the Jungfraujoch.
Photo taken in June 2019.
On the glacier walk. Finally, some good fresh air! I like the deep blue color of the sky in this picture, which is just an artefact of the intense white of the snow.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Alpine Sensation on the Jungfraujoch. The Alpine Sensation is a small museum hosted in the corridor that connects the Sphinx Observatory to the Ice Palace. In not more than 250 m, it describes the history of the Jungfraujoch and the hard work of the miners that worked to build the railway. The entrance is very Swiss!
Photo taken in June 2019.
Ice Palace on the Jungfraujoch. The Ice Palace is an exhibition hall entirely made of ice, which is kept at -3 degrees Celsius and showcases a nice collection of ice sculptures and even an ice bar counter. This is the entrance.
Photo taken in June 2019.
Ice Palace on the Jungfraujoch. Have you watched the Ice Age? If yes, this cute prehistoric squirrel should look familiar to you!
Photo taken in June 2019.
Ice Palace on the Jungfraujoch. Even this penguin is freezing here!
Photo taken in June 2019.
Do you want to know more about the area around the Jungfraujoch? Here you find some more ideas for a weekend in this beautiful region!
Published by Federica on 14 July 2019
Category: Travels
Tags: Europe, Switzerland, Mountains, Summer