Things to Do in the Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau Region is the place that made me understand why people keep photographing the same three mountains forever, because they genuinely never get old. This corner of the Swiss Alps, spread around Interlaken and the high villages of Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Muerren, holds some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth, and the best part is that a lot of it is reachable by train. Between the famous peaks, the thundering waterfalls, and the lakes that mirror the summits, I filled days without ever feeling rushed. These are the things I would do again without hesitation.
Ride the train to the Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch, billed as the Top of Europe, is the highest railway station on the continent and one of the great train journeys of the world. I took the cog railway up from Kleine Scheidegg, passing through tunnels carved into the mountain, and emerged at 3,454 meters in the middle of a glacier. The view of the Aletsch Glacier and the towers of the Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau from the Sphinx observation deck is staggering. It is expensive and busy, so book your slot early and go first thing to beat the tour groups. It is touristy, but it earns every bit of the reputation.
Walk the Eiger Trail below the north face
For a closer look at the Eiger’s famous north face without climbing it, the Eiger Trail runs for a few kilometers along the base of the precipice, from the Eigergletscher station down toward Alpiglen. I walked it on a blue sky day and could almost feel the wall looming above me, the same face that climbers have obsessed over for a century. The path is moderate and mostly level with some descent, and the views are relentless. In summer the wildflowers came right up to the trail. Pack water and layers, and take your time, this was one of my favorite walks in the Alps.
Stand above the Lauterbrunnen valley
The Lauterbrunnen valley is the classic postcard, a deep valley walled by cliffs with dozens of waterfalls tumbling off the sides, including the famous Staubbach. I found the best perspectives by getting above it, either taking the lift up to Muerren for a balcony view or hiking the cliffside trail that threads along the valley wall. Interlaken sits nearby as the gateway, and the whole lowlands area is stunning. The contrast of the dark cliffs, white water, and green meadows is unforgettable, and I could have spent a whole day just turning in circles and looking up.
Take the Schilthorn for the Bond view
The Schilthorn summit gives a sweeping 360 degree panorama of the Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger plus a host of other peaks, and it has a fun quirk, it was the filming location for a James Bond film and still has the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant named after it. I rode the cable cars up from Muerren through a series of dramatic transfers and the summit views were among the widest I saw on the whole trip. Have lunch in the revolving restaurant and watch the peaks turn slowly past the windows. If the weather is clear, put this high on your list.
Visit the glaciers at Grindelwald
Grindelwald, with its view of the Eiger north face right above the village, is the most accessible base and a hub of activity. Near it are the famous glacier gorges, where I walked wooden paths through narrow rock canyons carved by ice and saw the blue meltwater rushing below. The First cable car from Grindelwald opens up cliff walks and the famous First Flyer zip line, plus a lake that mirrors the peaks called Bachalpsee. Between the gorges, the First activities, and the village itself, Grindelwald could fill several days on its own. I loved touching the ice and feeling the cold air rise off it.
One view you should not miss
If there is one view I would underline from my time in the region, it is the moment you come out of the Eiger tunnel and the world slides open onto the glacier and the peaks. Every traveler who reaches the Jungfraujoch knows it, but it still catches you out. On the way down, save space for a stop at Kleine Scheidegg, where the trains meet beneath the Eiger north face and the whole scene reads like a painting. I sat there with a coffee and simply watched the light move across the cliffs, and it might have been the most peaceful hour of my trip. Do not rush the descents.
Slow down by the lakes of Interlaken
When my legs needed a rest, I turned to the two big lakes that frame Interlaken, Thun and Brienz. I took a steamer across Lake Brienz on a calm afternoon and watched the forested slopes and painted shoreline villages glide past, and I carved out time for a swim or a paddle on a warm day. The towns along the shores, like Thun with its castle and Brienz with its woodcarving traditions, make easy and lovely day trips. It is a gentle counterpoint to the high peaks, and I found it the perfect way to round out a trip that was otherwise all about altitude.
