An astonishing journey to the Jungfraujoch
Looking forward to spending time outdoors this sunny Sunday in Switzerland?
Jungfraujoch is the answer. It is one of the most iconic and beautiful places in the Swiss Alps.
The panorama is breathtaking: on one side the view of the Swiss Midland region towards the Vosges, on the other the Aletsch Glacier, lined with four thousand metre peaks.
The Jungfraujoch (in english Jungfrau saddle) is a saddle connecting two major mountains of the Bernese Swiss Alps: the Jungfrau and the Mönch. And it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site called Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.
The story behind the Jungfraujoch railway
According to wikipedia, it was Adolf Guyer-Zeller (a Swiss businessman and entrepreneur) had the idea of building a tunnel in 1893 with seven stations before reaching the peak of the Sphinx. The building of the tunnel started on July 27, 1896 and took 16 years to complete. The construction phase was troubled by many problems including monetary shortages, inclement weather and mounting deaths due to construction accidents.
When construction finally finished, the railway reached only to the height of the Jungfraujoch saddle, rather than the summit of the Sphinx, and had only two intermediate stations.
This railway station is a significant achievement in engineering and construction, still holding the title for highest railway in Europe.
What makes this railway station a must see?
The Jungfraujoch railway station, at an elevation of 3,454 metres (11,332 ft) is the highest in Europe. It lies east of the saddle, below the Sphinx station, and is connected to the Top of Europe building. Just the thought that you will be at the top and the amazing 360 view from there will make it worth the ride.
Get off the train and get your adrenaline going.
Once you arrive and disembark the train, there is one more journey to take before you start exploring. It’s time to board the ultra-fast elevator that takes you up another 117 meters to your destination, Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.
After that, discover the Sphinx Observatory that is located at 3,571 metres and is the highest and most distinctive building on the Jungfraujoch.
From up here, you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Aletsch Glacier and the Bernese Oberland.
On clear days, you can even see all the way to the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest. Your eyes will not even believe the surreal beauty this place has.
There are no slopes leading down from the Jungfraujoch, so you need to take the cog railway back down to the valley, believe us, you will love this ride! When you finish the tunnel, the beautiful slopes of Kleine Scheidegg will sparkle like diamonds.
How to get to Jungfraujoch?
Since 1912, the Jungfraujoch has been accessible to people by the Jungfrau line, a railway from Kleine Scheidegg, running partly underground through a tunnel through the Eiger and Mönch.
The ride is about 45 min but with the excitement you will have, the time will run quickly! And remember that the only way to get to Jungfraujoch is by train. So plan well your journey and prepare your tickets :)
Let the icy air sweep your face and the breathtaking views blow your mind. Jungfraujoch is a unique place in the middle of the nature. It's one you have to experience.
