Jungfrau | mountain, Switzerland | Britannica.com mountain, Switzerland Laki Jungfrau, well-known Swiss peak (13,642 feet [4,158 metres]) dominating the Lauterbrunnen valley and lying 11 miles (18 km) south-southeast of the resort of Interlaken . The scenic mountain separates the cantons of Bern and Valais and is in the Bernese Alps , two other peaks of which (the Finsteraarhorn [14,022 feet] and the Aletschhorn [13,763 feet]) surpass it in height. The first ascent was made in 1811 on the eastern or Valais side by two Swiss brothers, Rudolf and Hieronymus Meyer. It was not until 1865 that two Englishmen made the first ascent from the difficult western, or Interlaken, side, and in 1927 two guides climbed the south side.

One of Europe’s highest railways (constructed 1896–1912) cuts a 4.4-mile-long tunnel through the Eiger and Mönch peaks to the Jungfraujoch, a pass (11,335 feet) between the Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. Jungfrau, Switzerland. Securing the Jungfrau railway as the permafrost thaws. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Learn More in these related articles: Bernese Alps segment of the Central Alps lying north of the Upper Rhône River and south of the Brienzer and Thunersee (lakes) in Bern and Valais cantons of southwestern Switzerland. The mountains extend east-northeastward from the bend of the Rhône near Martigny-Ville to Grimsel Pass and Haslital... in William Augustus Brevoort Coolidge ...Alpine study became his main interest. From 1885 he resided in Switzerland.

He made his chief ascents between 1865 and 1898 and accomplished the first winter ascent of the 13,642-foot (4,158-metre) Jungfrau in Switzerland (1874). As a historian he was noted for his meticulous scholarship and editing. His books include Guide to Switzerland (1901) and The Alps in Nature and History... 1 Reference found in Britannica Articles Assorted Reference ascent of Coolidge (in William Augustus Brevoort Coolidge ) External Links Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources.

At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: February 03, 2015 URL: Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share Jungfraujoch Top Of Europe: Swiss Alps Scenic Train Tour - Rail Europe It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful playground – perfect for everyone, than the one you’ll find here. A place so remarkable, it’s always peak season.

You leave from Interlaken, Grindelwald or Wengen, in Switzerland, and start by taking a unique, moderncogwheel railway to Kleine Scheidegg, 6762 feet up. From there, the Jungfrau railway climbs to the Eiger Glacier station, well known for its mountain restaurant and polar dog kennels. Then continue through the Eiger tunnel, only stopping to enjoy spectacular vistas on the way to the highest railway station in Europe. The Jungfraujoch, over 11,000 feet up, and called the Top of Europe. Switzerland’s most breathtaking scenery awaits. View a 13.6 mile ice stream, an Ice Palace, and views that will melt your heart. What do you call this once in a lifetime railway experience in Switzerland? The Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe from Rail Europe, just part of their offerings for Switzerland. But then, it only makes sense. Rail Europe always leaves you feeling on top of the world, no matter where you are. Here’s what’s included: Round trip travel to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe from Interlaken, Grindelwald or Wengen.

Scenic trip to Eiger Glacier Station and through the Eiger tunnel to the Eigerwand and Eismeer stations. Sightseeing at the Great Aletsch Glacier, Ice Palace, Ice Gateway, Sphinx observation terrace, high alpine research exhibitions and more. Conditions: Discounted rates are only valid with a rail pass that includes Switzerland, please refer to the type of rail pass you have when selecting your tickets. All child rates are valid for children ages 6 -15. Children under 6 are free. Children traveling with a Swiss Family Card are free when they travel with a parent or guardian that is traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass. Where noted below, please indicate the number of children that are NOT covered by the Swiss Family Card. Note: these children will be required to purchase a ticket. Train tickets and Swiss Transfer tickets are not valid for rail pass discounts. Tickets are valid for six months from the date of purchase. Prices are subject to change. Seat Reservations between Kleine Scheidegg – Jungfraujoch are recommended for travel between (May and October) and are an additional fee.

Reservations can be made at the following Jungfraujoch Rail Stations: Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Grindelwald-Grund, Murren and Wengen. Jungfraujoch - Switzerland Tourism Jungfraujoch On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland. Share contents 5 Stars For more than 100 years, the Jungfrau railway has been making its journey to Europe’s highest-altitude railway station at 3454 metres a.s.l. – right at the heart of the UNESCO heritage site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch”. All through the year, the cog railway runs steeply up through a tunnel to the Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg. The tunnel leading up from the station Eigergletscher is seven kilometres in length and was built between 1896 and 1912. One stop within the tunnel offers spectacular views onto the glacier world outside through windows in the Eiger North Face. On the summit, visitors are greeted by a high-Alpine wonder world made of ice, snow and rocks.

All of this can be marvelled at from the viewing platforms “Sphinx” and “Plateau” on the Aletsch glacier or from the “Ice Palace”. Information Altitude: 3454 m a.s.l.

Arrival: Via Grindelwald–Kleine Scheidegg or via Lauterbrunnen–Kleine Scheidegg, then by cog railway Kleine Scheidegg–Jungfraujoch Timetable: Operates year-round Travel duration to summit: 2 hrs 10 mins Attractions: Nine kilometres of railway track from Kleine Scheidegg, close to 1400 metres in altitude, a little over seven kilometres within the mountain tunnel; Ice Palace, Ice Gateway, Sphinx viewing platform, walks in the eternal snow, Alpine research exhibition in summer Food & beverage: Restaurant Crystal (110 seats; Swiss and international cuisine), Restaurant Bollywood (80 seats; Indian cuisine), self-service restaurant Aletsch (150 seats) Specials: Europe’s highest-altitude station at 3454 m a.s.l., Europe’s highest-altitude post office with its own area code (3801), Aletsch glacier – at 23 kilometres the longest Alpine glacier The Best of the Alps: Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region – Rick Steves’ Europe TV Show Episode Olle and Maria’s B&B Maria and Olle Eggimann rent three rooms — Gimmelwald’s most comfortable and

 expensive — in their quirky but alpine-sleek house.

Having raised three kids of their own here, Maria and Olle offer visitors a rare and intimate peek at this community. The two bathless rooms are upstairs and used to belong to their kids, while the “double” with private bath is a ground-level studio apartment with a private entrance. Schilthornbahn Cable Car The Schilthornbahn cable car carries skiers, hikers, and sightseers effortlessly to the nearly 10,000-foot summit of the Schilthorn, where the Piz Gloria cable-car station awaits, with its solar-powered revolving restaurant, shop, and panorama terrace. At the top, you have a spectacular panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, lined up on the horizon. Trümmelbach Falls If all the waterfalls have you intrigued, sneak a behind-the-scenes look at the valley’s most powerful, Trümmelbach Falls.

You’ll ride an elevator up through the mountain and climb through several caves (wet, with lots of stairs, and — for some — claustrophobic) to see the melt from the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau grinding like God’s bandsaw through the mountain at the rate of up to 5,200 gallons a second (that’s 20,000 liters—nearly double the beer consumption at Oktoberfest). Pension Gimmelwald Now run by Englishman David, Pension Gimmelwald is an old, low-ceilinged farmhouse converted into a family-style inn, with 12 simple shared-bath rooms, a restaurant, and a cozy bar. Aside from the rooms, they have a 6-bed dorm rented out by the bed (which attracts more mature guests than a youth hostel). Its terrace, overlooking the Mountain Hostel, has gorgeous views across the valley. Rick: Do you speak English? Esther: Yes, a little bit. Can I help? Rick: What do you have for sale here? Esther: We have Alp cheese, mountain cheese. We have, from our cows, beef jerky — salami sausage — but we make not here in the house.

The cow goes to Interlaken, and the sausage and the dried meat come back. The sausage is 28 percent pork. But all is organic. We have an organic farm. Rick: OK. So, how much is the beef jerky? Esther: It’s five francs. It’s 100 grams slice. Rick: Beautiful, I’ll have that. Esther: Thank you very much. Rick: Danke schön. Esther: Bye, have a nice day. The village’s biggest building is the schoolhouse. And the teacher, Olle Eggimann, is giving us a look at alpine education. Olle: OK, Rick, come in. This is our classroom here. Here we have 17 children we teach — from seven to 16 years old. So we teach them all together in one classroom. My wife and I share the only teaching position in town. Each day starts with singing. Then the students settle into their respective studies. It’s little Nicole’s first week, so she’s getting some extra attention. Nicole: …drüü, vier, füüf, sächs, sibe, acht, nüün, zää!

Olle: Well, you know it’s somehow like a family where we have children that are seven year old and sixteen years old. If we go skiing or hiking, the older kids, without even that I ask for it, they will carry the heavy luggage for them. So it’s really, they take care of each other. Olle and his wife Maria are enthusiastic about the modern world — and they also respect the deep-seated local traditions. The students enjoy the best of both worlds. Olle: You know, education should prepare children for their life. And what is important? Here, it’s important that they know to use the facilities we have, like computers. But more important, they have to learn how to write, how to read, to understand what they see. They have to learn several languages — at least English, French, German. And these are the basics of an education, and this will never change. Villagers are expected to serve as firefighters, and every few months — rain or shine — they suit up and have a drill. With the fierce Alp winds, many of these all-wood towns have burnt entirely to the ground. These remote villages have no option but to provide their own firefighters.

And since many of the men are out in the fields, stay-at-home-moms play a key role. Gimmelwald has never had a major fire. I was told that the villagers, well aware of the proficiency of their firefighting team…are especially careful with fires. In the Alps, get an early start. The peaks are often clear in the morning and then cloud up. We’re riding the Schilthornbahn to the top of the Schilthorn. The Schilthornbahn carries skiers, hikers, and sightseers quick and easy to the 10,000-foot summit of the Schilthorn, where the Piz Gloria station awaits with a restaurant, shop, and panorama terrace. The early ride is discounted enough to pay for a big breakfast in the revolving restaurant, which caps the summit. Breakfast comes with 360 degrees of ever-changing views. While lifts take you to the high points effortlessly, there’s nothing like actually hiking. You can gain your altitude by lift and hike from a gondola station on a level trail. Trails are thoughtfully signposted. This sign points to eight destinations.

Gimmelwald is 3 hours, 15 minutes to the left. These times are clocked by local senior citizens — a humbling thought. Mountain huts are stationed throughout the Alps — often a comfortable day’s hike apart. You could hike from France to Slovenia, never come out of the mountains, and every night sleep in a hut like this. They provide simple meals, hot drinks, and cheap loft beds enabling hikers to enjoy serious hikes without carrying food, sleeping bags or tents. I love these hikes. While we’re high above the villages, we’re not too high for the cows or the goats. Take time to greet these tame alpine companions and listen to their random symphony of bells. Enjoy the wildflowers including, if they’re in season, the much-loved edelweiss — a symbol of the Alps. Mürren. This is a typical Swiss resort community — peacefully traffic-free, with hikers in the summer, skiers in the winter, lots of big hotels, cliff-side terrace restaurants, and colorful shops with all the alpine trinkets. Mürren is also a good starting point for mountain biking, popular here in the Alps. Bike shop man: So, here’s your bike.

Rick: All right. Bike shop man: Just stick on the roads with the bike signs and you’ll be alright. Rick: Now, I’ve got about half a day. What’s a good loop trip? Bike shop man: A good loop trip? I’d recommend from Mürren here, going down to Gimmelwald here — it’s always down in elevation — Stechelberg, along the bottom of valley floor to Lauterbrunnen, and then you can… Rick: Put it on the lift. Bike shop man: Go up on the funicular… Rick: Ah, right back into Mürren. Bike shop man: Don’t forget to take a few pictures. Rick: I’ll do that. Thanks a lot. Have a good day. Bike shop man: Bye. Small service roads and well-marked intersections make biking easy. And since I’m using lifts to regain my altitude, most of my big loop ride is level or downhill. Signs indicate where bikers are welcome. This little road leads to the valley floor. Lauterbrunnen means “valley of loud waters” — an apt name. And today, the waterfalls are particularly robust.

Of the many waterfalls, Trümmelbach is unique because it’s actually inside the mountain and offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the power of nature in action. Your Trümmelbach Falls experience starts with an elevator ride. Then, after hiking through some cavernous tunnels, you emerge deep inside the mountain and high above the valley floor. You see the raging river grinding like God’s bandsaw deeper and deeper into the mountain. The melt water from the region’s top peaks — the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau — thunders through this funnel-like gorge at the rate of over 4,000 gallons a second. Rolling on, my route takes me through a typical European campground. It’s understandable why campgrounds are so popular here. Good ones are idyllically situated and come with plenty of rustic comforts: a well-groomed place to park your trailer or pitch your tent, great facilities, a small store and restaurant. And campgrounds often come with bungalows, offering cheap beds for those without gear. Nestled in the bottom of the valley is the town of Lauterbrunnen. Its central location makes it a handy hub from which to explore either side of the valley.

From here, a funicular — which carries bikes as well as people — takes me straight up the mountain. Rick: Excuse me. How steep is this? Driver: Sixty-one percent. Rick: Sixty-one percent! Kein Problem? Driver: Never a problem. Rick: Never? For one hundred years? Driver: Yes. This sure beats the stairs. And, from the top, a scenic lane leads back to my starting point in Mürren. Exploring this natural wonderland, you come upon great examples of how, in Switzerland, tradition meets the modern world…and survives. This water wheel — 150 years old but washed out in a recent flood — was rebuilt with its blade still powered by a mountain stream. Almost all of the timber in the mountain villages around here was cut by water-powered mills like this. Small-scale mills are slower and more labor-intensive than modern mills, but there’s still a strong demand for this more expensive — but traditionally made — local product. Milk cows spend their summers munching the wild herbs and flowers in the high meadows. Their milk is destined to become the treasured Alp cheese, or Alpkäse.

Alpine farms — doing their traditional work — welcome hikers and bikers for a peek at the cheese-making action. This farm is newly renovated to meet European Union standards. Failing to meet these would mean the cheese could not be exported. But still, traditional quality survives all these modern regulations. Each morning Veronika — a licensed and highly trained cheese maker — and her crew milk the cows and heat a copper vat of milk over a wood fire. As it slowly curdles, it’s stirred at just the right temperature until the consistency is exactly how Veronika likes it. At just the right moment, she swings the vat off the fire, then quickly dredges the vat with her cheesecloth and packs the fresh cheese into frames. This process is repeated every day for 100 days here in the high country — a cow’s udder knows no weekend. In the next hut, yesterday’s cheese takes a two-day bath in salt brine, and, after a salty rubdown, it’s marked “Alp Cheese” with a date and number, and set on a shelf to age. Each village takes pride in its own cheese. This hut is full of local Alp cheese. Rick: Guten Tag.

Rick: Do you speak English? Local: A little bit. Rick: Ja, can I…well, I speak ein wenig Deutsch. Kann ich Alpkäse? Local: Ja gerne. Möchten Sie ’nen testen? Rick: Ja, bitte. Rick: Okay, so this is Alpkäse? Local: Ja, das ist Alp. Das ist der ober Alp. Rick: Suppenalp — just up here? Local: Ja. Along with the younger Alpkäse, village cheese makers produce Hobelkäse — an older, stronger cheese aged for up to three years. It’s named after the Hobel, or wood plane, that’s used to cut it. Rick: Ah, that cuts different. So this is stronger? Local: Ja. Yes. Rick: Es schmeckt sehr gut. Local: Schmeckt da’ Ihnen? Rick: Mmm, besser. And you can buy it by the wheel, wedge, or wafer-thin slice to take with you on a hike. Local: Besten Dank! Rick: Danke schön. Wiedersehen! Both: Bye-Bye!

They say the character of the Alp cheese is shaped by the herbs and flowers the cows munch. Some locals claim they can tell in which valley the cows grazed just by the taste. I can’t…but the taste is great. Mmm that’s very good. The only restaurant in town is at the Gimmelwald Pension — a mom-and-pop affair serving basic but tasty alpine cuisine. The menu, which offers local organic produce, changes with whatever the farmers are producing. Liesi: How is your dinner? Rick: Very good. Tell me about this sausage. Liesi: This is organic veal, Bratwurst sausage from here. From Gimmelwald. Rick: Now the fondue here. What kind of cheese is here? Liesi: Mixed cheese. With Gruyère — from the French. With white wine. Rick: How do you do it? Liesi: You must stir in the bottom. Otherwise, you must clean the pot in the kitchen. Rick: I don’t want to do that. Liesi: No? Okay. So work! I always enjoy a chance to hear traditional music — and up here, that starts with cowbells.

[Swiss singing, yodeling and playing instruments] Historically, yodeling and alphorns were a way for distant shepherds, farmsteads, and communities to communicate with one another. The long, legato, echoing tones just seem so right high in the Alps. [Rick playing instrument] For buglers, it’s not that tough. You buzz just as you would when playing a trumpet. Since there are no keys, you get the same notes as a bugle. Needless to say, there was no request for an encore. Anyone visiting the Berner Oberland passes through the grand old resort town of Interlaken. The region’s busy transportation hub, it’s most useful as a springboard for alpine thrills. Interlaken’s classic Old World hotels remind visitors of its glory days. In the late 1800s, when the painters and poets of the Romantic age popularized the wonders of these mountains, the Alps became a major stop for the wealthy on their grand tour of Europe. Interlaken became one of the original alpine resorts, and gracious hotels with ballrooms like this lined its main street.

Interlaken’s glory days are long gone, its elegant old hotels eclipsed by new, more jet-setty resorts. Today its streets are filled with shopping temptations. Monitors show live pictures of the visibility at famous peaks. If the TV screen shows the summit is socked in, you can choose from some interesting lowland options. In the 20th century, Switzerland — famous for its neutrality — became an alpine fortress, honeycombed with underground military installations. Behind this door hides an army hospital with several thousand beds. Anticipating an invasion, Switzerland had airstrips buried in mountainsides and pop-up tank barriers embedded in freeways. Every strategic bridge and tunnel — designed with explosives built in — could be destroyed with a moment’s notice. My friend Fritz Hutmacher, who just finished 20 years in the army reserve, is giving away a few Swiss military secrets. Rick: So, Switzerland is famous for being neutral? Fritz: Yes. But over the last 70 years, the Alps got turned into a huge fortress. Now we have over 15,000 buildings like the ones around us with hidden guns. And even the neighbors they were not aware what was in, they were so secret.

Rick: Fifteen thousand underground installations? Fritz: Yes. Fritz: This barn looks like many others in Switzerland, but it hides a secret. Let’s have a look inside. Rick: Wow, look at this thing. What was this for? Why did they have this here? Fritz: For World War II. It protected the fortress: the Alps. Rick: And was it used later than World War II? Fritz: Yes, it got updated over the last decades and has new technology in it. Rick: So, actually, this gun works? Fritz: This gun works. Rick: Now, children could have grown up outside these doors and not known there was a gun was sitting here? Fritz: Not only children. Generations were not aware what was actually inside these buildings. Rick: And this is not wood. It looks like wood. Fritz: No, that’s solid concrete. In this town, four innocent-looking hay barns conceal a network of tunnels connecting several of these big guns. With the end of the Cold War, many of these once top-secret sites are now open to the public as museums. Rick: This is the gun we just saw? Guten Tag. Kann ich spielen?

Swiss Man: Ja. Rick: So, Fritz, from headquarters they would tell them what coordinates to set this on? Fritz: Yes, they would put the coordinates into that calculator, and the gun gets adjusted. A quick demonstration shows how the gun was prepped and loaded. Rick: This is not just a museum piece — it feels like it could still work. Fritz: Yes, if we had a live round, we could still fire it today. And these wooden houses look cheery and vulnerable from the outside…but, like nearly all modern Swiss houses, Fritz’s family home sits upon a no-nonsense concrete bomb shelter. Fritz: This is the door to our bomb shelter. Rick: Oh, man. How much must this weigh? Fritz: A couple of thousand pounds — concrete and steel. Rick: If you have a nuclear attack… Both: You all run in here. Swiss men are required to spend time in the military, including about 20 years in the reserve. And — like minutemen awaiting an invasion — they have their guns, gas masks, and ammo ready and waiting. While the Swiss may be ready for war, they seem most at peace with nature.

From towns on the valley floor, a train takes tourists and adventurers alike to the region’s ultimate perch — the Jungfraujoch. This breathtaking station sits like a fairy castle at 11,000 feet, between two of the region’s highest peaks. The weather is usually better in the early morning — we’re on the first train. Towering high above are the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger peaks — named for the legend of the young maiden (Jungfrau) being protected by the monk (or Mönch) from the mean ogre (or Eiger). Continuing on, we change trains at Kleine Scheidegg, a rail junction at the base of these peaks. It has shops, rustic beds, and hearty food for hikers. This is the jumping-off point for rock climbers attempting to scale the foreboding north face of the Eiger. This train incredibly tunnels through the inside of the Eiger on its slow yet exhilarating climb to the literal high point of any trip to the Swiss Alps — the Jungfraujoch. Swiss engineers dug this tunnel and built this railway over 100 years ago. Why?

Because they could…and for the viewing pleasure of those 19th-century Romantic Age visitors. Halfway up the Eiger, the train stops at panorama windows. Rock climbers can exit here into an unforgiving world of ice and air. After another short tunnel ride, you emerge at 11,000 feet — the top of Europe. Spectacular views of majestic peaks stretch as far as you can see. Cradled among these giants, you understand the timeless allure of the Swiss Alps. An elevator carries you to the highest viewing point. From there, you can see Aletsch Glacier — Europe’s longest — stretching 11 miles south towards Italy. The air is thin…people are in giddy moods. It’s cold even on a sunny day. While the Jungfraujoch station calls itself the top of Europe, it’s possible to venture even higher. There’s a hut just up the hill, and I’m heading there for another view and some hot chocolate. Thanks for joining us. I’m Rick Steves. Until next time, keep on travelin’. Auf Wiedersehen.

Credits: Jungfrau Lodge, Swiss Mt, Grindelwald, Switzerland - Booking.com Staff 8.6 Family-run for more than 100 years, the Jungfrau Lodge, Swiss Mountain Hotel is located within the Grindelwald ski, hiking and cycling area and offers panoramic views of the Eiger Mountain. The property provides free Wi-Fi and free parking. The rooms at the Jungfrau Lodge have a private bathroom and cable TV and most of them provide panoramic mountain views. The apartment also features a balcony and a kitchen with a coffee machine. The rich buffet breakfast includes homemade products and from the dining room, you can enjoy panoramic Eiger views. Half board is available upon request and includes a 4-course menu. Ski passes can be bought right on site. During the summer, guests can buy tickets for the Bergbahn train at the front desk. Many shops are within walking distance of the Hotel Jungfrau Lodge. The Grindelwald Train Station is 950 feet away, and the Männlichenbahn and Firstbahn Cable Cars are reachable within a 5-minute walk. This is our guests' favorite part of Grindelwald, according to independent reviews. We speak your language!

Jungfrau Lodge, Swiss Mountain Hotel has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Dec 22, 2006 Hotel Rooms: 29 Read more Booking.com Guest Review Guidelines To keep the rating score and review content relevant for your upcoming trip, we archive reviews older than 24 months. Only a customer who has booked through Booking.com and stayed at the property in question can write a review. This allows us to verify that our reviews come from real guests like you. Who better to tell others about the free breakfast, friendly staff, or their comfortable room than someone who’s stayed at the property? We want you to share your story, with both the good and the not-so-good. All we ask is that you follow a few simple guidelines. Reviews Vision We believe review contributions and property responses will highlight a wide range of opinions and experiences, which is critical in helping guests make informed decisions about where to stay. Reviews Principles Contributions to Booking.com are a reflection of the dedication of our guests and properties, so we treat them with the utmost respect. Whether negative or positive, we'll post every comment in full and as quickly as possible, provided the guidelines are met. We'll also provide transparency over the status of submitted content.

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Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe (3,454 m / 11,330 ft): Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/4 hours by train from Interlaken Ost to the top). Snow and ice 100% guaranteed! The UNESCO World Heritage offers the Sphinx observation hall, an impressive Ice Palace and a hiking plateau in the glacier - these are year-round attractions up on the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Summer attractions include a skilift, husky-drawn sledging and adventure activities. Check out Vacation Packages including the Jungfraujoch excursion. Schilthorn - Piz Gloria (2,970 m / 9,742 ft): Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 80 minutes by train and gondola from Interlaken Ost to the top). The most spectacular 360° panorama in the Alps! Dine-and-wine in the world's first revolving restaurant at an altitude of nearly 3,000 metres. Impressive views embrace some 200 snow-capped peaks, ranging from the Bernese Alps to Mont Blanc in France and Germany's Black Forest.

Kleine Scheidegg (2,061 m / 6,760 ft): Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 80 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost). The Kleine Scheidegg, the pass between the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald Valleys, lies directly beneath the towering trio of the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau mountains. From here, the Jungfrau Cogwheel Railway begins its remarkable journey to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe. The Kleine Scheidegg is a lively, bustling place: during the winter it's the departing point of numerous skiing runs, and during summer time, you'll meet Alpine herdsmen with their cattle, climbers preparing to attempt the Eiger North Face and visitors from all over the world. This is also the starting point for some of the best hikes in the region. Maennlichen (2,227 m / 7,305 ft): Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 65 minutes by train and gondola from Interlaken Ost via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen; approx. 90 minutes via Grindelwald Grund).

From the Maennlichen, you have a fabulous view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, as well as the valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. During winter, the Maennlichen is a popular place for winter sports, and in summer, this mountain has a host of hikes to suit all tastes - whether you prefer short or long, wild, tame or tough. First (2,186 m / 7,170 ft): Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 90 minutes by train and gondola from Interlaken Ost to the top). The First mountain is one of Europe's most beautiful viewpoints offering panoramic views of the Bernese Alps with seven peaks of over fourthousand meters (13,120 ft). During winter months, the First invites to great skiing and snowboarding, and in summertime, there are 100 km (62 miles) of picturesque footpaths for all levels, and from the middle station "Bort", you can rent a Trotti-Bike to experience a pleasant way of descending to Grindelwald.

Niederhorn (1,954 m / 6,409 ft): Half-day or Full-day excursion (approx. 60 minutes by bus and gondola from Interlaken West to the top). You can get there by bus and gondola, or via Beatenbucht taking a short cruise on Lake Thun, and then up to Beatenberg by funicular and by aerial cableway to the top of the Niederhorn. This mountain is one of the most popular vantage points in the Bernese Oberland. Fine panoramic views extend from the Lakes of Thun and Brienz to the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. In addition, this mountain offers winter sports during the winter months, and several hiking paths during winter and summer - you might want to rent a Trotti-Bike for a special way to descend to the village of Beatenberg. Brienzer Rothorn (2,244 m / 7,360 ft): open June - October. Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 100 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost to the top). Take a trip up to the Rothorn on Switzerland's only surviving steam-driven cogwheel railway.

The route passes through wonderful woodland, over mountain pastures and past rugged rockfaces. The scenic summit is an ideal departure point for memorable mountain hikes and to observe Alpine animals. Schynige Platte ; Alpine Garden & "Teddyland" (1,967 m / 6,452 ft): open May - October. Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 70 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost to the top). Take the cosy cogwheel railway to this superb vantage point, where the views of the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau are acclaimed as the finest. Other attractions include extensive hiking trails, the Lowa Hiking Shoe Test Center and, especially for our little ones, a large Teddy Bear exhibition. The Alpine Garden is a famous botanical attraction that comprises some 500 different flowering plants and ferns grouped in 15 groups of near-natural locations. From mid-June until late September, the Alpine Garden is an ever changing blaze of colour. Harderkulm (1,322 m / 4,336 ft): open April - October. Half-day excursion.

In just 10 minutes, the Harder funicular takes you up to the Harderkulm. This attractive vantage point offers fine views of Interlaken, the Lakes of Brienz and Thun, and the entire Jungfrau Region. Particularly popular with children are the trip to the top by funicular and the Alpine wildlife park at the valley station, near Interlaken Ost railway station. Heimwehflue (669 m / 2,194 ft): open April - October. Half-day excursion. The old-timer funicular (built in 1906) gets you within less than 5 minutes to the beautiful Heimwehfluh vantage point above Interlaken. Attractions here include beautiful woodland paths, an open-air model railway, an exciting bob run from the top all the way down to the base station in Interlaken and a spacious play area for children. City Excursions: Thun - Gateway to the Bernese Alps: Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 30 minutes by train from Interlaken West). Thun (pronounced "Toon") is one of the most original towns in Switzerland.

It occupies an admirable site with magnificent views of the Bernese Alps and is much overlooked by visitors pressing on to Interlaken. With its picturesque castle, the quaint medieval Old Town, and Lake Thun, one of the loveliest and largest lakes in Switzerland, Thun is well worth a visit. Bern - Switzerland's captivating Capital : Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 50 minutes by train from Interlaken West). Founded in 1191, this is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions of Bern include several historic sites such as the famous Clock Tower, the bearpits (home to the city's heraldic animals), the House of Parliament, the Paul Klee Center, the Swiss Alpine Museum, and excellent shopping arcades. Lucerne - City of Lights : Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/2 hours by train from Interlaken West or Ost). Lucerne is ideally situated in the historic and scenic heart of what many believe to be the "true" Switzerland - picture mountains, lakes, cowbells, alpine villages and meadows full of Edelweiss. Lucerne is renowned for its attractive townscape, historic Chapel Bridge and shopping facilities.

You get to Lucerne by train either via Bern, or with the scenic Golden Pass train via Brienz along Lake Brienz and over the Brünig Pass. Montreux - City of the Swiss Riviera : Full-day excursion (approx. 2 - 2.5 hours by train from Interlaken West). This attractive excursion crosses the "border" between German and French-speaking Switzerland and takes you to the shores of Lake Geneva. Enjoy the mild climate and the beautiful terraced vineyards of Lavaux that are part of the UNESCO world heritage. While in Montreux, you want to consider visiting one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Switzerland, the Chateau de Chillon: in the 13th century this castle was built in a unique setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, and today also serves as a typical postcard souvenir from Switzerland. There are various routes to get from Interlaken to Montreux, either via Spiez and through the Loetschberg Tunnel to the Rhone Valley; or via Bern and Lausanne, or the scenic Golden Pass train through the Simmental Valley via Gstaad (travel time approx. 3 hours).

Other Excursions / Sights: Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: open Mid-April through End of October. Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 70 minutes by train and bus from Interlaken Ost). Experience Switzerland as it used to be! In Ballenberg rural culture and the life of our ancestors becomes a fascinating experience. More than one hundred century-old buildings from all over Switzerland, 250 farmyard animals, traditional, old-time gardens and fields, demonstrations of local crafts and many special events create a vivid impression of rural life in days gone by. St. Beatus Caves: open April - October. Half-day excursion (approx. 25 minutes by bus from Interlaken West). Switzerland's first and only underground cave museum - spectacular but safe. Explore this mysterious maze of stalactites, stalagmites, lakes and waterfalls to a depth of 3,000 meters. Located on the shores of Lake Thun; reachable from Interlaken by boat, car, or bus - or on foot along the historic Pilgrims' Path. Grindelwald Glacier Gorge: Half-day excursion (approx. 45 minutes by train and bus from Interlaken Ost).

The wildly-romantic gorge, with its mills, erosion, pink and green marble blocks, is a masterpiece of nature. From the Gletscherschlucht hotel-restaurant a wooden walkway leads over raging water, through galleries and tunnels in the rock over 1,000 m (approx. 0.7 miles) into the depths of the gorge. At the entrance to the Glacier Gorge there is a crystal museum with minerals found in the Bernese Alps. The Glacier Gorge is reached within 35 minutes on foot from the center of Grindelwald, or by bus from Grindelwald station within just a few minutes. Truemmelbach Falls: open April - November. Half-day excursion (approx. 40 minutes by train and bus from Interlaken Ost). Located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen. 10 glacier-waterfalls inside the mountain made accessible by tunnel-lift and illuminated. The Trummelbach river drains the mighty glacier defiles of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains - up to 20,000 liters of water per second.

Aare Gorge: open April - October The Aare Gorge is situated between Meiringen and Innertkirchen in the valley of Hasli. The gorge is 1.4 kilometers (nearly 1 mile) long and up to 180 meters (600 ft) deep. For more than 100 years, the gorge is accessible to visitors by a system of safe paths and tunnels that run through it. The walk through the gorge is a very special way to experience nature. Cruises on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz: from April - October. Half- or Full-day excursion or evening cruise. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on a modern motorship or one of the renovated stately steamers. Excellent catering and banquet facilities, theme events and club, company and family festivities, paddle steamer with children's club, evening cruises with entertainment. Cruises on Lake Thun depart at Interlaken's "West" railway station, cruises on Lake Brienz from Interlaken's "Ost" station. Zermatt: incl.

Gornergrat (3,089 m / 10,132 ft) or Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m / 12,736 ft): Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/4 hours by train from Interlaken West to Zermatt railway station). The journey takes you through the Lötschberg-Tunnel and then, on the Glacier Express route climbing through rugged valley landscape, to Zermatt. Then continue this popular excursion either by cogwheel railway to the Gornergrat (approx. 40 minutes) or by gondola to the Klein Matterhorn (approx. 45 minutes) to enjoy great views of the world famous Matterhorn. Guided City Tours: Learn more about the history, customs, building styles and life in general in Interlaken and the nearby villages. Various guided tours allow you an insight: on foot, with horse and carriage, mini-train or a culinary tour - the Interlaken Tourist Office provides detailed information about all options. Walking Tour: all year round. Approx. 1.5 hour guided tour through Interlaken along the famous Höheweg boulevard with views of the Jungfrau mountain range.

Your tour guide is full of fascinating facts on the history of Interlaken, the Kursaal, the former Interlaken monastery and a host of other interesting topics. Carriage Tour: Spring - Fall. Enjoy a peaceful ride in a carriage and enjoy an all new experience. Carriages can be hired at one of the railway stations or reserved for special occasions throughout the year. Mini-Train Tour: all year round (according to timetable; subject to changes). Approx. 30-minute sightseeing tour of Interlaken, Matten and Unterseen with an interesting commentary in German and English. Pick-up points: Höheweg, Interlaken Ost and West Railway Stations, and Marktplatz. Combinations: The Bernese Oberland, and particularly the Jungfrau Region offers a great number of attractions worth to be seen. Due to its central location in the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken is the ideal place from where you can easily combine the visit of several attractions on one single day - of course, there's some planning required... (ask our travel consultants, or people at your hotel or at the tourist office). Following some examples: Lake Cruise on Lake Thun to Thun / City Tour incl.

visit of the Thun Castle / by train to Bern / City Tour incl. shopping in Bern / direct train back to Interlaken. Lake Cruise on Lake Thun to Beatenbucht / Visit of St. Beatus Caves / by funicular up to Beatenberg / by gondola up to the Niederhorn / by Trotti-Bike down to Beatenberg / by bus back to Interlaken. Lake Cruise on Lake Brienz to Brienz / stroll through the woodcarving village; Visit of the Ballenberg Museum / by steam-driven cogwheel railway up to the Brienzer Rothorn (and back down) / direct train back to Interlaken. Train to Lauterbrunnen / strolling in the picturesque village of Lauterbrunnen (incl. famous Staubbach Waterfalls) / cogwheel train up to Wengen and/or Kleine Scheidegg incl. short stop-over at either place / cogwheel train to the Top of Europe (Jungfraujoch) / back down via Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald / strolling and shopping in Grindelwald / train back to Interlaken.

Summer Sports: Watersports: With its location between two lakes, Interlaken is a prime destination for water sports enthusiasts. On the shores of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz you will find inviting beaches for swimming in the lakes (mid-summer only - temperatures hardly reach 20 degrees Celsius !) - there also are several public lakeside baths with outdoor pools. On the lakes, boating, sailing and windsurfing are quite popular among locals and tourists, and there also are possibilities to engage in fishing, water-skiing, wake-boarding and scuba-diving. Hiking: Hiking is high on the list of attractions in the Interlaken holiday region: a vast variety of paths and trails, fantastic views, idyllic picnic spots surrounded by Alpine flowers and the ring of cowbells. The more than 500 km (310 miles) of hiking paths in the greater region (incl. Jungfrau Region, Beatenberg-Niederhorn, Habkern, Wilderswil, and along the shores of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun) are well-marked and well-kept.

In fact, hiking is the ideal way to discover the delights of the Interlaken region including its lakes and mountains. Free brochures with suggestions for walks and various detailed hiking maps are available at the local tourist offices. Biking: Explore the region on 2 wheels ! In and around Interlaken you will find well marked routes to bike along the lakes and into the valleys, and mountain bikers will find plenty of options in the surrounding mountains. Guided tours are available to discover the region’s most scenic spots. Golf: Interlaken-Unterseen offers one of the most beautiful and varied golf courses of Switzerland. Between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, you find an attractive 18-hole Championship Course (Par 72), which has been modernized in 2004/05. Playing conditions: proven handicap of 36 maximum and member of an affiliated golf club or a golf association.

Adventure Sports: The sourrounding region of Interlaken including the Jungfrau Region with the valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are popular for various adventure sports such as: rafting (the Lütschine River offers exciting Class 4 white water rafting), canyoning, bungy jumping, ice-climbing, paragliding, sky diving or base jumping. other Summer Sports: The options in Interlaken are endless.... - further activities in this resort and the surrounding region include indoor sports such as Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Beach Volleyball, Billard/Pool, Bowling, outdoor activities such as Horseback Riding, Inline-Skating, Minigolf, and more adventurous sports such as Mountaineering and Climbing (including indoor climbing at Interlaken's Kletterhalle).

Winter Sports: Skiing / Snowboarding: From Interlaken you can either ski at one of the 3 ski areas of the Jungfrau Region totalling 42 mountain rides and 213 km (132 miles) of groomed runs: "Muerren-Schilthorn" (12 mountain rides - 53 km / 33 miles; fun-snowpark); "Kleine Scheidegg-Maennlichen" (21 mountain rides - 110 km / 68 miles; half-pipe and jump-street), or "Grindelwald-First" (9 mountain rides - 50 km / 31 miles; snowpark and superpipe). Nearby there also are smaller ski areas at Beatenberg-Niederhorn (3 mountain rides; 5 runs) or in Habkern (2 mountain rides; 5 runs). All valley stations are easily accessible from Interlakien by train, bus or car.

Cross Country Skiing: Trails are found in the Lauterbrunnen Valley (12 km / 7.5 miles), the Grindelwald Valley (17 km / 10.5 miles), in Habkern (13 km / 8 miles), in Beatenberg ( 2 trails totaling 11 km / 6.8 miles), and depending on snow condition in Interlaken on the Hoehematte (1 km / 0.6 miles) or in Boenigen (5 km / 3.1 miles). Tobogganing: Tobogganing has a long tradition in the Jungfrau Region; most of the sledge-runs are located in the Grindelwald region (approx. 60 km / 37 miles), and there also are runs in Wengen and Muerren as well as in the ski areas near Interlaken (Beatenberg-Niederhorn, Habkern and Saxeten). Even at night, toboggan runs to the villages of Grindelwald or Beatenberg, after a cozy evening with a cheese fondue in the rustic atmosphere of a mountain hut, are always an unforgettable experience.

other Winter Sports: include indoor sports such as Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Bowling, Swimming and Fitness, and there's an Indoor Shooting Range and an Indoor Climbing Hall; or adventure sports such as Ice Climbing, Heli Skiing, Paragliding and Sky Diving, or more relaxed activities such as Winter Hiking or Snowshoe Trekking, Curling, Ice Hockey and Ice Skating at Interlaken's ice sports center (the " Eissportzentrum Boedeli " is open from October through March). Go Out: (Dining / Entertainment / Nightlife) The Interlaken region offers anything from Swiss to exotic, from peaceful to mind boggling or traditional to trendy. You will find plenty of dining options at one of the approx. 100 restaurants from traditional Swiss and local cuisine to international cuisine representing almost every country of the world, and afterwards there's ample entertainment at one of the 50 bars, pubs, discos or clubs till late into the night and morning. Casino Kursaal Interlaken: The Casino Kursaal Interlaken is a unique complex which was built at the end of the 19th century with spacious halls and elegant gardens.

The tradition of gambling at the casino dates way back to 1858. Today you find slot machines, Black Jack, Poker and American Roulette tables - try your luck or visit the Swiss Folklore Show at the Restaurant "Spycher". Cinema: Interlaken has two movie theatres, the Ciné Rex and the Rex piccolo offering evening showings every day and afternoon showings on Saturdays and Sundays. Shopping: Höheweg Interlaken: True to its role as the center of the entire Berner Oberland region, Interlaken stocks an ample supply of souvenirs, chocolate, watches and sports equipment. You'll find all the handicrafts and art objects you could possibly need on the Hoehëweg, Interlaken's main street, and around the Interlaken West railway station. Opening Hours: In general, the shop opening hours in the Canton of Bern are as follows: 9 AM - 6:30 PM (5 PM on Saturdays); some shops close an hour or two for lunch; Sundays closed. However, in the popular tourism regions, and especially during high seasons, many shops have longer business hours - as late as 10:30 PM, and also are open on Sundays.

Market: The Interlaken Markttag (Market Day) in May with about 80 market stands mostly offers wood carvings, leather goods, textiles, souvenirs, toys, cassettes, alp cheese and butter, fruits, honey, and much more.... Throughout the year, there are several special markets (e.g. Flea Market, Easter Market or Christmas Market) in Interlaken and nearby villages. Events: William Tell Open-Air Theatre : (June - September) Friedrich Schiller’s dramatic tale of William Tell, Switzerland’s heroic freedom fighter, has been performed on the scenic stage in Matten’s Rugen forest since 1912. The large "Tell family" is made up of over 170 actors - each one an amateur, from extras to leading characters. Many horses, cows and goats also play their part in making each open-air performance an impressive spectacle. The auditorium provides covered seating for up to 2300 people. German spoken. The performances take place s on Thursdays and Saturdays. Greenfield Festival: (in June) In mid-June, three days, two stages, 40 international and Swiss acts as well as top international bands from the alternative rock scene.

Interlaken's Greenfield gives you the chance to discover interesting new bands including home-grown from Switzerland. This Festival is the only music event to include the return journey by public transport from every Swiss railway station to the festival site for fans buying tickets in Switzerland. International Trucker- & Country Festival: (in June) During three days at the end of June, the mammoth rendez-vous for hundreds of (for once quiet) trucks, proudy-polished powerful motorbikes, weekend cowboys with Stetsons and boots, country music fans and countless families transforms Interlaken's former military airfield into a fantastic festival site. Inferno Triathlon : (in August) New dimensions in a magnificent mountain world - the most beautiful and spectacular endurance event in the Swiss mountains!

From Thun (560 m / 1,837 ft above sea level) up to the Schilthorn summit (3,000 m / 9,840 ft): 3.1 km / 1.9 miles swimming (Lake Thun: from Thun to Oberhofen), 86 km / 53.4 miles biking (from Oberhofen via Sigriswil, Beatenberg, Interlaken, Meiringen and Grosse Scheidegg to Grindelwald), 31 km / 19.3 miles mountain biking (from Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg) and 25 km / 15.5 miles uphill run (from Stechelberg via Lauterbrunnen and Muerren to the top of the Schilthorn).

Jungfrau Marathon : (in September) With its length of 42.195 km (26.224 miles) and a climb of 1,839 meters (6,032 ft), the Jungfrau Marathon is one of the most beautiful marathons in the world, but also said to be the toughest marathon in the world. The Jungfrau marathon takes place every year starting in Interlaken and ending at the Kleine Scheidegg . The course is set amid the supereb Alpine setting of Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau, and ranges from the idyllic Lake Brienz to the foot of the Eiger North Face. Museums: Jungfrau Region Museum of Tourism: (Open May - October). The first regional museum of its kind in Switzerland, this museum traces the history of travel and tourism to the Jungfrau Region. Many exhibits date back some 200 years and range from local crafts and hotel interiors to folklore, fashions and means of transportation. Located in Unterseen - Interlaken in a charming 17th century villa. Tin Figure Museum: (Open April - October).

This remarkable exhibition is a beautiful blend of art and entertainment, comprising some 150 scenes from world history. From Old Egypt to Antic Greece, to the Roman Empire, to the Swiss hero Winkelried, and up to World War II. You'll be mesmerised by the multitude of miniature figures on display. The Tin Figure Museum is located at the Interlaken Castle - the old 12th century monastery.

Question: The Jungfrau mountain is in which country?
Answer: Switzerland