Jungfrau Railway

WillhiteWeb.com: Europe Travel

The train stopped inside the Eiger. I got out and took picture down the North face. The train arrived at the top of the tunnel. Took an elevator up to look at the observatory. We were both amazed at the view and the design of the building. Expensive trip but worth it. Then we hiked out onto the glacier. A prepared path took you 40 minutes to a pass on the other side of Munch. Climbing route up Munch looks quick and easy. We ate breakfast in a mountain hut�we had some really good Swiss omelets. The elevation was around 12,000 feet. We could feel the lack of O2. Sun was bright. Walk back was easy. We hiked back down from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen. Then took train back to Interlaken.

Standing at just over 13,000 feet, the Eiger isn't known as much for it's height as it's massive north face. The face rises almost 6,000 feet above the valley and is one of the 6 great north faces of the Alps. What is amazing about taking the trip up the Jungfrau railway is that a tunnel was bored up through the Eiger to reach the Jungfrau Station. Midway up, inside the mountain, the train stops and you can walk out to some windows out the center of the north face. The first ascent of the Eiger was in 1858 but climbing the north face came years later in 1938. Over 64 climbers have died attempting to climb the north face.

I never thought something like this was possible. Arriving by cog train at Jungfrau Station at 11,332 feet at the top of a glacier and the highest parts of a rugged range is unbelievable. A climber would normally spend a full day just to reach such glorious heights but here the average city folk can walk around and enjoy. They call it the Top of Europe and it's a fitting name as the railway station is the highest in Europe. This area was declared a World Heritage site in 2001 and has been receiving visitors since the station opened in 1912. There was even plans to make an elevator to the top of the Jungfrau but World War I broke out and plans were stopped. From the station, you see much of Switzerland, the Vosges Mountains in France and even the distant Black Forest in Germany. Attractions on top include a hotel, restaurants, research stations, observatories, ski schools, a movie theater, the Ice Palace with ice carvings and hiking trails groomed by snow cats. The main groomed trail takes one across the back side of Monch to a small building perched on the mountainside. There we enjoyed breakfast with one of the best views I've ever seen.

Groomed trail on the backside of Monch. Notice the giant crevasse!

On the glacier with the observatory above me

Looking out the windows in the Eiger's North Face

Inside the Ice Palace at the Top of Europe

Looking down the glacier on the other side

Jungfrau from the Top of Europe station

Rail tunnels after leaving the Klein Scheidegg station

Some of the buildings protruding out of the mountain

Monch from the observatory

All kinds of climbing

Here is the main climbing route up Monch. I have placed a yellow mark above each climber. As you see, there's a whole bunch of people up there! Had I had my boots and Ice Axe, I would have had this amazing summit.

Building we hiked to for breakfast

Several climbers are in the center of this shot

Views from breakfast

Top of Europe guarantees 100% chance of snow when visiting

View to the Wetterhorn from the breakfast building

A nice sit down breakfast high in the Bernese Alps

Picture showing how the different activities are all connected through tunnels from the train station inside the mountain.

To the Top of Europe

Looking out the windows down the Eiger's North Face