Our tip: On the Jungfraujoch, be sure to visit the Sphinx viewing terrace with 360-degree panoramic views, the Ice Palace and the Ice Gateway – walking trails in eternal snow!
Jungfraujoch: Experience the magical glacier world of the High Alps
The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters above sea level, along with the Matterhorn, is considered the absolute “cream of the crop” for any visit to Switzerland. Here, you will experience the magical glacier world of the high Alps, a wonderland of ice, snow, and rock. It’s a completely different world full of mystique, scarcely describable—a world that one must experience firsthand. From the Sphinx Terrace on the Jungfraujoch, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the mightiest glacier in the Alps: 22 km long, 900 m thick, 12 billion tons of ice.
Jungfrau Railway with Mönch and Jungfrau
Iconic Jungfraujoch: A Must-Visit Destination in the Heart of the Bernese Alps
The Jungfraujoch is a connecting ridge between the Jungfrau and Mönch mountains. It is located in the Bernese Alps, on the border between the cantons of Bern and Valais. The Jungfrau region is known for its spectacular, breathtaking beauty, including majestic mountains, deep valleys, crystal-clear lakes and impressive glaciers.
Die drei majestätischen Gipfel Jungfrau – Mönch – Eiger dominieren die magische Bergwelt aus Eis, Schnee und Fels. Der Jungfrau-Gipfel mit einer Höhe von 4’158 Metern ist der höchste, der Mönch mit 4’107 Metern etwas niedriger, während der Eiger-Gipfel auf eine Höhe von 3’970 Metern kommt. Jährlich reisen über eine Million Gäste aus der ganzen Welt auf das Jungfraujoch.
Eiger Express in winter
Trip to the Jungfraujoch – pure adventure
Just the journey to reach the railway station at Jungfraujoch 3,454 metres above sea level, is by itself a spectacular. From Interlaken Ost station by train either via Grindelwald to Wengen or Lauterbrunnen to Wengen or continuing on to Kleine Scheidegg. Here, one can move to the Jungfrau Railway that started its services in 1912 and proceed up to the terminal station at the JungFrau Joch.
Another option that is alternative is the new the new Eiger Express aerial cable car connecting Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier. This is followed by the Jungfrau Railway that take you right up to the Jungfraujoch itself.
With Eiger Express to the Jungfraujoch in 1.5 h
The Eiger Express opened on December 5, 2020 and allows you to travel from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch in just one and a half hours. From the terminal in Grindelwald, the world’s most modern 3S cableway takes you directly to the Eiger Glacier in 15 minutes.
The 3S technology enables a higher transport capacity, greater spans and higher speeds compared to conventional cable car systems.
Station Eigergletscher
With a direct transfer to the Jungfrau Railway at the Eigergletscher station, you can reach the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe 47 minutes faster. This gives you more time up on the Jungfraujoch to enjoy the panorama and the adventure world.
The Jungfrau Railway has been running for over 100 years to the highest mountain station in Europe, Jungfraujoch, in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch”.
Kleine Scheidegg in summer with Jungfrau and Eiger
From Kleine Scheidegg, a 9-kilometre-long railroad line, 7 kilometers of which are in a mountain tunnel, leads to the world-famous Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters. The tunnel from the Eigergletscher station was built between 1896 and 1912 – a brilliant achievement at the time.
View through the tunnel hole
Spectacular view of the north face of the Eiger
In the middle of the route towards the Jungfraujoch, the cogwheel railroad stops at the “Stollenloch” for 10 minutes, giving you a spectacular view of the north face of the Eiger and the glacier world through the window. This is a different world. One that you have to experience. Glacier experience up close doesn’t get any better than this…
Sightseeing Tour auf 3’454 m Höhe
Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” ice sculptures
The sights on the Jungfraujoch are unique: the Sphinx viewing terrace, the Ice Palace, the Ice Gateway, and sign-posted trails throughout the constant snow in winter and an alpine research exhibition in summer.
Despite this, it is most commonly viewed from the Sphinx position because this gives a bird’s eye view, a full 360 degrees. The high-speed passenger lift will take the visitors to the height of observation deck within 25seconds covering a distance of 108meters.
As soon as you are on top then begins the splendid and gorgeous world of ice and snow, rocks and summits; Eiger Mönch and Jungfrau and all the peaks in Switzerland and Aletsch Glacier. . .
Jungfraujoch Observatory
Sphinx Observatory which is an international research station is situated right on top of the mountain. On the contrary, it exists in the Sphinx rocky peak having an altitude of 3,571 meters a. s. l.
With the concession to build the Jungfrau Railway in 1894, the founder, Adolf Guyer-Zeller, promised to set up a research station on the Jungfraujoch. On July 4, 1931, it was occupied by 13 researchers in meteorology, geology, glaciology, astronomy, radiation research, physiology and medicine.
Aletsch Glacier in summer
UNESCO World Heritage Site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch”
The Aletsch Glacier, on the east side of the Jungfraujoch, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch”. It is the largest and longest glacier in the European Alps in terms of area, with a length of 22 kilometers and an area of 78 km2.
At the Konkordiaplatz at 2,830 meters, a 6 km2 large ice surface, three mighty firn streams flow together: The Grosse Aletschfirn from the west, the Jungfraufirn from the northwest and the Ewigschneefeld / Unterer Grindelwaldgletscher from the north.
Highest railroad station and post office in Europe
Sea of Ice on Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters is also home to the highest railroad station in Europe with the highest post office in Europe with its own zip code (3801). Hence the nickname “Top of Europe”.
You can also enjoy a fantastic view of the Aletsch Glacier, which at 22 kilometers is the longest glacier in the Alps. A groomed footpath leads from the Jungfraujoch to the Mönchsjochhütte. Depending on the weather conditions, the hike takes around 1.5 hours.
There is a visitor center on the Jungfraujoch with an exhibition on the history of alpinism and the creation of the Jungfrau Railway. On a 45-minute walk through the ice palace on mirror-smooth ice, you will discover magical ice sculptures such as eagles, bears and penguins. There are also various restaurants and stores.
Important information: A stay on the Jungfraujoch at an altitude of 3,454 meters above sea level is a challenge for the human body. The air is thinner due to the altitude and the weather can change quickly. It is highly recommended that you prepare for your stay and take warm clothing, suitable footwear, sun protection and water with you.
Video Bernese Oberland, Switzerland: The Jungfraujoch Station
Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide…
In Switzerland’s Berner Oberland region, a train takes visitors through mountain tunnels up to the highest railway station in Europe: the Jungfraujoch. At more than 11,000 feet, spectacular views of the Aletsch Glacier and majestic alpine peaks await, along with hiking paths, ice tunnels, and shops and restaurants. More info about travel to Switzerland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/swi
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Video Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Icy air brushes your face, snow crunches under your feet, and the panorama almost takes your breath away…
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Video Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe with the new Eiger Express
With the world’s most modern tricable gondola, the “Eiger Express”, you can reach the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe 47 minutes faster…
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