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THREE HIGH-LIGHTS OF SWITZERLAND

There are so many things to see and experience in Switzerland - railway journeys, scenic routes, Alpine passes, valleys and glaciers, small villages, serene lakes … But journeys to the summits of three majestic peaks must be regarded as to be amongst the most breathtaking in this touristic country - that of the Jungfraujoch (3 454 m), the Schilthorn (2 970 m) and Mount Pilatus (2 120 m).

The Jungfraujoch

Just south of Interlaken one finds what is arguably Switzerland’s most dramatic mountain scenery, a region dominated by the mighty triple crests of the Eiger (3 970 m) , the Mönch (4 109 m) and the Jungfrau (4 158) m. The town itself is situated between two lakes, Thun and Brienz (On which shores my wife and I once pitched a tent), and trains to both the Jungfraujoch, as well as to the Schilthorn all depart from the station of Interlaken East. You can even decide on a round-trip, ascending through Grindelwald, and descending through Lauterbrunnen. But you can also drive up to either one of the stops (where the roads all run out), and then use the rail from there, to board the Jungfraubahn (Bahn = rail) at Kleine Scheidegg (2 061 m).

The Jungfraubahn, the highest rack railway in Europe, is regarded as one of the engineering achievements of its time. It was constructed between 1896 and 1912. Up to the Eigergletscher the almost 1 400 m climb runs in the open air, but thereafter the train enters a 7 km tunnel carved through the north face of the Eiger. On the way up the train stops twice for about five minutes at Eigerwand and Eismeer, where gallery windows cut into the mountain allows passengers to enjoy spectacular views and the valley below, the imposing crests of the surrounding mountains, and the glacier.

When the train exits the tunnel for its final stop at the Jungfraujoch, a shoulder of the Jungfrau, the blinding glare of the light on the snow welcomes you to the highest railway station in Europe. Here you will find several restaurants, as well as a terrace from where you can view the longest glacier in the Alps, the Aletschgletscher, stretching away between the Jungfrau and the Mönch. On a sunny day lakes Thun and Brienz lie shimmering in the distance below.

The views into the Black Forest of Germany to the west, the mountains of France to the east and Italy to the south gives credit to the postmark of the post office at the Jungfraujoch, as “Top of Europe”. Depending on the weather, you can wander outside for walks in the snow along signposted paths.

A visit to the famed Eispalast (Ice Palace) must surely be undertaken. An elevator takes you 65 m down to a corridor leading into the glacier, where caverns are hewn into the slowest-moving section. Statues and other sculptures cut out of solid ice are to be seen everywhere. Needless to say, warm clothing should be taken with you, if you fully want to experience the marvels of this icy world.

The Schilthorn

Another spectacular tour to be undertaken from Interlaken is a trip by cable car to the summit of the Schilthorn. You can either take the train to Lauterbrunnen, or drive up by car. From here you have to travel to the pedestrian village of Mürren. A funicular will take you up to Grütschalp, from where a train leaves to Mürren. But you can also take a bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, from where a cable car transports you up to Mürren. The last section of the cable car will then lift you up to the summit of the Schilthorn.

On the way up the scenery is magnificent. From Grütschalp the green Lauterbrunnen valley streches out before you, against the backdrop of the surrounding snowy peaks. Further up the valley the awesome drop of the Trümpelbachfalle, fed by the melting snows, is most impressive. The Jungfrau Massif towers above. A part of Lake Thun is also visible.

The Schilthorn became immensely famous after a James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was shot at this location. Since then the circular restaurant (revolving around its axis in 55 min) at the summit is also known as Pitz Gloria. Some of the most dramatic scenes were filmed here, especially at the restaurant. A landing pad which was constructed for a helicopter, today serves as a sun terrace. From here panoramic views greets the visitor: from the Titlis, the Eiger, the Mönch, the Jungfrau, out over the Vosges Mountains, the Black Forest, the Matterhorn, and even Mont Blanc, which is just visible on a clear day.

The region around the Schilthorn is well-known as a winter sports destination. At Mürren the first skiing competitions in Switzerland were held on the adjacent slopes. One of them, the “Inferno” amateur downhill race, with a descent of 2 170 m, is held annually in February since 1928. But should one want to explore the region on foot, a number of hiking trails can be followed from Mürren, or from the other small villages in the region.

What should be considered is sleeping over at Mürren, instead of undertaking the roundtrip to the Schilthorn all in one day. Excellent accommodation can be reserved in hotels like the Alpenblick, the Regina, or the small but cosy Alpenruh near the cable car station to the Schilthorn. Here one can wander around savouring the majestic views of the surroundings, as well as the clear Alpine air. Snacks and drinks can be enjoyed at the restaurants on the main street. The next morning the cable car can be taken up for breakfast at the Pitz Gloria, with its continually changing panorama as backdrop to the meal.

Mount Pilatus

Pilatus is a mountain near Lucerne. It derived its name from the legend that Pontius Pilate was buried there. In contrast to the trips to the Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn, which are quite expensive, and which are primarily undertaken for the sake of the breathtaking views from atop the towering crests, those to Mount Pilatus are much more affordable, and offers a wide range of family-like attractions and activities.

The top of Pilatus can be reached by taking the world’s steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, or with panoramic gondolas and an aerial cableway departing from Kriens. Depending on your choice, you have to take a train, or travel by bus or car, or by ferry from Lucerne across the lake to Alpnachstad (about 16 km. away by road); to Krienz you have to travel by road or by train. The most popular excursion is what is called the “Golden Round Trip”, that is, boarding the ferry to Alpnachstad, going up on the cog-railroad, but descending by way of the cableway and gondolas (40 min), thereafter traveling back to Lucerne on the local bus. Discount tickets for the whole trip can be bought at various hotels and the visitor centre in Lucerne.

The cogwheel railway - initially steam operated - was opened in June 1889, but was reopened in 1937 after electrification. It only operates from May to November, carrying 40 people up at a time at a maximum incline of 48 %. The journey to the top through Alpine forests and meadows, by sparkling clear mountain streams and higher up over the rock-strewn face of the mountain, and through four tunnels, takes about 40 minutes.

The panorama gondolas from Krienz take around 18 minutes for the first section of 900 m height difference to Fräkmüntig station. Here a visit to the exhibition of the concept and the construction of the gondola cableway is well worth a visit. Hereafter the aerial cableway takes around five minutes to carry visitors from Fräkmüntig 647 m higher up to the top. The unique views of the Alps and Central Switzerland’s Lakeland landscape are stunning.

On top of the mountain a variety of activities can be undertaken, like hiking along different trails. But one of the most popular is the unique leisure activity of the Pilatus Rope Park, opened in 2005. It is an area where a number of rope trails up in the trees enable the adventurous to follow a trail over open expanses between trees of the forest. Some trails, with a minimum height of 120 cm above ground, are for children up to 8 years old; others are more testing with slack lines high up in the trees, testing one’s agility skills. In summer visitors can also ride Switzerland’s longest toboggan (sledding) run (1 350 m). This racy run on a sled down a chrome-steel channel with numerous twists and turns is an exiting experience for young and old. From the end of the run a lift takes participants back to the start. Apart from these activities special events are organized, such as a Christmas market on top of the mountain, sunset dinners, Mother’s Day and a yodeler fair.

When in Lucerne a visit to Mount Pilatus always promises to be exceptional. Combined with excursions to the Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn, the traveler can surely boast to have experienced three of Switzerland’s most exeptional highlights.

- Manie Wolvaardt

Credits:

Jungfraujoch & Schilthorn : Marethe du Toit (daughter of the author)

Photos 12, 14, 16 & 17 : http://www.pilatus.ch

Photo 13 : http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki.Pilatus…(mountain)

Photo 15 http://czsquare.blogspot.com

A VIEW OF SWITZERLAND