9th July 2008 - Jungfraujoch - Switzerland
Jungfraujoch, this Unesco world heritage site is also known as the "top of Europe".
The route by modern cogwheel railway takes you first to Kleine Scheidegg, altitude 2061 metres, at the foot of the notorious Eiger North Wall.
)
)
Situated on a col Kleine Scheidegg is a hive of activity where the railways from Lauterbrunnen/Wengen, Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch all meet.
)
)
From here the Jungfrau Railway climbs to the station at Eigergletscher , well known for its mountain restaurant and polar dog kennels.
)
)
Leaving the open air, the train enters the Eiger tunnel to the stations at Eigerwand and Eismeer at 3160m, with a five minute halt at each.
)
)
)
)
There is spectacular sightseeing through large observation windows hewn from the solid face of the Eiger.
)
)
Travelling for some 7.8km through the Eiger and Monch mountins, the joch boasts the highest railway station at 3454m.
)
)
The Great Aletsch Glacier, at 22 km the longest ice-stream in the Alps, begins on the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe.
)
)
We can walk out onto the Plateau.
)
)
There are 360 degree panoramic views.
)
)
To the North we can look down to our starting point at Kleine Schiedegg.
)
)
Inside the glacier is the Ice Palace with carved ice sculptures.
)
)
)
A lift takes us up to the Sphinx weather observatory and research station.
)
)
From the viewing terrace we can look down onto the glacier.
)
)
)
We can walk out onto the Great Aletsch Glacier.
)
)
)
)
On the glacier there are several activities from a tyroline to hole in one golf!.
)
)
)
)
You can also bumboard or hire skis.
)
)
A 45 minute hike takes you to the Monchsjochhutte.
)
)
The Great Aletsch Glacier flows to the south.
)
)
The Sphinx stands watch over the galcier.
)
)
You can read more about Jungfraujoch here.
