Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast Episode 201 Transcript

Jungfrau Region Mountain Excursions | How to Choose the One That’s Right For You

You can see the full show notes and listen to this episode > here.

Carolyn Schönafinger: If you’re planning to visit Switzerland’s spectacular Jungfrau Region, you’ve probably realised one thing already: choosing which mountain excursion to do isn’t easy. With so many incredible peaks, panoramic viewpoints, and unforgettable experiences, how do you decide which one is right for you? In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Moser from Jungfrau Region Tourism, and we’re comparing the region’s most popular mountain excursions. You’ll discover what makes each mountain excursion unique, how to get there, who it’s best suited to, and we share plenty of local tips to help you make the most of your time. So if you’re wondering which mountain in the Jungfrau region belongs on your itinerary, this episode will help you decide.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Welcome to the Holidays to Switzerland podcast. I’m Carolyn Schönafinger, your Switzerland destination expert and the founder of holidaystoswitzerland.com. Each week, together with my expert guests, I introduce you to the Switzerland that I know and love and share inspiration and practical tips to help you plan your dream Swiss vacation. Before we dive in, a quick thank you to our podcast sponsors, Switzerland Tourism and Echo Rails.

If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, you’ll know just how much there is to consider. With so many incredible places to visit, figuring out your itinerary, booking accommodation, and choosing the right rail pass can quickly start to feel overwhelming. So that’s where Echo Rails comes in. 

Their small group rail tours are carefully curated so that everything is taken care of for you. From the moment you arrive at the airport, your accommodation, transport, daily breakfasts and dinners, scenic excursions, and a knowledgeable local English-speaking guide are all included, so you can simply relax and enjoy the journey. If travelling through Switzerland with a small group tour sounds like your ideal way to explore, you’ll find more details via the link in the show notes, along with an exclusive 5% discount code.

Now let’s get into this week’s episode.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Good morning, Angela. Welcome to the Holidays to Switzerland podcast. We’re here today to talk about the beautiful mountain excursions in the Jungfrau region. But before we get into that, could you please introduce yourself and tell our listeners a little bit about your background and what you do now.

Angela Moser: Yes, thank you, Carolyn. It’s lovely to be here, and I’m really excited to be recording my very first podcast with you. My name is Angela, and I work as a market manager at Jungfrauregion Tourism. In simple terms, Jungfrauregion Tourism is the destination organisation for Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, and the Hasliberg.

Together with our local partners, we promote the region as a whole. And inspire guests from around the world to discover it. In my role, I’m responsible for the Australian and New Zealand markets, where my aim is to spark people’s curiosity about the Jungfrau Region and inspire them to come and experience it for themselves.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. Well, I’m sure you will be sparking lots of curiosity after this episode. Are you originally from the Jungfrau Region yourself?

Angela Moser: No, I actually grew up in Schaffhausen in the north of Switzerland, but my family roots are in Grindelwald. So my father grew up in the region and most of our family holidays brought us back here. So even though I did not live here full-time as a child, the mountains, the villages, and of course my wider family have always felt like a very important part of my life.

Carolyn Schönafinger: So I’m sure you know the region very, very intimately. And the Jungfraujoch region is one of the most popular and well, in my opinion, the most scenic region in Switzerland.

And as we know, it’s home to some really incredible mountain peaks and I think many of our listeners will be including a visit to the Jungfrau region in their Switzerland vacation. And they’re probably planning to do at least one mountain excursion, maybe more.

But one of the questions that I often hear is, which one should I do? There’s so many to choose from. So how do I just narrow it down to one or two different mountain excursions? So hopefully with our conversation today, you can help make that choice much easier for our listeners by letting us know what to expect on each of the different excursions that are available. 

Now, I just want to say before we get started, we’re going to talk about how to get to the different mountains and the different modes of transport, but they’re easily accessible from anywhere within the Jungfrau region. We’re going to use Interlaken today as the hub for where the starting point is.

Carolyn Schönafinger: So if anyone listening is staying in Wengen or they’re staying in Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, for instance, know that you can reach these, all these mountain excursions from those locations. But just for ease of information, today we’re going to use Interlaken as the hub. Okay, so let’s get started and talk about the different mountain excursions, and maybe we’ll start with Harder Kulm, which is the closest to Interlaken.

What do you think are the important things that our listeners should know about visiting Harder Kulm, and why is it a great mountain excursion to do?

Angela Moser: I often recommend Harder Kulm as a first introduction to the region, especially for visitors who have only just arrived. It gives you an immediate sense of the landscape and helps you understand where everything is without taking up an entire day. The journey is also very straightforward.

From Interlaken Ost railway station, you simply walk a few minutes, cross the river, and arrive at the funicular Wadi station. The ride itself takes only about 10 minutes, so change from the busy town to the peaceful mountain setting happens surprisingly quickly. What I love most is the moment you reach the top and the view opens up in front of you. 

So Lake Thun lies on one side and Lake Brienz on the other, and Interlaken directly between them. And when you look across the valley, you see the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfraujoch rising in the distance. And up there, the Two Lakes Bridge is the classic viewpoint and of course a very popular place for photographs. But I would not take the photo and leave immediately because there is an easy circular walk or a family playground and a panoramic restaurant.

So you can make the visit as relaxed as you like. Even simply finding a quiet place to sit and taking in the view for a while is worthwhile.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Absolutely. And as you said, on that Panorama Trail, there’s some great viewing spots. So you don’t have to be on that Two Lakes Bridge, even though it’s very spectacular, the view from there. But if you do the small panorama trail, you can definitely get some great views as well.

Angela Moser: Yes, that’s true. And my personal tip is to visit later in the day.

In summer, the funicular operates into the evening, so Harder Kulm works beautifully as the final excursion of the day. There are daily Alphorn performances and hearing those deep traditional sounds while looking across the lakes and towards the mountains is just a wonderfully Swiss atmosphere. And afterwards, you can have dinner in the panoramic restaurant and stay to watch the sunset behind the mountains. 

And yes, as the set, the light changes, Interlaken below slowly begins to glow. The atmosphere becomes particularly beautiful. So I would really recommend doing the trip in the evening.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, that’s a great tip. And is Harder Kulm accessible all year round?

Angela Moser: No, the funicular is seasonal, so it operates from early April until late of November. And since there is no hotel at the summit, everyone returns to Interlaken after their excursion to the Harder Kulm.

Carolyn Schönafinger: And how often does the funicular operate up to Harder Kulm?

Angela Moser: It operates every 30 minutes. But if there are a lot of people in a row waiting for the funicular, they also operate it more often. So also good to know, both the Berner Oberland pass and the Swiss Travel Pass offer a 50% discount on the funicular. So check the benefits of your pass before buying an additional ticket.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Oh, well, that’s great to know!

So let’s move on to the Schilthorn Glacier Paradise. Firstly, can you tell people how they can get to the valley station to go up to the Schilthorn and then tell us a bit about this mountain excursion?

Angela Moser: Yes, of course. So from Interlaken, you travel by train to Lauterbrunnen and then by bus through the Valley of 72 Waterfalls to Stechelberg. And from Stechelberg, the cableways carry you via Mürren and Birk to Schilthorn Piz Gloria at 2,970 metres. It takes from Interlaken roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the connections.

And the cableway part is around 24 minutes. The first cableway section is already a highlight. Between Stechelberg and Mürren, it climbs 775 vertical metres Besides, the Mühlenfluh in just 4 minutes. It is the steepest cable car in the world.

And you really feel the scale of the rock face beside you. So it’s, it’s an experience. And I’d definitely stop at Birg. 

It’s a middle station because there you will find the Skyline Walk, which is a platform over the mountain where you have a beautiful view. And right below there is a 200-meter thrill walk. That runs along the rock face below the station. It has glass-bottomed sections, a tightrope-style cable, and a crawl-through tunnel, and it makes the view straight down even more dramatic.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Not for the faint-hearted.

Angela Moser: No, but it is very secure, so don’t be afraid. Then you can move further up to the Schilthorn Summit, where you will find a 360-degree panorama with more than 200 alpine peaks.

A wonderful way to take it all in is over a brunch in the Pitt’s Gloria restaurant. It is a revolving restaurant which completes a slow rotation in around 45 minutes. So you don’t have to change places to see another view, you just rotate.

And of course, there is also the interactive James Bond exhibition, which brings the story of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service to life. The film was shot there.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, back in 1969 or something, a long time ago, I think it was. But yeah, it’s, it’s great to have that James Bond connection for any James Bond fans. It’s something they definitely should visit.

What about opening times for the Schilthorn? Is that a year-round excursion that people can do?

Angela Moser: Yes, the Schilthorn cableways operate throughout most of the year with scheduled maintenance periods. So check the website before you go to be sure that it operates until the summit.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Do you have a local tip for visiting the Schilthorn Glacier? And who do you think this excursion is best for?

Angela Moser: Personally, I would not treat Mürren, which is another stop or the middle station on the way to the top of Schilthorn Glacier Paradise, as just a place to pass through. It is a car-free village below the Schilthorn Glacier Paradise, and it feels wonderfully authentic with its traditional wooden chalets and mountain setting.

I also would recommend staying for 1 or 2 nights there if you have the time, because then you can explore Mürren, the nearby Gimmelwald, and Lauterbrunnen, as well as the walking trails. Because when you stay in a mountain village, you will have these quiet mornings and evenings after many of the day visitors have left, and it’s very special. So I would recommend just having a stop in Mürren.

And also for families which perhaps don’t want to go all the way up to the summit, there is a place called Allmendhubel, which is a lovely alternative for families to the Schilthorn. It’s just a 4-minute Funicular from Mürren and it leads to a panoramic restaurant. And also there is the Flower Park Adventure Playground. And of course, views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

In summer, there is also a flower trail which features more than 150 alpine flowers. And yes, the Schilthorn excursion I recommend to travellers who enjoy dramatic mountain scenery or a sense of adventure and a memorable meal with a constantly changing view.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yes. The views from up there really are memorable. It’s something that you’ve got to see to believe. I think it’s just incredible.

Angela Moser: Also good to know is that the Berner Oberland Pass includes the Schilthorn cableways and the Allmendhubel funicular, so you don’t have to pay any additional fees. And with the Swiss Travel Rail Pass, the section between Sechselberg and Mürren is included, while discounts apply on the higher mountain sections. So it’s always worth checking your pass and what is already included before buying a new ticket.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yes, absolutely. All right. So let’s move on to Jungfraujoch, which is probably one of the most famous mountain excursions in Switzerland. Please tell us everything we need to know about going up to visit Jungfraujoch.

Angela Moser: When people think of a mountain excursion in the Jungfrau region or in Switzerland, as you said, it’s often the Jungfraujoch. It is the highest railway station in Europe, and it is located right in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Swiss Alps, Jungfraujoch. Arriving there really does feel like entering another world because there are a lot of glaciers, snow, and rock.

The fastest route takes you from Interlaken by train to Grindelwald Terminal, where you board the Eiger Express. And this Eiger Express takes you in only 15 minutes to the Eiger Glacier. And while going up the mountain, you pass remarkably close to the famous north face of the Eiger.

And then from Eiger Glacier, from there, the historic Jungfraujoch Railway continues through tunnels inside the Eiger and Mönch. There’s a short stop at Eismeer Station where you can look through windows in the mountain onto a world of rock and ice. And just after 10 minutes, the Travel continues and you reach the Jungfraujoch.

With good connections, the complete journey takes around 1.5 hours from Interlaken. There is also a more traditional route via Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg. It takes around 30 minutes longer, but the journey through the villages and alpine landscape is beautiful.

Angela Moser: If you have the time, my tip is to travel up one way and return by the other. This turns the journey into a scenic round trip.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. And what things can people see or do once they get up to the summit?

Angela Moser: At the top, many visitors first head up to the Sphinx Observation Terrace. The view across the great Aletsch Glacier, which is, by the way, the longest glacier in the Alps, really shows the scale of the landscape. You can also step outside onto the glacier plateau. Where it is possible to experience, touch, and feel snow and ice throughout the year.

So in summer also, when conditions allow, there is a snow fun park and it offers snow tubing or a flight on the zipline with views across the glacier, or even the opportunity to try skiing or snowboarding for the very first time. You can rent your equipment right there on the spot. And the rest of the experience takes place indoors.

So you can walk through the Ice Palace and see sculptures carved into the ice. And there’s also a place called Alpine Sensation, which tells the story of the railway and the people who built it more than a century ago. There’s also a panoramic cinema, several restaurants, and the highest Lindt chocolate shop in the world.

So make sure to buy your Lindt chocolate up there. Um, the Jungfraujoch is a day excursion more or less, um, as there is no overnight accommodation at the top. So you would have to arrange an overnight stay somewhere around in the village or in Interlaken.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. That’s accessible all year round, isn’t it?

Angela Moser: Yes, it is accessible all year round. Just remember that seat reservations are mandatory between May and October.

Carolyn Schönafinger: And where do people book those seat reservations?

Angela Moser: Yes, this is possible on the website of the Jungfrau Railways. Just type it into Google and you will find where to book these seat reservations. Also worth mentioning is that with the Berner Oberland Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass, the travel as far as Grindelwald or Wengen are included, and they also give 25% discount on the journey to the Jungfraujoch.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, excellent. I’ll put all this information about the different passes and the discounts for each excursion in the show notes for this episode. So anything else we need to know about Jungfraujoch before we move on to the next excursion?

Angela Moser: So I’d especially recommend the Jungfraujoch to first-time visitors, glacier and snow lovers, or people who want to touch and feel snow for the first time, also in summer, also railway enthusiasts, because it’s really an experience and people who search a once-in-a-lifetime Swiss experience.

Carolyn Schönafinger: So let’s now move on to First, a small mountain just above Grindelwald. How, how do travellers reach there from Interlaken?

Angela Moser: From Interlaken, take the train to Grindelwald, and then you walk about 10 minutes to the cable car. The gondola ride takes around 25 minutes, so it takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes for the complete journey from Interlaken. And First has a completely different energy because there are also beautiful mountain views, but also a lot of adrenaline activities.

There you will find the First Cliff Walk, which follows the rock face and ends on a platform which extends 45 metres over the landscape. So you really stand in the nothing and have beautiful alpine scenery in front of you. And also nearby, the easy accessible First View Platform, which gives you a 360-degree panorama. Both are free to visit, so you can enjoy them before deciding what you want to do the rest of the day. 

For a scenic walk, I would recommend the hike to Bachalpsee, which takes just under an hour in each direction. On a calm day, the surrounding peaks are reflected beautifully in the lake, and my advice is to leave time to sit and enjoy it rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

If you’re in the mood for more adrenaline, the First Flyer is one option for the journey down to Schreckfeld. Seated securely in a harness, you travel along an 800-meter zipline at up to 84 kilometres per hour and around 50 metres above the Alpine meadows. So it’s really, it really gives you a kick of adrenaline.

And there’s also something called the First Glider. It feels completely different, more like soaring as a bird would. Up to 4 people lie face down beneath a large eagle-shaped glider, and it first pulls you backwards from Schreckfeld towards First and then releases you for the 800-meter flight back down, reaching up to 83 kilometres per hour.

What it makes so memorable for me is the face-down position. So you really have the meadows and alpine landscape directly beneath you, and you really feel like flying.

With the First Glider, you arrive at Schreckfeld. This is the middle station, and from there you can continue if you want by mountain cart. There is a route that is about 3 kilometres to the next middle station. And the mountain cart feels, with its low seat and hydraulic brakes, a little like a go-kart. 

This is also a really fun thing to do for families. And from Bort, this is the other middle station, you also have the possibility to go further with a trotti bike. It is part scooter, part bicycle and carries you through meadows and past farmhouses to Grindelwald.

So there are a lot of different options to do a fun activity together with your family or your friends.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. And if you don’t want to do any of those activities, of course you can just return back down to Grindelwald by cable car.

Angela Moser: Of course, that’s right. But before you do it, my special tip would be an overnight at the Berggasthaus First. So if you have the time, to stay a night in a mountain hotel, this is an experience that you perhaps will never forget because after the last gondolas leave and the mountain becomes wonderfully peaceful and on a clear night, it’s ideal for stargazing. So there’s no light pollution or anything.

And it’s a feeling that you only can have at a high mountain. And the next morning it is possible to start early for a hike. So you are alone on the tracks.

So if you want to do the Bachalpsee hike on your own without a lot of visitors, then it would be the best time to start after a night in the Berggasthaus First.

Carolyn Schönafinger: That’s a very good tip. So can people visit First all year round? And are those activities that you mentioned available year-round or some of them are seasonal?

Angela Moser: The cable car to First operates in both summer and winter, but also here there are maintenance breaks between. So check, please check the website before you go so that you’re sure that it’s operating. The mountain carts and trotti bikes are summer activities, while the flyer and glider can also operate during the winter season.

And a special tip. The flyer and the glider are included in the ski pass in winter. So you won’t have to pay extra for these two activities. In summer, it’s always that you buy separately the ticket for the cable cars and for the activities.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. And is it possible to buy tickets for those activities in advance or reserve time slots, or is it just you show up on the day and you join the queue.

Angela Moser: Yes, you can buy the tickets in advance, but it is not possible to reserve a time slot. So you would have to stand in a queue. It is also possible to buy the tickets on the day itself, and you can go up first and look at the queue.

And if it’s, if it’s very long, you can just decide to do another activity.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. Very good. Anything else we need to be aware of about visiting First?

Angela Moser: Also good to know here, both the Berner Oberlandpass and the Swiss Travel Pass include the journey to Grindelwald and give you a 50% discount on the cable car to First.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, excellent. Now let’s talk about one of my favourite mountain excursions to Mannlichen.

Angela Moser: Yes. What I particularly like about Mannlichen is that it offers an impressive panorama together with relaxed and very accessible walking. And also you can approach it from two sides. So from Interlaken, I would allow around 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on the route and connections.

You can travel to Grindelwald terminal and take the gondola which reaches Mannlichen in around 19 minutes. Alternatively, travel via Lauterbrunnen to the car-free village of Wengen and continue by aerial cableway. Because the two routes connect, my tip is to travel up one way and return by the other.

And also here, if you’re travelling with the Berner Oberland Pass, both cable car routes to Mannlichen are fully included. And the Swiss Trail Pass, there it is, the journey included as far as Grindelwald. Or Wengen, and from there you receive a 50% discount on either the gondola from Grindelwald Terminal or the aerial cableway from Wengen to Mannlichen.

My personal tip, if you choose the Wengen route, is to consider the Royal Ride. For a supplement of 5 Swiss francs, you can stand on the open-air balcony and on top of the cable car for the entire journey.

There is space for 10 people, and with the fresh mountain air and the Lauterbrunnen Valley opening below you, it is a very memorable way to arrive.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Hmm. Okay. Yeah, there are not quite as many activities at Mannlichen as there are at First, but there’s a few things to do, aren’t there?

Angela Moser: Once you reach Mannlichen, there is the Royal Walk. It climbs 120 metres to the summit at 2,343 metres. The ascent takes about 25 minutes and is designed as a small royal journey. Along the way, 7 themed information points share interesting facts about the surrounding alpine world. At the summit, the crown-shaped Royal View platform rewards you with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, as well as the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen Valley.

If you prefer a gentler walk with less climbing and more downhill sections, I recommend the Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg. The 4.5-kilometer route takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes in this direction and is fairly easy. For much of the way, you look towards steep rock faces, glaciers, and the famous Eiger-Mönchen-Jungfrau. And at the Kleine Scheidegg, you can simply take the cogwheel train back, which makes this a very convenient point-to-point walk.

The mountain also works beautifully for families. At the Alpine Herdsman Playground, The centrepiece is an 8.5-meter-high wooden cow. From there, the 3.5-kilometer Lieselotte Trail— Lieselotte is the name of the cow— leads downhill to Hollenstein.

With 13 interactive story stations for children, also including a chance to try an alphorn, it is really a playful way to explore the mountain environment for families.

And there is also a plus. At the Hollenstein station, there is also a forest playground with a treetop path. On the top of Mannlichen, I’d also allow time for the Berghaus Mannlichen, whether for a meal or the mountain brunch served on summer Sundays.

You can even stay overnight directly on the mountain. Once the cable cars stop, the atmosphere changes completely and the sunset stars and of course the mountain panorama are stunning.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah. And the views down to the valleys, as you mentioned there, they’re just amazing, aren’t they? You can see so far and it really makes you appreciate how high up you are when you, when you look down into those valleys. Mannlichen again had both those, the cable car and the gondola.

They both have short closure periods during seasons, but otherwise it’s open summer and winter, isn’t it?

Angela Moser: That’s correct. Yes, they are. They operate the whole summer and winter.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. So any more thoughts on Mannlichen that you’d want to share?

Angela Moser: Yes. So I recommend Mannlichen for panorama lovers, families, and leisurely hikers.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Definitely. And families, it’s a, as you say, a fantastic outdoor adventure for the kids climbing up inside that big Lieserlott cow. And even if they don’t end up going down the Lieserlott trail, they still have a lot of fun.

Yes, definitely. Okay. So now we’re going to go to Schynige Platte, and we reach the summit here via a bit of a different method.

Angela Moser: Schynige Platte has a very special nostalgic character, and I would choose it when the journey itself matters just as much as the destination. So from Interlaken, the complete journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, most of that time is spent on the historic cogwheel railway from Willerswil, and I see that journey as one of the main experiences rather than simply a way of getting there. In the historic carriages, you travel slowly through forests and alpine meadows while the views gradually open up.

On one side are the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, on the other Interlaken and Lakes Thun and Brienz. It really feels like travelling back on to an earlier age of alpine tourism. That slower rhythm continues when you arrive.

I’d make time for the Botanical Alpine Garden, where a 1-kilometer path introduces you to around 800 species from across the Swiss Alps. It takes roughly an hour, and the changing flowers make each part of the season feel different. So you can visit in spring or in autumn, and it looks a bit different up there.

There are also daily Alphorn concerts, which fit the atmosphere perfectly. And the musicians play near the railway station. So when you arrive, you can already hear the Alphons playing and they play around from 11 to 2 in the afternoon.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, that makes it a really special experience. As the train pulls up to the station, you hear the Alphons play. You feel like a bit like royalty that you’re getting this, this special concert to welcome you onto the mountain.

Angela Moser: If you would like to experience more of the landscape on foot, I recommend the 2.5-hour panorama hike. It starts and finishes at the mountain station and leads through alpine meadows with beautiful views down towards the lakes on one side and across to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on the other. What I particularly like is that it is a circular route, so you return directly to the railway station. Also for families, they will also find plenty to enjoy, including the Alpine Playground and Lili’s Puzzle Trail. Along this trail, children answer questions at 9 different stations and discover the surroundings in a fun and playful way.

Carolyn Schönafinger: And there’s some beautiful wooden photo frames too that you can take photos through and frame your photo with the, with the beautiful frame.

Angela Moser: Yes, that’s right. It also marks the most beautiful photo spots. So if you want to take the best photos, just follow these frames and you will find the spots. There is also a Berghotel Schynige Platte, a mountain inn, and its traditional atmosphere feels like a part of the experience.

Staying there is especially worthwhile if you’re planning the approximately 6-hour hike via the Faulhorn to Grindelwald First. So you can set off early directly from the hotel, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this spectacular route at a comfortable pace. But the hike is also possible if you take an early train up. Schynige Platte is a summer excursion, with the historic railway generally operating from June until late October.

The journey is fully included with the Berner Oberland Pass, while the Swiss Travel Pass provides a 50% discount.

Carolyn Schönafinger: All right. And what about any local tips for visiting Schynige Platte?

Angela Moser: Yes, right beneath the hotel there is a skywalk where you can walk over. It just takes about 1 minute. It’s a very short one, but you have beautiful views of the surrounding region and the mountains and the lakes.

Carolyn Schönafinger: So who would you say that an excursion to Schynige Platte is best suited to?

Angela Moser: I’d recommend Schynige Platte to railway enthusiasts. Garden lovers, but also families and hikers, but also to anyone who wants a traditional Swiss mountain day because it’s top of tradition in our region.

Carolyn Schönafinger: As you say, it’s really suitable for everyone. Okay. So there’s another mountain excursion that people can do that they may not be quite as familiar with, and that is to Pfingstegg. So please tell us all about this excursion?

Angela Moser: Right. Pfingstegg is an excursion I like to recommend for a relaxed, authentic mountain experience above Grindelwald with a very natural mix of family activities, hiking, and alpine scenery. From Interlaken, take the train to Grindelwald, then either walk about 15 minutes or use the local bus to reach the Welle station.

The cable car takes less than 5 minutes to reach Pfingstegg at 1,391 metres. So the complete journey is usually around 1 hour. Once you arrive, you can decide how playful you want the day to be.

The 736-meter Summer Toboggan Run winds through the alpine meadows at up to 40 kilometres per hour. You control your own speed with a brake lever, so it can feel exciting while still allowing each person to ride at a comfortable pace. If you prefer something gentler, try the Flyline.

Sitting securely in a harness, you glide through the forest for about 2.5 minutes on a steel tube attached to the trees. At around 8 to 12 kilometres per hour, it feels much more like floating through the forest than racing along a high-speed zipline. And between activities, the playground and mountain restaurant make it easy to slow down.

My tip is to find a place on the panoramic terrace and enjoy the view across Grindelwald Valley towards the Eiger and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. That is why Pfingstegg works just as well for families as it does for someone who mainly wants lunch with a view. But Pfingstegg is not only about the activities.

It is also a starting point for beautiful hikes in the UNESCO World Heritage Area. A rewarding route reaches the Bärägg mountain hut in around 1.5 hours, with the scenery becoming increasingly dramatic as you look into Glacier Gorge, and across a landscape shaped by ice and rock. It is a mountain path, so I would always check the current conditions and make sure it matches your experience.

And you always have to think about the way back, so this also takes 1.5 hours. At the Berek Mountain Hütte, you can reward yourself with a meal on the terrace or even stay overnight. That gives you more time for the glacier landscape and also for the hikes you can do one way on the first day and the way back on the second day. Since there is no regular accommodation at the Pfingstegg itself, most of the visitors return to Grindelwald and have an overnight stay there or head back to Interlaken.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. And is Pfingstegg a year-round excursion or just during the summer?

Angela Moser: Pfingstegg is a summer excursion. So with the cable car and fly line generally operating from spring until autumn, the toboggan run opens slightly later than the cable car and flyline. So once the conditions allow and remain closed whenever the track is wet.

So when it’s raining, you can’t go on the toboggan. When it comes to tickets, the cable car is fully included in the Berner Oberland Pass, while Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 50% discount. The fly line and toboggan run are charged separately.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. So it’s up to individual visitors if they want to go on those activities or not.

Angela Moser: Right. And I would particularly recommend Pfingstegg to families and hikers or to anyone looking for a relaxed day that combines playful activities with a quieter alpine atmosphere.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Fantastic. Well, there’s certainly plenty of choice there for everyone from funicular rides and cable car rides and cogwheel train rides, mountain summits with lots of activities and some that just are more about the views. So there’s certainly something for everyone.

What would you say are the common mistakes that travellers make when they’re planning a mountain excursion in the Jungfrau region?

Angela Moser: The mistake I see most often is that visitors simply do not allow enough time for the region. They plan the Jungfraujoch, which is absolutely one of our highlights, but then move on too quickly. As a result, they miss not only the variety of our mountain excursions, but also the opportunity to slow down.

Because when we think about a beach holiday, relaxing is naturally part of the plan. And I believe personally, a mountain holiday should be approached in the same way. It is about having time to walk at your own pace.

Sit and enjoy the view, or simply stay somewhere a little longer than planned. And I would therefore allow several days so you can discover different sides of the Jungfraujoch region without feeling that you have to rush from one attraction to the next. Spending several nights in a mountain village such as Grindelwald, Wengen, or Mürren is a wonderful way to do that.

Interlaken is also an excellent gateway to the entire region with very convenient connections, but staying in one of the villages brings you closer to many of the mountain excursions. This allows you to start earlier, spend more time on the mountain, and travel at a more relaxed pace.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, that’s a great tip. And I think you’re right, you know, our everyday lives are busy enough. When we go on holiday, we should allow extra time just to slow down and really relax and appreciate those amazing views.

So for someone who is still perhaps finding it a little bit difficult to choose just one of these excursions, well, hopefully they’re going to have a few days in the Jungfraujoch region so they can do more than one. But if they do only plan to do one excursion, what is your tip for picking the right one for them?

Angela Moser: If you really only have time for one, then keep this decision simple and ask what matters most to you. For snow and glaciers and high altitude, choose the Jungfraujoch. For adventure, choose Grindelwald First. Harder Kulm or Mannlichen are wonderful for an easy panoramic day, while Pfingstegg combines family activities with a relaxed alpine atmosphere. And if you want dramatic scenery together with the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, choose the Schilthorn.

That usually makes the right excursion much easier to recognise.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Hmm. Okay, fantastic. So where can our listeners find more information about all these different mountain excursions in the Jungfrau Region?

Angela Moser: I would start with our official destination website, jungfrauregion.swiss. It brings the different parts of the region together and is a good place to find inspiration for the mountain excursions, villages, hiking, and accommodation. Then shortly before travelling, I would always check the individual mountain railways websites for current operating information, timetables, and conditions.

There is also the SBB app or website. It is also very helpful for planning the complete public transport journey. And one final planning tip: if you are staying for several days, Compare the different travel passes after deciding on your main excursions.

The best pass depends on what you want to experience, so it is much easier to choose once the outline of the trip is clear.

Carolyn Schönafinger: That’s right. That’s a common question that I hear, which pass is best for me? But without knowing which mountain excursions someone wants to do, it’s impossible to say. So, I actually have lots of resources on holidaystoswitzerland.com that help people to choose the right pass for them.

Thank you so much, Angela. I’ll put the link to the Jungfrau Region website in the show notes for this episode and details about the discount offers that each of those different passes provide for the different mountain excursions. And hopefully we’ve helped make the decision for our listeners much easier, and they know which excursion or excursions they’re going to enjoy when they visit the Jungfraujoch region.

Angela Moser: Thank you, Carolyn. It was also a pleasure for me to do my very first podcast with you, and I hope too that everyone can now find the perfect mountain excursion for themselves.

Carolyn Schönafinger: I’m sure they will. Thanks again, Angela.

I hope today’s episode has helped you narrow down which mountain excursion, or perhaps excursions, are must-dos for you. If you’d like to learn even more about any of the excursions we discussed, you’ll find links in the show notes for detailed guides and other podcast episodes, along with details about the different rail passes available and the discounts they offer for each mountain excursion. I’ll also include a link to my Switzerland Rail Pass Comparison Calculator, a digital tool that helps you choose the best rail pass for your itinerary. All those links are in the show notes at holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode201.

Thank you so much for joining me today. I’ll be back again next week with more Swiss travel tips and inspiration. So until then, tschüss!

You can see the full show notes and listen to this episode > here.