Just a quick post on the train ride from Interlaken to Luzern. We took the regional railroad service from Interlaken Ost to Luzern, a daily service that runs at about thirty minute intervals during regular hours.
Interlaken Ost to Lucern – North is down
Leaving Interlaken
The trip is divided up into about two parts, one before the Brünigpass and one after. Here is a quick slideshow of photographs taken before the pass.
Here are a few videos climbing the mountain up to the pass. The regional train on this route is a bit bumpy and swerves alot, so if you are inclined to have motion sickness, it is best to take it before you leave Interlaken Ost.
Arriving In Luzern
Once over the mountain there is a slow descent and the train will stop several places before arriving at the main train station in Luzern.
And here is a final video of the train traveling along the Sarnersee before we entered Luzern.
That’s it! The overall trip takes about two hours, due to the stops and the windy tracks. The train had to repeatedly re-engage the rake, or cog wheel, system as it went up and over the mountain. It seem to disengage at each stop then re-engage when leaving, which tended to slow us down some.
I hope you enjoyed this short traveling version of our post. Next post will be about Luzern.
Departing from Grindelwald once again, we find ourselves heading through the Kleine Scheidegg to our ultimate destination – Jungfraujoch, the Top Of Europe, or so they say.
Jungfrau Glacier
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch experience is a collection of tunnels accessed by the Jungfraujoch rack rail directly under the saddle or “Joch” of the Jungfrau. However, most of these tunnels are actually under the south side of Mönch and provide access to the glacier, the observatory, as well as other necessities for people to visit. It all starts with a train ride.
Tickets For Two – Jungfraujoch From Grindelwald
As you can see from the price on our tickets, they are not inexpensive, so get a travel pass if traveling by family or small groups. As a couple we probably could have saved some money, but we wanted to remain flexible since we slow travel and never know what we are doing one day to the next.
With the exception of the glacier stop, which by the way you can only view going up (so get out if you want to see it), all other exhibits in the Jungfraujoch can be visited in any order.
The Eiger Glacier
The first stop, while on the train, is the Eiger glacier. Since our hiking trip from Kleine Scheidegg showed us the bottom of the glacier, we thought it only fitting to see where it begins as well. It is a five minute stop, so you must hop off and hop back on once you are done.
In the photographs above, you can just see where the glacier drops over the edge and descends rapidly. From there, you can pick up the view of it from below (see our previous post on Kleine Scheidegg).
Jungfraujoch – Glacier
While you are still inside the complex, the first glimpses of the glacier are impressive. Here are some photographs while we were still winding through the corridors trying to find our first tour.
The Glacier
The Joch, Where The Snows Start Accumulating
Down Below And Fallen Rocks
Jungfraujoch – Museum Exhibits
There are a few museum related exhibits on the lower floor the include dioramas and other artifacts in glass enclosures. They all make for interesting reading.
Example Of Rail Cog System
Model Of Rack Rail Car
Diorama Of Building
Transit And Original Surveyors Materials
Jungfraujoch – Ice Palace
The ice palace, or palast, is a corridor and rooms with ice carvings in them. It is cold, kept at a constant minus six degrees celsius, so you will need to bring something warm to supplement your apparel.
Here are also some videos of walking through the ice tunnel. The floor is actually not as slippery as one would think, probably due to intense cold temperature they keep it at.
Jungfraujoch – Alpine Sensation
The Alpine Sensation is a mixture of museum and distractions for children. It still offers enough to stop and take a look at some of the interesting exhibits and information they have on the history of the Jungfraujoch. However, if you take the moving walkway they may be more difficult to read.
The Highest Karst Cave
Jungfraujoch – The Sphinx
Though not completely sure why it’s called The Sphinx, probably a mixture of the astronomy dome and the platforms resembling that form from a distance, it offers outside panoramic views of the glacier and the surrounding peaks. Bundle up though, it’s cold outside!
Looking to the North and East
Looking at the Glacier and South
Here are some remaining still photographs in a slideshow.
Patti on the Summit
Erick on the Summit
The Observatory
This concludes our trip to Grindelwald and the surrounding areas. We really enjoyed the hotel, the town, the hiking, the air and of course the mountains! We hope to return one day with our children. But until then, on to Lucern, our next stop on our trip.
At two thousand or so meters above sea level and little Grindelwald, is the small train interchange of the mountain pass at Kleine Scheidegg. Three separate lines run from here and it becomes a busy little beehive in the morning hours, less so in the afternoon, at least during summer.
Kleine Scheidegg Train Station
We purchased our tickets in Grindelwald station not thinking much about passes, which is actually a mistake, but live and learn. In any case, to get there you take the rack train, or cog train, from Grindelwald.
Tickets For Two – Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg
Our Train Track is A
The way up takes about thirty minutes and there are about three stops along the way, including Grindelwald Grund, to pick up passengers who drive to take the train on a day trip. Since I forgot to take a video going up, here is a short one on the way down.
Note: Investigate getting a multi-day pass that includes the Jungfraujoch and traveling in the area. Especially if you are traveling with family or a group, this may save you serious money. The Jungfraujoch is an inclusive train/experience, so it will be a bit pricey, so any discount you can get may relieve the sticker shock.
Kleine Scheidegg
With the Hotel Bellevue, where Clint Eastwood stayed during the shooting of The Eiger Sanction, a movie based on the novel with the same name; Kleine Scheidegg is a collection of hotels, cafes and train lines to other parts, including Jungfraujoch and Lauterbrunnen.
The Hotel Bellevue
The Hotel Bellevue
Kleine Scheidegg Train Station
The Surrounding Mountains
The Eiger Glacier
Next to the imposing Eiger, the Eiger glacier drains its icy contents between itself and the Mönch, while Jungfrau sits idly by, to the right of both.
The Eiger Glacier – Eiger Is To The Left, Mönch Is Directly Behind It
The hike from the train station up to the glacier is about an hour and can be quite demanding at time. There is loose gravel and some tricky places where you ascend. But it’s all worth it in the end, the views are amazing. Here is a slideshow of the sights that we saw on our trek up.
Eiger Glacier – 50 Minute Hike
The Eiger
The Eiger Glacier – First Glimpse
Grindelwald
Grindelwald and Wetterhorn
Alpine Pastures
Stechelberg Gorge
Stechelberg Gorge and Tremmelfeld
Jungfrau
Jungfrau – Eiger Walk
Manmade Lake Before Glacier
Jungfrau And Other Peaks
Foot Soak Anyone?
Alpine Building
Patti And Wetterhorn and Grindelwald In Distance
Erick And Wetterhorn and Grindelwald In Distance
Trail Signage
The Way Up
Some Other Glaciers
Emergency Station – Fully Personed
Eiger Glacier
Kleine Scheinegg
Gorge and Surrounding Mountains
Jungfrau Massiv
Glacier Post
More Signs – Pick Your Route
North Face Of The Eiger
The View Down
The North Face Of The Eiger
Across The Valley
Looking East Toward Grosse Scheidegg
Other Glaciers Forming On The Jungfrau
Restaurants
I hope you enjoyed our trip to the glacier and the area around it. We actually did eat at a small place here, it’s not much to look at, and at the time they only had window service because they are still in reduced operations.
Restaurant Eigernordwand
This little restaurant has very limited room inside and outside, so first come, first served, as they say. The menu is rather simple, but the food is very good. Like other places around and due to its location, the prices are on the high side, especially for window-only service.
Restaurant Eigernordwand
If you are traveling during virus restrictions, keep in mind that you have to remain flexible. So prices notwithstanding, we still enjoyed it and felt that we had a decent lunch when we left.
Our day trip ends with a short video of us pulling out of the Kleine Scheidegg station. Patti and I both agreed we have to visit during winter, to get the full feeling for this beautiful place.
If you are looking for things to and have the time, the way to probably see the area around Grindelwald is with a package, like a three day pass. There are others to choose from and some can save you some serious money, if you plan correctly. Since we were kind of flying by the seat of pants, this being a rather long excursion for us, we decided to go the à la carte, even though we kind of knew what we wanted to see.
Grindwald First
Though included in several packages, you can purchase this tourist package separately. It cost us 62CHF per person with no discounts, which they constantly asked us for but would never tell us how you can obtain one of them (is that not typical Swiss).
Tickets For Two!
The View From The Cable Car
On Our Way Up
Pastoral Views Around Grindelwald
However, we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. The alpine air, the walks and especially the views. Here is a slideshow on our way up the mountain Schwarzhorn for our amazing views of the Grindelwald Valley and the surrounding moutains.
Here are also a few video clips of our ascent up the Schwarzhorn and to the Oberjoch ridge and Grindelwald First.
The Bachalpsee
After the Grindelwald First, and yes that actually just covers the walk around the Oberjoch cliff, there is also a nice hike to the Bachalpsee. It is signed as a fifty minute walk, but if you are with children and others, you may want to add ten or twenty minutes to your round trip time, just for talking and other diversions, like picture taking.
Erick With The Alps Behind
Patti With The Bachalpsee Behind
Patti With The Alps Behind
Signs To Everywhere
Refuge
The Alps
Our Way Back
Follow The Signs
The Bachalpsee
The Bachalpsee – Another View
The above slideshow details our lazy day trek to the Bachalpsee, a very nice walk to an alpine lake. A bit rocky along the way, but you can make it with a good pair of tennis shoes or sneakers.
That’s it for now, will be back tomorrow with more travel adventures.
We have been in Grindelwald for a day and it’s one of those unique places in the world, that have almost a storybook feel to it. Well, at least by visiting it, you can understand how this can happen with its majestic mountains, windy scenic roads and bucolic country feel.
Hotel Alpenhof
We arrived by train from Interlaken and made the modest trek up a steep incline to our accomodations, the Hotel Alpenhof. One can make an argument that everything here is on a steep incline, and they would be right.
The Eiger
Grindelwald Glacier
The Eiger
The Hoernli And Eiger
The Hoernli And Eiger
The hotel is what you would expect for typical alpine accomodations, rustic with that scenic charm and a commanding view of the mountains, especially the Eiger. Above is a slideshow of our charming suite and a few shots of the overview we have from our balcony.
Grindelwald – A Stroll Down Mainstreet
The town of Grindelwald is not quaint, but rather a mixture of alpine tourist shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, and the odd monument. It is surrounded by the pastoral countryside, which is dotted by working farms and alpine cottages and houses. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, for this first blog on Grindelwald, a slideshow of walking the length of mainstreet, all the way out of town towards the Grosse Scheidegg, is noteworthy.
Dorfstrasse
Dorfstrasse
Dorfstrasse
Dorfstrasse With Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn
Dorfstrasse With Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn
Dorfstrasse With Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn
Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn, Rosenhorn In The Back
Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn, Rosenhorn In The Back
Upper Grindelwald Glacier
Relaxing
The Reformed Church
Upper Grindelwald Glacier
Upper Grindelwald Glacier
And Old Grindelwald Cog Sled
Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
The Hoernli and Eiger – Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
Old Barn – Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
A Stream On The Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
The Same Stream – Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn – Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
Patti Walking The Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
Wetterhorn And Mittelhorn – Upper Grindelwald Glacier Road
After our stay in Offenbach, we headed to Switzerland using Germany’s ICE service. We of course experienced the customary breakdown, or what they like to call a Technische Störung, a German euphemism for someone committing suicide on the tracks, or just the Deutsche Bahn not being able to run a railroad. We have actually not ridden an ICE that did not have an issue, and from the comments we heard from the other Germans, they haven’t either.
Tickets For Two – Offenbach To Frankfurt
We arrived in Basel SBB too late for our connecting train, so after waiting a further half an hour, we finally made it to our destination, Interlaken, our stepstool to the Alps. Interlaken is a small city, sitting between two rather large lakes, the Thunersee and the Brienzersee.
Hotel Interlaken
Hotel Interlaken
Hotel Interlaken – Rainy Day In The Alps
Interlaken – Rainy Day In The Alps
Interlaken – Rainy Day In The Alps
Interlaken – The Main Park
We stayed at the Hotel Interlaken, a four star hotel half way between the train station and the center of town, and handsomely situation across from the main park. Though it worked out well because of the rain, you should not worry about the location of any hotels in Interlaken, the city is not large enough to be too far away from either the Interlaken-West or Interlaken-Ost train stations.
Interlaken – The City
The actual city is what I would call confused. It appears, it does not know its identity, or what it wants to be. It appears to be conflicted between being a tourist town, a normal town for residence, or just a waypoint on someone’s map (train stop).
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Rain Swollen Aare
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Streets Of Interlaken
Typical Italian Restaurant
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Streets Of Interlaken
The Rain Swollen Aare
The Rain Swollen Aare
The Rain Swollen Aare
The Park Walkway In Interlaken
It has both expensive hotels, restaurants and casinos, and then less fortunate areas within a block of one another. Several areas look destitute, some historic (like around the tourist museum), others more disconsulate – where stores have actually closed.
Amazing Views Of Interlaken – Without Clouds
Loucherhorn, Sulegg and Morgenberghorn – From The Main Park
Loucherhorn, Sulegg and Morgenberghorn – From The Main Park
End Of Augstmatthorn
Unfortunately, while we were there, all it did was rain for two days. But, I would rather have it rain in Interlaken, than in Grindelwald, which was our ultimate destination on this trip. To be fair, we were using it as a rest stop anyway, so no fuss, no foul. In any case, we got one day, the day we left, to get some amazing photographs of the mountains without clouds surrounding them.
As for recommending any restaurants in the area, we cannot. There are a lot of closed restaurants, an affect of the virus. The ones that are still open are fine, overpriced, like all food in Switzerland, but none remarkable. Hopefully others that travel behind us may have better luck when the city recovers a bit more. Now, on to Grindelwald, the Eiger and the Jungfrau, Tschüß!
