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September 14, 2015 By Hailey

In the Heart of the Jungfrau Region

Justin and I spent our anniversary weekend exploring the Jungfrau Region, one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations, located in the Bernese Oberland (the Highlands within the Canton of Bern).  We quickly fell in love with this beautiful slice of Swissness, where regal mountains and dramatic valleys welcome outdoor enthusiasts and encourage the imagination.

Cute Map of Switzerland

IMAGE SOURCE

After 200+ years of drawing visitors with elegant hotels, an innovative railway system, and access to the Alps, Interlaken is the most distinguished town in the area, and it serves as the gateway to the Jungfrau Region. This darling of the Victorian Era is literally locked in between the pristine blue waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun and surrounded by rising foothills – a natural stage set for both romantic leisures and gripping adventures.

Interlaken from Above

Undeniably, Interlaken is not short on scenery nor compelling activities. However, this acclaimed city did not make our weekend itinerary. Justin and I bypassed Interlaken to spend time exploring the valleys that fork south from the city: Lauterbrunnen Valley and Grindelwald Valley. In this compact sector of the Alps, the triple peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau dominate the skyline, while quaint villages rest under their perilous splendor. With just a few glimpses from our train of those towering mountains and gushing rivers, the Jungfrau Region immediately captivated our attention.

Map Jungfrau Region

IMAGE SOURCE

Here are some of the highlights from our weekend in the heart of the Jungfrau Region.

PARAGLIDING OVER LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY
As mentioned in my previous post, Justin and I went tandem paragliding – an unforgettable anniversary gift to ourselves. Needless to say, paragliding was a epic start to a remarkable weekend!

Paragliding Lauterbrunnen

After our flying escapade, we enjoyed complimentary drinks at Airtime Café before leaving romantic Lauterbrunnen Valley by cogwheel train.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

COZY WENGEN
We spent two nights in the mountainside village of Wengen. This little town is full of Swiss charm, which (I hear) turns up a million notches in the winter months. Like many of the villages in the area, Wengen is a ski resort paradise – but it’s only accessible by train. With spectacular vistas that include the imposing peaks of Mönch and Jungfrau and the roaring waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen certainly sits on prime real estate. Could anyone ever tire of this view?

Wengen

JUNGFRAUJOCH, THE TOP OF EUROPEJungfrau Railway Vintage Poster
In 1893, Adolf Guyer-Zeller decided to try the unthinkable: build a railway that would lead to the summit of Jungfrau, the highest peak in this portion of the Alps. Sixteen years and sixteen million franc later, the project was completed, and thanks to Adolf’s grand dream, millions have set foot upon the glacier pass between Jungfrau and Mönch.

The journey to the “Top of Europe” is costly. One adult round-trip train ticket could set you back as much as 200 Swiss franc… and that does not include a bar of dark chocolate at “the highest Lindt Chocolate Shop in the world!” Therefore, travelers would do well to visit only when the weather forecast is promising.

TIP: Keep an eye on conditions at the top by checking the live webcam on Jungfrau’s official website. [IMAGE SOURCE]

Although we were tempted to pay the price one clear morning, Justin and I decided to save this glacial encounter for another trip. Maybe with some others who dare to reach the Top of Europe with us? Who’s in?

HIKING FROM SCHYNIGE PLATTE TO FIRST-GRINDELWALD
Instead of heading to the Top of Europe, we made our way up to the “Top of Swissness” via a different cog-wheeled choo-choo. Opened since 1893 (the year Herr Guyer-Zeller dreamed up the path to Jungfraujoch), Schynige Platte is the Swiss version of a State Park – a natural space open to the public where weekenders and tourists can picnic, hike, and gawk at the outstanding views. Visitors are frequently greeted at the top by a troupe of Alphorn players, whose forlorn tunes carry over the Alpine meadows until they fade into the mountainside.

Schynige Platte

IMAGE SOURCE

From the train station at the summit of Schynige Platte, Justin and I set off on the Faulhorn-First hiking trail, listed as a six-hour trek. Along this “classic” Alpine route, we marched through grassy fields, waved hallo to munching dairy cows, clamored over stone-boned gorges, and huffed up mountain ridgelines.

Hiking trail from Schynige Platte

Hiking trail from Schynige Platte to First

The diverse terrain matched the fickle weather conditions we encountered along the trail. After we passed the Guardian Cow of the Ridge, we continued through patches of grey clouds that shielded views of rumored grandeur. Ultimately, the clouds broke apart to reveal an absolutely breathtaking panorama just beyond the Bachalpsee – the final feature before the gondolas at First that carried us down to Grindelwald.

Alpine Cow

Bachalpsee

Grindelwald Valley

We completed the hike from Schynige Platte to First in less than five hours. As a reward for our efforts (and for reaching the First gondola before closing time!), we enjoyed a fantastic Swiss meal and some tasty brews in Grindelwald. Zum Wohl!

Grindelwald Valley
Jungfrau Beer

WE HEART THE BERNESE OBERLAND
The Jungfrau Region was a great place to celebrate our marriage in our new country of residence, but one weekend was not enough time in this Alpine paradise. Although we enjoyed the summer’s contrast of green pastures and white peaks, we cannot wait to go back to explore more of the Bernese Oberland after it transforms into a winter wonderland!

Domecks in Switzerland


Grüezi mitenand!
Does this setting appeal to you and your travel style? What other mountainous destinations have you explored? Can you recommend other places in the Alps that we should visit?

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Comments

  1. Hanka says

    October 3, 2016 at 9:32 pm

    Hi Hailey,
    I came across your post quite recently, when I was looking for a family trip in Jungfrau/Bernese Alps region.
    As well as you I am a foreigner in Switzerland, and I am also writing a blog about living here, because I love it here and I like to share, how beautiful this country is. In my blog I focus mainly on family friendly trips and activities (and bit of traveling abroad and DIY).
    So if you have time, you can visit my blog and if you like it, I’ll be glad when you subscribe to my posts, or you will follow me on Facebook.
    Have a nice evening,
    Hanka aka AdinaJustina
    http://www.adinajustina.blogspot.ch

    Reply
    • Hailey says

      October 5, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      Thanks for saying hello, Hanka! Don’t you just love those Swiss Alps? I certainly can’t get enough of them! Thanks for sending over your blog; it’s always fun to find fellow bloggers in Switzerland :) Best wishes!

      Reply
  2. Ida says

    November 1, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    Beautiful <3

    Reply

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Hailey Domeck is a Southern girl with a Spanish heart and Swiss soul.

As a wife, mom, and travel addict, her love for mountains, fairy-tales, and great food keep her mind and heart always on the lookout for the next great adventure.

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💫 2020 - not about travel; all about family. 💫

#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the beauty of growing a child in the womb and then nurturing a precious newborn around the clock; the wild roller coaster of shepherding a toddler, whose contagious joy and  stubborn defiance make each day a challenge and a gift; the mundane tasks that help make a home feel warm and welcoming; and a bunch of other things. 

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#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
📷: @whitneykeilman
Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circ Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circumstances, may you experience JOY in this holiday season and have HOPE  for a brighter year ahead. 

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#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow 

📷: @whitneykeilman
• T H A N K F U L • We are saying thanks for • T H A N K F U L • 

We are saying thanks for all things in life this week. It’s so easy to get stuck on either the big picture or the tiny details, but I believe it’s important to take it all in - like I did on this ridge overlooking #Manang Village last year while trekking the #AnnapurnaCircuit in #Nepal. 

Creating a culture of gratitude takes intentionality and discipline... and it’s especially not easy when babies and toddlers demand so much of you at all hours of the day and night. Yet, here we are at the start of the holiday season, and I’m choosing to be grateful for the whole lot. 

What are you thankful for this year?
Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳 I don’t have a Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳

I don’t have any big plans today (#newbornlife), but I’m recalling the joy of “Heidi Hailey” in the Himalayas last November. ☺️ Shout out to @thatdutchieguy for bringing his Polaroid camera on our #CreateConnectNepal journey... what a fun way to capture special moments, - like my favorite stretch of the #AnnapurnaCircuit in the #Manang District ❣️

What are you up to this weekend?
As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s j As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s just wild to me that on this date exactly one year ago, I was walking among giants and completed the most difficult hike of my life. 

On November 11, 2019, the #CreateConnectNepal team and I went up and over the Thorong La Pass. At 17,769 feet (5416m), this is the pinnacle of the Annapurna Circuit and one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The day began in the dark with a grueling 4+ hour ascent through snow-kissed trails and then required a fierce descent down a bone dry valley. It demanded everything of me. 

Yet, that day up and over Thorong La was just one part of my epic adventure in #Nepal last November. I am eternally grateful for that experience and cherish those memories dearly. I also miss those people a lot. ❣️
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