European Rooftop - Jungfrau: Majestic Snow Wonder in the Alps

Visiting the highest peak in Europe, travelers will witness breathtaking scenes, hardly imaginable as real.

European Rooftop - Jungfrau: Majestic Snow Wonder in the Alps

Millions of years ago, nature orchestrated Jungfrau (4,158m) to become Europe's highest peak (located in the legendary Alps of the Bernese region, Switzerland). In 1911, the Meyer brothers became the first to successfully conquer the mountain.

In 1896, a railway line was constructed to transport people up, but it was not completed until 16 years later. The Jungfraujoch station officially holds the title of the world's highest railway station at an altitude of 3,450m.

For over 100 years, Jungfrau has been one of Switzerland's and the world's most impressive destinations. In 2001, UNESCO officially recognized the 414 km² area surrounding Jungfrau as a World Natural Heritage Site. In 2005, the famous Star Wars film - Revenge of the Sith chose this as the primary setting, further increasing Jungfrau's renown.

Exploring Jungfrau can only be done by taking the unique cogwheel train from Wengen. Riding this over a hundred-year-old train, travelers will feel the grandeur of nature and the great efforts of mankind. You'll have the opportunity to witness the Sphinx observatory at 3,572 m high, the glacier river, and the European rooftop.

Bern region not only boasts the peak of Jungfrau - the European rooftop but also several other impressive mountains, including the 2,167 m high First mountain in Grindelwald.

From the village of Grindelwald, you can take the cable car to the top of First. Around 9-10 am is the ideal time, when the sun shines on the small houses and the carpet of yellow flowers below, creating a beautiful scene. Another interesting thing is that the cable car has windows that can be opened, allowing you to take photos without any glass obstruction.

The highlight is undoubtedly the experience of walking on the glass bridge “First cliff walk by Tisot” along the mountainside over a deep gorge hundreds of meters below. This attraction is not for the faint-hearted or those afraid of heights.

Photographer Ngô Trần Hải An (Quỷ Cốc Tử) shared that when he went, the temperature dropped to -3°C, and the wind was very strong. The path is designed to be safe, but the feeling of walking along the steep cliff with slippery mist-covered glass panels was enough to make him tremble.

The end point of this bridge is a glass wall over a deep abyss, looking down below is the panoramic view of the village of Grindelwald surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains.

At Mannlichen mountain, you can experience the thrilling activity of 'snow eagle flying'. In this, four people lie flat on a system of pulleys, then they are pulled up the mountain and launched down at speeds of up to 87km/h. Ngô Trần Hải An enthusiastically shared: 'Only when you experience it do you know how your heart races. The freezing cold makes your hands numb, unable to move a few fingers, and when you soar down, it feels like you're making an avalanche.'

For those who prefer a gentler experience, after taking the cable car up to Mannlichen summit, you can rent a bike to leisurely ride down and enjoy the scenery. From the village of Wengen, take the cable car to the station near Mannlichen, then hike up the mountain for about 20 minutes.

On the way, you can take photos with the 2-meter high snow walls. Mannlichen peak has a unique circular observation deck, perfect for 'instagrammable' photos.

Another destination is Harder Kulm peak – featured in the Lord of the Rings film. From the town of Interlaken, purchase a ticket for a special cable car with a cogwheel railway up the mountain. From here, visitors have to walk about 700m to reach the summit of Harder Kulm. This place is always beautiful, but it's best to visit in the morning or evening when the light is softer, making it easier to enjoy the majestic scenery.

Also at Harder Kulm, you can try paragliding, with a professional instructor flying with you, so it's very safe. If requested, you can experience thrilling maneuvers like upside-down flying and swinging.

For the ultimate experience in Jungfrau and the surrounding area, you should take the morning train around 9 am because the sun is favorable and it's the best time of day to admire Jungfrau. When boarding the train, choose to sit on the right side for the best views. Usually, the train windows are closed, but you're allowed to open them for clear photos.

Additionally, travelers must meticulously equip themselves with cold gear, as the temperature at the summit drops to -5 degrees (much colder in winter). The sunlight reflecting off the snow is extremely intense, so sunglasses are essential to avoid squinting.

Those prone to altitude sickness need to bring medication to prevent headaches and light-headedness.

Cameras must be fully charged with spare batteries, as the cold weather quickly drains battery life.

These small tips will help you admire the beautiful scenery and capture memorable moments for this fantastic journey.

According to Youth

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour