Ever since my first hike to Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake some years back, I’ve been enamored with the mountains. I did some more hikes around the Philippines and a few places in Asia. When I got the opportunity to visit Switzerland, I carefully planned the day hikes I wanted to do in one of the country’s most popular destination, the Jungfrau region.
Schynige Platte
The hike to this scenic destination starts at Wilderswil Station, which is a few minutes away from Interlaken. I and other tourists waited for the train that would take us to the Schynige Platte. The railway dates to the 1890s when it used to be steam-powered. The approximately 50-minute ride isn’t just scenic, but allows passengers to experience a bit of history. The train climbed the mountain and passed through stunning views of the landscape. I found myself looking out the window almost throughout the entire trip.
I decided to follow the famous and popular panorama trail. Experienced and fit hikers (or those who have more time), can take the traverse trail all the way to First. I didn’t have the luxury of time, so I remained on the panorama trail.
The trail was a series of serpentine, rocky paths with sweeping vistas. The views of the mountains, rock formations, and the lake made me stop and stare to marvel at nature’s wonders. The inclines were manageable even for children and fit seniors. It was a beautiful day to go hiking, the skies were clear, and the autumn breeze kept me cool throughout. The climax of the hike was the top of a rock formation reaching out to the sky. The panoramic views, simply put, were stunning.
Eiger Trail
Another day hike on my list was the Eiger trail. This starts from Eigergletscher Station to Alipglen Station. I took the cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher. The views from the start of the ride to my stop were spectacular (a recurring theme in Switzerland). I saw the mountain peaks wrapped in clouds and the town below. Most of the people taking this route were on their way to the Top of Europe. My agenda was different as I made my way to the hiking trail.
It was cloudy at the start of my hike so I decided to let the clouds recede so I could see the trail in front of me. As soon as the conditions were ideal, I was on my way. The rocky path zig-zagged its way along the side of the mountain. One of the highlights of this adventure is seeing the Eiger North Face. The latter is a challenge that some climbers take on, but I neither have the expertise nor experience to scale it. I settled for viewing it from below and thinking how miniscule we all are in the face of nature. After soaking in the views, I was on my way again. I didn’t run out of picturesque vistas as every turn provided a different angle.
As I approached Alpiglen, the trail increased in difficulty. The inclines were steeper, and the precipitous cliffs made me think twice about rushing through some parts of the trail. The last leg of the hike was the hardest. It was a steep descent that tested (and strained) my leg muscles. I was elated and relieved to have reached the station. I took the cable car back to Grindelwald after a tiring but satisfying day.
Grütschalp, Mürren, and Gimmelwald
The jump-off point for this hike is Lauterbrunnen. Much like the previous hikes on this list, it’s convenient to get to the trail because all I had to do was take the cable car up to Grütschalp. The first leg of the trip was the trail from Grütschalp to Mürren. At this point, I was already used to the stunning mountainous landscapes of Switzerland, but despite this I was still enthralled with the views of the snow-capped mountains and the golden colors of autumn that served as the backdrop of my walk/hike. As hiking season was about to come to an end, few people were on the trail. This was a bonus for me as I could avoid the crowds and soak in the views in peace and quiet.
I arrived in Mürren without noticing it. It was a bustling town with plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and cafes. I followed a group of people that were making their way down to Gimmelwald. The paved trail descended gradually, making it an easy walk for visitors. I’ve noticed that in Switzerland, whether you’re challenging yourself or not, you’ll still get the reward of spectacular mountain views. Before I knew it (after hundreds of photos), I was already at the cable car station.
Hiking in Switzerland is accessible because of the many cable cars and trains that can take you directly to viewpoints or the start of trails. Trails are clearly marked which makes unguided adventures possible.