To the mountains, Jungfraujoch, and the fernicular railway that climbs to Europe’s highest railway station.

From Bern our InterCity train departs early, about 0730, the first of 4 trains. Skirting around the shores of Lake Thurin the comfortable (on time every time) SBB reveals the magic of Switzerland’s mountainous landscape. Sheer rocky escarpments plummet directly into the aqua and snow capped peaks surround.

First stop Interlaken Ost, and a change to a smaller train for the winding climb to Lauterbrunnen. From Lauterbrunnen the smaller train runs on a ratchet rail system, the gradient too steep for traditional rail traction. It’s clear that we are going somewhere extraordinary… the jagged snow caps surround us, the cow bells chime, and the Korean tourists clamour for the windows. The last stop Kleine Scheidegg, another change to a smaller fernicular railway, and the gradient increases even further as the carriages enters a 10 klm tunnel.

The station at Jungfraujoch is inside the tunnel, and an intricate network of caverns leads to the viewing area, and a visual masterpiece of twisting glaciers and pointed white peaks. The view is simply breathtaking. The experience is probably the highest on the list of ‘must do’s’ in Europe.