Switzerland – day 5, Jungfraujoch | alison richards

Today was super special - I was going to Jungfraujoch, to the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres above sea level. I'd bought my tickets earlier in the month and I was raring to go!

I had bought the 9am ticket and was out of my accommodation at 7:30am. I had to first catch a train up to Kleine Scheidegg. This was like Mürren, perched on the opposite cliff top and was a big ski destination. The view from the train on the way there was incredible.

Because of the timetables, I was a little early to catch the train to Jungfraujoch, so I went to the cafe. I thought I would go in and have a delicious Swiss hot chocolate to warm up, but instead I received a lukewarm cup of OVALTINE! What the?!

I was the first onto the train and chose the best seat, then we were off. It actually wasn't that great a view going up, as much of it was in a tunnel through the mountains. I got to the top and off the train, and looked for the door to get outside - it was -5 and a bit breezy but wow, the view was spectacular!

The view from halfway up at Eismeer – 3160m

The Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps.

The "Top of Europe" complex at the top of the railway had other sections besides the viewing platform. On one you could walk through the glacier, so I decided to go and do that. I had wanted to go on one of the several walks from the complex, but unfortunately they were all closed because of all the snow!

There was another observation area besides the one at the top of the complex. This one was on the snow itself and it seemed to be windier down here than up high! But it was such a glorious day, I spent ages wandering around with wide eyes - all that snow and those mountains!

The Jungfraujoch radio relay station, way up high! This is the Jungfrau, standing at 4,158m above sea level.

Over Interlaken. Still looking cloudy down there!

Lots of mountains down below. They look so little but I bet they’re still bloody big!

This is the Top of Europe complex and Sphinx observatory. If you can see the dusty white snow coming off it – there were guys with shovels clearing snow off the outdoor areas.

Jungfraujoch means Jungfrau saddle and refers to being the low, flat point between the 2 mountains, Jungfrau and Mönch.

Mönch, and people’s shadows. It was quite busy out there!

I had a quick lunch and wander around the shops inside the complex, then went back to the train to head back to Kleine Scheidegg and back down to Lauterbrunnen. Remember how cloudy it was at the top? Well when I was coming down the mountain on the train, I saw the most incredible view... I quickly got off and went to take a photo of it...

This fog had rolled in and was glowing golden because of the afternoon sun. It was incredible!

I'd returned to Lauterbrunnen earlier than I expected so I went for a little wander around in the evening light. From my accommodation, I walked up the hill behind, away from town. There was a walking loop you could do up there but I was halfway up and it was too steep to keep going, especially with the slippery snow! But the views were superb.