A train journey that brings you through the heart of a mountain.
A train journey where the platform is on an ice glacier.
Snow fields, ice caves, ice sculptors, snow treks, all sounded exciting after our few days walking the beautiful trails around Wengen in the Swiss Alps.
Photos and Videos Lauterbrunnen
Wengen is an idylic town, high over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, to base yourself for mountain trail walking.
If you are interested in train trips and I guess you must as you are reading this, then the rack and pinon train up from Lauterbrunnen Valley to Wengen would be fascinating even if you don’t take the train through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch.
To get to the Jungfraujoch you can take a train from Interlacken, interconnecting with the Wengen rack and pinon train and then continue from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg along a normal style railway.
From Kleine Scheidegg you take the train through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch.
As we were staying in Wengen we simply walked the trail from the town to the station. It took us just over two hours.
You can also take a train from Grindelwald.
There are a few small stations between Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg. Wengernalp station is a good stopping point for the start of a days walking in the mountain.
After reaching Kleine Scheidegg we waited a short time for the Eiger train. There are many throughout the day.
The Kleine Scheidegg is a high mount pass at a height of just over 2000 metres. It lies between the Eiger and Lauberhorn.
Once on board the train, we headed straight for the Eiger Mountain. Very soon we were passing glaciers and stunning mountain scenery.
Once the train headed into the mountain tunnel it was just like any other train tunnel. As we were climbing the speed was slow but steady.
The journey to the glacier takes about 50 minutes, but there are two stops were you can look out windows over the mountainous landscape. The return journey only takes 35 minutes.
When you arrive at the final stop you are still inside the mountain, but once you head out to the mountain side the views are breath taking.
There are lots of things to do. For serious trekkers this is the starting point into the high alps. For day trippers with appropriate clothing you can walk along some of the lower paths. There is a zip line, ski run and other activities.
Inside the mountain there are restaurants, viewing platforms and the entrance to an ice cave.
It is a stunningly beautiful place, especially if the weather is sunny.