During our two week trip this summer we decided to spend two days in Switzerland. I’d heard so much about the Grindelwald area and the Jungfrau, so we decided to spend the two days there. It was a great decision!

After travelling 2.5 hours from the French alps we headed straight to catch the Schynige Platte Cogwheel Train.  We settled into our train car (with open windows) for the 7.3-kilometer ride up 1,420 meters up the mountain ridge. 

During the 50-minute ride we passed fields with cows grazing. Slowly, as we started reaching higher altitudes, we began seeing views farther out. The unobstructed views of the Lake Thun and Lake Brienz were breathtaking. As we climbed higher, we could not get enough of the magnificent views of the surrounding alps. The views that greeted us when we arrived at the top station were beyond incredible!

At the arrival station there is a gift shop and bistro. We browsed a bit in the shop then headed straight to the Alpine Garden trail. It was fascinating to see the Blue Thistles growing right there in the garden.

We continued then to the 2,000-meter-high circular trail. The unobstructed panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau were breathtaking. The two large picture frames positioned in front of the scenic views offer the most picturesque photo ops. The pictures we took in those frames are my absolute favorite! At the end of the circular trail we came to the Alpine Playground. The children enjoyed sliding down the tubular slide built into the mountain. After playing on the wooden climbing structures we headed back to catch the train down the mountain.

Schynige Platte was the perfect introduction to the magnificent mountains in the area. We got to see the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in all it’s splendor before going up to the Jungfraujoch the following day.

Posted: February 22, 2025