Switzerland - Interlaken
About This Journey
Hiking and nature immersion in the Swiss Alps - mountain trails and alpine lakes
📅 Daily Journal Entries
Interlaken - Gateway to the Swiss Alps
Arrived in Interlaken by train through spectacular mountain scenery. The town sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks towering overhead - Switzerland looks exactly like postcards promised.
First hike: easy trail around Lake Brienz with crystal-clear turquoise water reflecting snow-capped peaks. The air is so clean and crisp that every breath feels energizing.
Checked into mountain hostel where breakfast includes fresh alpine milk, local cheese, and homemade muesli. Swiss hospitality combined with ingredients from surrounding farms creates perfect fuel for mountain adventures.
Evening walk through Interlaken town - traditional Swiss chalets with flower boxes overflowing with geraniums. The combination of natural beauty and human craftsmanship creates harmony between civilization and wilderness.
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe Adventure
Early morning journey to Jungfraujoch via cogwheel train - the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters. The engineering feat of building railways through these mountains is incredible.
Standing on the observation deck surrounded by eternal snow and glaciers was overwhelming. The Aletsch Glacier stretching 23 kilometers is the longest in the Alps - witnessing this ice age remnant feels profound.
Ice Palace carved inside the glacier with tunnels and sculptures made entirely from ice. Walking through frozen corridors while outside temperature drops to -10°C creates surreal winter wonderland experience.
Afternoon hiking on glacier plateau despite thin air at this altitude. Each step requires effort, but views of surrounding 4,000-meter peaks make exhaustion worthwhile. Switzerland demonstrates how humans can respectfully access extreme natural environments.
Alpine Lakes and Mountain Huts
Multi-day trek staying in traditional mountain huts - refugios that provide warm meals and beds for hikers. The camaraderie among international trekkers sharing stories over hearty Swiss meals creates instant friendships.
Hiked to Oeschinen Lake - a UNESCO World Heritage site with emerald water surrounded by limestone cliffs. The 15-minute cable car ride followed by 1-hour hike leads to pristine alpine paradise.
Swimming in glacial lake at 1,578 meters elevation - water so cold it takes your breath away, but surrounded by such natural beauty that discomfort becomes exhilaration.
Evening at mountain hut with traditional Swiss fondue while alpenglow lights surrounding peaks pink and orange. Fellow hikers from 8 different countries sharing travel stories - mountains break down cultural barriers and create universal human connections.
Lauterbrunnen Valley - 72 Waterfalls Wonder
Final days exploring Lauterbrunnen Valley - the inspiration for Tolkiens Rivendell. Seventy-two waterfalls cascade from 1,000-meter cliffs creating misty, magical atmosphere.
Hiked behind Staubbach Falls - 297 meters of water falling freely from cliff face. Standing behind the waterfall curtain while rainbow mist swirls around creates otherworldly experience.
Paragliding from Mürren village - soaring above the valley floor with eagles while Eiger North Face dominates the horizon. Flying through Swiss Alps provides bird perspective on this dramatic landscape.
Final alpine sunset from Schilthorn peak - 360-degree panorama including 200 mountain peaks. Switzerland taught me that mountains arent obstacles to overcome, but teachers that humble human ambition while inspiring transcendence through natural beauty.
Shared By
Yagmur Makas
Travel Enthusiast