5 Best Mountains of Switzerland
Switzerland has had me coming back for more year on year. Nothing beats the feeling of being high up on a Swiss Mountain and breathing in the crisp mountain air. The views of white peaks, azure skies and emerald waters all around you are breath-taking.
Over the years, I have travelled to various mountains multiple times and have narrowed down on a few favourites that I will never tire of. Here are some of the highlights of my favourite mountain peaks. For the sake of clarity, I have broken down the experience into a few simple topics
Mt Titlis
Starting point: Valley station, Engelberg.- (40 minute) train ride from Lucerne.
Getting there
The journey up to Mt. Titlis is done in 2 parts.
Frst, you take the Titlis Xpress cable car from Engelberg to Stand via Trubsee
Then continue by the Rotair for the journey up to 3020 metres above sea level. This rotating cable car rotates just once in the 5 minute journey giving you an amazing 360 degree panorama of the surrounding mountain vistas.
At the top:
Titlis has a mountain full of adventure to offer. Here are some of my favourites
Glacier Cave: A tunnel carved 10 metres below the surface of the glacier. Walking through the eerie blue lit passageway in freezing temperatures on ice that is up to 5000 years old will stay with you forever.
The TITLIS Cliff Walk: A 100 metre long suspension bridge between 2 peaks. Ensure you are brave enough to look down and see the floor just recede away upto 500 metres below you. If you are visiting in winter, be ready to endure the chilly wind blowing and the bridge shaking.
There are numerous other activities on the peak and also at Trubsee. Fun seekers can head for the zipline and the Adventure Park or take a ride on a mountain bike or go along one of the many hiking trails
Mt Titlis, is definitely one of the things to do in Lucerne for sure
Ticket Price: The excursion to Mt. Titlis costs Swiss Francs 60 if you hold the Swiss Travel Pass. The pass also allows children of pass holders to travel free till the age of 16 years
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Matterhorn- I had read somewhere that the Matterhorn is most photographed mountain in the world and had wondered what all the hype was about. Trust me, once you lay your eyes on that majestic peak which seems to follow you everywhere in Zermatt, you will want nothing but to get the best shot, the best angle, the best light. There are a couple of vantage points from where you get great views of the Matterhorn but I fell in love with the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Starting point: : Valley station, Zermatt
Getting there:
Accessed via a 3- part cable ride you ascend from the valley station to Furi, then to Trockner Stegg and finally to is Europe’s highest cable car station at 3883 metres
Other than the normal cable cars there are 4 speical Crystal Cars embellished with Swarovski Crystals which you can opt for by paying a small add -on. What is really special is that after 3 minutes into the 9 minute ride, the floor of the gondola becomes transparent! What a thrill and what a view!!
At the top:
The viewing platform with the cross — Views of 38 mountains all over 4000m tall. On a clear day you can see all the way to Italy and France and also see the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch
Glacier Palace — the highest in Europe. This is similar to the one on Jungfraujoch ( but this one has an entrance fee of around Swiss fancs 8)
Cinema Lounge — take a break and watch some films on the surrounding Alpine world
Snow Park — Snow tubing and lots of fun in the summer months
Skiing — Try your hand at skiing (even in the summer!)
Hiking: Depending on your fitness level, try your hand at climbing to the Breithorn (4164 m). Its just over 5 kms and should take around 3 hours
Ticket Price: Swiss Travel Pass holder prices range from Swiss francs 45 to 58 per person depending on the season ( there are 3 seasons).
Zermatt is known as popular ski destination but its actually great all year round and can therefore be added to your list of things to do in Switzerland in summer
Glacier 3000
Like most travellers to Switzerland, I thought that if you have visited one of the popular mountains you had seen them all but my first visit to the Glacier 3000 changed that. The beauty of the flat expanse of glacier that you can walk over, the not too time consuming journey to the top and the amazing Alpine Coaster has made this one of my favourites. And ofcourse, to get to the Glacier 3000 you have to reach Gstaad which is one of my all -time picture perfect favourite towns.
Starting point: Valley station Col Du Pillon (33 minute bus ride from Gstaad train station)
Getting there:
The cable car from the Col Du Pillon station takes you up to the peak station in under 20 minutes with just one change. As you make your way to the top you will be astounded by the views and also by the very futuristic cable car station as you approach it.
At the top:
Alpine Coaster — one kilometre of waves and jumps which can be done solo or tandem. This is definitely one of the reasons I keep visiting this mountain
Dog Sled Ride — Super cute and gentle huskies with an infectious bark pulling you along. (summer months only)
Fun Park –Snow sliding and more
Peak Walk by Tissot — 107 metres long and suspended between 2 peaks. What a thrill to walk along this 80 cm wide bridge while taking in the amazing views all around.
Snow Bus: This is a fun and safe way to go across the expanse of the amazing flat glacier.
Keep in mind that almost all of the above activities have individual charges that can be paid for locally.
Ticket Price: If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, the excursion to the Glacier 3000 costs Swiss francs 40 per adult.
Stanserhorn
A lesser — known gem not far from Lucerne, the Stanserhorn is my go-to place for pure relaxation.
Its not one of the mountains that is filled with thrills and yet it keeps calling.
Starting point: Valley station, Stans ( a 20 minute train ride from Lucerne)
Getting there:
A vintage funicular (from 1893) from Stans valley station to the mid-point Kalti. Here to change to the unique open top double decker cable car called Cabri0 that takes you to the peak at almost 1900m
At the top:
Endless views — Gaze over 10 Swiss lakes and Alpine peaks as far as the eye can see
Hikes: From a lazy 30 minute walk to a good half-day hike. Suit yourself
Meal with a view: The self service revolving restaurant Rondorama seats upto 200 people. They even have candle light dinners on particular days of the week
Marmot sighting: Take some time to check out these shy and gentle creatures as they pop their heads out of their burrows. You can find them along some of the walking and hiking trails
Ticket Price: This amazing mountain is Free if you hold the Swiss Travel Pass.
Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe
Starting Point: Interlaken/ Wengen / Grindelwald
Getting there:
Till the end of 2020, the entire journey to the peak was done by train. But in late 2020 Jungfrau introduced the new Eiger Express tricable gondola. Now you can take a train from Interlaken to Grindelwald and then switch to the Eiger Express which goes up to the Eigergletscher station in just 15 minutes. From there you make the final journey to the peak at 3454 metres. Ofcourse if you are a train buff, you can still chug all the way up by train
At the top:
The Sphinx viewing platform- Reach the futuristic building standing 117 metres higher than the Jungfraujoch observatory and head to the viewing platform. Travel in an ultra fast lift which covers the 108metres in just 25 seconds for the best views of the glacier
Ice Palace — A chilly walk through an ice tunnel with amazing ice sculptures. Also frozen in ice for eternity are Olympic Mascots and a World Cup football. Make sure to hold on to the rails on the super slippery surface.
Alpine Sensation — A showcase of the beginnings of the Jungfraubahn. This is a 250 metre long tunnel with a giant snow globe
Snow fun park — great fun activities, zipline and more. Normally open from May through October
Restaurants — Multiple restaurants that go from self service to fine dining.
Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven — Yummm…thats all that need be said about this!. An amazing chocolate shop at almost 3500 metres..no wonder they called it Chocoalte Heaven
Ticket Price: Jungfraujoch is one of the pricey ones. The cost of a Jungfrau ticket for a Swiss Travel Pass holder can range from Swiss Francs 118 to 155 depending on the season (there are 3 seasons).
Pro tip- The altitude at Jungfrau can sometimes make one light headed or dizzy. Over the years, I have realised that this can be well tackled by chewing on some sour sweets (like lemon drops) along the journey.
You have probably noticed that I have mentioned the price of all the mountains in conjunction with the Swiss Travel Pass. That is because among the top discounts on the Swiss Travel Pass are the amazing reductions that you get on these beautiful Alpine journeys. The Swiss Travel Pass is the first and most worthwhile thing that you can add to any holiday package to Switzerland along. What else should you pack? Just your enthusiasm along with the most comfy pair of shoes you own!
