Part 5 - SWISS ADVENTURES: A MEMORABLE JOURNEY THROUGH GOTTHARD TUNNEL, SUSTENPASS, AND CAMPING JUNGFRAU.
Day Eight: Gotthard Tunnel & Sustenpass Detour!
After the relative bustle of Lugano, we were eager to return to the great outdoors. From Lugano Lake, our destination was the captivating Camping Jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen. The route we planned involved taking the main roads for most of our drive, with a detour over Sustenpass, another mountain pass.
The road north led us through the legendary Gotthard Road Tunnel. An impressive 17 kilometres long, it's one of the world's longest road tunnels and provides a direct route between the Swiss cantons of Uri and Ticino. The experience inside the tunnel was intense, with the temperature rising to a high of 39c and the air heavy with exhaust fumes. We were greeted with breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps when we emerged from the dimly lit tunnel into the daylight.
Unfortunately, our journey over the Sustenstrasse pass was cut short due to a road closure; I’d missed the road-closed signs somehow! Thankfully, we found solace in a nearby restaurant, Sustenbrüggli, where we enjoyed a quiet lunch before returning to the main roads.
Camping Jungfrau - Lauterbrunnen
Arriving at Camping Jungfrau, we were greeted by majestic mountains and lush green meadows. This picturesque campsite offered modern amenities, including clean washrooms, laundry facilities, and a well-stocked shop for groceries and camping essentials. Our pitch backed onto a fast-flowing river, providing a soothing soundtrack to our stay. With its stunning waterfalls and serene environment, Camping Jungfrau is about the most perfect campsite you might imagine.
Taken from the PDF version
Utilizing our newly purchased 3-day Jungfrau area travel pass allowing full access to trains and gondolas, we visited the charming mountain village of Mürren high above the campsite that afternoon. Accessible by a cable car ride and a train journey from Luterbrunnen, Mürren is a peaceful, car-free village offering stunning alpine scenery and a traditional Swiss feel. The village hosts several hotels, restaurants, and shops where you can sample local cuisine.
Day Nine: A Journey to Jungfraujoch
Our next adventure took us to Jungfraujoch, often called the "Top of Europe." Using the travel passes again we embarked on an early morning train journey from Lauterbrunnen. The trip was breathtaking, with the train ascending through narrow valleys and lush green meadows. As we climbed higher, majestic views of the Swiss Alps unfolded before us.
Our journey to the top was long, but the destination was well worth it. The view from the Sphyinx terrace observation deck was breathtaking, with vast glaciers sprawling beneath us and an enormous sea of peaks stretching as far as the eye could see. The ice caves were claustrophobic at times but well worth it.
Taken from the PDF version.
We decided to head outdoors for a hike to Mönchsjochhütte, a mountain hut at an altitude of 3,658 metres and one of the highest huts owned by the Swiss Alpine Club. The trail was more challenging than anticipated due to the high elevation, but the magnificent views over the Aletsch Glacier made it worth it. The final destination, Mönchsjochhütte, was warm and cosy. We highly recommend trying a hot Ovomaltine chocolate drink if you visit.
Day Ten: Grindelwald First via Wengen
The last day of our Jungfrau Travel pass had us travel from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, a pretty village that we explored with coffee and pastries. From there, we took the first gondola to the summit of Mannlichen Mountain, which overlooks the town. From the top, we proceeded to another gondola that brought us down the other side of the mountainside to Grindelwald Terminal.
Contrary to our expectations of a small village, Grindelwald is a reasonably large and charming town. A gondola from Grindelwald (some distance from Grindelwald Terminal, take the bus!) to Grindelwald First offered another spectacular ascent, taking around 30 minutes. Once at the top, we embarked on a leisurely walk to Bachalpsee Lake, where we found spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and meadows.
Taken from the PDF version
Upon returning to the main area, we found the “Cliff Walk”, a metal walkway bolted to the sheer west face of the First Summit. The walkway led to a platform with panoramic views of Grindelwald’s iconic peaks. It was an exhilarating walk and the perfect way to end our adventure at Grindelwald First.
