Anh Dao

Time seems to slow down in the Swiss mountain resort of Interlake.

One of our group member had some trouble when a German border police officer asked her, “Where are you going next?”. She replied: “We’re taking a train to Switzerland.”

What followed was a meticulous hour-long explanation of our itinerary. Fortunately, an unpropitious start did not set the tone for our trip.

An ancient house in Grindelwald

Switzerland gradually came into view, appearing as if straight out of a fairytale. We chose Interlaken West station as our rest stop. The town greeted us with slanting honey-toned sunlight and crisp air as the clock struck two in the afternoon. We leisurely pulled our suitcases along, taking deep breaths to savor the fresh air rising from a branch of Lake Thun, which flows through the town. A little bridge spanned the water, offering glimpses of quaint three-story villas nestled under tree canopies by the lake.

From there, just a 10-minute walk brought us to our hotel. The Hotel Beau-site was small and charming, as suggested by its French name, its windows decorated like the hems of folk dancing dresses. Not wanting to waste any time, we took a stroll around the village. Located in a mountainous region, traditional Swiss wooden houses have gently sloping roofs and wide porches. Winding along narrow roads, they are symbols of simple rural architecture linked to nature, built in the latter half of the 19th century. Along our walk, we came across a house marked as built in 1898, a testament to this period in Switzerland’s history.

A panoramic view of Grindelwald village

Jungfrau – The Virgin Peak

That very evening, we went to the station to purchase tickets for an early morning trip to Jungfrau – the Virgin Peak, known for its pristine beauty and blanketed in snow all year round. After the first conquest of Jungfrau (4,158m) by four mountaineers in 1881, the “roof of Europe” continued to challenge professional climbers, until the Swiss railway tycoon Adolf Guyer-Zeller (1839-1899) turned sketches into reality by inaugurating a 7km-long cogwheel railway, penetrating the mountain to reach Jungfrau’s peak in 1893. In 2001, the entire 414km2 area surrounding  Jungfrau Peak was recognized by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site. Operational since 1912, the Jungfraujoch railway is the most famous in Switzerland, transporting 500,000 passengers each year. The Swiss naturally take pride in their magnificent cogwheel railway, which not only revolutionized their nation but continues to support the tourism, leisure, and service economy of Interlaken.

Tourists from around the world flock to Interlaken, not only to explore the legendary “roof of Europe” but also to enjoy fresh air in peaceful villages along with top-notch services. They participate in famous outdoor sports such as skiing, paragliding, boating, mountaineering, and more. In addition, the High Alpine research station serves as an ideal location for scientists studying weather and astronomy.

Tourists can take horse carriages to visit Interlaken West and Ost

The ancient village of Grindelwald

Upon returning from the summit of Jungfrau, we took a town bus to visit Grindelwald – an ancient village of the same name nestled halfway up the mountain, north of Jungfrau. As the asphalt roads led upwards, we passed some houses that still maintain their traditional water systems, or even use hand-pumped wells. Occasionally, traditional wooden houses appeared, hidden among the vast fields and high mountains. These homes were built by wealthy Swiss aristocrats dating back to the mid-19th century.

People jokingly refer to this place as the “adventure center” of the Jungfrau region thanks to the plethora of outdoor activities available, from the joys of reaching high mountaintops to the thrills of descending into deep gorges. It’s common to spot colorful paragliders floating overhead, soaring, or preparing to land somewhere, as well as groups of cyclists hurtling down the slopes…

Of course, visitors don’t have to pay for every outdoor activity in Grindelwald. The most beautiful experiences are free! The First Cliff Walk is a metal path next to the First cable car station, attached to a cliff that overlooks Grindelwald. You can also walk from the First Grindelwald cable car station, covering a distance of 5.4km and stopping at Lake Bachalpsee. On the way, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Schreckhorn and Finsteraahorn mountains.

The mountain’s name translates as “virgin peak”, since it is covered in snow year-round

Harder Kulm – The finest lookout in Jungfrau

Just a 15-minute stroll from Interlaken Ost station, past some upscale shops, you arrive at the beautiful destination of Harder Kulm. This is a mountain peak above Interlaken that offers panoramic views over the Jungfrau region. It also boasts a charming castle-like restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal while contemplating the beautiful scenery with a view of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.

We found Harder Kulm to be one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Jungfrau region. From here, you can see not only the famous mountains but also Interlaken’s two deep aquamarine lakes: Lake Thun on the Interlaken West side and Lake Brienz on the Interlaken Ost side.

Harder Kulm is intriguing thanks to an observation deck that extends a few meters from the mountain. It’s called the “Two Lakes Bridge”. From up high, you can marvel at the breathtaking landscape of the lakes and mountains.

As twilight approaches, enjoy a leisurely walk between Interlaken West and Ost, stopping to relax at a cute sidewalk café. As you catch sight of horses clip-clopping along, taking passengers on a city tour, and hear the bells from the Catholic church ringing, time seems to slow down in Interlaken.