Jungfraujoch, where a high alpine saddle becomes a station in the sky
Published on 09/21/2026 at 06:44 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
High above the Bernese Alps in Switzerland, Jungfraujoch is a broad, glaciated saddle where rock, ice and engineering meet at over 3,400 m (11,150 ft). Set between the summits of Jungfrau and Mönch, it carries Europe’s highest railway station and terraces looking out across the upper Aletsch Glacier, part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage area.
A saddle of rock and ice above the Aletsch Glacier
Jungfraujoch forms a high-level col between the Jungfrau at 4,158 m (13,642 ft) and the Mönch at 4,107 m (13,474 ft), linking the northern valleys of the Bernese Oberland with the ice fields to the south.Between Jungfrau and Mönch The saddle itself lies at an elevation of about 3,463 m (11,362 ft), with the rock of the ridge rising out of the surrounding névé and glaciers.Elevation of the Jungfraujoch pass
South of the station complex, the ice of the Aletsch Glacier flows away towards Valais, forming the uppermost part of the longest glacier in the Alps.Aletsch Glacier as part of Jungfrau-Aletsch The wider Jungfrau-Aletsch area, including the glacier and the high mountain terrain around it, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, reflecting both its geological significance and its largely intact high-alpine landscape.
Europe’s highest railway station inside the mountain
The Jungfrau Railway climbs from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, running for around 9 km (5.6 miles) and gaining more than 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in altitude by way of tunnels and galleries through the Eiger and Mönch.Jungfrau Railway length and ascent At its terminus inside the rock, the Jungfraujoch railway station stands at 3,454 m (11,332 ft) above sea level, a height that makes it the highest railway station in Switzerland and Europe.Altitude of Jungfraujoch station
Platforms, concourses and tunnels are carved into the mountain, linking the underground station with viewing galleries cut into the ice and rock. Windows along some of these galleries open onto the surrounding glaciers, while passageways lead out towards terraces on the south side of the saddle and into exhibition areas inside the visitor complex. The railway’s construction began in the late nineteenth century and was completed in the early twentieth century, a long project that established permanent access to the high-alpine environment for travellers without mountaineering equipment.Construction period of the Jungfrau Railway
The Sphinx Observatory and terraces above the clouds
Above the main station level, the Sphinx building rises from a rocky prominence on the southern edge of Jungfraujoch, its upper structure forming one of the highest observatories in the world.Sphinx Observatory altitude The Sphinx Observatory was opened in 1937 as an international research station, housing instruments for atmospheric and astronomical studies alongside facilities for scientific teams.Research station Jungfraujoch overview
A lift within the rock links the underground station concourse to the Sphinx terraces, climbing more than 100 m (328 ft) to reach the upper decks.Lift to the Sphinx observation deck The outdoor platform stands at around 3,571 m (11,716 ft), while the meteorological terrace extends slightly higher, making the Sphinx complex the highest accessible point on Jungfraujoch and one of the highest publicly reachable research observatories in Switzerland.Altitudes of Sphinx terraces From these terraces the view takes in the sweep of the Aletsch Glacier and the chain of peaks across the Bernese and Valais Alps.
Visiting Jungfraujoch: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Jungfraujoch lies in the Bernese Alps above the resort towns of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, reached by trains connecting from Interlaken through Kleine Scheidegg on the Jungfrau Railway.
- The station concourse, tunnels and terraces stand at high altitude above 3,400 m (11,150 ft), with passages through rock and snow and approaches that include stairs, ramps and exposed platforms.
- South-facing terraces look directly over the upper Aletsch Glacier, with permanent snow and ice around the saddle even in warmer seasons, so solid footwear and clothing for cold conditions remain important.
- The official language is German and the currency is the Swiss franc.
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Frequently asked questions about Jungfraujoch
Where is Jungfraujoch?
Jungfraujoch is a high-alpine pass in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, between the peaks of Jungfrau and Mönch above the valleys around Interlaken.
What should travellers expect on a visit?
Travellers arrive by mountain railway at an underground station, then move through tunnels, exhibitions and terraces overlooking permanent snow, ice and the surrounding peaks.
What makes Jungfraujoch distinctive?
Jungfraujoch combines Europe’s highest railway station with direct views of the Aletsch Glacier from high-altitude terraces and the Sphinx Observatory, all set on a glaciated saddle.
