Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau Region lies in the Bernese Oberland of central Switzerland, a high-alpine tourism region centred on the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. It is a predominantly rural, mountainous area made up of the resorts of Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren and the Haslital, with Interlaken as the gateway. The landscape is defined by towering rock faces, glaciers, waterfalls and deep valleys rather than by a lake, and much of it is car-free and reached by mountain railways. The region is rich in nature and outdoor activity, with a strong tradition of alpine tourism, mountaineering and winter sports. It also has a notable cultural and literary heritage, having inspired writers such as Goethe, Byron and Tolkien, and served as a filming location for James Bond. The Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, lies at the heart of the region.
Summer activities
In summer the Jungfrau Region is a paradise for hikers, with trails ranging from leisurely valley walks to high-altitude treks and long-distance routes such as the Via Berna and Via Alpina, many ending at mountain lakes like Bachalpsee. Mountain biking and road cycling are well developed, with bike packages, luggage transport and e-bike charging stations. Via ferrata routes, climbing, trail running and adventure attractions such as the First Cliff Walk, First Flyer and mountain carts add adrenaline, while themed trails and family playgrounds cater to children.
Winter activities
The Jungfrau Region is a major winter sports destination with several ski areas, including the large Grindelwald-Wengen area with 103 kilometres of pistes, the sunny Grindelwald-First slopes, the high Mürren-Schilthorn area and the family-friendly Meiringen-Hasliberg. Beyond downhill skiing there is cross-country skiing through the Lauterbrunnen Valley and on the Hasliberg, over 20 toboggan runs including the cult Velogemel, snowshoeing, winter hiking and winter trail running. Night-time tobogganing, floodlit skiing and night cross-country skiing extend the season into the evenings.
Culture and entertainment
The Jungfrau Region has a lively cultural scene rooted in alpine tradition, with folklore evenings, yodelling festivals and the colourful Alpabzug cattle descent. It hosts a rich calendar of events, from the International Lauberhorn Races and the Jungfrau Marathon to the Mendelssohn Music Week in Wengen, the World Snow Festival and open-air cinema against the Eiger north face. The region's literary and film heritage is strong, having inspired Goethe, Byron and Tolkien and serving as the setting for the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, with museums and themed trails devoted to Sherlock Holmes.
