From the Jungfraujoch (3500 m), the tour leads over the Jungfrau-Firn, Konkordia-Platz and Europe's largest glacier, the Aletsch, and after a short ascent back into the Lötschental (Valais).
In total, you have around 3000 metres of ascent and over 25 km of descent! The scenery of the glacier giants is unique in Europe.
Difficulty: "Downhill" easy. The route is also not difficult and easy to find with the right map. Inexperienced skiers should join a guided group - glaciated area! The tour is recommended from the beginning of March (depending on the snow conditions).
"Morgen Stund hat Gold..., bla bla bla" - what a load of rubbish, I think to myself as we reach the first cogwheel railway from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen just after seven thanks to a dedicated early morning sprint. Hyperventilating instead of breakfast; the train groans leisurely up the serpentines to Wengen. At least it's already light. And the panorama of the terrifyingly rugged mountains of the Bernese Oberland is breathtaking. But where are you supposed to go down here?
We board the stylish railway at Kleine Scheidegg
…which travels through the north face of the Eiger to the 3454 metre-high Jungfraujoch. The train stops halfway up. We can get off and take a dizzying look down the legendarily feared north face of the Eiger through a shaft. The next sightseeing stop is at the Eismeer station. "Wow, these are ice towers ..." says Thomas and by now the stressful start to the day is completely forgotten. In the morning light, the seracs (ice towers) and rounded crevasses glow and shimmer in every imaginable shade of blue and turquoise. At the hyper-modern summit station, we get an overview with a map, compass and the familiar giant mountains. At the latest on the viewing terrace, everyone is overwhelmed by the panorama of this unique high mountain world. It is not for nothing that the area around the Aletsch Glacier has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (And hopefully this heritage will be preserved for generations to come). Eiger (3970 m), Mönch (4099 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m), the legendary triumvirate of the Bernese Oberland ... Now we can understand why countless tourists pay the truly hefty fare for this high-alpine railway journey every year.
After putting on our harnesses, we are ready to go. We shoot down the fairly flat Jungfrau Glacier at high speed through a few centimetres of powder snow. Luckily there hasn't been any more fresh snow, otherwise the motto would be "walk and talk". We cruise relaxed in giant turns for around 7 kilometres across the flat glacier. The ice beneath us is up to 800 metres thick. And the crevasses can be 100 metres deep! In respectful arcs, we skirt around every suspected crevasse. The tour leads along the western side (right) of the glacier to Konkordiaplatz. Caution: the tour is a classic "firn tour" - if there is a lot of powder, you need a powerful outboard skier ...
The huge glaciers of the "Großer Aletschfirn" and the "Ewigschneefäld" meet the Jungfrau-Firn at the flat Konkordia-Platz - and become the "Großer Aletschgletscher". This is the largest glacier in the Alps: more than 24 km long, it ends at an altitude of around 1800 metres. On the western side of the huge glacier crossing, we follow the gently ascending Aletschfirn. Around 6 kilometres of leisurely ascent have to be covered. The ascent only becomes steeper towards the end. With snowshoes we need two and a half hours. Stefan (Hunziker) in particular has a heavy load to carry with his camera, snowboard and alpine equipment. Those who have run out of breath by the time they reach the 3173 metre high Lötschenlücke can start from here. Less than 100 metres above the Lötschenlücke is the "Holandia Hut", an impressive 3240 metres above sea level. From there, the descent gets a few more "interesting" gullies. Just as we have settled down comfortably in a wind-protected alcove for a snack, two friendly fighter bombers thunder over our heads at a friendly height of 30 metres. But what's an earache against the good feeling of being protected from the evil villains of this world? (And for this, the mountain battle must be vigorously practised, even if a few snowboarders of no world-historical significance are blown out of the Lötschenlücke).
After the danger of a heart attack has passed and we slowly regain our composure, the 15 kilometre descent into the Lötschental begins. Over 1600 metres of downhill enjoyment. The easy descent leads through the perfect glacier scenery. In terms of scenery, it is one of the most impressive and beautiful tours of all. Along the left (south) side of the Langgletscher, it becomes flatter and flatter the lower we get. Nevertheless, the descent through the playful, high alpine terrain is extremely entertaining.
The sun is already setting as we finish by cruising for several more kilometres along the winding paths - until we reach the pretty and unspoilt village of Blatten in the Lötschental valley.
After such a tour, everyone is naturally looking forward to a cool blonde ... and refreshed, we set off on the long journey back to Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland.
Useful information about the tour
Area
The route leads through the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting in the rugged mountains of the Bernese Oberland, the tour ends in the gentle and lovely Valais. Without exaggerating: The tour leads through one of the most impressive areas in the Alps. It is well worth it!
Tour
From the Jungfraujoch (3460 m), keep to the east and descent the Jungfraufirn. Then to the western corner of the Konkordiaplatz, 2726 m (right). From there, ascent in a south-westerly direction over the flat, large Aletschfirn to the Lötschenlücke (3173 m). Then over the Langgletscher to the end. Caution: Bypass the crevasse zone of "Grossi Tola" to the north or south (depending on your taste and mood). Leave the glacier on the left side of the valley (no problem, very easy). Then a leisurely descent to Blatten (1530 m).
Descent / Ascent
Descent: 2380 m, ascent: 450 m Time: 6-7 hours The tour is possible from March to June, depending on snow conditions.
Difficulty
The tour from the Jungfraujoch into the Lötschental is a favourite classic among (ski) tourers. Despite the high alpine terrain, it is predominantly easy to moderately difficult. Caution: The route leads over long stretches through glaciated terrain. Alpine experience and a rope and harness are essential. We strongly recommend that inexperienced hikers undertake the tour with a mountain guide (full packages are available). We did the tour with snowshoes, but short skis or a split board are more suitable.
Outward journey
The journey to the Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen (Bernese Oberland) via Kleine Scheidegg costs around 110 francs. Discounts of up to 40% are possible for the morning trains. Make sure you take one of the first trains!
Return journey
The bus to Goppenstein costs 5.90 francs. The train through the Lötschberg tunnel to Spiez then costs a hefty 22 francs. We travelled the distance from Spiez to Lauterbrunnen in a car parked there.
Tour guide and map
Ski tours Bernese Alps East: Lötschepass to Grimsel, SAC, Bern 1999 Map: LK 264 S (with marked tours!)
Hut
Konkordia Hut (2850 m) The lower of the two huts is always open. Managed from April. Tel.: +41-33-8551394
Holandia Hut (3240 m) Winter room with 30 beds. Open from mid-April. Tel.: +41-27-9391135
Touristinfos
www.interlakentourism.ch | Tel.: +41 (0)33 826 53 00
www.grindelwald.ch | +41 (0) 33 854 1212
www.wengen.ch | Tel.: +41 (0)33 855 1414
Railway information
www.jungfraubahn.ch | Tel: +41-33-8287233
Text: Tobi Kurzeder / Photos: Stefan Hunziker
