About
Located in the Bernese Alps, the Mönch is the second highest mountain of the three peaks that are often seen as one group: the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. With an altitude of 4107 meters, it is only a little lower than its neighbor, the Jungfrau. In between the Mönch and the Jungfrau, you can find the Jungfraujoch, a saddle reachable by tourists via the Jungfrau line, a scenic railway that connects Interlaken and Kleine Scheidegg, partially through a tunnel that goes through the Eiger and Mönch. The Jungfraujoch railway station on top of the saddle is at an elevation of 3454 meters, the highest in Europe. The Mönch was first succesfully climbed in 1857 by Christian Almer, Christian Kaufmann, Ulrich Kauffman and Sigismund Porges. The Mönch is the most climbed of the three peaks of the Berner Trilogy. It has easy access from the Jungfraujoch rail station, and the Mönchsjochhütte is only a short walk away. Its spectacular setting in the heart of the Berner Oberland and a variety of good routes all contribute to its popularity. The Southeast Ridge is considered the normal route and is a great introduction to climbing in the area.
Accommodations in the region of the Mönch
Partially because of these famous peaks, including the Jungfrau and the notorious Eiger, this region is well-known as a wintersport destination. The villages of Grindelwald and Wengen attract travelers from all over the world to its snowy slopes in winter and its hiking trails in summer, if you are looking for fine hotel, these are worth checking out: Pension Altstadt-Mönch,located in the heart of the old town of Stralsund and was renovated with great attention to detail. From the hotel you can in one minute the Stralsund Town Hall of the Old Market with the embedded gothic Schaufassdade, which belongs to the most beautiful of the Baltic region, the Nikolaikirche, as well as the beautiful theater, the Maritime Museum, the monasteries or the Unesco World Heritage exhibition in Olthofschen Palais from Stralsund. Hostellerie des Châteaux & Spa,this charming hotel in Alsace offers romantic rooms and Luxury Suites with Jacuzzi in the Room, Sauna or Private Hammam. Le Méridien Stuttgart Hotel,is as unique as its location. It is close to the Stuttgart central station at the Schlosgarten Park. All the famous attractions are just a few steps away: opera, theatre and shopping.Grindelwald
Grindelwald Photo by Steve LiptrotWengen
Wengen Photo by SinavaMönchsjoch hut
The Mönchsjoch hut is one of the highest mountain huts owned by the Swiss Alpine club. Located at an elevation of 3658 meters, it is often used for ascents of the Jungfrau and Mönch. However, despite the altitude, the mountain hut is easily reachable due to the Jungfrau railway. From the highest station, a secured piste over the crevassed glacier makes it possible for hikers to reach it. From the hut, one can view the Aletsch glacier, the largest in the Alps.
Konkordia Hut
The Konkordia Hut is a mountain refuge in the canton of Valais, situated above Konkordiaplatz, where several glaciers meet in the Aletsch glacier system. Located about 2850 meters above sea level, its remote location makes it a long way from villages. The shortest way to reach the cabin is via the Jungfraujoch railway station (4 hours).
Suls Lobhornhütte
This charming wooden mountain hut has great views on the Eiger, Mönch and the Jungfrau. It is located at a plateau high up in the Alps at an altitude of 1955 meters, well above the Isenfluh in the Lauterbrunnental. There are only 24 beds, making reservation necessary when planning an overnight stay. There are three different routes to reach the hut, varying from 1hour 30 minutes to 4hours 30minutes.The hut makes a good starting place for several hikes in the region.
Hiking in the Jungfrau region
With peaks like the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch, hikers cannot wish for a better setting for their hiking holiday. The charming villages of the Berner Oberland are a great starting point for day hikes or mult-day routes in the Jungfrau region.Hike to Konkordia Hut
Few mountain huts are more remote than the Konkordia. It is located above the Aletsch glacier system where several glaciers meet, about 150 meters above the ice. The route from the Jungfrau railway station is the shortest and therefore the most popular. However, all access routes to the hut are over glaciated terrain, so an experience of crossing it is necessary. Hiring a guide is anoption.
Eigertrail
The Eiger trail is a moderate mountain hike at the base of the notorious North Face. It’s a 2-to-3 hour hike leading from the Eigergletscher station (Jungfrau railway) to Alpiglen at 1615 meters or Grindelwald. It is well-marked and offers spectacular views of the north face. With binoculars, it’s even possible to see some daredevils climbing the face.First to Bachalpsee
This easy trail is very popular among travelers as it delivers jaw-dropping views of alpine peaks and glaciers. The trail leading through meadows and alpine terrain has close to no elevation difference, so you can complete the hike in about 2 to 3 hours.Murren to Grutschalp
Another popular day hike is the wooded stroll from the village Murren to Grutschalp,located high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The route goes along the western plateau and crosses forests and grasslands. It offers plenty of photo opportunities of the famous peaks in the region. The hike runs parallel to the railway between both villages, making it possible to continue your journey by train half-way.Grosse Scheidegg to Meiringen
This hike, leading through meadows and forests, is a good option for those who need a bit of a challenge. The trail is more difficult than most options in the region as it gains about 1300 meters of altitude. Hiking time is about 4 hours, but make sure to provide lots of time as you will be stopping frequently to enjoy the views. The starting point is easily reachable by car or train from the village of Grindewald.Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg
Lauterbrunnen valley Photo by Shannon and Fee