Switzerland’s Scenic Golden Pass
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The scenic Golden Pass train route cuts a swath connecting the Lake Geneva region and Central Switzerland. Along the breathtaking route, you’ll see alpine peaks, eight lakes and ascend near the Jungfraujoch or “Top of Europe.” You do have to change trains, but this process is hassle-free. In addition to the Golden Pass, The Swiss Travel System offers several other scenic train routes.
Known for its star-studded annual summer Jazz Festival, Montreux lies on the northeast shore of Lake Geneva. Surrounded by terraced vineyards and mountains, Montreux really is a place of quiet beauty. Walk along the lakeside to see for yourself. You’ll likely see why Montreux has long held fascination for poets, painters, musicians and writers.
If you happen to be in Montreux on a Wednesday between June and October, be sure and take advantage of another Golden Pass service: the fun-filled, palate-pleasing Chocolate Train. In the morning, you’ll board the Belle Époque coach and soon be given coffee and buttery croissant. After an hour and 15 minutes, the train stops in Gruyères where you’ll visit the famous cheese factory and village. Gruyères has produced its famous cheese in this district for centuries. Afterwards, you’ll take the 30-minute trek to Broc for a tour, film presentation and complimentary chocolate tasting at the Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory. Yum. Then the train returns to Montreux at 5.40 p.m.
Carrying on cross-country from Montreux, The Golden Pass journey continues east to Interlaken, the smallest German-speaking community in the canton of Bern with its own parliament. Hugged by mountains, Interlaken means “between two lakes”—the clear waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Tour the village, and note the trimmed old houses that date between the 16th and 19th century.
Interlaken is considered one of the strongholds for outdoor offerings in Switzerland. In the summertime, for instance, you can go paragliding, river rafting, ice climbing, bungee jumping, horseback or bike riding, glacier trekking or canyon climbing. During the winter, opt for snowshoeing, sledding, canyon jumping or frozen waterfall ice climbing.
Nearby, you can take the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station. Since 1912, this train has been transporting visitors to the peak at 11,333 feet. It’s an unforgettable ride and awesome panorama.
The scenic train then takes you from Interlaken to Lucerne, a classical city of culture, history, museums and architecture. Its backdrop of mountain peaks around Lake Lucerne is picture postcard material. One of Lucerne’s landmarks, the Water Tower dates to the 13th century and was part of the city’s fortifications. Since then, the Water Tower has been home to an archive, a prison and a torture chamber.
In Lucerne, there’s a plethora of places to visit, but try not to miss the Swiss Transport Museum with IMAX Theatre. With more than 3,000 items on display, this museum houses one of Europe’s most comprehensive collections from the world of transport and communications.
Even though the Golden Pass ends at Lucerne, keep in mind that other scenic train trips await your next adventure—and pleasure.
Useful links
Golden Pass Line website
Interlaken Tourism website
Lucerne Tourism website
Montreux Tourism website
The Swiss Travel System website
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