Written by Frank J. Peter

Postcards from the Swiss Alps: Zermatt, the Matterhorn, and Bernese Oberland

A visual celebration of the Swiss Alps: a delightful conspiracy of big nature, clever engineering, delicious food, and deep traditions…

Table of Contents

Map of Switzerland

Swiss Money (Francs)

swiss francs

Swiss Rail Pass

swiss rail pass

train to zermatt

swiss alps
A typical view from the train.

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Zermatt & the Matterhorn

Welcome to Zermatt, the pedestrian-friendly hamlet in the shadow of the Matterhorn…

matterhorn towering over zermatt
The Matterhorn (14,692 feet)
zermatt church steeple with matterhorn in the background

edward whymper memorial

Zermatt Street Scenes

swiss army knives in store window

swiss watches in store window

traditional sign that say cardinal

rustic stone and wooden house

slab foundation of rustic wooden house

rustic wooden door

firewood under rustic house

zermatt church ceiling showing noah and the ark

zermatt church stained glass window

old photos in zermatt storefront window

zermatt mountain bikes

zermatt cobblestones

zermatt skiers

zermatt glacier water

saint bernard toys

zermatt mcdonalds

workmen washing the streets of zermatt

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Cog Railway from Zermatt to Gornergrat

gornergrat cog railway ticket

glaciers looking south from gornergrat

exterior of gornergrat church

interior of gornergrat church

icicles hanging from wooden roof

ibex in gornegrat

matterhorn seen from gornergrat

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Scenic Hike in the Matterhorn Foothills

matterhorn foothills trail sign

lichen on tree branch

sheep grazing in alpine meadow

pine cones

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Mountaineers’ Cemetery

zermatt mountaineers cemetery david robinson grave

zermatt mountaineers cemetery jonathan henry conville grave

zermatt mountaineers cemetery william andrew bell grave

zermatt mountaineers cemetery peter roderick phillips grave

zermatt mountaineers cemetery unknown climber grave

zermatt mountaineers cemetery donald stephen williams grave

zermatt mountaineers cemetery freda currant grave

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Bernese Oberland

Welcome to the Bernese Oberland … one of the most scenic places on planet earth… where big nature meets Swiss engineering… and where civilization and the seemingly impenetrable Alps are seamlessly integrated.

Tourist Map of Berner Oberland

map of bernese oberland

Three moody giants–Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau–oversee it all, making sure the trains run on time and that everything–architecture, food, music, art, dancing, wrist watches, and pocketknives–all remain traditionally, quintessentially, and forever Swiss.

Interlaken

interlaken ost train station
Interlaken is the gateway to the Berner Oberland

Grindelwald

grindelwald

train to grindelwald

grindelwald restaurant menu

grindelwald rosti hash browns and mixed vegetables

grindelwald train station

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Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch

jungfrau railway station

jungfrau railway grutshalp

jungfrau railway history

jungfrau railway workers

jungfrau railway view from eiger north wall window

frank peter in jungfraujoch ice palace

aletsch glacier from jungfraujoch

jungfraujoch crevasse warning sign

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Kleine Scheidegg & The Eiger

eiger north wall and kleine scheidegg train station

eiger north wall cimbing history

a toast to the eiger

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Lauterbrunnen Valley

lauterbrunnen valley

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Murren

Eiger and Monch
murren decorated window gnome

murren purple flowers

murren accordion player and dancers

frank peter demonstrating how not to play an alpenhorn
Frank Peter demonstrating how NOT to play an alpenhorn!
orange tiger cat walking down a ramp

sausage and hash browns

murren blue flowers

murren giant footprints

murren jespresso announcement

murren rustic wooden building

top half of murren mural
bottom half of murren mural

pine cones lichen and flowers

murren rooftops

old photo of woman on skis

neatly piled firewood

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Where to Next? (Travel Photo Essays)

4 thoughts on “Postcards from the Swiss Alps: Zermatt, the Matterhorn, and Bernese Oberland”

  1. I agree with what Annie said, Frank! Everything in this post touched me in different ways, and caused different motions. The story of Eiger North Wall was especially sad in it’s own way, because there were moments of hope, than loneliness (no doubt), than tragedy when success was so close. I loved the views of the mountains. Such a beautiful place!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the most kind words of appreciation and for cheering me on, Anita. I’ve been truly blessed to have the time and means to travel to such amazing places. Big hug to you from ABQ!

      Reply

  2. What a rich and diverse post this is, Frank—though peppered with the tragedies of young deaths in pursuit of dreams of conquering nature and the elements.

    The photos are terrific. One that stayed with me is the multiple acorns cluster—so simple and complex.

    Reply

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