Switzerland : Interlaken and Gimmelwald

By Tristan Tancredi

Is there a place that delivers the perfect concoction of thrills and chills, a combination of adventure and relaxation, of paragliding and hot tubs, with views that need to be seen to believed?

Heaven is a highly dubious comparison because I have no idea whether skydiving, white water rafting or paragliding are highly popular in heaven, but, floating within the clouds of the Alps with Jungfrau to your left amidst the Swiss Alps, comes close to perfect.

Interlaken is located about two hours from the main train station in Zurich, and it is known amongst backpackers as the European destination for thrill seeking and extreme sports. Five minutes in the small town and this will become apparent. Every two steps there's a kayak to your left, a mountain bike to your right, and parachutes falling from above.

Good luck finding a native Swiss person though, the town is full of tourists. Americans and Australians looking for a quick thrill dominate the town. A couple of days are plenty to get the adrenaline rush out of the way.

With the adrenaline pumping, what better way to relax than to journey high above sea level, plant yourself amongst the scenery in the mountains and simply appreciate how beautiful the world is.

A quick train ride from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen (a station at the base of the mountains), then a short bus trip to Stechelberg (a cable car that can take you to the summit of the mountain, or close enough anyway). If you're afraid of heights, the cable car will be a challenge in itself. Swaying from left to right as it climbs to Gimmelwald it drops you off at a tiny village of 130 inhabitants which is located about a quarter of the way up.

With no TV (a 12 year old boys nightmare), no cars and no newspapers, it's a stress free environment, perfect for relaxation. A short walk to Murren up the mountain is rewarded with relaxing massages and, the icing on the cake, a hot tub under moonlight at the mountain hostel.

The mountain hostel is located right next to the cable car in Gimmelwald and is one of those rare places to stay. Extremely generous pricing, friendly staff, amazing people and perfect views to certify the claims that it really is "impossible to leave".

There are tourist locations within easy reach, although only accessible by cable car and train. These include Jungfrau:, the highest train station in Europe - rug up, its bloody cold. Trummelbach Falls (back down the mountain between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg) is where all the water converges into one river at extreme volume and force. As well there are regular hikes down designated paths that lead to breathless views.

Although the Swiss Alps are a very popular winter destination, Mountain Hostel in Gimmewald is closed during the winter months. Don't fear, it is up and running again for the warmer seasons. If backpacking or holidaying throughout Europe, do not miss Switzerland, and definitely do not miss the perfectly balanced mixture of relaxation and adrenaline pumping fun that is Interlaken and Gimmelwald.