Swiss Edition of God’s Tears: The “Artificial Lake” in the Mountains of the Jungfrau — the Water Color Changes

▲ An artificial lake lies in the valley at the foot of the Eiger mountain.

Reported and photographed by reporter You T-Ru / from Switzerland

The beauty of Switzerland certainly owes something to the Jungfrau, known as the “Top of Europe.” The Jungfrau’s captivating appeal isn’t just due to its towering heights; the ever-changing mountain scenery offers endless surprises. Nestled among the ridges of the Jungfrau massif, on the Eiger mountain, lies an artificial lake in a valley. When clouds occasionally drift through the mountains, the color of the lake water shifts accordingly. This lake may very well be one of the reasons behind the Jungfrau’s breathtaking beauty.


▲ Hiking along naturally formed ridgelines, you can see the continuous peaks of the Alps.

Typically, first-time visitors to the Jungfrau only get one way to view Lake Thun (Thunersee): by taking the Jungfrau Railway, where, during the ride up to the summit station, they can catch a glimpse out the window. On a clear day, amidst the undulating mountain terrain, they might spot Lake Thun in its striking blue hue. However, this encounter is usually just a fleeting moment — snap a photo in about five seconds, and that stunning lake you marveled at before reaching the top disappears from view.

Recommended by Wei-Ti, the Taiwan office of the Jungfrau Railways, travelers who wish to visit Lake Thun can take the train to Eigergletscher Station and then embark on a roughly 2.5-kilometer hiking trail. This is one of the most beloved hiking routes for European visitors to the Jungfrau. Hiking along naturally formed ridgelines, you can see the continuous peaks of the Alps — a truly magnificent visual experience.


▲ %The sudden appearance of a structure in the distance caught our attention.


The reporter visited Lake Thun in early autumn. Upon getting off at Eigergletscher Station, the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger mountains stand side by side before your eyes. Walking along the mountain ridge, the midday weather in early autumn is quite warm, and you can hear the sound of melting ice on the mountain. Whenever large chunks of ice break off and tumble into the valley, a thunderous roar can be heard, as if thunder is punctuated by the cracking of ice.

Walking from Eigergletscher Station, due to the undulating terrain, it takes about an hour and a half to reach Lake Thun. About halfway through the hike, Lake Thun appears on the side of a grassy slope. This small artificial lake shimmers with a turquoise glow. If there’s a fitting adjective, it might resemble a Swiss version of “God’s tears,” except the surrounding mountain scenery is even more spectacular, and the color of the lake water is somewhat different.


▲ %The contrast between the lake and its surroundings creates two distinct vibes.


This artificial lake, “Lake Thun,” was created to support snowmaking in winter, built as a backup in case there wasn’t enough natural snow accumulation for the ski season. The beauty of Lake Thun varies greatly depending on your vantage point. From afar, it appears turquoise blue, but up close, the water takes on a greenish hue, with the shallow green water being extremely clear.

Around the spring-fed area of “Lake Thun,” there are even specially placed footbathing chairs, and the water offers a spa massage experience, allowing visitors to soak their feet while resting amidst the mountains. With your feet in the icy mountain spring water and the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch mountains before your eyes, and a sky of blue and white stretching overhead, the scenery is absolutely stunning.


▲ Around the spring-fed area of “Lake Thun,” there are even specially placed footbathing chairs.