In the April issue of Boca magazine, our intrepid travel reporter took us on a journey through Switzerland; without ever setting foot in a car. Here’s one more stop to share.
Meiringen: Natural Wonders and Random Surprises
Getting There: A two-hour ride from Lucerne on the Luzern–Interlaken Express, which feels like a greatest-hits reel, whizzing past numerous turquoise lakes and postcard-perfect villages.
When I arrive in Meiringen, I’m not quite sure what to expect beyond its sweet claim to fame: the meringue, that airy, sugary cloud said to have been invented here. But Meiringen quickly reveals its quirks. There’s a Sherlock Holmes museum, a nod to the fictional detective’s dramatic demise at nearby Reichenbach Falls.
Still, the real draw is natural wonders. A short train ride takes me to the Aare Gorge, formed over thousands of years by the relentless force of the Aare Glacier. The gorge is a labyrinth of footbridges and tunnels that hover above rushing icy-blue waters and cuts through the rock walls. At its narrowest point—just one meter wide.
Then there’s the Gelmerbahn, further proof that the Swiss are constantly trying to outdo themselves in crazy transportation feats. It’s the steepest open passenger funicular railway in Europe, with a jaw-dropping gradient of 106 percent. During the rattling 12-minute ascent—backwards, no less—I grip the safety bar and briefly close my eyes. At the top, the reward is Gelmersee, an alpine lake of unreal blue, ringed by hiking paths. For one final jolt of adrenaline, I jog across the suspension bridge hanging high above the gorge below.
This Web Extra is from the April 2026 issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.
