JungfrauAletsch

JungfrauAletsch is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Swiss Alps that encompasses the Jungfrau, Aletsch, and surrounding glaciated landscapes. Designated in 2001, it was the first Alpine site inscribed on the World Heritage List and is celebrated for its outstanding example of natural alpine scenery and ongoing glaciation.

Geographically, the site spans parts of the cantons of Bern and Valais, covering roughly 823 square kilometers. It includes the high summits of the Bernese Oberland—such as the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch—and the expansive Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps by length and largest by volume. The glacier flows from the Aletschfirn into a series of tributaries, merging at Konkordiaplatz before feeding the main tongue.

Environmentally, the landscape hosts alpine habitats with diverse flora and fauna adapted to high elevations, including ibex, chamois, golden eagle, bearded vulture, and rare plant communities. The area is designated a protected area managed by cantonal and federal authorities to preserve natural processes, prevent unsustainable development, and support scientific research and sustainable tourism.

Human activity within JungfrauAletsch is centered on mountain villages, tourism, and traditional agriculture. The region offers hiking, climbing, and winter sports, with major sights such as the Jungfraujoch—often called the Top of Europe—accessible by rail. The site underscores the cultural landscape shaped by centuries of alpine settlement alongside dramatic glacial scenery.