There are places in the world where every turn feels like a photograph waiting to happen, and Switzerland’s Alps are among them. From snow-capped peaks that pierce the sky to quiet villages settled in green valleys, the Swiss landscape offers a perfect blend of natural wonder and cultural charm. For photographers, both professional and amateur, it is nothing short of paradise. Jane Moorman’s Top of Europe: Switzerland Alps via Cogwheel Railways captures this beauty while also serving as an inspiring guide to photographing one of the most breathtaking regions on earth.
Moorman’s journey begins aboard the cogwheel trains that climb toward destinations like Mount Pilatus, Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, and Gornergrat with its famous view of the Matterhorn. These railways, engineering marvels in themselves, carry travelers into the heart of the Alps, offering vantage points that are impossible to reach by car. For photographers, the trains are more than transportation; they are moving observation decks where light, shadow, and scenery shift with every curve of the track.
In the book, Moorman shows how villages add depth to alpine photography. Wooden chalets with flower-filled balconies contrast with the sheer drama of the surrounding peaks. Markets, streets, and quiet corners provide opportunities to capture the human side of mountain life, telling stories that complement the majesty of glaciers and ridgelines. Her photographs remind us that the Alps are not just a backdrop but a lived-in landscape, full of character and history.
The peaks themselves, of course, are the stars. The Matterhorn, with its distinctive pyramid shape, stands as one of the most photographed mountains in the world, but Moorman’s images prove that every angle offers something new. The Jungfraujoch, meanwhile, presents an otherworldly view of ice and rock, a place where photographers can experiment with scale and contrast. By blending wide shots of sweeping vistas with intimate details, Moorman demonstrates how to tell the Alps’ story through the lens.
What makes Top of Europe especially valuable is how it blends visual beauty with storytelling. It’s not simply a showcase of landscapes, but an invitation to experience the rhythm of travel, the anticipation of a train climb, and the wonder of standing at the edge of a glacier. For photographers, it offers not only inspiration but also a sense of how to approach the Alps with fresh eyes.
Suppose you’ve ever dreamed of capturing the timeless magic of Switzerland’s mountains and villages. In that case, Jane Moorman’s Top of Europe: Switzerland Alps via Cogwheel Railways is the perfect companion for your journey.
Grab your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQW9FWRR.