What is this place

Schilthorn (2,970 m) rises above car-free Mürren with the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant (~45-min full turn) and the Bond World 007 exhibition. Access is by cableways from Stechelberg via Mürren and Birg; with the new Schilthornbahn 20XX section (max gradient 159.4%), total travel time is now ~22–30 min.

Key features

  • 2,970 m summit facing the Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau “Swiss Skyline”.
  • Multi-stage cableways from Stechelberg; the new steep Stechelberg–Mürren line shortens the trip to ~22–30 min overall.
  • Piz Gloria revolving restaurant – one full rotation in ~45 min.
  • Bond World 007 exhibition (opened 2013) and the outdoor 007 Walk of Fame (since 2015).
  • Birg 2,677 m – free Skyline Walk and ~200 m Thrill Walk with glass floor and rope features.

What to see

  • Panoramic terraces at Piz Gloria with the Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau skyline.
  • Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk at Birg for dramatic cliff-edge views.
  • Wide vistas over the Lauterbrunnen valley and the Blüemlisalp–Gspaltenhorn chain.

History

Schilthornbahn AG was founded in 1962; the Stechelberg–Gimmelwald–Mürren–Birg stages opened in 1965, with the Birg–Schilthorn summit link in 1967. Filming for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service took place 1968–1969 while the site was being completed; producers helped finance works and the restaurant kept the name Piz Gloria, officially opening in 1969.

In the 21st century, interpretive features were added: Bond World 007 (2013) and the 007 Walk of Fame (from 2015). The Schilthornbahn 20XX upgrade (since 2024) introduced the world’s steepest cableway section and reduces overall travel times.

Practical information

Location: Bernese Alps above Mürren; valley station Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn.

Getting there: Interlaken Ost → train to Lauterbrunnen → PostBus 141 to “Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn” → cableways via Mürren & Birg to the top (~22–30 min on lifts). Alternative via Grütschalp–Mürren and transfer to the cableway.

Access: Summit terraces and restaurant are step-free; Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk at Birg are free. Wind/ice possible year-round.

Visiting hours: Operates most of the year; departures typically every ~30 min, with short maintenance breaks (often May & November).

Visit duration: 2–4 h for summit + Birg; 4–6 h incl. Mürren.

Best time: Clear mornings or stable sunsets; winter often brings cloud inversions.

Notes: Altitude >2,900 m – dress warm and use UV protection. Check the timetable and last descent; some facilities close in high winds.