Schilthorn is one of the highest peaks in the Jungfrau region and it is one of the best places to go for panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. While you are here, enjoy the view as you dine at Piz Gloria, learn a little James Bond history at Bond World, and add on the thrilling Cliff Walk in Birg.
This entire experience takes a half day, so you will still have plenty of time afterwards to explore Mürren, Gimmelwald, or another one of the area’s picturesque alpine villages.
In this article, learn how to get to Schilthorn and Birg, how much it will cost, with tips on to have the best experience. Plus, get suggestions on activities to do in and around Mürren and Gimmelwald after your visit to Schilthorn.
I do my best to keep the hours of operation and pricing up to date, however, these can change at any time. I recommend getting updated hours and pricing for your dates of travel. The link to the official website is provided when necessary.
IMPORTANT: A new cable car system is currently being constructed from Stechelberg to Mürren to Schilthorn. It will be replacing the original cable car route. The original cable cars are still in operation, so you can still visit Schilthorn, but readers are reporting that the Birg Thrill Walk is closed and that the construction materials are taking away from the view at Schilthorn. This construction project is planned through 2026. Learn more here.
Facts About Schilthorn
At 2,970 meters (9,744 feet), Schilthorn is one of the tallest mountains in the Bernese Alps. From the peak, you can see Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, as well as Titlis, Mont Blanc, and even the Vosges Mountains in France (on a clear day).
In 1969, Schilthorn was featured in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. While you are here, visit Bond World and dine in the same restaurant feature in the movie (Piz Gloria).
How to Get to Schilthorn
There are two ways to get to Schilthorn: on the cable car and on your own two feet.
Yes, you can hike all of the way up to the peak of Schilthorn. It’s a beast of a hike, but you’ll have bragging rights once you get to the top, since you did just hike up one of the tallest mountains in the region. However, the majority of people take the cable car, so let’s start with that first.
Cable Car to Schilthorn
The cable car starts in Stechelberg and ends at Schilthorn. Here is the order of the towns and stations from start to finish:
Stechelberg – Gimmelwald – Mürren – Birg – Schilthorn
You can get on at any of these locations and ride the cable car the remaining way to the top.
Cable cars leave every 30 minutes, starting around 7:30 am in Stechelberg. The final departure from Stechelberg is around 4:30 pm. The last cable car down from Schilthorn is at 5:50 pm. Here is the link to the timetable for updated hours.
Here is a map of Schilthorn, Birg, Mürren, Gimmelwald, and the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with the cable cars from Stechelberg to Schilthorn.
Listed below are the routes to Schilthorn from the top destinations in the Bernese Oberland. Simply find your starting town and follow the suggestions on how to get to Schilthorn.
Mürren
Get on the cable car at Mürren. It takes 17 minutes to get to Schilthorn, with a quick transfer in Birg.
Total Time: 17 minutes
PRO TRAVEL TIP: When you arrive by cable car into a station, the next cable car will also be arriving at the same time. You will not have to wait to get onto the next cable car, unless there is a very long line.
Gimmelwald
Take the cable car to Mürren (5 minutes), transfer to the cable car to Birg, then transfer to the final cable car to Schilthorn.
Total Time: 27 minutes
Stechelberg
From Stechelberg, you will ride 4 cable cars to get to Schilthorn. Take the cable car to Gimmelwald (5 minutes), transfer to the cable car to Mürren, transfer to the cable car to Birg, and finally, take the cable car to Schilthorn.
Total Time: 32 minutes
Lauterbrunnen
There are two ways to get to Schilthorn from Lauterbrunnen: via Grutschalp or via Stechelberg.
Via Grutschalp
Ride the cable car to Grutschalp. In Grutschalp, take the train to Mürren. It takes 23 minutes total to get to Mürren from Lauterbrunnen.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Sit on the left side of the train for the best views.
Once in Mürren, it is a 10-minute walk to the cable car station. From Mürren, take the cable car to Birg and then continue on to Schilthorn.
Total Time: 50 minutes plus additional time waiting for the cable car in Mürren
Via Stechelberg
From Lauterbrunnen, ride bus 141 to Stechelberg. It takes 18 minutes to get to Stechelberg by bus and costs roughly CHF 3.
Once in Stechelberg, ride the series of cable cars to Schilthorn.
Total Time: 50 minutes, plus additional time waiting for the cable car in Stechelberg.
RECOMMENDED ROUTE: From Lauterbrunnen, make this a loop by traveling up to Schilthorn via Grutschalp and return to Lauterbrunnen via Stechelberg. Round trip tickets for this route cost CHF 108.
Interlaken
From Interlaken, you will take the train to Lauterbrunnen and then follow the route listed above.
From Interlaken, it is a 20-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen.
Once in Lauterbrunnen, ride the cable car to Grutschalp, ride the train to Mürren, and then take the cable cars to Schilthorn.
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes, plus additional time waiting for the cable car in Lauterbrunnen and Mürren.
Grindelwald
From Grindelwald, ride the train to Lauterbrunnen and then follow the route listed above.
From Grindelwald, it is a 39-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen. Round trip tickets cost CHF 18.
Total Time: 1.5 hours plus additional time waiting for the cable car in Lauterbrunnen and Mürren.
Wengen
From Wengen, ride the train to Lauterbrunnen and then follow the route listed above for Lauterbrunnen.
From Wengen, it is a 17-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen. Round trip tickets cost CHF 13.60.
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes, plus additional time waiting for the cable car in Lauterbrunnen and Mürren.
A view of the cable car, taken from the Birg Thrill Walk.
Discount with the Swiss Travel Pass
Until December 31, 2019, the entire round-trip route from Mürren and Stechelberg to Schilthorn was free with the Swiss Travel Pass. Beginning January 1, 2020, the Swiss Travel Pass will only give you a 50% discount on ticket prices.
Do You Need to Purchase Your Tickets in Advance?
That’s tricky to answer. We did this in mid-July and had no issues getting on the cable cars. They are first come, first serve, so if you get there and there is a line, you will simply have to wait your turn.
It’s important to know that midday, lines can be long, so you could have a wait of 30 to 60 minutes, or possibly even longer.
So, for the best experience, plan to be on one of the first cable cars of the day to avoid a wait in line or book a Schilthorn boarding pass.
Schilthorn Boarding Pass
If your schedule is such that you will be visiting Schilthorn midday, you can purchase a Boarding Pass. This pass gives you a guaranteed departure time. It costs an additional CHF 5. Purchase the Boarding Pass online on the Schilthorn website or at the Schilthorn cableway counters.
If you Have a Car
If you are touring Switzerland by car, the best place to park is at the large parking lot in Stechelberg. From here, ride the series of cable cars to Schilthorn. Click here for parking prices.
Useful Links
- Here is the link for the official website for Schilthorn.
- Get updated ticket prices here.
- Check the timetable on the official Schilthorn website.
- If you are traveling from Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Wengen, you can also check train times and get updated pricing on the Jungfrau website.
The Schilthorn viewing platform first thing in the morning
Hiking to Schilthorn
It is a tough, challenging hike up to Schilthorn. From Mürren, it is 13 km one way with 1700 meters of elevation gain. But the views along the way are unbelievable. Plus, it’s free, since you don’t have to pay to ride the cable car.
If you don’t like the idea of hiking up a massive mountain, you also have the option to hike down to Mürren from Schilthorn. It’s a steep, downhill walk so it will be very hard on your knees.
Things to Do on Schilthorn
So, now that you are here, what do you do?
Dine at Restaurant Piz Gloria
Restaurant Piz Gloria is the revolving restaurant that was featured in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It takes 45 minutes for the restaurant to do one complete revolution, and during this time, you get to enjoy the view as over 200 mountain peaks slowly drift by outside your window.
Piz Gloria
Brunch is served daily until 2 pm and the food is very good. It costs CHF 120.
If you don’t want a full brunch, you can also order off of the a la carte menu.
We rode the first cable car of the day from Mürren to Schilthorn to get a head start on the crowds. During the hour we spent at the restaurant, we almost had the entire place to ourselves. Schilthorn just doesn’t seem to get the same number of tourists as Jungfraujoch, which might be one of the reasons we enjoyed Schilthorn more.
Sitting at our table, enjoying the spectacular views, and having a leisurely brunch, was so much fun. You don’t have to start quite as early as we did, but I think that a 9 am arrival would be perfect to have a quiet brunch and explore Bond World and the viewpoints before the crowds arrive.
Skyline View Platform
From the viewing platform, enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the Alps. From the viewing platform, there is a lower trail, called the 007 Walk of Fame, where you can read about the actors and actresses who starred in the film as well as enjoy more of those stunning views of the Alps.
View from Schilthorn
Bond World
In Bond World, get insights on the filming of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, see posters and memorabilia from other James Bond movies, and kids (and kids at heart) will love the interactive props and stunt displays.
Go to the Bathroom
Sounds like a strange recommendation, but trust me on this one. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but these just might be the most memorable toilets in Switzerland.
Bond Cinema
This theater plays the most popular scenes from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Touch the Snow
New in 2020, visitors get access to the snowy slopes of Schilthorn. Similar to Jungfraujoch, you will now get to play in the snow year-round, even during the summer months.
How Long Does a Visit to Schilthorn last?
If you have brunch, visit Bond World and the cinema, and enjoy the views from the viewing platform, a visit here typically lasts 3 hours.
Birg Thrill Walk
Birg is the location of the cable car station between Mürren and Schilthorn. A visit here is quick and absolutely worth it. You can visit Birg before or after your visit to Piz Gloria. It is included in the ticket price to Schilthorn.
The main thing to do here is to walk the Birg Thrill Walk. A 200-meter metal and glass pathway clings to the cliffs at Birg. You can walk on a tightrope, stand on a glass floor, or climb through a metal mesh tube. The views are truly spectacular. You are now looking out over Mürren and the mighty mountains of Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger.
View from Birg
Birg Thrill Walk
While at Birg, you can also take in the view from the Skyline Walk or grab a bite to eat at Bistro Birg.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Cable cars leave every 30 minutes, which gives you just enough time to enjoy the view from the Skyline Walk and walk the Thrill Walk. If you move fast, you can do both of these and get back in line for the very next cable car.
Tips to Have the Best Experience
Schilthorn and Birg are open year-round, except for brief periods in spring and autumn when the cable car closes for maintenance work. Check the timetable or the official Schilthorn website for details.
To avoid lines for the cable cars and for brunch at Piz Gloria, go early in the morning. Ideally, try to arrive to Piz Gloria by 9 am to avoid the crowds.
If you will be here after 9 am, consider purchasing the Boarding Pass and booking your table in advance for Piz Gloria.
Check weather conditions before you go. It is best to visit Schilthorn on a clear day so you can enjoy the view. You can also get a real time view from the webcam.
Schilthorn is one of two alpine destinations that you can visit in the Jungfrau region. Even more popular is Jungfraujoch, which is located on the opposite side of the valley. If you can only visit one, which one is better…Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch? Get the full details here.
What to Do Next
If you visit Schilthorn in the morning, you will have the entire afternoon for another great activity. Here are some ideas for you.
Mürren Via Ferrata
The Mürren via ferrata is a 2.2 km journey, part via ferrata and part hiking trail. You’ll cling to a cliff, climb down steep ladders, walk on a tightrope and a suspension bridge, and (with a guide) zip line across a ravine.
LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Mürren Via Ferrata
Northface Trail from Mürren
This trail has a little bit of everything…spectacular mountain views, small hamlets and chalets tucked away amidst the mountains, farms, flower-filled alpine meadows, and pastures filled with cows and their musical bells.
If you are looking for a walk to do with kids, this is a great one to consider. The views change frequently and with a chance to get up close with cows and goats, this trail is good at keeping kids entertained.
The Northface trail is 7.4 km long and it takes about two and a half hours to hike the entire loop.
LEARN MORE: Walking the Northface Trail in Mürren
Lauterbrunnen Valley and Trummelbach Falls
Ride the cable car down to Stechelberg. From Stechelberg, walk along the valley floor of Lauterbrunnen, visiting waterfalls along the way. It’s a flat, easy walk and if you ever get tired, just hop on bus 141 for the rest of the way.
Trummelbach Falls is not to be missed. Glacier melt from Mönch, Eiger, and Jungfrau drain into a cavern, forming a series of waterfalls located entirely within a mountain.
Ride the Allmendhubel Funicular
The Allmendhubel funicular starts in Mürren and ascends 500 meters up to a picturesque hamlet above Mürren. Once in Allmendhubel, you have gorgeous views over Mürren and the Swiss Alps.
There is a restaurant here as well as a playground for kids, so this makes a great spot to visit if you are traveling as a family.
The views are nice, but won’t quite compare to what you just saw at Birg and Schilthorn. However, it’s a great activity for families.
For more recommendations on where to stay, read our guide to Where to Stay in the Jungfrau Region. Learn where to stay for great views of the Swiss Alps and get recommendations whether you are looking for a budget hotel, luxury hotel, or if you are traveling as a family.
If you have any questions about visiting Schilthorn and Birg, let us know in the comment section below.
More Places to Go in Switzerland
JUNGFRAU REGION: If you are planning a trip to the Jungfrau region, check out our Guide to the Jungfrau Region, which includes maps and important travel planning information and our Jungfrau Itinerary, which has itinerary suggestions for one day to one week. We also have a separate article about the best things to do in the Jungfrau region. Get more information on where to stay in the Jungfrau region, how to visit Jungfraujoch, and how to add on the thrilling Mürren Via Ferrata to your visit.
JUNGFRAUJOCH: Jungfraujoch is one of the top experiences in Switzerland. Learn more in our article about How to Visit Jungfraujoch. For an epic day in the Jungfrau region, learn how to combine Jungfraujoch with the Eiger Trail.
ZERMATT: In Zermatt, don’t miss the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. For more ideas on what to do, read our article Best Things to Do in Zermatt. For more alpine views, learn how to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (and find out if it is worth it).
LUCERNE: Learn how to spend one perfect day in Lucerne with a trip to Mt. Pilatus.
LUGANO: Lugano is located in southern Switzerland. This city is another great place to stay for day trips in Switzerland and you can easily day trip to Lake Como and Bellagio.
SWITZERLAND ITINERARY: If your visit to the Jungfrau region is part of a bigger trip to Switzerland, check out our Switzerland Itinerary, which has suggestions on what to do if you have 7 days, 14 days, or even longer.
ZÜRICH: For things to do on a quick visit, check out our article One Day in Zürich.
Read all of our articles about Switzerland in our Switzerland Travel Guide.
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