The Schilthorn is a summit with gorgeous views to the alps in Switzerland, and it gained on fame thanks to a James Bond movie.
We visited the Schilthorn in summer 2022 for you, and we share everything you need to know about what to expect, how to get there, price and weather.
Table of Contents
🌄 What to expect
The Schilthorn, located at 9744 feet (ca. 2,970 m) altitude, is a well-known mountain summit in the Bernese Oberland alps.
A trip to the summit with the cable car takes you across steep hair-tingling rocky terrain and alpine pastures. During the summer months, you might even spot cows grazing at these incredible heights.
Your journey starts with a ride in the Schilthorn cable car and your day will just get better when you get to gaze out at the stunning alpine scenery stretching out before you
Our highlight of the trip was the panoramic view of the nearby mountain peaks, which is widely regarded as the best in the Bernese highlands.
They also call the Schilthorn Piz Gloria. The name came to be thanks to the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty's Secret Service”, which was predominantly filmed there and in the beautiful adjoining villages.
Fans of the movie franchise will love the James Bond theme at the top of the mountain. This includes an exhibition and a themed brunch in the revolving restaurant.
Here is a walking tour video of mount Schilthorn. It starts in the cable car from Birg to Schilthorn and continues on to the viewing platform and Bond World.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnOpXUaFONI[/embedyt]🚗 Getting There
The Schilthorn is located in the Bernese Oberland alps and to make your trip up the mountains, you have to get to the Lauterbrunnen valley. Your starting point is the Interlaken town on the lake Thun and Brienz.
Interlaken to Stechelberg
By car:
Drive from Interlaken towards Lauterbrunnen. Continue the road by crossing the Lauterbrunnen village and drive to the next village known as Stechelberg. On your right is the Schilthornbahn, the cable car station that takes you to the Schilthorn.
You can park at the massive Schilthorn LSMS station parking lot. You won't find a parking spot that is always in the shade because it's an open space.
The parking rates a decently priced for Switzerland! The first hour is free, then 2 hours after that it's CHF 4, add another 2 hours as the fee will be CHF 6. A day ticket is about CHF 11, 2 days CHF 19 and so on.
You can't reserve a parking spot, but honestly, you won't need it because this vast parking lot always has space, even in peak season. The parking ticket machine is opposite the cable car ticketing counter.
By Train:
The Swiss public transport is one of the best in the world!
Take the train to Lauterbrunnen from the Interlaken Ost station and get out at the Lauterbrunnen village. A Postbus stop, run by the post, is located on the other side of the road near the train station. Take the public bus to Stechelberg and get out at the Stechelberg Schilthornbahn bus stop.
Cable Car Stechelberg to Schilthorn Summit
I recommend a visit up the Schilthorn early morning because it can get rather busy later in the day. You also get the most spectacular views in the morning hours and consider having a brunch at the 360 restaurant, but more about that later.
We got there at 7:30 am on the 9th of August 2022. A crystal clear sky welcomed us! A queue had already formed after the ticket counter, and luckily, we didn't have to wait all too long.
The cable car takes you up to the stations every half hour from Stechelberg. The Schilthorn cableway is split, so you will have to change cable cars a few times to get to the highest summit.
The stations are as follows:
- Stechelberg – valley base
- Gimmelwald village
- Mürren village
- Birg – Thrill walk aka skyline walk and sun terrace
- Schilthorn – summit and James Bond Walk of fame
The cable car ride from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald takes about 5 minutes and that's your first stop and the place where you have to change cable car. Fortunately, the cable cars are synchronized and while you travel up to Gimmelwald, you have another one coming down towards Gimmelwald from Mürren.
The ride from Gimmelwald to Mürren is another 5 minutes and here you will get some lovely views of the green alpine pastures.
Once you are in Mürren, your second station, you will have to walk a few steps to the cable car that can take you further up to the in-between station Birg and the Schilthorn summit. There you will have to scan your ticket again to cross the gates and wait in the queue. The third ride from Mürren to Birg took about 8-10 minutes or so.
Your fourth and last ride from Birg to the Schilthorn summit will be your most astonishing cable car journey! About 8 minutes later, and you will have come close to the rocky Swiss alps while standing in a cable car with other excited visitors.
🎫 Tickets
The summit can be accessed all year round and the tickets are always priced the same way. A ticket is called a billet in Switzerland, but the people at the counter are well versed in English too.
One way, return, and partial way tickets can be purchased at the Stechelberg cable car station counter. You can also buy them in advance online. What you can't do is reserve a time slot.
Note that they do have a planned maintenance period of a few days in November and April, so I recommend that you contact the tourism department of Lauterbrunnen if you plan to visit in the off-season. They will be able to share with you those few odd days when things are closed or under maintenance.
A regular return ticket for an adult from Stechelberg, over Gimmelwald, Mürren, Birg to the Schilthorn summit is priced at CHF 108. From the time that you purchase the ticket, they are valid for 6 days, but you can only use the ticket each way once.
A ticket turns out cheaper if you take the cable car just to Birg and hike up the rest to the Schilthorn. You can also buy one-way tickets at the Schilthorn store on the summit.
Children of the age of 16 count as adults. Return tickets for kids aged 5 to 15 years cost CHF 54. Everything below the age of 5 is free.
You can reduce the adult ticket price with a special travel pass. This includes the Swiss Travel pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, GA travelcard and the Eurail- / Interrail- / Jungfrau Travel Pass. Note that the Jungfrau travel pass can't get you a free ride to the Schilthorn summit, but if you have one you can reduce the full ticket price.
If you intend to do the James Bond brunch, get a ticket that includes the brunch to get a better deal. They offer the option at the ticket counter. The return cable car ticket with brunch included is priced between CHF 118 and CHF 129 per adult.
🌨️ Weather & What to wear
The weather forecast can be rather unpredictable in those great heights. Wind and weather should not be underestimated any time of the year.
We visited in the peak season. While the weather was a hot summer day down in the Lauterbrunnen valley, the situation looked entirely different at the mountain Schilthorn.
In August, you can expect cold temperatures of 50 to 60 Fahrenheit (10–15 degrees Celsius) at the summit when standing outdoors on the panoramic viewing platform.
Temperatures dip even further in winter to a whooping -4 Fahrenheit (ca. -20 degree Celsius).
Travel up to the Schilthorn summit wearing a winter jacket. In fact, I recommend a down jacket if you intend to visit in winter to keep you properly warm.
As we traveled in August, we decided on thinner clothing layers, which we could add or remove, depending on our needs. A T-shirt, a thin sporty fleece over that and a quality mountaineering hard-shell jacket to seal in the heat did the trick for us.
Removing a layer at a time can be useful when you travel down to the villages below, while the alpine midday sun is heating those lower altitude areas.
Jackets can also take up space in your backpack, so thin layers that keep you warm are the way to go.
Because the weather is ever so fickle up there in the mountains, it can be difficult to plan your trip. You want a crystal clear sky to get the most bang for your buck!
Avoid rainy weather all together, yet occasionally, you can get lucky with the sun peaking out between the clouds, creating special light effects and a unique experience.
Start looking up live webcams of the Schilthorn days before your trip up. I also recommend spending 2–3 days in the Bernese alps so that you can switch days easily in case your preferred day to Piz Gloria ends up falling into a rainy dull day.
💡 Things to do at the Schilthorn
Fortunately, a trip to the Schilthorn has something to offer for everyone! Here are the top attractions and things to add to your to-do list.
Panoramic Views
The main reason why you should travel so high up is the view alone!
From the main panoramic viewing platform, you will be able to see the three main mountain peaks in the area. The famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks.
The location of each mountain is beautiful shown on maps on place and even on a transparent glass panel in Birg.
If you look South-West-wards, you will be able to see the Interlaken lakes from afar, the Thun and Brienzer lake.
At the viewing platform is a small snow making machine, which can be entertaining to some.
Brunch at the Revolving Restaurant
A 360 degrees revolving restaurant, also known as the Piz Gloria restaurant, is located at the top of the building. Here you can enjoy a lovely time with a stunning view.
As mentioned previously in the ticket brunch explanation, you can get the brunch super cheap with the cable car ticket for just an additional CHF 10 to 19.
It all depends on what time you show up. The ticket is more budget-friendly between 7 am and 8:55 am. You get everything your heart yearns for, cheese, smoked salmon, pancakes, waffles, Rösti and Bircher Müsli!
They have a Bond themed package as well where you get a martini, a 007 burger with a salad starting at CHF 125 with the cable car return ticket included.
Another package is the afternoon snack time package. It comes with a cured meat and cheese platter and a glass of wine or soft drink at CHF 115 with a return cable car ticket.
Note that you have to book a table with a time slot in advance to get a seat in the revolving restaurant.
Bond World & Walk of Fame
The Bond world is an exhibition located below the shop area. The entry point is right next to the public bathroom area, so you can't really miss it.
Stroll through the rooms and explore how the movie came to be. It's a fun exhibition with some interactive elements such as a helicopter ride and a bob ride.
A little movie theater is also included, as well as various James Bond and villain cut-outs spread out across the viewing platform. You can use them to take some fun photos!
The walk of fame is a slight walk from the Piz Gloria building to a rocky hangout. It's a tribute to the cast and crew of the James Bond film. Each panel has a description and a personal message with a hand print sealed in steel for all eternities.
Shop
To my surprise, I came across a large shop in the Piz Gloria, which is situated on your way out to the viewing platform.
They have mostly souvenirs but also useful little things such as original Swiss Knifes and watches. Some Swiss pocket knifes were rather original and not that common.
You will also find hiking gear and everything else that you can need at those heights.
You might come across a gift here to bring back home to your loved ones.
Hiking
A hiking trail leads from the summit downwards to Birg. Some people take the cable car to Birg and ascent the Schilthorn summit that way.
It's a challenging hike which only well-trained people should take. It takes about 1 ½ hours from Birg to Schilthorn.
Birg Thrill Walk
The Birg thrill walk is located right under the sun terrace at the Birg intermediary station on the way to the Schilthorn.
It's freely accessible for everyone as it comes with your day ticket.
The walk is a tightly nestled passage, which is well secured, along the rocks, and you get the most beautiful view from there.
Some of these passages are built with action-rich walking platforms, which entertain grown-ups and kids alike.
So, don't skip the Thrill walk in Birg! I filmed a 360 video of the thrill walk in Birg.
✨ More Destinations to visit nearby
Don't miss these places if you intend to visit the Schilthorn!
Mürren and Gimmelwald
The village of Mürren and Gimmelwald are just on the way and two stations of their own, if you travel via Stechelberg with the cable car to the Schilthorn summit.
Gimmelwald and Mürren can only be accessed via cable car (Mürren can also be accessed by a mountain train). No road leads to these places. It's well worth your time to take a stop in the villages.
If you are short on time, pick Mürren, since it seems more centrally located. If you want to avoid too many Tourists, pick Gimmelwald, as it is more chill.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is that picture-perfect village known for the gorgeous waterfall that falls behind the village church from 1000 feet (ca. 305 meters) high cliff.
The village is especially beautiful in spring, after the snow melt because the Staubbach waterfall gains in size, and it is all the more powerful and spectacular.
You will also find other waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen valley, such as the iconic Trümmelbach falls.
Wengen
Wengen is a small town located on the cliffs above the Lauterbrunnen village. It's also only accessible via a mountain train, so there are no roads leading up to this ski resort.
This town is a chill place with plenty of shops and places to hang out and enjoy a Swiss Cheese fondue with a view.
The Eiger trail starts in Wengen. This hiking trail offers spectacular views and takes you along the Eiger mountain over to the other side, the Grindelwald valley.
Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch
Grindelwald is THE ski resort and place for all those who love the Bernese Oberland alps. It's equally pretty in the warmer summer months with its rolling green pastures and little wooden houses.
Take a stroll across the town and its upscale shopping lane or take the train up to the glacier of the Jungraujoch. Grindelwald has something for everyone!
💭 FAQs
Is the Schilthorn wheelchair accessible?
Yes! You can get smoothly from the valley to the summit without any issues!
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome and can take the cable car up to the summit for free. Your dog has to be on the leash at all times, and it shouldn't be a danger to others. You might have to bring along a muzzle for the busy and tightly packed cable car ride.
Comments
No Comments