Every tour of Switzerland needs an Alpine experience and the Schilthorn is my favourite! The views from the Schilthorn peak were famous among mountaineers for centuries, but it wasn’t until 1967 – when the then world’s longest aerial cable car was installed – that others could enjoy them.
Olympic ski jumper Ernst Feuz was the man behind the group that opened up this spectacular 2,970m high location. He also planned the world’s first revolving restaurant so that visitors could make the most of the panorama once the cable way was completed. While there’s no longer a permanent resident in the building, in keeping with its remote location it’s left unlocked and lit at night as a refuge for any hikers lost on the mountain. Here’s what I love about the Schilthorn Alpine experience.
Schilthornbahn
The cable way from the valley floor to the peak was built in 1967 as a four-stage journey. From March 2025, it’s been reduced to three-stages with a new cable way, the world’s steepest at time of opening. The state-of-the-art cars have the best wind stability for the smoothest and most comfortable ride through the spectacular scenery of the valley, sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls, opening to breathtaking Alpine peaks at the top.
Piz Gloria
Building of the revolving restaurant started in 1961, then stalled until a location scout for the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ arranged funding to complete it. In late 1968 it was used as Piz Gloria, the villain Blofeld’s Swiss hideout in the film. Then it was given that name when it opened as a restaurant in 1969 after filming was completed. It offers 360° views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and over 200 other Alpine peaks.
Bond World
As the setting for a number of scenes in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, it’s fitting that the Schilthorn houses an interactive museum with memorabilia from the filming. Visitors can watch film excerpts, get a Bond’s-eye-view from the helicopter and bob sled, and pose for photos with life-sized James Bond replicas. The classic Bond martini – shaken not stirred – is available at the restaurant bar as well.
Gimmelwald
On the way back down, stop in the beautiful car-free village of Gimmelwald at 1,367 metres. The steep mountains rise above it and there are great views down to the valley below. Traditional wooden farmhouses, decorated with cow bells won at annual shows, have fridges stocked with their Alpine cheese, dried sausages, eggs and milk and an ‘honest box’ for shoppers to leave their money.
Hiking
While keen mountaineers hike the 350-metre steep Summit Ascent from Birg to Schilthorn, I prefer to take the cable car to Mürren then walk the 3km trail down to Gimmelwald with stunning views and fresh Alpine air. In Gimmelwald you can reward yourself with a local brew or snack at the rustic Mountain Hostel before catching the cable car down to the valley floor. There are many other hiking options to suit all energy levels.
