Schilthorn

• Attraction type: Natural site, Mountain top, By cable car
• Escort: independent (no guide)
• Region: Jungfrau region (Bernese Oberland)
• Duration: 1 day or less

The trip to Schilthorn and panoramic views

The Schilthorn can be reached by a spectacular cable car ride from Mürren. There's a spectacular view of the Bernese Alps from the platform. You can also watch the views from the revolving panoramic restaurant, which was the first in the world of its kind.

The trip to the Schilthorn by cable car is an attraction too: deep ravines are crossed and the view is amazing all the way up.

The 'James Bond' mountain

In 1969, the Schilthorn featured in the James Bond movie 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. It was the hideout of Bond's enemy Blofeld, and the place was called Piz Gloria for that occassion. Today, that's still a name being used for the Schilthorn.

There is an interactive exhibition 'Bond World' at the Schilthorn. The 'Bond Cinema' shows movie scenes from a 12 m-wide screen.

Winter activities

The slopes between Mürren and Schilthorn are one of the main skiing areas in the Jungfrau region. Ski runs in all difficulty categories are available.

Experienced skiers can use the challenging slopes near the top. A snowpark and a very steep run with an 88-degree incline can be found here. Sledding, winter hiking and beginner runs are available near Mürren.

Read more about winter in the Mürren-Schilthorn area here and here.

Activities at mid-station Birg

Be sure to explore the mid station Birg as well. Here's what to expect:

• You can enjoy the views from a terrace that partly hangs over a precipice: the 'Skyline Walk'. It's very exciting!
• With the 'Thrill Walk' you'll be able to explore places only mountaineers can go, if it wasn't for this steel path pinned to the vertical rocks.
• There's a bistro to have a drink or lunch.
• In a short downhill hike you'll reach the Grauseeli, a small lake reflecting the mountain tops.

Preparation

Check the weather forecast, as there's no point in going up if the Schilthorn is covered in clouds. Dress in multiple thinner layers so that you can adapt to the different temperatures throughout the day. It can be windy at the top. Take along gloves, sun glasses and perhaps a hat. Solid shoes are recommended if you plan to leave the observation platform. There isn't much easy hiking at the top though.

Allow at least an hour to visit the top of the Schilthorn. This does not include the time to get there.

The Schilthorn is 2970 m high. Anyone can suffer from (light) altitude sickness from about 2000 m. Usually it helps to take things slow and sit down for a while. Special precautions apply to children under 2 years old, as well as people who are pregnant or in poor health: before visiting areas over 2500 m, you'd better consult your doctor. In most cases, staying at such altitudes for just a few hours is no problem.