Schilthorn — Attraction in Lauterbrunnen

Review of Schilthorn Mountain Top

Schilthorn, located in the Bernese Oberland, is one of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain peaks, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding Alps, including the famous Matterhorn and the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. At an elevation of 2,970 meters (9,744 feet), Schilthorn is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking breathtaking alpine vistas and a taste of adventure.

Scenic Beauty

The panoramic views from Schilthorn are absolutely stunning. On a clear day, you can see up to 200 kilometers of snow-capped peaks, glacial valleys, and rolling alpine meadows. The highlight is the 360-degree view of the Swiss Alps, including the iconic trio of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons, offering something unique year-round.

The Schilthorn summit is also home to a revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, where visitors can enjoy meals while taking in the ever-changing mountain scenery. The restaurant’s design was made famous by its appearance in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Activities • James Bond Experience: Schilthorn is famous for its connection to the 1969 Bond movie, with the James Bond Piz Gloria exhibition at the summit. The interactive exhibit showcases memorabilia from the film, and the Bond theme adds an extra layer of fun to the visit. • Hiking and Alpine Walking: For those who enjoy hiking, Schilthorn is the start of several scenic alpine trails. In the summer months, you can explore the surrounding valleys and enjoy the tranquil alpine landscape. • Winter Sports: In the winter, Schilthorn transforms into a hub for skiing and snowboarding. There are well-maintained pistes for various levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as opportunities for snowshoeing and other winter activities.

Accessibility

Getting to Schilthorn is easy, thanks to the well-established network of cable cars that link the village of Mürren (a car-free, mountain village) to the summit. The ride itself is a scenic experience, with stunning views as you ascend through alpine meadows and forests. The last section is a steep ascent with magnificent views as you approach the summit.

For those holding a Swiss Travel Pass, the journey to Schilthorn is free, which makes this an even more attractive option for tourists looking to explore the Swiss Alps without the extra cost. The pass covers most of the travel expenses to reach the top, offering excellent value for those planning to explore Switzerland by public transportation.

Facilities • Piz Gloria Restaurant: At the summit, the rotating restaurant offers a range of Swiss and international dishes. While dining, you’ll be treated to panoramic views that continuously change as the restaurant slowly rotates. • Shops and Souvenirs: There are also shops where you can pick up souvenirs, including James Bond-themed memorabilia, postcards, and Swiss mountain gear.

Best Time to Visit • Winter (December to March): Schilthorn is a fantastic destination for snow sports enthusiasts. The snow-covered peaks and winter activities make it a prime spot for skiing, snowboarding, and enjoying the snowy landscape. • Summer (June to September): The warmer months are perfect for hiking, outdoor exploration, and enjoying the clear alpine air. The views are especially crisp, and the summer flowers in the surrounding valleys add vibrant color to the landscape.

Practical Information • Cost: If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the journey to Schilthorn is free, making it a fantastic value for those traveling around Switzerland. Without the pass, a return ticket can be quite expensive, but the spectacular views and activities at the summit make it worth the price. • Crowds: Schilthorn can be quite busy during peak tourist seasons, especially in summer and around the holidays, so it’s a good idea to visit early to...

Went up to the Schilthorn by cable car in late June 2019. Started in Murren. Around $105 round trip per person (Adult) if you do not have a Swiss Travel Pass. If you plan to travel around Switzerland much at all, get a Travel Pass and ride the trains, cable cars, buses, boats, etc. Totally worth it in most cases. We did the full brunch buffet at the Schilthorn one morning and the food and service was very good and the restaurant slowly rotates so one gets a view of the Alps which was pretty stunning. The brunch was included as part of our stay at Hotel Alpenruh down in Murren (see other reviews for that). I think $35 each otherwise but it was the best breakfast we had our whole week in Switzerland. Champagne included. The 1968 Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service:" was filmed there and there is a museum and other Bond themed portions of the place which sounded sort of touristy and stupid but was actually pretty well done if a bit over the top in spots. Check out the bathrooms and you will know what I mean. Outside there is a very nice observation deck and one can walk out to a rocky point for great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The cable car ride up is pretty cool as well and I imagine even more so when more snow around although I bet pretty cold and snowy in the winter months. It takes two cable cars to get to the Schilthorn from Murren (4 if from Lauterbrunen valley) but they are timed so one gets off at Brig station and walks a very short distance and gets on the one to the Schilthorn. Same for coming back down. Cool stuff to do at Brig as well but that is for another review. One strong recommendation: If you plan to do the brunch and/or want to avoid waiting in line and having crowds, take the first cable car up from Murren at 7:40am. By the time we came down around 10:30 - 11am, the line at the Murrent station was at least 2 cycles long and the crowd at the top had gotten to be a bit much. Other times of the year may be better but locals totally recommend getting up there on 1st or 2nd cable car in the morning or face lines and crowds of tourists. Overall, a really fun time and great scenery. Rate it a 4 if paying for it and a 5 if you have a travel pass. Gave it a 5 since we had the travel pass for all 8 of us (Yeah, would have been 8 x $140 = $1120 without travel pass - would not...

Ok, this is definitely one for James Bond fans but equally for anyone who likes terrific views and a decent meal. It's additional to the Jungfrau Region Pass which gets you as far as Murren, but then you've got to pay more to get to the Schilthorn. Hint; Don't get a ticket from Interlaken all the way as when you get to Murren you get a discount by showing your Jungfrau Region Pass when you get the gondola tickets. At the time of writing (June 2025) it's a bit of a building site as they are refurbishing the gondola station on the Schilthorn and parts of the building. However the terrace and views are still great. You can also walk the ridge through the 007 walk of fame to several more viewing points,with handily placed benches. The restaurant is excellent - recommend the all you can eat brunch. It's 38chf but you literally can eat and drink loads within the hour and a half that you get (to give some idea of value, glasses of prosecco are included which separately would cost 10chf each). We didn't have a reservation but still got a table as we were up early (probably worth reserving if you intend going up when it's busy). The floor of the restaurant revolves slowly so you get spectacular views throughout your meal. The serving tables aren't on the revolving floor and it's fun to see the perplexed expressions on people's faces when they turn round after getting their food and look at you with surprise and then for it to dawn that their table has moved! Of course for 007 fans, to be where OHMSS was filmed, and with some of the original features still intact, as well as the OHMSS experience (included in the price) with original props etc is quite brilliant. Most amusingly when you use the gents toilets you're greeted by a line from the film - I won't spoil it! On the way down there's the Birg Thrill walk as well....