The Schilthorn is a mountain peak near Lauterbrunnen at 2970m, with a spectacular viewpoint accessible by cable car. At this popular tourist destination, you can admire the famous Eiger and many other mountains in the Jungfrau region. It’s an expensive outing, but a great choice for anyone that wants to see big views without hiking.
Besides the views, this area has more amusements at various points along the cable car route, so you can fill up your day. At the Birg middle station, there is a full “thrill walk” with a metal walkway built into the side of the mountain. At the Mürren village below, you can visiting an alpine flower garden and large playground with a view. Plus many hiking trails crisscrossing the mountain.
Note: In 2024/2025, the Schilthorn is replacing the cable car. So you will not be able to visit the Schilthorn between 14 Oct 2024 and 14 March 2025)
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| Location: | Jungfrau Region, Bernese Oberland |
| Address: | Stechelberg cable car station |
| Car: | Parking: Stechelberg – 46°33’20.3″N 7°54’04.4″E 30 mins from Interlaken, 1hr from Bern, 2hr from Zurich |
| Train: | Bus stop: Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn 45 mins from Interlaken, 1hr45 from Bern, 2hr45 from Zurich |
| Trail: | various, see recommendations below |
| Services: | restaurant, gift shop, 007 theme walk, “Thrill Walk” on cliffs |
| Cost 2024: | round trip for adult CHF 108, discounts for children and Swiss travel cards |
| Open: | year round, short maintenance breaks in April, Oct/Nov |
| More info: | www.schilthorn.ch |
Location
The Schilthorn peak is located near Lauterbrunnen in Bernese Oberland. See location on Google Maps.
You reach the top of the Schilthorn by taking a series four cable cars, starting at Stetchelberg in the valley. You pass through Gimmelwald, Mürren and Birg, about a 40 min journey one way.
At the top you’ll find an outdoor panorama deck, a restaurant, gift shop, James Bond “museum”, etc. Plan to spend at least an hour at the top.
One stop down at Birg, you’ll find another panorama deck and a “Thrill Walk,” a fun elevated walkway built onto the side of a cliff. This is definitely worth a visit on your way down. There is a more casual cafe here for snacks and lunch. Plan to spend about an hour at this stop.
On your way back down, stop in Murren and consider visiting the Allmendhubel Flower Park, which is a big playground for kids. This is accessed from a short funicular ride in Murren.
There are many hiking options in the region. All hikes from Schilthorn and Birg station are steep alpine trails, suitable for older children with hiking experience. We did a wonderful hike from Birg to Gimmelwald (10.7 km) with our kids, but it was difficult and long.
An assortment of family friendly hikes are accessed from Murren, particularly the Allmendhubel Flower Trail.
How to get there
By car
From Interlaken, drive through Lauterbrunnen and up the valley to Stechelberg. Park in the metered lot next to the gondola station.
By public transit
Take the train to Lauterbrunnen, then a bus to Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn (about a 10 mins ride). The bus drops right at the cable car station.
Alternatively, you can start in Lauterbrunnen and take a cable car up to Grütschalp. Then a mountain train across to the car-free village Mürren. Then a short walk through the village to the Mürren cable car station, where you can ride up to the Schilthorn.
Planning your day
Tickets
You can purchase tickets at the cable car ticket office at Stechelberg, Mürren or Lauterbrunnen. In 2024, a return ticket from Stechelberg to Schilthorn costs CHF 108 per adult. See current Schilthorn prices.
Discount tickets
The following discounts are available
- Half Fare Card – CHF 54
- GA, Swiss Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass – CHF 42.80
- Eurail Pass – CHF 81
- Children (6-15) – CHF 54
- Children under 6 or with Junior Card – free
If you have a Jungfrau Travel Pass, you can travel to Mürren for free via the Grütschalp cable car and Mürren mountain train. Then you can purchase a Schilthorn return ticket from Mürren for CHF 85.60. The Stechelberg-Mürren cable car is not included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
Note that you do not get a discount with SBB day tickets.
Operating times
The Schilthorn complex and viewing area is open year round, except for brief maintenance periods in April, late November and early December.
The gondola runs to the Schilthorn about every 30 mins from 7:25 to 16:25, last descent 18:03. The cable cars from Murren to Stechelberg run much later in the evening. Check the current timetable.
Check the weather
Before buying your ticket, check the Schilthorn webcams. There is no reason to go up unless you have a clear view. We were advised to go early in the day, as clouds often move it after noon. But check the weather forecast, particularly the cloud and precipitation weather animations on Search.ch as weather can change quickly in the mountains.
Schilthorn Activities
The main attraction is the large outdoor viewing platform with a 360 panoramic view of the Jungfrau region. The viewing platform is surrounding by a metal fence, so no worries about little kids running around.
The observation deck at the top. There are several telescopes so you can check out the various mountain peaks.
One of the many views from the Schilthorn observation deck.
The below pictures were from our trip in early July 2006, around 9am at the top. I recommend getting up there early to beat crowd and afternoon clouds.
The observation desk has these “Kids View” stations, where it asks a question and you look through the peephole to get a clue to the answer.
007 Walk of Fame
If you leave the observation deck, there is the 007 Walk of Fame, which is a short walk with information boards honoring the stars and crew of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”
My kids liked comparing their handprints to each person.
Schilthorn visitor center
This helpful diagram on their website shows the whole complex. Besides the little movie, showing scenes from the 007 film, there’s not much to do up top besides enjoy the view and buy some mementos. We spent only about 30 minutes up top before heading back to Mürren for some hiking.
Image from Schilthorn.ch
Hiking near Schilthorn
There are trails that start from the top (below), but they are challenging, steep, alpine trails, not for little kids. If you want to do some hiking or extend your visit, instead stop in Mürren on your way back. There are many hikes in this area. For kids, I can recommend the Allmendhubel Flower Park and Children’s Adventure Trail. After your hike, your return ticket will still be good for the trip back from Mürren to Stechelberg.
Birg “Thrill Walk” – Don’t Miss!
Ride one stop down to Birg and follow signs to the “Thrill Walk.” The thrill walk descends metal stairs below the restaurant onto a walkway built into the side of the cliff. It’s totally awesome! One part of the walkway has a glass floor. If this is too scary, visit the more tame Skyline Walk, the observation deck outside the restaurant.
Another part has a suspension wire to walk across, with a safety net.
Another part has a cage you can crawl through.
From Birg looking back up to Schilthorn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Schilthorn good for children?
We found this a good activity with our small children, who were too young for hiking. Our toddler was distracted and entertained by the changing gondolas every 10-15 mins. The main observation deck has a sturdy fence, making it safe for children.
The thrill walk at Birg is also relatively safe with good fences, though small children may find it scary. The Allmendhubel playgorund near Mürren is a great place for children to play after visiting the mountain peak.
Is the Schilthorn better than Jungfraujoch?
The Schilthorn is much less expensive than the Jungfraujoch and has better views of the Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. We prefer it with kids because we can visit the great Allmendhubel playground afterwards. The Schilthorn area also has more hiking options than the Jungfraujoch/Kleine Scheidegg area.
However, from the Jungfraujoch, you can see the amazing Aletsch Glacier, explore an ice cave, and play in the snow in summer. This can be a special experience for those that have little experience with snow.
What to wear at Schilthorn?
Best to bring a warm jacket since even in summer, it can be chilly at higher elevations. Plus the weather can change quickly.
If you don’t plan to hike, you can wear any comfortable shoe. In winter, the viewing platform will be covered in snow so wear waterproof footwear if possible.
You won’t need a stroller but if you bring it, you can get around as the Schilthorn complex is wheelchair accessible.
Where can you eat at the Schilthorn?
At the Schilthorn peak, there is a rotating restaurant with typical Swiss food (reservations available), as well as take away shops with snacks. There is also plenty of room to lounge outside and enjoy a picnic with a view.
Birg has a more casual self-service cafe for snacks and lunch. Murren has lots of restaurant options and a grocery.
6 responses
If we are planning on hiking down, do they offer the option of buying a one way ticket?
Yes, you can buy a one-way ticket for any section.
Hello
im plannig to go in August and i think i will arrive at interlaken ost from paris at 1 pm,
do you think i will have enough time to go to the top from interlaken? also i would like to do the trill walk in Brig, so the best way is to visit first the top and then go to the cliff walk? in about 5 hours is enough to do this?
many thanks!!
Hi. It will be a tight squeeze since the last cable car down from the Schilthorn is at 16:55. There is a train leaving from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunn at 13:05. If you catch this, you can get to the top of Schilthorn by 15:27, assuming you make all the connections and there isn’t a long line at Stechelberg for the Schilthorn cable car. So you would have very little time at the top. Yes, I would stop at Brig on the way back down to do the cliff walk. Good luck!
Hi there,
Your blog is very interesting. My family is visiting Switzerland from 20 – 30 Nov. We were thinking to go up Schilhorn and try the thrill walk. We check the website and found out that during this period, the mountain would be under maintenance and will be closed…is it true.
Yes, many mountains close for maintenance between fall and the opening of ski season. This includes Schilthorn. You may be interested in my post about visiting the Swiss Alps in November. I haven’t updated the dates for 2019, but the information should still be helpful. https://swissfamilyfun.com/swiss-alps-november/