Schilthorn and Piz Gloria: Trip Report

Schilthorn Viewing Deck, Switzerland

There are many iconic and panoramic views that you can discover in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland.  Many individuals head to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, in order to walk inside a glacier in the summer.  We, too, had planned to do this, but we were also on a budget, had no guarantee of clear views when we were there, and were staying in Murren with a 4-year old.  

So, instead, on a chilly day in July, we took a few aerial cableways (very large and sturdy gondolas) from our hotel in Murren up to the Schilthorn.  On the way back down, we stopped at the Birg Thrill Walk. All in all, if you wanted to explore this part of the Bernese Oberland, you could spend an entire day working you way from top to bottom of this area.

How to Book a trip to Schilthorn?

You can easily book a ticket to from Stechelberg or Murren to Schilthorn ahead of time, but because we had a half fare card, we chose to get our tickets in person. We got the first gondola up from Murren.

Entrance to the aerial cableway

What do to at the top of Schilthorn

Once you arrive at Schilthorn, everything is free except the restuarant. You can walk out on the observation deck, pretend to be James Bond and visit Spy World, and most of the time, you can touch the snow year round. (Due to renovations, this is closed until 2025.)

We spend additional money and made a timed reservation for brunch a couple days ahead of time. The James Bond Brunch is situated in the Piz Gloria, a revolving restaurant at the summit of Schilthorn, which is 2970 meters (or 9744 feet) above sea level. The outside of the restaurant where the seats move revolves slowly, while the interior stays still. (So, your bacon and espresso machine will always be in a new place when you get up for seconds.) It was a very thorough and filling buffet, so come very hungry, and prepare to leave very full.

Toddler enjoying James Bond Brunch at Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant

The view from the top of Schilthorn in July

Combining a Trip to Schilthorn with a visit to Birg

On the way back down from Schilthorn, you can take a short stop at Birg which offers a short thrill walk. This, too, is included in your ticket. From the cable car station, you will walk out to the viewing deck, and then will see a set of stairs to the right. From the stairs, you can descend down the side of the mountain and engage in a short cliff walk. If you wanted to visit First Cliff walk in Grindelwald, but could not make it, then this might work as a smaller, less crowded substitute. If you are afraid of heights, then this is not for you. We felt totally safe bringing our 4-year old on the “Thrill Wall,” and when we visited in Birg in July, we only saw two other people there.

Birg Thrill Walk with a Kid

Birg Thrill Walk

Optional Add-on: Allmendhubel

Allmendhubel Playground - perfect spot for kids

When you research tickets for Schilthorn, you will often see that they suggest a 1,2,3 combo, which would make Allmendhubel your third stop. However, Allmendhubel is a different cable car that must be accessed from the middle of the town of Murren. The great news is, is that Allmendhubel serves as a base for one of our favorite playgrounds and some epic hiking. You can read more about our time in the Bernese Oberland here.

Image courtesy of Schilthorn.ch