Switzerland has officially unveiled the world’s steepest cable car, a remarkable engineering feat nestled within the stunning Bernese Alps.
With an astounding gradient of 159.4%, the new cableway connects Stechelberg village on the valley floor to the mountain village of Mürren.
The newly unveiled marvel is part of the ambitious Schilthornbahn 20XX project, aimed at significantly reducing travel time to one of Switzerland’s most iconic peaks.
A four-minute journey up the steepest gradient
The cable car climbs 2,543 feet (775 meters) in altitude along a nearly 3,937-foot (1,200-meter) long track in just four minutes. With its extreme incline, the system uses two specially designed cars suspended from a 36-feet-long arm (11-meter-long).
These cars can accommodate up to 85 passengers at a time, providing a safe and smooth ride despite the steep ascent.
The cableway operates autonomously without staff on board. Instead, cameras and sensors continuously monitor operations, ensuring safety throughout the journey.
At the official opening ceremony on Friday, December 13, the first car made its journey up the route. The system began regular service for passengers the following day, offering a futuristic travel experience through the Alps.
A route to a James Bond landmark
The cable car is part of a larger three-section route being developed under the Schilthornbahn 20XX project. The entire network will eventually link Stechelberg and Mürren to Birg and, finally, the Schilthorn peak. Once completed, the journey time will be cut from 32 minutes to just 18 minutes.
The Schilthorn Peak holds cinematic fame thanks to the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The mountaintop Piz Gloria restaurant, which sits at the peak, was featured as the hideout of the film’s villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
The restaurant itself offers a unique experience as it revolves 360 degrees, providing panoramic views of more than 200 snow-covered peaks, including Mont Blanc on clear days. Designed by Bernese architect Konrad Wolf, Piz Gloria claims the title of the world’s first revolving restaurant.
Interestingly, the film crew discovered the restaurant was only partially completed during production. They contributed to its completion in exchange for exclusive use of the location for the movie. Today, Piz Gloria remains a favorite destination for tourists and Bond enthusiasts alike.
First funifor cable car system in Switzerland
Alongside the steepest cable car, a new Funifor cable car system between Mürren and Birg was also inaugurated. The final leg of the route, running from Birg to Schilthorn, is expected to open in March 2025.
This marks the first time Switzerland has adopted this type of technology.
The Funifor system is notable for its exceptional wind resistance and independent tracks, ensuring reliability year-round. Each track can operate independently, meaning one can remain in service even during inspections or maintenance.
Designed for a capacity of 100 passengers per cabin, the system guarantees uninterrupted transport, a crucial feature during the busy winter ski season.
Once fully operational, the Schilthornbahn 20XX project will be completed by spring or summer of 2026.
As part of this upgrade, the top section of the old cableway between Birg and the Schilthorn has been closed since mid-October to allow construction to proceed.