*In 2023, this hike is not possible because the Lauterbrunnen - Grütschalp cable car is under construction starting 2 Oct 2023.

Other hikes in this region grab all the attention while this gem keeps quiet, letting those in the know enjoy its charms. It has a tough climb at first but then it evens out and dips up and down as you make our way to Mürren. It takes a little fitness but is suitable for most casual hikers and families. If you have kids, they'll be happy to end at the fantastic Flower Park playground with views of the Jungfrau and Eiger.

This beautiful trail is a great choice for fall for many reasons. First, the cable cars that access the trail run basically year round, so you can keep hiking if the snow hasn't arrived yet. We did this on a sunny day in mid-October, when the air was crisp and sun low, making for dramatic shadows.

It's one of the more affordable mountain trails in the Jungfrau Region as the cable cars accessing this hike are lower priced and it's completely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

The mountain restaurants in this area usually close the second week of October, so best to pack a lunch just in case.

Renovations: The Schilthorn cable car is being replaced and will be closed from 14 Oct 2024 until mid March 2025. See current status.

The Schilthorn is a tall mountain peak above Mürren, with a spectacular viewpoint easily accessible by cable car. At the top, you can admire the three famous peaks - Jungfrau, Eiger, Monch - and countless other mountains as you wander the safely enclosed observation desk.

Since the James Bond movie, "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service," filmed some scenes here, there are a few Bond-related amusements at the top. On the "Walk of Fame," you walk around the actual peak, visiting info boards about the 007 actors. There's also a cinema showing scenes from the movie and "Spy World," an interactive exhibit with more Bond trivia

On your way back down the mountain, definitely stop at the Birg middle station to visit the Thrill Walk (steel walkway built into the rock face) and Skyline Walk, a large glass-floor viewing platform.

You can finish your day in the Mürren village below, with restaurants, hikes, alpine flower gardens, and huge playground with a view.

➡️ Get more info in my Schilthorn post.

How to get there

To reach the Schilthorn, you ride a cable car from the alpine village Mürren (see station on Google Maps). You can get to Mürren in a couple different ways.

If you are coming by car, we suggest driving to Stechelberg (see on Google Maps), where you can park next to the cable car station. From there you take cable cars to Mürren, then transfer to final cable car up to Schilthorn.

If you are coming by public transport, take a train to Lauterbrunnen. Then ride the Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp cable car (see on Google maps) up the mountain. Transfer to the Mürren BLM mountain train, which is a short beautiful ride to Mürren. Then a short walk through Mürren to the Schilthorn cable car station.

Cost

The cost of the cable cars depends on which ones you ride. If you are starting at Stechelberg in the valley, a round trip ticket costs about CHF 110/adult. Less expensive if you are already in Mürren.

Discounted with Berner Oberland Pass, Swiss Travel Pass, SBB GA and Half-fare. Not covered by Jungfrau Travel Pass.

• Book Schilthorn day trip from Zurich

When to visit

This cable car is open mostly year round, usually with a short maintenance break in late April.

In 2024-25, this cable car is being replaced and will be closed through mid March 2025. See current opening times.

Should you go?

We love the Schilthorn and our visitors always enjoy it. But since it’s a very expensive outing, we don't think it's a "must-do" for every traveler.

In general, we find the Schilthorn a good choice for those that want to enjoy the best views without much effort. This could be for people that don't like to hike, those with mobility issues, or families with very small children.

If the Schilthorn doesn't fit into your budget, no worries. The views in Mürren are also amazing and that's a much less expensive outing.

Note: You get a significant discount on this cable car ride if you have the Swiss Travel Pass, Bernese Oberland Pass, or SBB GA or Half-fare card. In this case, it's a much easier choice to visit the Schilthorn as part of your day.

Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch?

Schilthorn is about half the cost of Jungfraujoch, so it's a good alternative if tall mountain viewpoints are a priority. The Schilthorn area has more hiking options, so good if you want a full day exploring the mountain in different ways.

But if you want summer snow and close-up glacier views, the Jungfraujoch is your best bet.

The Northface Trail in Mürren, Switzerland is a relatively easy loop with stunning views of mountains like Mönch, Eiger, and Jungfrau as well as marvelous panoramas over the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

The hike takes around 2.5 hours, the trail begins and ends in the beautiful mountain village of Mürren. The suggested route starts or ends at the top of the Allmendhubel funicular train, which connects you with the Mürren village. See trail map.

However, this train only runs through 15 Oct 2023. After that time, you will need to hike between Mürren and Allmendhubel, instead of riding the funicular. See alternate trail map that skips the funicular.

The Allmendhubel Alpen Playground near Mürren in the Jungfrau region is an ideal destination for kids and families. This amazing playground features slides, swings, a flower theme path, and plenty of exciting activities to keep children entertained while adults relax and take in the stunning views of the area's iconic mountains: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.

To reach this playground, you can ride a funicular train up from the Mürren, which is open through 15 Oct 2023.

Gimmelwald is a unique mountain village located in the Bern region of Switzerland. This charming and peaceful destination is accessible only by cable car and is home to many quaint houses decorated with an array of flowers.

You can simply stroll around the village, but it's very small and that will only take a few minutes. If you don't mind a bit longer walk, we suggest walking between Mürren and Gimmelwald. The easiest route is on the road, which has very little traffic. It's a downhill walk, about 50 mins. See trail map.

We usually stop at the Gimmelwald Mountain Hostel for refreshments. On the way back, you can ride the cable car instead of walk.