The World’s Steepest Cable Car Opens on James Bond’s Mountain
In an engineering feat as audacious as any Bond stunt, Switzerland has unveiled the world’s steepest cable car, a jaw-dropping marvel that scales the heights of the Bernese Oberland with the nonchalance of 007 himself.
Rising from the village of Stechelberg to the mountain retreat of Mürren, the new cableway—part of the ambitious Schilthornbahn 20XX project—tackles a staggering incline of 159.4%, ascending 775 meters in just four minutes.
And if you dare ride it, the two state-of-the-art cabins, each capable of carrying 85 passengers, dangle from 11-metre-long arms, expertly engineered to counteract the vertigo-inducing gradient.
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A Ride Like No Other
Operating with the smooth efficiency of a Swiss watch, the cable car is fully autonomous, guided by a network of cameras and sensors that ensure precision down to the last detail. When running at full capacity, it can whisk up to 800 people per hour towards one of Europe’s most spectacular viewpoints.
And what a view it is. The Schilthorn, or Piz Gloria as Bond aficionados will know it, is famous for its starring role in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). As the lair of Telly Savalas’ Blofeld, it remains a pilgrimage site for Bond fans, offering a heady mix of Alpine grandeur and cinematic history.
The World’s First Revolving Restaurant Returns
No visit would be complete without a stop at the legendary revolving restaurant perched at the summit. First opened in 1969 and celebrated as the world’s first of its kind, it has undergone a five-month refurbishment to coincide with the launch of the new cableway.
The panoramic eatery, which rotates 360 degrees to reveal the Swiss skyline of an endless procession of snow-capped peaks, is set to reopen alongside the transport upgrade.
Revolutionising Alpine Travel
The Schilthornbahn revamp is an £87 million upgrade, and began in 2023. It’s part of a wider plan to streamline access to this high-altitude haven. When complete in 2026, the new system will reduce the journey time from Stechelberg to the Schilthorn from a meandering 105 minutes to a swift and seamless hour.
At a time when Alpine tourism faces increasing competition, Switzerland is making a bold play for the future. By fusing cutting-edge transport technology with a deep respect for its cinematic legacy, the country is ensuring that the Schilthorn remains as thrilling today as it was when George Lazenby made his lone Bond outing.
