A groundbreaking feat of engineering has arrived in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps with the opening of the world’s steepest cable car.
Connecting the picturesque village of Stechelberg on the valley floor to the alpine village of Murren, this marvel boasts a staggering gradient of 159.4%.
The cable car covers an impressive vertical climb of 775 meters over a track length of nearly 1,194 metres in just four minutes.
Its two cars, each with space for up to 85 passengers, hang from an 11-metre-long arm designed to handle the extreme incline.
Fully autonomous, the system operates without onboard staff, relying on advanced cameras and sensors for constant monitoring and safety.
The cableway officially opened during a ceremony on Friday, December 13, with regular service beginning the following day.
This cable car is the first completed section of the ambitious “Schilthornbahn 20XX” project, which aims to transform access to the Schilthorn mountain.
The project will cost a whopping CHF 100 million (£88,958,920) to execute.
Once finished, the cableway will reduce the current travel time from Stechelberg to the Schilthorn from 32 minutes to just 18 minutes.
The project involves three interconnected sections: Stechelberg to Murren, Murren to Birg, and Birg to the Schilthorn.
While the Murren-to-Birg segment opened alongside the steepest section, the final stretch to the Schilthorn peak is expected to be operational by March 2025, with the entire project completed by summer 2026.
The Schilthorn is already a major draw for its ties to James Bond.
The mountain’s iconic Piz Gloria restaurant gained fame as the lair of villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Perched at the peak, the revolving restaurant offers panoramic views of over 200 alpine summits, including Mont Blanc on clear days.
Originally designed by Bernese architect Konrad Wolf, Piz Gloria is celebrated as the world’s first revolving restaurant.
Its completion was partially funded by the James Bond production team, who secured exclusive filming rights in exchange for helping finish its construction.
With its innovative design and breathtaking views, the new cable car sets the stage for a revitalised tourism experience in the region.
The final stretch of the cableway, currently under construction, will make the journey to the Schilthorn faster and more accessible than ever before, further cementing its status as a world-class destination.
As visitors flock to experience the world’s steepest cable car, the Bernese Alps once again prove why they remain at the pinnacle of adventure and innovation.
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