Direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren is the steepest cable car in the world
World’s steepest cableway, connecting Stechelberg and Mürren in Switzerland, officially opened on December 14. The project marks the completion of the first major construction phase of the Schilthornbahn 20XX project. In addition to the Stechelberg-Mürren route, the first section of the cable car between Mürren and Birg also went into operation at the same time.
In a press statement, Switzerland Tourism states that the direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren is the steepest cable car in the world operating at a gradient of 159.4 pc. The classic aerial cableway connects the valley floor with the car-free mountain village in four minutes via the vertical walls of the Mürrenfluh and gains an altitude of 775 m while covering a distance of only 1194 m.
The statement adds that another striking feature of the project is the long suspension arm of 11 m, essential due to the extreme gradient. The cable route also features an AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation), aerial cableway with constant monitoring by cameras and sensors which enable autonomous operation without personnel inside the cable cars and stations. A fully automated loading robot takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of luggage and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container attached underneath the cable car.
The new direct connection was inaugurated in a ceremony on December 13 in the presence of 600 guests. The celebration was hosted by Monika Erb and took place in the new Stechelberg Valley Station. In addition to the official opening ceremony and rides on the new cable car, guests were able to take a guided tour of the buildings to get accustomed to the new Stechelberg and Mürren stations.
In addition to the Stechelberg-Mürren cable car, the first ever track of a Funifor cable car on the second section between Mürren and Birg also went into operation.
The statement adds that during winters, both the old and the new cableway will operate side by side on this section to guarantee the transport capacity during the ski operations. The opening of the second Funifor track is planned for November 2025.
The two tracks feature wind-resistant cable cars, mechanically independent of each other. Each car is designed to accommodate 100 people. For inspections, one carriageway will be shut down while the second will continue to operate. This enables operation throughout the year, making the maintenance breaks a thing of the past. During normal service, the two tracks are electrically coupled, enabling the cable cars to operate as a ‘classic’ pendulum aerial cableway.
In addition to the carriageways, the stations also boast a unique set of features. The cable car at the Stechelberg station does not exit the station at the front due to the steepness of the cable car, instead it exits and arrives through the roof. Another special feature is the visible cable car technology, which is modelled on the old Gimmelwald cable car station. Due to a lack of space and the steep angle, the guide wheels were placed outside the station on the roof in the 1960s. This character has now been transferred to the new stations.
The statement adds that operations on the top section between Birg and Schilthorn have been suspended since October. The first track of the new cable car, also a Funifor is scheduled to go into operation on March 15, 2025. The second track will follow in spring 2026, completing the project.
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