Canton Of Bern Makes Contribution To The New Construction Of The Stechelberg – Murren Aerial Cableway

The government council has approved a contribution of CHF 18 million for the new construction of the Stechelberg - Mürren aerial cableway. The cable car to the Schilthorn dates back to the 1960s and has reached its capacity limit. A new cable car is now to be built on the Stechelberg – Mürren – Birg – Schilthorn route. The canton contributes to the costs for the Stechelberg – Mürren section. There is a new direct and faster connection there. The previous cable car between Stechelberg - Gimmelwald - Mürren will remain in operation for the connection from Gimmelwald. The canton's net expenditure is CHF 12 million, with the Bernese municipalities contributing CHF 6 million.

Running between Stechelberg and Mürren, the SCHILTHORN CABLEWAY 20XX project will culminate in the steepest aerial cableway in the world. Achieving a maximum gradient exceeding 159%, the new cable car system will transport up to 800 passengers per hour and can carry up to 2.5 tonnes of cargo as underload in regular operation.

The SCHILTHORN CABLEWAY 20XX project will oversee the construction and installation of the world's steepest and at the same time one of the most spectacular aerial cableways in a direct line between the valley station in Stechelberg and the village of Mürren. The cableway will overcome an altitude difference of 775 metres and achieve a maximum incline of 159.4%. Along the way it ascends above the Mürrenfluh cliff, a popular launch spot among base jumpers. Passengers travelling in the new cable car will have the opportunity to observe these daring leaps at close range. The journey will take 3 minutes and 54 seconds at a speed of 7 metres per second.

Efficient passenger and goods transport

Both cabins have a capacity of 85 passengers each. The transportation capacity is 800 persons per hour. The cableway will also be used to supply goods to Mürren – 2.5 tonnes of cargo can be carried as underload during regular operations. Special transports without passengers allow for a carrying capacity of 6.8 tonnes.

Global comparison

At present, the steepest cable car in the world is the Loen Skylift in Norway, which has a maximum gradient of 133%. The funicular with the steepest gradient is in Switzerland: the Stoos Funicular has a maximum gradient of 110%. Like the cableway systems in Loen and Stoos, the new aerial cableway between Stechelberg and Mürren is being built by the Garaventa/Doppelmayr Group, the world's leading manufacturer in surface and aerial ropeway construction.