Cable railways, secret tip
Select your Region:
Adelboden (Bernese Oberland)
Those are views! The Adelboden - Sillerenbühl cable railway gives you an all round view of the mountain and valley world from the 1974-metre high mountaintop.
Andermatt (Central Switzerland)
In Andermatt it goes up everywhere - up to the Gotthard Pass, the Oberalp, to Nätschen and on the Gütsch and of course, to the Gemsstock.
Bad Ragaz (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
From mountain train to mountain train, from lake to lake - the Five-Lakes-Hike on Mt Pizol is a classic and is considered one of Switzerland's most beautiful high Alpine tours. Pizol means high peak in Romansh but these days there is luckily a modern aerial cable car that brings one up to the 2227-meter-high summit.
Bettmeralp (Valais)
The first gondola train to the Bettmerhorn, built in 1975, has transported in its 20 years of operation over eight million guests. With the opening of its new 8-seater gondola train in 1996, the resort of Bettmeralp has set new standards – after all, the train is considered the most modern of its kind.
Brienz (Bernese Oberland)
Ever since 1892, the summer months in Brienz have witnessed a hissing, huffing and puffing that are nonetheless pleasing to the ear, eye and nose.
Brigels/Breil (Graubünden)
The leisurely journey over the enormous meadow slope with scattered hay huts and cowsheds, in the holiday oasis of Brigels Waltensburg Andiast is rewarding.
Bürgenstock (Central Switzerland)
It created an absolute sensation when the hotel and railroad pioneer Franz-Josef Bucher-Durrer built the Hammetschwand lift at the Bürgenberg in 1905.
Crans-Montana (Valais)
The massive glacier covering parts of the Wildstrubel chain of mountains measures about 10 square kilometers and is misnamed "Plaine Morte", which literally means "dead plain". At 3,000 metres above sea level, it may be reached from Montana by cable car.
Davos (Graubünden)
Whether a visitor may be a skier, a literature fan, a mountaineer or a scientist, the Parsenn Mountain Train, opened in 1931, will be of great help to explore the wonderful Weissfluh-Joch.
Engelberg (Central Switzerland)
During the 5-minute ride from the intermediate station of Stand up to Klein Titilis, the gondola revolves 360° around its axis.
Erlenbach (Bernese Oberland)
The cable railway climbs from the Simmental onto the 2190-metre solitary Stockhorn. On the way you can see two picturesque mountain lakes (with trout) and an unspoiled alpine landscape.
Feldis/Veulden (Graubünden)
Feldis, a small paradise waiting to be discovered. Even the 10-minutes of floating high above the Rheinauen is a vacation experience in itself.
Fiesch (Valais)
You will reach the summit of the Eggishorn at 2926 metres above sea level, still completely overwhelmed by the splendid journey over the Fiescheralp.
Gornergrat (Valais)
The perfect excursion (3,089 m): Impressive and majestic, standing out against the sky, the Matterhorn – a national symbol – steals the show from the other 37 four-thousand-metre mountains visible from here.
Grindelwald / Lauterbrunnen (Bernese Oberland)
The Jungfrau Train has been bringing tourists to the Jungfraujoch since 1912. The ride is unforgettable and the panorama, once on top, absolutely spectacular.
Le Châtelard (Valais)
The historic 1920s funicular railway is the steepest in the world to have two cabins, with a gradient of 87%, the Decauville panoramic train (with a 60 cm gauge) offers superb views of the area, and the "Minifunic" (the mini funicular railway) takes you straight up towards the sky.
Lenzerheide (Graubünden)
Without exagerating one can say that 1000 peaks are visible from the Parpan Rothorn. Mountain peaks jut out everywhere.
Les Diablerets (Lake Geneva Region)
A cable car journey from the Col du Pillon to the glacier at Les Diablerets in just 20 minutes! There is an impressive view of the most famous alpine peaks, from the Jungfrau to the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
Leysin (Lake Geneva Region)
Does the world turn there, or just the restaurant? You will ascend, by the Télé Leysin funicular car, effortlessly up into a fantastic world without a single beating of the wings and yet like a proud bird.
Locarno (Ticino)
The aerial cable-car running from Orselina above Locarno to the Cardada Mountain was designed by Mario Botta. It links places of contrasting ambience and reveals the landscape in very specific contexts. Mt. Cardada opens up a fantastic vista of Lago Maggiore.
Lucerne (Central Switzerland)
Close to Lucerne, and easily reached by public transport, Mount Pilatus (2132m) has remained a much-loved destination for young and old alike. 2 cable cars, 2 hotels, 7 restaurants, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world and the largest rope park in Central Switzerland promise a day out to remember!
Lugano (Ticino)
A cable car from Cassarate climbs to the peak. A unique opportunity to see not only the magnificent vista extending far across the Swiss-Italian border, but also the view over Lugano and its vicinity.
Lungern (Central Switzerland)
There is a village surrounded by mountains, lakes, wild mountain streams and ice-capped peaks. Lungeren, the picturesque vacation resort (700m), is the starting point of the cableway ride to the Schönbüel mountain.
Malans (Graubünden)
The Aelpli cableway - here's a tip: ideal on the one hand for hikers, to whom it makes a beautiful hiking region accessible, but also for people who know how to enjoy life and value the outstanding views and hospitable service of the mountain restaurant.
Montreux (Lake Geneva Region)
In less than an hour, the cog-wheel funicular railway transports visitors from the sophisticated tourist town of Montreux to the mountain-top region of Rochers-de-Naye.
Mürren (Bernese Oberland)
7000 meters of aerial cables connect the valley station of the Schilthorn Cable Car to the mountain station 2103 meters higher up.
Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel / Jura / Bernese Jura)
This unique funicular mountain railway carries you up Mount Chaumont, inviting you to explore the Jura landscape. It is an impressive 15-minute ride up to an altitude of more than a thousand metres, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Three Lakes area.
Niesen (Bernese Oberland)
Mount Niesen is in the Guiness Book of records not because of its perfect pyramid shape but rather because of the 11'674 steps that make up the world's longest staircase. The stairs are located right next to the funicular that goes to the summit of this 2336-meter-high mountain.
Pontresina (Graubünden)
A visit to the Diavolezza transports one to a majestic mountain world, impressive through its size and beauty.
Pontresina (Graubünden)
Box seats with a spectacular view are available on the Muottas Muragl, a mere 10-minute ride by funicular from the lower parts of the Engadine Valley. Painters and poets admired this scenic beauty early on.
Ritom / Piora (Ticino)
With a maximum gradient of 878 promille it is one of the steepest trains in the world.
Rivera (Ticino)
The Foppa Alp below Monte Tamaro, a starting point for many mountain hiking tours, exercises a great attraction: Here, at 1,530 meters above sea level, Mario Botta built the church Santa Maria degli Angeli at the request of the Mountain Trains.
Saas-Grund (Valais)
The railway takes you up from the bottom station to Kreuzboden, where many lovely paths begin, a mountain trout lake competes with the blue of the sky and the children enjoy the Hohsi-Land playground.
Samnaun (Graubünden)
Cross the border in style, namely in a double-decker aerial cable-car that connects Samnaun to Tridat/Ischgl (Austria).
Schwägalp (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
Just like a unpenetrable fortress the Alpsteinmassiv juts out high above the undulating hills of the Appenzell: its highest point is 2502-meter-high Mount Säntis. The ride in the gondola is breath-taking: take in Lake Constance, the Vorarlberg, the Graubünden, Glarus and Bernese Alps. On a clear day one can even see the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest.
Stans (Central Switzerland)
The 1890-meter-high Stanserhorn will fascinate lovers of different modes of transportation. The lower funicular dates back to 1893.
Wiler (Valais)
The Lötschental has for a long time been the end of the world and so has remained wonderfully unspoiled. A mountain climbers' Eldorado opens up from the Lauchernalp onwards.
Reigoldswil (Basel Region)
Travel to the top in the newly renovated and ultra-modern gondolas and round off your day out with an exciting scooter ride back down to the valley.
Geneva (Geneva (Region))
A rewarding excursion destination is Mont Salève, which is situated in neighbouring France.
Adelboden (Bernese Oberland)
The aerial cableway runs 600 meters up – past steep rock faces. From the gondola you will enjoy a spectacular vista onto the Engstligen Falls and a view over the entire Engstligen Valley in the direction of Frutigen.
Adliswil (Zurich (Region))
Besides the well-known train to the Üetliberg, the aerial cableway Adliswil - Felsenegg, south of Zürich, constitutes an additional link to the Albis chain and therefore to Zürich’s very own mountain.
Arosa (Graubünden)
The Weisshorn is at 2,653 meters Arosa’s tallest mountain. A cable car takes you from the village via the 2,013-meter mid-station to the attractive viewing point on the summit.
Arth-Goldau / Vitznau (Central Switzerland)
The Rigi trains can look back on an interesting history, which has already filled thick volumes. Niklaus Riggenbach, the inventor of the cogwheel train performed pioneering work. The train from Vitznau overcomes on a stretch of 6975 meters an elevation gain of 1313 meters. The train from Arth-Goldau conquers a height difference of 1234 meters on the 8551-meter ride.
Beatenberg (Bernese Oberland)
Take the Lake Thun ship from Beatenbucht to Beatenberg and then further on to the Niederhorn. In about 30 minutes by train you will reach a wonderful vantage point facing the Bernese Oberland’s triumvirate of mountains.
Berne (Schweizer Mittelland)
The cableway Marzili - Stadt Bern, called Marzilibahn for short, is a funicular train that links the Marzili quarter with the Old Town, Bern’s heart, which is found at a higher elevation.
Berne (Schweizer Mittelland)
The road to Mount Gurten is barred to private cars. Bern’s very own mountain can be reached easily by the Gurten Train. From the 864-meter vantage point you can enjoy the view over the countryside and Bern, Switzerland’s capital city.
Blatten (Valais)
On its 1,767-meter route the cable car Blatten - Belalp climbs 763 meters and takes you to an area from where the entire Aletsch region can be seen.
Brienz (Bernese Oberland)
Although the funicular train has experienced many technical innovations and modernizations, it still radiates as much nostalgia and romance as 127 years ago.
Brülisau (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
The Hoher Kasten has been accessible via an aerial cable car since 1964. In a few minutes one glides from Brülisau to the peak at 1,795 meters, famous for its panoramic view. The ride alone offers a fascinating view of the hills of Appenzellerland and the majestic Alpstein. From 2008 onwards you will be able to admire the panorama also from the new revolving restaurant.
Buttes (Neuchâtel / Jura / Bernese Jura)
The vacation and adventure region La Robella near Buttes in the Neuenburg Jura has its own train connection. The trains from the Neuenburg Train Station run hourly through the Val de Travers and end in the dreamy resort.
Capolago (Ticino)
The cogwheel train of Ferrovia Monte Generoso links the village of Capolago, located 274 meters above sea level on Lake Lugano, with the peak of the 1,704-meter Monte Generoso via a 40-minute ride through untouched nature. A lovely panoramic view over lakes and mountains awaits you here.
Champéry (Valais)
In 1939, the first cable car between Champéry and Planachaux was built by "Téléphérique Champéry-Planachaux AG", and it was not replaced until 1987 by a new construction.
Charmey (Fribourg Region)
The "Rapido Sky" cable car takes visitors from Charmey to Vounetz, the starting point of many tours. In less than ten minutes you will reach the 1,617-meter mountain station in the Dents Vertes region.
Château-d'Oex (Lake Geneva Region)
From Dorf Château-d'Oex (Château-d'Oex Village) the aerial cable car glides over the Saane Valley. A chair lift then takes you to the foot of Rochers du Midi. The gentle landscape of Pays d'Enhaut as well as attractive packages make La Braye a family-friendly excursion destination.
Davos (Graubünden)
The Schatzalp is the place for those who need peace and quiet, who love nature or want to experience history. The historic hotel and the Alpine countryside leave a dual imprint. The funicular railroad still opens up the area.
Flims (Graubünden)
The Cassons Ridge is easily reached from Flims by cable car. You can get to Alp Nauruas by cable car via the Foppe Mid-Station. From here a small aerial cable car takes you up the mountain.
Flüelen (Central Switzerland)
When the weather report predicts “Mist in the valley”, one best escapes the greyness on the sun-drenched terrace of Eggberge.
Flumserberg (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
High above Lake Walen, facing the prominent Churfirsten, a geologically interesting mountain chain, you will find Flumserberg, the vacation destination. You can reach the Maschgen Ridge, a fabulous vantage point, by gondola train.
Fribourg (Fribourg Region)
Everyone in Freiburg knows the "Funiculaire" one of the city’s landmarks. The funicular was inaugurated in 1899 and links the city center with the Unterstadt section.
Gonten (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
The Kronberg (1663m) is the family mountain in Appenzellerland, offering many attractions both in the summer and the winter. The valley station of the aerial cableway is next to the Jakobsbad Train Station, high up in the Gonton valley.
Grächen (Valais)
Since 1984 the Seetalhorn has been accessible via a 6-seater gondola train, which brought a tourist boom to the village of Grächen. The train climbs a stately 1,220 meters over a distance of 2,806 meters. Another cable car runs from Grächen to the Hannigalp.
Grindelwald (Bernese Oberland)
There are few places in the Alps where the glaciers reach so deeply into the valley as in Grindelwald. The best view is obtained at the vantage point on the First (2167m), which is reached on a fun-filled gondola ride.
Gstaad (Bernese Oberland)
The Wispile gondola train takes you to an elevation of 1911 meters. In summer the gondola ride takes you to a meteorological trail, a petting zoo, a tree adventure park, a Trottinett ride, hikes to Lake Lauen or to Gsteig, paragliding, a “Fairytale Uncle”, a cheese trail including a visit to a dairy farm and a Silentium Place where you can reflect in silence.
Guttannen / Handegg (Bernese Oberland)
The Gelmerbahn, with a gradient of 106%, is the world’s steepest funicular train. It leads to Lake Gelmer (Gelmersee) located at 1850 meters in the midst of a magnificent world of granite. Lake Gelmer beckons you to tarry awhile before you embark on one of the many hiking and trekking tours starting from here.
Interlaken (Bernese Oberland)
Already in Interlaken you get a magnificent view of the famous mountain trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. But the high Alpine, glaciated world of four-thousand-meter peaks can be surveyed and admired even better atop the 1322-meter Mount Harder.
Klosters (Graubünden)
The Madrisa Train operators call the mountain station “Entrance to the Alpine Park Landscape”. And they are quite justified in doing so, for there are innumerable natural and cultural phenomena in a tiny space at the border between Graubünden and Vorarlberg.
Lausanne (Lake Geneva Region)
Lausanne boasts the world’s smallest automatic Metro. The new 6-kilometer line connects the pier of Ouchy via the Lausanne Train Station and the Old Town with the Croisette district. Approximately one half of the route is underground.
Le Moléson (Fribourg Region)
The higher, the better! You will reach the peak of the Moleson by funicular up to Plan-Francey and then by cable car. While you glide up the northeast face, the horizon recedes ever more into the distance and a thousand sights come into view.
Leukerbad (Valais)
The Gemmi Train climbs the steep Gemmi face to the wonderful mountain world of the Gemmi Region, which is famous for its rich traditions. The Gemmi Train was built in 1957 and has since then transported many a guest to an elevation of 2,350 meters.
Leukerbad (Valais)
The cable cars glide on a steep ascent from the Thermal Spa Resort of Leukerbad to the peak of the Gemmi (separate side) and the Torrent Alp (2300m) The Torrent Train was inaugurated in 1971.
Lugano (Ticino)
From Paradiso, a suburb of Lugano, a funicular takes you to San Salvatore. From the mountain station you can reach the peak with its viewing tower in a 10- to 15-minute walk. This is one of the region’s most beautiful vantage points.
Malbun (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
Come to Liechtenstein’s lofty heights. The 4-seater Sareis chair lift whisks you to the 2000-meter Sareiserjoch, which is topped by a mountain restaurant and is an ideal starting point for myriad hiking tours in the mountains of Liechtenstein.
Meiringen (Bernese Oberland)
In the summer of 1998, a state-of-the-art gondola replaced the 2-seater chairlift Mägisalp – Planplatten, which dates back to Gründerzeit at the end of the 19th century. A year later the construction began on the panoramic restaurant Alpen Tower.
Meiringen (Bernese Oberland)
The nostalgic funicular takes you to the imposing Reichenbach Falls. Three viewing terraces offer a breathtaking view of the 120-meter-high gushing waterfall.
Miglieglia (Ticino)
From Miglieglia the modern cable car reaches the peak of Monte Lema in only 10 minutes. From the terrace of the mountain restaurant you will enjoy a splendid view.
Nendaz (Valais)
On December 20, 1958 the gondola train Nendaz-Tracout was inaugurated in the presence of the press, numerous guests and the local population. The new installation was celebrated in a grand way and many photographs were taken. The Canton of Valais had gained another resort village.
Rougemont (Lake Geneva Region)
The 4-seat gondola train, Rougemont-Videmanette with a capacity of 600 per hour, starts its 2,8-kilometer ride from the valley and reaches an elevation of 2151 meters.
Saas Fee (Valais)
If one did not have before one’s mind’s eye the dazzling mountain world and the glittering glacier next to the entrance to the Alpine Metro, one would forget that the tunnel walls rushing by at a speed of ten meters per second are part of the High Alps.
San Carlo (Ticino)
As the cable car rides from San Carlo to Robièi (9999m) climbs to lofty heights, the mighty Basodino Glacier gradually comes into view, a glittering white peak against the backdrop of a granite and gneiss landscape.
Sattel (Central Switzerland)
The ride on the Sattel-Hochstuckli chairlift has always been a wonderful experience. It is even more so today with the new revolving gondola "Stuckli Rondo". The 8-seater gondola train with revolving cabins built in Sattel-Hochstuckli is a worldwide first.
Schönried (Bernese Oberland)
The Rellerli is a mountain for pleasure seekers. If you are a sun-worshipper and want to enjoy the incomparable view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau up to Diablerets-Stock in the absence of masses of visitors, you are in your element here.
Silvaplana (Graubünden)
The aerial cable car from Surlej-Silvaplana to the Corvatsch tempts the rider towards superlatives. Together, both sections convey the guest from 1,877 to 3,305 meters; the deep blue sky of the Engadine seems close enough to touch. The view down to Lake Sils and to Piz Bernina with the Bianco Ridge is incomparable.
Solothurn (Schweizer Mittelland)
A ride on the nostalgic chairlift is the ideal ascent: in barely fifteen minutes one reaches Solothurn’s local mountain (1280m) comfortably.
St-Luc (Valais)
A modern cable car takes you from the sunny little resort of St. Luc to the Tignousa Alp at 2,186 meters. Here you will already have a breathtaking view of the 4000-meter Valaisian peaks. At the farthest corner of the Val d'Anniviers you can even get a glimpse of the Matterhorn.
St. Moritz (Graubünden)
High above St. Moritz where the Säntis cable car ends - at almost 2,500 meters above sea level - is the starting point of the cable car going up to the Piz Nair.
Stoos (Central Switzerland)
A short walk, which is a pleasure in this car-free vacation destination, takes you to the valley station of the Stoos-Fronalpstock aerial cableway. Next to the Hotel Schwyzer Bärghus you will see the small station building of the gondola train. The 560-meter height is conquered in a jiffy.
Unterterzen (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
Flumserberg is Eastern Switzerland’s largest winter sports destination. It offers many invigorating options even in the summer! There are 45 kilometers of marked Nordic Walking trails, bike trails and various events guaranteeing a refreshing vacation and diversions in the summer season.
Unterwasser (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
Since 1934, the Iltios has been easily accessed via Unterwasser by funicular railroad. Today this place is a mid-station and the starting point of an 8-minute ride by aerial cableway up the Chäserrugg.
Uri (Central Switzerland)
The Canton of Uri boasts about forty cableways, which transport locals and guests into the mountains. Many of these cableways are themselves an adventure and a climax to the excursion.
Verbier/Haute-Nendaz (Valais)
Whether you ride up from Haute-Nendaz or from Verbier to the Mont-Fort area, the last stage to the peak unites riders from both ascents in a small gondola on their way up via the Glacier de Tortin to the Mont Fort summit.
Vercorin (Valais)
The picturesque holiday village of Vercorin is found at the farthest edge of the Val d'Anniviers, on a piece of land jutting out over the Rhone Valley. From the edge of the village a gondola has been running up the Crêt du Midi, the closest peak between Val d'Anniviers and Vallon de Réchy, since 1973.
Vevey (Lake Geneva Region)
Passing through vineyards, orchards and forests, the funicular railway is the most comfortable means of reaching Mont-Pèlerin for an excursion. Vevey is situated on the railway route from Geneva/Lausanne into the Valais. The valley station of the Pèlerin funicular can be reached in 15 minutes on foot from Vevey train station.
Villars-sur-Ollon (Lake Geneva Region)
The Red Train from Bex to Villars-sur-Ollon and on to the Col de Bretaye has been in operation for over 100 years. In summer and in winter the offerings are enhanced by the gondola train from Villars/Chésières zum Roc d'Orsay and by the one running between Barboleuse and Les Chaux. The hill tract between the Vaudoise Rhone Valley and Les Diablerets is known for its diverse hiking trails, panoramic views and its mountain restaurants.
Weissbad (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
Since 1955 there has been an aerial cableway connecting Wasserauen (868m) and Ebenalp (1644m), which draws annually up to 200,000 visitors. On the high plateau the mountain station of the cableway is the starting point for magnificent, restorative hiking tours into the Alpstein region.
Wengen (Bernese Oberland)
The valley station of the cable car is only a few steps from the center of Wengen. The spectacular ride climbs over 1000 meters to the 2230-meter Männlichen. The Männlichen also can be reached from Grindelwald Grund by Europe’s gondola train.
Wilderswil (Bernese Oberland)
On a seven-kilometer long ride, the Schynige Platte Train takes guests from Wilderswil in many loops and turns along ribbons of rocks high up to the mountain station at 1967 meters.
Zermatt (Valais)
The 3,103-meter mountain can be reached with three modern mountain trains. From Zermatt to Sunnegga and via the Alp Blauherd one can quickly reach the Rothorn and enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view.
Zermatt (Valais)
The Klein Matterhorn is Europe’s highest viewing platform. No cable car takes tourists to a higher point. The view is breathtaking - you will be transported to a different and cold but much clearer world.
Zürich (Zurich (Region))
The Polybahn in the middle of the City of Zürich is more than a piece of nostalgia. Ultramodern technology in nostalgic garb guarantees safe operation while preserving a living testimony to Zürich’s pioneering achievements in the late 19th century.
Zürich (Zurich (Region))
The Skymetro (Automated People Mover, APM) is a subterranean air cushion cableway for passengers at Zürich Airport. It was built in the framework of the Fifth Building Stage and is Switzerland’s most frequented cableway.
Zweisimmen (Bernese Oberland)
Since 1957 a gondola train has whisked visitors to the 2008-meter Rinderberg, the peak in the triangle between Lenk - Zweisimmen and Saanenmöser. Until 1978, this 5-kilometer gondola train route was Europe’s longest.
