Are you tempted by perhaps the steepest funicular in Europe? Then you've come to the right place - it's a funicular in Switzerland.
A railway miracle in the canton of Bern – cable car in Switzerland – may deserve the title of 'steepest funicular in Europe'. Why? At first glance, the railway, intended for overcoming alpine climbs and overcoming altitude, is more reminiscent of an adrenaline miracle. The one at the amusement park. Gelmerbahn it is a real pinnacle of engineering that offers magnificent views of the beautiful surroundings. It is located in the canton of Bern.
The Gelmerbahn connects Handeck with the artificial lake Gelmersee. According to many, it is the steepest climb in Switzerland, as well as in Europe. It has a maximum gradient of 106 percent, which attracts a large number of adventurers. It is most popular among hikers who want to reach a height of around 1,800 meters in a few minutes and enjoy the unique beauty of Switzerland.
The funicular was originally built to help transport heavy materials and tools during the construction of the Gelmersee reservoir in the 1930s. It was only opened to the public in 2001. The steepest funicular in Europe operates from June to October. Only during the day. It accepts 24 people at once. It runs along a route 1,028 meters long, and climbs to a height of 448 meters. The journey from the bottom to the top usually takes 12 minutes.
It should be noted that the funicular, despite the steep terrain, is not extremely fast. Although incredible footage of the Gelmerbahn circulates on the Internet, as if it were some kind of death train, it only reaches a speed of approx. 2 m/s.
