Lärchwandschrägaufzug, Inclined elevator in Kaprun, Austria.
The Lärchwandschrägaufzug is an inclined elevator in Kaprun, Austria, linking the Kesselfall Alpenhaus at the valley floor with the mountain path toward the Mooserboden reservoir. The cabin travels up a steep rock face in a single run, carrying passengers and their gear in one enclosed vehicle.
A first system was put in place in 1941 to move workers and materials during the construction of the Kaprun hydroelectric dams. The current installation dates from 1952, when it replaced that earlier structure and gradually opened to the general public.
The name comes from the Lärchwand, a nearby rocky face associated with larch trees. Riding the lift gives a clear sense of crossing from the valley world into the high-alpine terrain around the Mooserboden reservoir.
The lift runs during the warmer months, roughly from June to October, when the paths above are open and safe to walk. Starting the day early is a good idea, as the last ride back down takes place in the afternoon and the time above can go quickly.
The cabin is considered one of the widest cable car vehicles in the world, with enough floor space to move around during the ride. That wide format was originally designed to carry heavy construction materials for the dam works, not passengers.
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