Montaña Suiza, Steel roller coaster at Monte Igueldo Amusement Park in San Sebastián, Spain
Montaña Suiza is a steel roller coaster with wooden cars running on steel rails embedded in concrete troughs at Monte Igueldo Amusement Park. The 400-meter track reaches speeds of around 50 kilometers per hour, with two trains carrying up to ten passengers each.
German engineer Erich Heidrich designed and built this roller coaster in 1928, making it the world's oldest continuously operating steel coaster. It has functioned as a centerpiece of the park for nearly a century without stopping.
The name blends Spanish and Basque, with Montaña Suiza meaning Swiss Mountain and Mendiko Trena in Basque. Local people use both names when talking about this ride, reflecting the region's bilingual character.
The ride operates two trains carrying around 20 passengers total, with an onboard brakeman managing speed during the journey. Plan time to walk up to the park entrance and remember that while the ride itself is brief, the views from the height make it worthwhile.
The ride dips through an underground tunnel and crosses stone viaducts positioned 180 meters above the Bay of Biscay. This height allows glimpses of the coastline and sea throughout the journey, creating a unique perspective few other coasters offer.
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