Bad Dürkheim lift

The Bad Dürkheim lift was a mountain tramway in the Palatinate wine region that carried passengers across roughly 1,270 meters. The system had 43 small cabins supported by eight pillars and connected the city center with Teufelsstein in the Haardt Mountains.

The system was built in 1973 and first provided quick mountain access from the valley to the peak. Operations ended in 1981 when residents refused permission for the cabins to cross their properties.

The lift was a popular destination during the annual Wurstmarket wine festival, offering visitors quick access to the mountain summit. Today, only traces remain of its role as a tourist attraction in the region.

The site is best explored by first visiting the city center before walking to the former mountain station. The spot offers good viewpoints and is reachable on foot from downtown, though it takes roughly half an hour.

A fire in 2000 completely destroyed the mountain station and several cabins. The remaining support pillars were subsequently removed, with pieces serving as reminders of this unusual mountain tramway's history.

Location: Rhineland-Palatinate

Inception: 1973

GPS coordinates: 49.46940,8.16278

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:05