Thunersee–Beatenberg railway

The Thunersee-Beatenberg railway is a funicular in Canton Bern that climbs from the lakeshore near Beatenbucht up to the mountain village of Beatenberg, gaining over 550 meters in elevation. The line runs on a single track with a passing loop in the middle and uses two cable cars to transport passengers.

The railway opened in 1889 and initially used a water counterbalance system to keep the cars in balance. In 1911, it switched to electric power, which allowed for dependable year-round operation.

The two cable cars have names rooted in the region and carry visitors through a distinctive Alpine landscape. These historic vehicles shape the identity of a traditional Swiss mountain railway and make the journey part of the local heritage.

The journey takes between 6 and 10 minutes depending on speed, and each car holds about 90 passengers. The steep gradient and rack system ensure safe mountain travel, even in difficult weather conditions.

The line tackles an average gradient of nearly 35 percent and reaches even steeper sections where the incline reaches up to 40 percent. These extreme slopes make the rack system essential and give the ride a special character.