Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2, Mountain funicular in Kaprun, Austria.
The Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 was a cable funicular in the Austrian Alps that climbed 3900 meters from the valley base to the Alpine Center at 2446 meters elevation. The route featured a 400-meter viaduct and a 3500-meter tunnel, with each ascent taking roughly seven minutes.
The funicular opened on March 23, 1974, and served skiers and tourists for over two decades. A fire broke out in the tunnel on November 11, 2000, which led to the permanent closure of the system.
For decades, this funicular opened access to a major ski region and shaped Kaprun's identity as a winter sports destination. It connected the valley to the slopes above and drew visitors from across Europe seeking mountain recreation.
The journey upward was straightforward, with cabins designed to carry large groups on regular intervals. Visitors could use the roughly seven-minute ride to adjust to the altitude before reaching the ski slopes.
The system operated with two synchronized cabins that moved in opposite directions, each carrying approximately 180 passengers. This counterbalance design was an efficient engineering solution for the steep alpine terrain.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
