Diana Funicular, Funicular railway in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

The Diana Funicular is a ground cable railway with two cars on a single track with an Abt passing loop, running 453 m from Stará Louka station (389 m) near Grandhotel Pupp to Diana station (556 m). The track is partly at ground level, partly in a cutting and on an embankment, with a middle station at Jelení skok (473 m) exactly halfway, where both cars stop simultaneously.

The funicular opened in 1912 and was a technical achievement of that era, showing how spa resorts expanded their infrastructure during the early 20th century. It remains a relic from a time when such facilities became standard to provide guests access to nearby recreational areas.

The upper station shares its name with the Diana lookout tower and restaurant, finished on 27 May 1914, two years after the railway opened; before that the wooded hilltop held no buildings. The lower station, Stará Louka, was formerly called Hotel Pupp after the Grandhotel Pupp beside it.

The middle station, Jelení skok, sits exactly halfway along the line, so both cars stop there at the same time in the passing loop. The funicular runs year-round except in January, with departures about every 15 minutes. It has its own fare rather than the city transport tariff, though all-day public transport tickets are accepted.

The funicular was designed by a Swiss engineer and was one of the longest of its kind in the region when it opened. This Swiss technical expertise helped ensure the railway was built to function reliably for decades.