Penkenbahn, Gondola lift in Schwendau, Austria.

The Penkenbahn is a cable car in Schwendau that connects the valley to the mountain and provides access to several ski areas. The modern facility operates with continuous cabins moving passengers steadily between the lower and upper stations.

The first Penkenbahn opened on 7 July 1954 as a pendulum cable car. A 1972 rebuild added a transfer station and four-car operation, raising capacity from 350 to 650 people per hour. The old lift closed on 19 March 1995, and its two-cable circulating replacement was inaugurated on 20 January 1996. The current three-cable gondola opened on 19 December 2015.

Locals nicknamed the massive cabins and drive mechanism the "Penkentanker". In winter the only unprepared descent leads toward Schwendau and Hippach, so there is no run back to the valley station in Mayrhofen; skiers ride the Penkenbahn down again.

The cabins fill up quickly during ski season, especially at midday and on weekends. Going early in the day usually means shorter waits and a more comfortable ride.

During warmer months, mountain bikers and hikers use the cable car to access trails on the peak. The site is also known as a popular paragliding launch area with multiple takeoff points.