Gelmerbahn, Funicular railway in Bern, Switzerland
Gelmerbahn is a funicular railway in Canton Bern that runs from Handegg station to Lake Gelmer, rising 448 meters (1470 feet) through the mountains. The route follows steep rock walls, with the steepest section reaching a gradient of 106 percent.
The railway was built in 1926 for the construction and maintenance of a hydroelectric plant and served only industrial operations. In 2001 it opened to visitors, making the lake accessible to everyone.
The name comes from Lake Gelmer, a reservoir above the station that has been used for power generation for decades. Many hikers start their mountain tours here, following the narrow trails along the rock faces.
The railway operates from June to October during daylight and carries 24 passengers per car. Advance booking is necessary due to high demand, especially on weekends and during holiday months.
Unlike most funiculars that use two counterbalancing cars, only one car moves up and down on a fixed cable here. This design was necessary to handle the extreme gradient safely.
Location: Bern
Official opening: 1926
GPS coordinates: 46.61361,8.30861
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:40
Funiculars have transported passengers up mountains and hills in cities worldwide for over a century. This collection covers 25 installations across five continents, from the Como-Brunate railway in Lombardy to the Fløibanen in Bergen, Norway. Some handle substantial elevation changes, such as the Niesenbahn in Switzerland with 710 meters (2,329 feet) of vertical ascent, while others cover shorter distances through urban neighborhoods like the Bica funicular in Lisbon or the ascensores in Valparaiso. The systems range from heritage operations like the Great Orme Tramway in Wales, opened in 1902, to modern installations such as the Stanserhorn CabriO in Switzerland with its double-decker open-top design. Several serve primarily as tourist attractions, including the Peak Tram in Hong Kong and the Montmartre funicular in Paris, while others remain essential transport links for residents and visitors, such as the Wellington Cable Car in New Zealand and the Heidelberger Bergbahn in Germany. Each offers access to viewpoints, historic districts or mountain facilities that would otherwise require lengthy walks or drives.
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