Treib–Seelisberg railway

The Treib-Seelisberg railway is a rack railway that climbs from the lakeside up into the mountains, rising approximately 330 meters in elevation. The track stretches just over one kilometer long and features a passing loop in the middle where the two cars can meet and pass each other.

The railway received approval in 1910 and construction began in 1914, with operations starting in 1916 and creating a long-needed link between the lake and mountain villages. From the start, the line was necessary to transport people and goods between locations that were otherwise difficult to reach.

The railway serves as a link between the lake shore and mountain communities, used by both locals and visitors to move between two very different environments. It represents a traditional Swiss way of connecting remote areas without roads, and people still depend on it for daily life.

The journey takes about six to eight minutes and the railway can transport hundreds of people per hour in each direction. Visitors should expect thick fog or rain, especially in winter months, which can affect visibility during the ride.

The steepest section of the railway reaches a gradient of about 38 percent, which means it winds upward almost as steeply as stairs. This extreme slope allows the line to quickly leave the lake behind and rapidly transport passengers into a completely different landscape.