Gurtenbahn, Funicular railway in Wabern, Switzerland

Gurtenbahn is a funicular that connects Wabern station at the base with the Gurten summit by traveling a steep 1-kilometer track. The two cabins are constantly counterbalanced, with one ascending as the other descends along the same rails.

A first concession for a funicular on the Gurten was granted in 1885 but never realised. A second concession followed in 1893; Fritz Marti founded the Elektrische Gurtenbahn in 1898, and the line opened on 12 September 1899 after electrical power became available. The city of Bern bought the Gurten estate and a majority of shares in 1926, and the company was renamed Gurtenbahn Bern AG in 1927.

This funicular serves as the main way people reach the annual Gurten Festival on the mountain, where performances and celebrations draw large crowds. The four-day event brings visitors from across the region to enjoy music and entertainment at this height.

The funicular runs throughout the day with frequent departures that keep wait times short, making it easy to catch a ride whenever you want. You can buy tickets at machines at the stations or through public transport apps, giving you flexible payment options.

During World War II, American pilots who made emergency landings in Switzerland were transported up this funicular to a hotel at the top where they stayed temporarily. This surprising wartime use shows how the railway served purposes beyond its original design.