Les Avants–Sonloup railway, Funicular railway in Les Avants, Switzerland
The Les Avants-Sonloup funicular connects the railway station at the base with Sonloup higher up the mountainside, climbing steeply through forest and open slopes. Two cable cars travel on the same track with a passing loop in the middle where they cross each other during operation.
This funicular was built in 1912 when mountain railways were becoming a common way to reach alpine destinations across the region. It played a key role in developing Les Avants as a mountain resort and ski area during the early years of alpine tourism.
The railway represents early 20th-century Swiss engineering achievements, connecting Les Avants, one of Switzerland's first ski resorts, to higher elevations.
The journey takes about six minutes with each car seating around 40 passengers on wooden benches inside. The lower station sits right next to the train station, making it easy to find and access without complicated navigation.
The cable cars running today are the original ones from 1912, featuring their Belle-Epoque design with wooden interiors and ornate metal fittings. Most visitors overlook the fact that these same vehicles have been making the climb for over a century without major replacements.
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