Kurwaldbahn, Funicular railway in Bad Ems, Germany
Kurwaldbahn is a funicular railway in Bad Ems that carries passengers up a steep slope on a short route. Two cars operate at the same time on a single track and pass each other at a crossing point midway along the route.
The funicular began operating in 1979 and replaced an older transport system that had fallen out of use. This new version offered a modern way to bring visitors back up the slope.
The funicular takes visitors to the Bismarckturm viewpoint, where people gather to look out over the Rhine valley landscape. On clear days, you can see why locals and tourists make the journey up to enjoy the view.
The journey takes just over a minute and each car holds about 25 people. The system runs every day, so visitors can usually board whenever they want during operating hours.
On its short route, the funicular conquers an extremely steep grade and ranks among the steepest railways in the region. This technical achievement allows it to carry passengers up quickly and safely.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
