Kohlerer Bahn, Aerial tramway in Bolzano, Italy
The Kohlerer Bahn is an aerial tramway that rises from Bolzano's city center to an elevation of about 1100 meters on the surrounding plateau. The system uses a modern tricable design with two support cables and one haul rope, carrying up to 20 passengers per cabin on each journey.
Josef Staffler established this transportation system in 1908, creating the world's first passenger aerial tramway of its kind. The system was rebuilt in 1913 and became an important connection between the city and the settlements on the higher plateau.
The cable car connects the city to a high plateau where traditional South Tyrolean houses with steep roofs and wooden balconies are visible throughout the landscape. These buildings show how locals have adapted their construction style to life at higher elevations for generations.
The journey takes about 12 minutes with cabins departing every 4 minutes during peak hours. The starting point is centrally located in the city and easy to reach on foot, making it possible to reach the plateau without changing transportation.
The cable car belongs to a small group of tricable systems worldwide where one haul rope and two separate support ropes provide extra stability during storms and heavy snow. This technical feature makes it one of the most resilient aerial systems in the Alps.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
