Gubałówka Hill Funicular, Funicular railway in Zakopane, Poland
Gubałówka Hill Funicular is a cable railway in Zakopane that moves two enclosed cabins up a single rail track with a passing section. The system reaches a hilltop station around 1,120 meters (3,675 feet) in elevation and carries passengers from the town below.
The system was founded in 1938 by the Tourism Support League and built within about six months. It continued operating after World War II and received a major modernization with new cabins in 2001.
The funicular links Zakopane's town center to the mountain and serves both locals and visitors throughout the year for leisure and mountain access. It represents a traditional way residents connect with the surrounding peaks for outdoor activities.
The ride takes about 3 to 4 minutes, so you reach the top without spending much time in the cabin. Once there, you'll find walking paths, small cafes, and resting spots with views over the surrounding landscape.
The original cabins were not discarded after the 2001 upgrade but repurposed to build another funicular in a different region of Poland. This shows how mountain railways in the area share resources and history.
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