Calling all adrenaline junkies! The Gelmer Funicular located in the Haslital region of Switzerland is the 2nd steepest in Europe!
What It’s Really Like to Ride the Gelmer Funicular
The Gelmer Funicular starts off gradual but within minutes you find yourself seated not just perpendicular to the earth below you, but actually overhanging it at 106°! Going down is even more exciting.
I’m not afraid of heights and even I screeched out YIKES a couple of times!
The kids that were on it at the same time as I was also loved it. I loved it!
You know that feeling when you’re at the top of a rollercoaster just before it goes down? It’s like that. But on steroids. The track rise 448 m(1470 ft) and is 1028 m (3373 ft) long. If you love that feeling, then you’ll love the Gelmer Funicular.
If you’re afraid of heights or hate that sinking feeling in your stomach that something BIG is about to happen, this is not the adventure for you.
Related Reading: Tour du Mont Blanc: Hiking Tours
Check out this video that shows you what it’s really like:
History of the Gelmer Funicular
It was built in 1926. Not as an attraction for adventure tourists but to aid in the construction of Gelmer Lake. It’s a reservoir built for hydroelectric power. It wasn’t even open to the public until 2001. Now Gelmer Lake is a popular hike (see below). Gelmer Funicular is owned and operated by Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO), the owners of the power station.
Related Reading: Best Hikes in Europe: Your Ultimate Guide to Where and When to Go
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Hiking Around Gelmer Lake
Once you get to the tops with the Gelmer Funicular, you reach the beautiful Gelmer Lake. We walked around the lake which takes less than 2 hours. While it is relatively flat, there are a few sections in which you walk across a narrow cliff above the lake.
I love this kind of stuff, and it’s totally safe – there are cables, but you should be forewarned if that’s not your cup of tea.
Hiking Gelmer Lake Tip: If you’re afraid of heights to walk around the lake clockwise. You can get about half-way before reaching one of these spots. Then you can go back the same way.
If you go counter-clockwise you will encounter a tunnel and steep ledge within a few minutes (pictured below).
Related Reading: The Tour du Mont Blanc: How to Plan for this Epic Adventure.
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The Hike to Gelmer Hut
If you’re searching for a longer hike, go to Gelmer Hut. It’s a steep ascent that takes ~ 2 1/2 hours from the lake. We just hiked around the lake since we were short on time. But I have no doubt the views from would be well worth it. You’d get an eagle-eye view of all the surrounding glaciers.
The Haslital Region is not as well-known in Switzerland as other regions like the Jungfrau. However, don’t let that stop you from thinking that it’s any less spectacular. I truly enjoyed it. My only mistake was only spending a day there!
Related Reading: The Best Things to Do in Geneva When You Only Have a Day.
Where is the Gelmer Funicular?
If you’re driving, put the following address in your navigation system: 3864 Guttannen, Switzerland.
While it’s more convenient to reach it by car, the Handegg bus stop is located at the entrance.
Know Before You Ride the Gelmer Funicular and Hike Lake Gelmer:
- Return tickets are CHF 32 for adults.
- Tickets can be purchased on the spot or one day in advance at the Tourist Center Grimseltor in Innertkirchen.
- The funicular runs from June – October (check the site for exact dates).
- The funicular may be closed due to poor weather.
- While you’re there also walk over the Handeck Suspension Bridge for a beautiful view of a waterfall.
- The Hotel and Natur Resort Handeck is just a few minutes walk from the entrance and makes a convenient place to reach the Funicular. It’s great if you’re looking for a mountain escape with an alpine garden. It also has an outdoor heated pool.
- See other attractions in the area.
Where to Stay Close to the Gelmer Funicular
You can see hotels and vacation rentals that are close to the Gelmer Funicular in the map below:
If you love adventure, you’ll love a ride on the Gelmer Funicular. Are you brave enough?
Note: Thank you to the Haslital Region for making my visit possible. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
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You pictured Switzerland very well here, and that funicular experience sounds terrific!
I’m not exactly an adrenalin junkie, but I love funiculars — the steeper, the better. This ride would be so much fun and I’d love the hike, too. Beautiful scenery.
Switzerland is one my favorite countries in the world. Love the post.
@Laura – Mine too, just wish it wasn’t so expensive.
Wow, looks pretty high up in that first photo! All of it looks gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your trip!
Switzerland gets better and better with every post we read about, went there twice but couldn’t see enough. This place looks fab, goes on our list for next time
Thank you so much for this piece on the Gelmer Funicular! I love your blog, because I’m a 24-hour “luxury seeker” (a/k/a couch potato), and getting your pictures and reports about your hair-raising adventures means I don’t have to go to these fabulous places myself. No amount of money in the world would be enough to pay me to get on this funicular, for example, but I’m glad you did, because I would otherwise never have heard about this beautiful place. Keep traveling and reporting!
@Lorna – Thanks so much for your kind words and I love your definition of “luxury-seeker” 🙂