View From Switzerland's Steepest Gondola Is Enough to Make Palms Sweat
What do people travel to Switzerland for, if not to see the mountains? The small alpine country is home to famous mountains and gorgeous glaciers. No trip to Switzerland is complete without a gondola ride through the peaks of the Swiss Alps for some epic sightseeing.
That said, Switzerland's "steepest gondola", according to TikTok travel vlogger @_paradiseseeker_, is not for the faint of heart. She rode down the famed, dizzingly steep Gelmerbahn- and her video left our palms sweating!
Whoa! Hold on tight, especially if you're in the front seat- you're in for one steep ride on this baby!
Now, if you're thinking "Wait... this doesn't look like any gondola I've ever seen," that's because @_paradiseseeker_ was inaccurate in calling it a gondola. The Gelmerbahn is actually a funicular railway, another popular mode of transport for sightseeing in Switzerland. However, the Gelmerbahn is one of the steepest funiculars in the Europe, surpassed only by the newer Stoosbahn funicular in 2017. Unlike the Stoosbahn, though, the Gelmerbahn is an open air ride, making for a more intense experience for its passengers! With a 46° incline going down into the Haslital Valley, this ride is a pretty intense experience if you're afraid of heights-but the views are worth it!
Those who had ridden the Gelmerbahn before and could confirm the trip's intensity. "Yeah I sat in the back, barely made it down. I didn’t want to take it down after riding it up there," admitted @heck_fam12. We can only imagine!
As nail-biting as the sharp incline is, though, visitors love it nonetheless. "Going up in this was both the most scary and beautiful experience of my life. Btw the hike around the lake and down is an absolute must do !!" @lindaklaver0 reminisced. "I did that with eyes closed half the time both ways. But the view on top, wauw," shared @faritahdepalm.
Since this video contains time-lapse footage, it makes it seem like the funicular is moving faster than it really is, so don't worry- you won't have a Splash Mountain experience on this ride. Still, the vast, open-air views and the steep drop into the valley can feel overwhelming, and clearly the experience is a challenge for many visitors. If you can handle your heights, though, challenge yourself to one of the steepest funicular rides in the world, and experience some of Switzerland's most awe-inspiring views from the Gelmerbahn!
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