MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Day trip to Stoos & world”s steepest funicular
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New technology is always fun to check out. Perhaps for the next time I am in that part of the country.
I also heard another world’s steepest funicular in gelmer, this is with open seat.
It seems there are two locations claiming so?
The Gelmerbahn was the steepest funicular in Switzerland and Europe, until the opening of the new Stoos Funicular in 2017. Ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gelmer_Funicular
Hej Xiuz,
The Gelmer Funicular was the world’s steepest funicular with a maximum gradient of 106% until December 15 of last year when the one at Stoss opened.The Stoss funicular has a maximum gradient of 110%. The Stoss Funicular is longer (1,740 metres) and has a greater rise in altitude (744metres) compared to the Gelmer Funicular with corresponding figures of 1028 metres and 448 metres. That having been said, I think it takes more bravehearted folks to take the Gelmer one as it is, as you have stated, all open seats. It was built before World War I but only open for use by the public since 2001 ! I will leave it to Lucas to give it a try !
By the way, I read in Wikipedia that there is something steeper in Australia, called the Katoomba Scenic Railway, but it is not a funicular, hence the Stoss Funicular’s claim to be the steepest funicular in the world holds, for now ! A funicular is when the section going up is counterbalanced by another one going down. The Katoomba folks can lay claim to the world’s steepest railway, wiht a maximum gradient of 122%. Perhaps Rockoyster has taken this ride ?
Snap ! That will teach me to take more time to do a post !
Hello Peterli,
In fact the Katoomba train, which I have not in fact experienced, claims 128%! See http://www.scenicworld.com.au /experience/scenic-railway/
On my train journey from Lugano to Zurich on 6th Oct 2018, if I stop at Schwyz station (any luggage storage available?) and take the bus to the Stoos funicular rides, estimate how many hours to spend in Stoos before taking train from Schwyz to Zurich?
Thank you.
Stoos is quite a small village but beautiful with a lot of hiking options. I went up and had lunch there and walked around for some pictures and then returned home. If you aren’t interested in any hikes, I’d say 1.5 hours or so plus travel time.
Travel time can be found here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/timetable
I believe the Gelmerbahn is now marketed as the world’s steepest open-top funicular. 😉
Hej Lucas,
With that adjustment to their claim, it sounds legitimate to me. When are you planning to do the Gelmerbahn ?
It is always hard to find the time! I was just in the Jungfrau region for a day (trip report today or tomorrow I hope!).
Its is the next place to visit on my list! and Neuchatel of course. 🙂
If you can wait until the last three days of September, that is when you should go to the Neuchâtel area !
Any idea of luggage storage available at Schwyz station? Thanks.
Hi May,
Yes there are lockers (4chf per 24 hours) and a left luggage office there. You can find links to Swiss railways various train stations and what they offer for services here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/practical/ luggage
Under “More on other websites”
Here is a 1m28s video I came across the other day that shows a Winter ascent of the new Stoos funicular. Zeitrafferfahrt mit der neuen Stoosbahn
Further to my post earlier today, here is an article from Swissinfo about the Stoss Funicular. It is only in French, German, and Italian, but has some interesting information and photographs, including a view down to the Vierwaldstättersee from the Fronalpstock (elevation 1922 metres) which is accessible by telecabin from Stoss. The top of the Stoss funicular is at 1330 metres , 744 metres higher than the base station down in the Muota Valley. It is only a short walk from the Stoos Funicular station to the telecabin station that takes people to the Fronalpstock. See attached map.
I also attach a photo looking down to the Vierwaldstättersee (Lac des Quatre Cantons, Lago dei Quattro Cantoni, Lake Lucerne) from the Fronalpstock. Anybody that takes the time to go to Stoos is missing an unforgettable view if he or she does not continue on to the Fronalpstock. I also attach a photo showing the spectacular view. Don’t miss it !
I believe it has already been mentioned, but I will add that one can also reach Stoss by gondola (luftseilbahn) from above Morschach (Talstation). You can get up there by car or bus from Morscach on the Schwyzerhöhestrasse.
Great photo. I was there in the winter and didn’t get a chance to go up to Fronalpstock. Next time!
One thing to mention; when I went there I got a pass for all the chair lifts as I went up the Stoos furnicular, over to the Klinginstock chair lift, walked the Stoos Ridge trail over to Fronalpstock (spelling probably wrong but you know what I mean) then the chair lift back down to Stoos from there where I took the cable to Morschach. The hard plastic card they gave me seemed substantial, and only after I returned to camp did I notice it had a 5chf deposit I wasn’t told about; I don’t know which lift you would return it at, assuming any of them? But I didn’t know so I lost my “deposit”.
Interesting. I haven’t heard of a plastic card like that before. Unfortunate that they weren’t clear that you return it for a deposit, but I might have made the same mistake never having never heard of that before!
Indeed, was there few days ago and the plastic access card required 5chf deposit which was duly refunded upon return to Stoosbahn. The lady at counter had the coin ready in hand as I came up to the counter. It’s a good system overall. at the time there was noone probably bec my descent was around 7pm; sharp contrast to the long queue in the morning (need to exchange SBB train ticket for the plastic card).
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