The Gelmerbahn in Guttannen, Switzerland, is not a normal mountain railway.
With a maximum gradient of 106%, the funicular climbs dramatically from Handegg towards Gelmersee in the Bernese Alps. And when you are actually sitting inside it, you really do feel how steep it is.
We rode the Gelmerbahn ourselves, and the part that stood out most was sitting in the front row. My wife and our kids were sitting at the front, giving them an incredible view of the track climbing into the mountains. It also made the ride feel a little scary.
There is a safety bar in front of you, but when you look down the steep track from the front seat, you get that strange feeling that you could slide forward out of your seat. Of course, you're secured, but the combination of the steep incline, the open design and the view makes the experience feel much more dramatic than you might expect.
And that is exactly why the Gelmerbahn is such a memorable experience.
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| The distinctive red Gelmerbahn funicular in the Swiss Alps near Guttannen. |
What is the Gelmerbahn?
The Gelmerbahn is a historic funicular railway near Guttannen in the Bernese Oberland, taking visitors from Handegg up to Gelmersee.
The railway was originally built in 1926 to help with the construction of the Gelmer dam. It was later opened to tourists, giving visitors the chance to experience the incredibly steep climb for themselves.
The railway covers a track length of approximately 1,028 metres and climbs from around 1,412 metres to 1,860 metres above sea level.
The journey takes roughly 10 minutes. But the numbers don't really explain what the ride feels like. You have to experience the climb yourself to understand just how steep the Gelmerbahn is.
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| Looking down into the valley as the Gelmerbahn climbs towards Gelmersee. |
How Steep Is the Gelmerbahn?
This is the feature that makes the Gelmerbahn famous.
Its maximum gradient is 106%, meaning the vertical rise can actually exceed the horizontal distance. It is one of the steepest funicular railways in the world.
The Stoosbahn in Switzerland, which opened in its current form in 2017, reaches a maximum gradient of 110%, making it steeper.
But that doesn't make the Gelmerbahn feel any less extreme.
When the railway starts climbing, the track appears to disappear almost directly upwards in front of you. From the front row, the sensation is particularly strong because you can see the steep section of track immediately below you.
What Does the Gelmerbahn Ride Feel Like?
This was probably the most memorable part of our visit.
My wife and our kids sat in the front row. From there, you get an almost uninterrupted view of the mountains and the track below.
At first it is exciting. Then the Gelmerbahn gets steeper.
The front of the carriage seems to point upwards, and when you look back down the track, the drop looks surprisingly dramatic. There is a safety bar in front of the seats, but the open design means you don't get the enclosed feeling of a normal train.
It isn't dangerous, but it can feel a little scary, especially from the front.
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| The view from the front row really shows just how steep the Gelmerbahn climb feels. |
You know you're safely inside the carriage, yet your brain still gives you that strange sensation that you could somehow slide forward out of your seat.
Our kids enjoyed it, though, and the unusual feeling is part of what makes the Gelmerbahn different from other mountain railways.
If you enjoy heights and unusual experiences, the front row is definitely the place to be.
If you are travelling with young children or simply don't enjoy steep drops, sitting further back may feel more comfortable.
The View From the Gelmerbahn
The ride isn't just about the gradient.
As the Gelmerbahn climbs, the scenery becomes increasingly impressive. The railway rises through the rugged landscape of the Grimsel region, with rocky mountains, forests and Alpine scenery surrounding the track.
Looking down gives you a completely different perspective on the landscape. And looking ahead from the front gives you the feeling that you are climbing directly into the mountains.
This is one of those rides where it is worth putting your camera away for a moment and simply looking around.
Gelmersee: What Awaits at the Top?
The reward for the steep journey is Gelmersee, a beautiful turquoise mountain lake surrounded by rugged Alpine peaks.
The lake sits at around 1,850 metres above sea level, creating a spectacular destination at the top of the railway.
Once you arrive, the atmosphere changes completely. The excitement of the funicular ride is replaced by the peaceful surroundings of the lake.
You can walk around Gelmersee, enjoy the mountain scenery, take photographs or simply find somewhere to sit and enjoy the view.
There is a hiking trail around the lake, although conditions can vary depending on the season.
The combination of the steep railway journey and the peaceful lake at the top makes the trip feel like two completely different experiences.
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| Further up the mountain, the ride becomes less steep and the surrounding Alps come into view. |
Booking the Gelmerbahn
The Gelmerbahn is a popular attraction, particularly during the summer season.
Because the railway has limited capacity, it is a good idea to book your tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during busy periods.
Check the current timetable, ticket availability and booking information before travelling, as operating dates and times can vary with the season and weather.
The official information is available through Grimselwelt.
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| On the way back down, we sat further towards the back while other passengers filmed and photographed the view. |
There Is More to See at Handegg
One of the things I particularly like about the Gelmerbahn is that you don't have to treat it as a stand-alone attraction.
The area around Handegg has several other interesting places to explore.
Just nearby is the Handeckfall Bridge, a suspension bridge crossing the gorge beside the Handeckfall waterfall.
We actually discovered the bridge ourselves after riding the Gelmerbahn.
We were walking from the Gelmerbahn towards Hotel Restaurant Handeck for a meal when we came across it. We hadn't planned to visit the bridge specifically, which made the discovery even more memorable.
From the bridge you can see the waterfall and the surrounding Alpine landscape, while the Gelmerbahn is visible nearby.
It is a perfect example of why it is worth allowing some extra time around Handegg rather than simply arriving for your train and leaving immediately afterwards.
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| The red Gelmerbahn climbing towards Gelmersee, photographed from the Handeckfall Bridge. |
Is the Gelmerbahn Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
But the reason isn't simply because it is one of the world's steepest funicular railways.
The experience works because everything comes together: the steep climb, the unusual open carriage, the mountain scenery and the beautiful Gelmersee waiting at the top.
For us, the front row made the ride particularly memorable. Watching my wife and kids experience that incredibly steep climb was almost as entertaining as the ride itself.
There was definitely a moment when sitting at the front felt a little scary. But once you reach the top and see Gelmersee, the nerves disappear.
You are suddenly standing beside a beautiful turquoise lake high in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by mountains.
And then there is the journey back down.
If you are visiting the Grimsel Pass, Guttannen or the Bernese Oberland, I would definitely put the Gelmerbahn on your list.
Just be prepared for one thing: It really is as steep as it looks.