How to Visit Gelmerbahn from Interlaken or Zurich, Switzerland
The Gelmerbahn is one of the best day trips in Switzerland and is easily accessible from Zurich, Interlaken, or Lucerne. A ride on Europe’s steepest open passenger funicular railway is a must-experience in Switzerland. Then, you can combine your visit with the Aare Gorge or Reichenbach Falls.
This ultimate guide to the Gelmer Funicular includes the best time to visit, how to reach the Handeckfall Bridge and Lake Gelmer, what to expect on the hike, and practical information.
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Where is Gelmerbahn?
The Gelmerbahn is located in the Bernese Oberland Region of Switzerland, southeast of Interlaken.
How to Get to Gelmerbahn, Switzerland?
You can easily reach the Gelmerbahn by car or public transport. It takes about 45 minutes from Interlaken and 2 hours from Zurich to get to the Gelmerbahn car park. We arrived from Meiringen, which is only 25 minutes away.
After turning off the main road, there is a small free parking lot. Arrive early because parking places run out quickly on weekends.
Alternatively, you can take the train from Interlaken Ost or Lucerne to Meiringen and take the No. 161 bus to the Handegg Gelmerbahn bus stop. The Gelmerbahn can also be reached from Innertkirchen in 20 minutes by PostBus.
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Handeckfall Bridge
As the Handeckfall Bridge (Handeckfallbrücke) is located right next to the Gelmerbahn, take your time to explore the bridge and then enjoy the fantastic panoramic views from the Gelmerbahn. From the parking lot, it is a 5-minute walk to the bridge. Visiting the bridge is free and open all day.
This suspension bridge stretches 70 meters above the gorge and connects the Gelmerbahn and Hotel Handeck. Crossing the bridge over the Handeck Falls is a unique experience. It was super foggy and cloudy at the bridge, but after a few hours, we had beautiful weather.
TIP
For the best experience, stay at the Hotel und Naturresort Handeck and enjoy the magnificent sunrise at the bridge.
Read more → Best Places to Visit in Switzerland
Gelmerbahn
The Gelmerbahn was originally built to transport heavy building materials for the Gelmer dam. With a gradient of 106%, it is the steepest open passenger funicular railway in Europe and offers an unforgettable experience.
For the best experience, we recommend you sit at the front of the funicular. When you reach the top, you can hike around the turquoise-blue Lake Gelmer or hike up to the Gelmer Mountain Hut.
Gelmerbahn Ticket Price & Opening Hours
The funicular railway takes just 12 minutes to reach the summit and can carry 24 people per journey.
The Gelmerbahn funicular railway operates from 01 June to 20 October 2024. The opening hours are from 9 AM to 4 PM in June, September, and October. It operates from 9 AM to 5 PM in July and August.
Buy your ticket online a few days in advance because tickets sell out quickly!
The Gelmerbahn ticket costs 36 CHF (41 USD) return and 18 CHF (20.5 USD) one-way for adults. For children (6-15 years old), the return ticket costs 18 CHF (20.5 USD), and a single trip costs 9 CHF (10 USD). Children under 6 years are free of charge.
Dogs are allowed on the Gelmerbahn. Small dogs can travel for free, but larger dogs need a child ticket.
TIP
For another unique experience, take the world’s steepest funicular railway from Schwyz to Stoos.
Recommended post → Stoos Ridge Hike
Lake Gelmer
Most people just come to ride the Gelmerbahn and quickly see the mountain lake, but hiking around Lake Gelmer (Gelmersee) is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland. If you want to hike around the lake, we recommend at least 3-4 hours.
The hike around the Gelmersee is a narrow, rocky alpine path with some steep slopes, and the trail is approximately 4.5 km long. There are no dining facilities around Gelmersee, so bring some snacks and enough water. If you are planning a short walk and picnic, 2-3 hours is probably enough. Add a few extra hours to hike to the Gelmerhütte.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! Travel insurance is the best way to avoid extra expenses due to unexpected accidents, cancellations, delays, loss of personal items, and emergencies.
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Tips for a Day Trip to the Gelmerbahn, Switzerland
- Based on our own experience, we recommend arriving early. Visit the bridge, then catch the first funicular and enjoy a panoramic ride to the top. Once you arrive, choose a hiking trail or spend some hours exploring the area.
- Wear suitable hiking shoes and comfortable clothes as the weather can be windy at the bridge and very hot at the top of the mountain.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen.
- The best time to visit the Gelmerbahn is between June and October.
- In the mountains, the weather can be unpredictable. Always pack warm clothes and a raincoat.
- As you cannot buy tickets at the top station of the Gelmerbahn, you should buy your return ticket in advance.
Where to Stay near Gelmerbahn
The Gelmerbahn is a great day trip destination. But we recommend you spend more time exploring the region and enjoying the sights and the best things to do in the area. We suggest staying in Meiringen or Interlaken. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Meiringen
- Mid-Range: Hotel Dakota or Hotel Panorama
- Budget: Hotel Meiringen
Best hotels in Interlaken
- Luxury: Swiss Hotel Apartments
- Mid-Range: The Hey Hotel or Boutique Hotel Bellevue
- Budget: Interlaken Youth Hostel
We hope you found our guide to the Gelmerbahn useful and will inspire you to visit Switzerland. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – Heymondo
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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