Thrill-seekers will certainly find what they’re looking for here in the Haslital valley, on the Bernese side of the Grimsel Pass. With a maximum gradient of 106%, this single-carriage funicular is undisputedly the steepest in Europe.

The former industrial railway, originally designed for transporting the heavy building materials used to construct the dam, now takes adventurous hikers from the valley to 1,860 metres above sea level in next to no time. It is a technological marvel and offers an unforgettable, almost vertical ride.

Simply ascending and descending in the open cable car is an experience (reservation recommended), but you should definitely also plan a circular hike around the turquoise waters of the Gelmersee lake or up to the Gelmerhütte mountain shelter.

Sporty types can make the descent back to Handegg via Chüenzentennlen and the old Grimselweg trail with the “Hählen Platten” stairs. It’s also worth stopping to admire the Handegg Falls from the suspension bridge.

Altitude: 1,859 metres
How to get there: Train from Interlaken Ost or Lucerne to Meiringen, PostBus to Handegg (there is also a PostBus service from Oberwald via the Grimsel Pass), funicular to the Gelmersee lake
Views: Towards the Grimsel Pass and across the Haslital valley to the granite peaks on the opposite side
Attractions: Funicular with open-top carriages, circular lake walk, suspension bridge across the Handegg Falls
Food and drink: By the Gelmersee lake: snacks from your rucksack
Restaurant at Hotel Handeck
Accommodation: Hotel and Nature Resort Handeck or Historic Alpine Hotel Grimsel Hospiz
Groups: On request (Grimselwelt)
Winter: Closed (funicular and Hotel Handeck)
Special comments: Additional information, including about the hotels, is also available at grimselwelt.ch