The cable cars in the canton of Uri achieve a combined total ascent of 23,000 metres. Many of the 36 or so small cars are open to the elements, and sometimes there is only space for four people per journey.
The canton of Uri is a dream destination for cable car aficionados. Travelling in the open wooden cars admittedly takes a bit of courage, but it’s worth it: connoisseurs will enjoy the panoramic terraces above the Reusstal valley, Lake Lucerne and the Schächental valley.
Originally built to reach Alpine farms, the cable cars are serviced and checked on a regular basis. The upper stations are the starting point for some great high-altitude hikes.
Information
Altitude: 786 – 2,961 metres
How to get there:
Some valley stations can be reached by bus, some only on foot or by car
Please note: Some of the cable cars are operated with coins or tokens, meaning that users are not tied to timetables. Tokens are available from restaurants and some private houses
Views: The valleys and the mountains of Uri, for example the Clariden, Windgällen, Rophaien, Bristen, Spannort and Uri Rotstock
Attractions: Riding in the open wooden cars sometimes takes a little courage, but it’s worth it: just follow the instructions and it’ll be plain sailing
Food and drink: Mountain inns such as Weid, Alpstubli Selez, Biel-Kinzig, Spilau/Lidernenhütte, Gitschenen, Brüsti, Golzeren or by the Arnisee lake
Accommodation: Simple accommodation is often available in the mountain inns
Groups: Some of the small cable cars can only carry a limited number of passengers per hour; big groups are advised to consider larger cable cars such as that serving the Gemsstock (Andermatt) instead
Winter: Many of the cable cars operate in winter
