Pfänderbahn – State-of-the-art cable car technology on an impressive scale!
2,063 meters in length, 606 meters in elevation gain in just 260 seconds! Our spacious cabins, which seat 80 people, effortlessly climb even a 61% gradient at a speed of 12 m/sec. With a capacity of 928 people per hour, 600 kW of drive power, and a 54-meter-high main support. This is technology that inspires! 100% accessible to the most beautiful viewpoint in the Lake of Constance region!
- 2,063 meters track length —total length of the inclined track
- 606 meters elevation gain —from 425 meters to 1,031 meters above sea level
- 260 seconds ride time —shortest uphill ride time
- 12 m/sec maximum speed —maximum operating speed
- 100 meters maximum ground clearance —maximum height above ground
Where cutting-edge technology meets a unique panoramic view!
Impressive dimensions that fascinate
A 2,063-meter-long track, a 606-meter elevation gain, and a maximum gradient of 61.38%—the Pfänder cable car conquers even the steepest sections with ease! In just 260 seconds, our large-capacity cabins, which seat 80 people, will safely transport you at speeds of up to 12 m/sec to 1,031 meters above sea level—the most beautiful viewpoint in the Lake of Constance region.
Technical perfection down to the last detail
Four 50-mm suspension cables and 32-mm haul ropes ensure maximum safety, while our 600-kW main drivetrain, featuring thyristor DC technology, guarantees reliable operation. The striking 54-meter main support is not only a landmark but also a technical masterpiece with a 10-meter span.
Impressive Conveying Capacity
928 passengers per hour in each direction—that means minimal wait times and maximum comfort! Each car holds 80 passengers with a payload of 6,400 kg and weighs 12,500 kg when fully loaded. Even while the cable car is moving, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views through the windows that slide down low!
Experience 99 Years of Technological Evolution Live
From Austria’s third cable car in 1927 to the complete rebuild in 1994–95 at a cost of €7,412,630.00—here you can experience nearly a century of cable car technology! In 2022, the haul rope was replaced using innovative splice-bridge technology. State-of-the-art technology meets time-honored tradition.
Double the safety for a stress-free ride
In addition to the 600-kW main drivetrain at the mountain station, a 60-kW hydrostatic drivetrain powered by diesel serves as an emergency power source. A hydraulic tensioning system at the valley station and continuous computer-controlled monitoring ensure the highest safety standards.
100% Accessible and Family-Friendly
Access ramps at both stations, with a 2.55-meter width, provide easy access for wheelchair users, families with strollers, and cyclists. The heated windshields (installed in 2005) ensure optimal visibility even in winter.
An Impressive Construction Project
A total volume of 12,200 m³ distributed among the valley and mountain stations, three span sections measuring 1,422 meters, 576 meters, and 65 meters in length, and a maximum clearance of 100 meters—these dimensions make the Pfänder Cable Car a technical masterpiece of the Alps.
A Panoramic Experience in a Class of its Own
You’ll enjoy spectacular views as you travel along the 1,967-meter horizontal route. The 360° panoramic terrace at the mountain station is the crowning touch to your experience of technology and nature. Here, technical perfection and natural beauty come together to create an unforgettable moment.
Modern. Safe. Accessible.
Key Technical Specifications
- 2,063 meters track length —total length of the inclined track
- 606 meters elevation gain —from 425 meters to 1,031 meters above sea level
- 260 seconds ride time —shortest uphill ride time
- 12 m/sec maximum speed —maximum travel speed
- 928 people per hour —capacity per direction
- 61.38 % g —Steepest gradient —steepest section of the route
- Maximum distance between the cabin and the ground – 80 meters
Cabins & Capacity
- 2 large-capacity cabins —each for 80 passengers
- 6,100 kg curb weight —car including attendant
- 6,400 kg payload —designed to carry 80 people
- 12,500 kg gross weight —fully occupied cabin
- Windows that slide down low —panoramic view during the ride
Cable & Support Technology
- 4 suspension cables, each 50 mm in diameter—diameter of the main suspension cables
- 32 mm traction cable —diameter of the drive cables
- 54 m main support —height of the prominent support 1
- 16 m Support 2 —height of the second support
- 2 x 8 cable riders —per side
- 3 spans —1,422 m, 576 m, and 65 m in length
Drivetrain Technology
- 600 KW Main Drivetrain —Thyristor DC drive in the mountain station
- 60 kW emergency drive —hydrostatic drive with diesel engine
- Hydraulic tensioning device —at the valley station
- State-of-the-art control system —computer-controlled operation
Construction Volume & Investment
- 12,200 m³ total volume —valley and mountain stations combined
- €7,412,630 in construction costs —total investment in 1994/95
- 2,600 m³ new construction of the valley station —plus 5,200 m³ renovation
- 2,400 m³ new construction of the mountain station —plus 2,000 m³ of renovation
Track Widths & Dimensions
- 2.55 m track gauge —at the valley and mountain stations
- 10 m track width, support 1 —widening at the main support
- 3.31 m track gauge at support 2 —at the second support
- 1,967 m horizontal length —horizontal alignment
Historical Development
- 1927 Opening —Austria’s Third Suspension Cable Car
- 1994/95: Complete renovation —modern, high-capacity cabin technology
- 2022 Haul rope replacement —Fatzer special rope with spliced bridge
Safety & Operations
- Continuous Monitoring —state-of-the-art safety technology
- Weather-Independent —safe travel in various conditions
- Regular maintenance —in accordance with the strictest standards
Comfort & Accessibility
- Accessible —wheelchair-accessible
- Access ramps —at both stations
- Panoramic Experience —even during the ride