These trains in Baden-Württemberg get into trouble on their journeys.
You can hike up the mountain – but you can also save yourself the walking and be transported comfortably: there are numerous special mountain railways in Baden-Württemberg. We present the most beautiful routes:
In Bad Wildbad climbs the Sommerbergbahn the local mountain of the same name in the northern Black Forest. Since its modernization in 2011, passengers have enjoyed the view of the spa town and the heights of the Black Forest from the large windows of the panoramic carriages. Only their names are still historical. In memory of the city’s royal past, they are called Queen Charlotte and King Wilhelm II. For more than 100 years, the modern funicular has connected the city with the over 700 meter high Sommerberg, making it the highest funicular in Germany. As there are numerous hiking trails, the treetop path and the Wildline suspension bridge as well as a mountain bike run up here, cyclists also use the train. Since the renovation, there have been separate compartments for pedestrians and cyclists. A highlight is the sunset from the tower of the treetop path.
Timetable and prices: www.bad-wildbad.de/de/sommerbergbahn/ . Stop off on the mountain: Ski hut: . Restaurant Auerhahn – mountain inn at the mountain station: www.auerhahn-badwildbad.de/kulinarik/
The Merkurberg Railway in Baden-Baden has a gradient of up to 58 percent and is one of the steepest Funiculars in Germany. Since 1913, it has overcome 370 meters in altitude – today with new cars and in less than five minutes. After Corona, the route was renovated for almost eight million euros and has been barrier-free since then. The journey with a wonderful view of Baden-Baden is interrupted once at an intermediate stop until shortly afterwards the final stop is reached at an altitude of more than 650 meters. It is hard to believe that you are only a few minutes away from the city center, because up here there are numerous hiking opportunities, a paragliding launch site, the opportunity for a geological journey through time and the Merkur Tower with a unique panoramic view of Baden-Baden, the Black Forest, the Murg Valley, the Rhine Plain and the Vosges.
Timetable and prices: www.stadtwerke-baden-baden.de/de/mobilitaet-freizeit/merkurbahn/ . Stop off on the mountain: Restaurant Merkurstüble, inn with a great terrace: www.merkurstueble-baden-baden.de . Waldcafé Baden-Baden, cake delicacies on the local mountain: www.waldcafe-baden-baden.de/home.html
The Turmberg Railway in Karlsruhe is the oldest funicular railway in Germany that is still in operation. Since 1888, it has connected the Durlach district with the 250-meter-high Turmberg. On the 315-meter-long route, the yellow-red carriages overcome 100 meters in altitude at a maximum gradient of 36.2 percent – and all this in three minutes. The view from the local mountain of the fan-shaped city extends far beyond its center. Up here, a hiking and recreation area stretches between the Black Forest and Kraichgau. Since the last renovation was almost 60 years ago and the train A planning approval procedure is underway at the Karlsruhe Regional Council for the line to be extended and made barrier-free. Once the line is in place, the 528 steps of the “Hexenstäffeles” will also lead up the mountain, where sunset events will be held in the Hofbistro.
Timetable and prices: www.vbk.info/fahrzeuge/turmbergbahn.html . Stop off on the mountain: Different on the mountain, farm bistro with parties, tapas and more: www.anders-turmberg.de . Schützenhaus, seasonal cuisine: www.schuetzenhaus-durlach.com
The Heidelberg mountain railways transport more than a million people to the castle and further to the Königsstuhl every year. The lower funicular runs from the Kornmarkt in the old town via Heidelberg Castle to Molkenkur, a former spa complex, and was modernized almost 20 years ago. At its final stop, one of the oldest electrically operated mountain railways continues to Königstuhl, to the highest point at a height of more than 550 meters. From here you can see far across the Rhine plain to the Palatinate Wine Route. The historic railway has also been renovated, but the over 100-year-old carriages still exude the charm of times long past, honored with an entry as a cultural monument in the state’s monument book. With a total length of one and a half kilometers, the Heidelberg mountain railway line is the longest in Germany.
Timetable and prices: www.bergbahn-heidelberg.de . Stop off on the mountain: Berggasthof Königsstuhl, located directly above the castle: www.gasthof-koenigstuhl.de/de/gasthof-koenigstuhl
The Künzelsau mountain railway has only been in operation for 25 years – as an environmentally friendly and efficient means of local transport. Funicular connects the center in the Kochertal with the higher elevations and the Taläcker residential area. Tourists now also appreciate the cable car, which offers a great view over Künzelsau. The nature adventure trail in Taläcker is also easily accessible. The funicular overcomes a height difference of around 170 meters over a distance of just over 1000 meters. The cable car was completely renovated in 2015. It is barrier-free and also takes bicycles.
Timetable and prices:
