The Grande Dame of the Alps
Ride the historic cable car, the Grande Dame of the Alps, up to the impressive Predigtstuhl.
This route is dedicated to a true Grande Dame of the Alps: a mountain cable car that has been carrying passengers upward almost unchanged since 1928. The ride itself feels like travelling back in time – you ascend in the world’s oldest large-cabin cable car preserved in its original condition, gliding up to more than 1,600 metres. Engineering heritage, wide horizons and quiet wonder combine from the very first minute.
At the top, there is no rush for a summit cross but a panoramic circular walk with ever-changing views: the rugged cliffs of the Lattengebirge, the striking Hochstaufen and the valley far below. An elegant mountain hotel in the style of early modernism recalls the glamorous Alpine tourism of the interwar years. Scenic spots invite you to pause – and with a bit of luck, you might even spot chamois on the steep slopes.
Allow around two to three hours for the walk and relaxed breaks. An excursion between historic technology and alpine nature – a meeting with a grand lady who has kept her dignity for nearly a century. In winter, often only the path to Salzberg-Blick and Schlegelmulde Alm is cleared and passable; the winter landscape rewards with an incomparably beautiful mountain experience without any gear – and with beer and Bavarian snacks on the sun terraces of the alm and restaurant. The puzzles on this route are therefore placed only along this section.
Stations of the route
Click on a station to see details
Start: Vacation Apartment
You can purchase tickets directly at the valley station. During peak season, however, it makes sense to reserve in advance online at ticket.predigtstuhlbahn.de.
Visitors are generally advised to check the website in advance to find out if the cable car is currently operational. For you, however, it is enough to look out the window from the bathroom or balcony. :-)
