Hammetschwand Lift
Europe's highest outdoor elevator, a 1905 marvel ascending 501ft up a cliff face with stunning Lake Lucerne views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, best light
Hammetschwand Lift
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best light
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Europe's highest outdoor elevator, a 1905 marvel ascending 501ft up a cliff face with stunning Lake Lucerne views.
"A hidden gem of Swiss engineering and Alpine thrill, the Hammetschwand Elevator is a must-do for panoramic moments."
🎟️ Buy Round Trip Tickets
A round trip ticket costs €18, while a one-way is €15. Save a bit by getting the return ticket.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Good hiking shoes are a must for the paths leading to and from the lift.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Hammetschwand Lift Ride
Ascent from Felsenweg
Experience Europe's highest outdoor elevator, a thrilling 152.8m vertical ascent with panoramic lake views.
Felsenweg Cliff Walk
Bürgenstock Resort to Lift
A scenic cliff path offering breathtaking vistas of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps.
Top Viewing Platform
Summit of the Lift
Enjoy unparalleled 360-degree views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss countryside from the top.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Check Operating Dates
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Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visited Hammetschwand Lift today. Still looked.
🎟️ Buy Round Trip Tickets
A round trip ticket costs €18, while a one-way is €15. Save a bit by getting the return ticket.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Good hiking shoes are a must for the paths leading to and from the lift.
🚗 Navigate Wisely
GPS can lead to private residences. Stop at the bottom of the resort and hike up.
⏳ Check Opening Times
The lift is seasonal, typically opening in early July. Always check the official website.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Buy Round Trip Tickets
A round trip ticket costs €18, while a one-way is €15. Save a bit by getting the return ticket.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Good hiking shoes are a must for the paths leading to and from the lift.
🚗 Navigate Wisely
GPS can lead to private residences. Stop at the bottom of the resort and hike up.
⏳ Check Opening Times
The lift is seasonal, typically opening in early July. Always check the official website.
🚶♀️ Consider One-Way Lift
Take the lift up and hike down for a different perspective and a longer experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Hammetschwand Lift as a unique engineering marvel offering breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Lucerne. The thrilling vertical ascent and the scenic cliff walk are consistently highlighted as major draws. Some find the hike to be long and the on-site restaurant basic, but the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive.
"From the main entry point - about 30 min walk.
A hidden gem of Swiss engineering and Alpine thrill. Built in 1905, the Hammetschwand Elevator is the highest outdoor lift in Europe, rising 152.8 meters (501 feet) in under a minute. Originally powered by water pressure and later electrified, it’s a remarkable piece of early 20th-century innovation.
The ride offers breathtaking vertical views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding peaks. Accessible via the scenic Felsenweg Cliff Walk from the Bürgenstock Resort, the lift is a must-do for history lovers, architecture buffs, or anyone looking for that perfect panoramic moment. Seasonal operation, so check hours in advance — but absolutely worth the detour.
Lift price is €18 round trip although you can go one way and then walk from the top back to the resort - takes 40 min. There is a restaurant at the top."
Sa Sh
"Multiple ways to get here. By car and hike Or by boat and hike. We drove and hiked- which wasn't easy since the navigation took us somewhere in the private residence. However, there is a hotel nearby that directed us on how to hike up to the elevator. Roughly 45 mins hike up and 30-35 mins hike back. Easy hike with nice view. You bought the ticket since this part of the resort.
So if you drive, then don't follow the gps - if you do then stop at the bottom of the resort then hike up. Amazing view of the lake."
Fiona Mai
"Long walk to reach the elevator
You better be prepared with good hiking shoes
Th elevator one way ticket is 15 and two way ticket is 18"
Fahad O
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can reach the Hammetschwand Lift via boat to the Bürgenstock Resort and then hike, or by car to the resort's base and hike up. Be cautious with GPS navigation as it can sometimes direct you to private residences; it's often best to head to the Bürgenstock Resort and follow signs for the lift.
Parking is available at the Bürgenstock Resort. From there, you'll need to hike to the lift.
There are a couple of paths. The main path is an easy, stroller-friendly walk. The Felsenweg (Cliff Path) is more scenic but steeper and not suitable for strollers. Both offer beautiful views.
The hike from the Bürgenstock Resort is approximately 2.1 km one way, taking about 30-45 minutes depending on your pace.
While there isn't a direct bus to the lift itself, you can take public transport to the Bürgenstock Resort area and then commence your hike.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
A round trip ticket for the Hammetschwand Lift is €18, while a one-way ticket is €15.
The lift operates seasonally, typically from early July. It's crucial to check the official Bürgenstock Resort website for exact opening and closing dates, as it's closed during winter.
Tickets can usually be purchased on-site. However, checking the Bürgenstock Resort's website for any booking recommendations or potential online purchase options is advisable, especially during peak season.
Information on specific discounts is not widely available. It's best to check the Bürgenstock Resort's official website or inquire on-site for any potential offers, such as family passes or group rates.
The Hammetschwand Lift is part of the Bürgenstock Resort experience. While the Swiss Travel Pass covers many transport options in Switzerland, it typically does not cover specific attractions like this lift. It's recommended to verify directly with the Bürgenstock Resort.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The ride is a quick but exhilarating 152.8-meter vertical ascent in a glass-enclosed elevator, offering stunning, unobstructed views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. It's a unique engineering feat from 1905.
At the summit, you'll find a viewing platform with incredible panoramic vistas. You can also hike further along the ridge for even more spectacular viewpoints.
The lift has glass walls, providing continuous views, which can be intense for those with a fear of heights. However, the ride is brief, and many find the experience manageable and rewarding.
Restroom facilities are generally available at the Bürgenstock Resort, which is the starting point for the hike. It's advisable to use facilities there before ascending, though some amenities might be present at the summit.
Yes, you can hike down from the top of the lift. This offers a different perspective and allows you to explore more of the area.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There is a self-service restaurant at the top of the lift. Reviews suggest it's basic, so manage expectations regarding variety and quality.
The Bürgenstock Resort offers a range of dining establishments, from casual to fine dining, catering to various tastes and budgets.
Picnicking is generally permitted in designated outdoor areas around the Bürgenstock Resort and along the hiking trails. However, check local regulations for specific restrictions.
The self-service restaurant at the top is basic. It's advisable to inquire directly or check the Bürgenstock Resort's main dining options for specific dietary needs.
Dining at the Bürgenstock Resort can range from moderate to high, depending on the establishment. The self-service restaurant at the lift is likely more budget-friendly.
📸 📸 Photography
The lift ride itself offers incredible vertical shots. The viewing platform at the top provides sweeping panoramas of Lake Lucerne. The Felsenweg also presents dramatic cliffside photo ops.
Yes, the glass walls allow for unobstructed photography during the ascent and descent. Be mindful of reflections and the speed of the lift.
Morning light often provides softer, more flattering illumination for landscape shots of the lake and mountains. Late afternoon can also offer beautiful golden hour hues.
Drone usage is typically restricted in protected natural areas and around tourist attractions to ensure safety and preserve the environment. Always check local regulations before flying a drone.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views from the top and the Felsenweg. A telephoto lens can be useful for details of distant mountains. A polarizing filter can enhance the lake's colors.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the Felsenweg is more challenging, families with older, more adventurous children might enjoy the dramatic cliffside views. The restaurant at the top offers a convenient spot for a break, though options are basic. Ensure children are supervised closely, especially near the cliff edges and during the lift ride.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
Packing your own snacks and water for the hike is a great way to save money, as dining options at the top are limited and can be pricier. Focus on the natural beauty and the engineering marvel of the lift itself, rather than expensive resort amenities, to keep costs down.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Engineering Marvel: The Hammetschwand Lift
Its construction involved integrating the lift mechanism directly into the sheer rock face, a feat that required significant planning and execution. The lift's design, with its glass walls, was revolutionary, offering passengers an unprecedented and thrilling perspective of the dramatic landscape as they ascended. It's not just a mode of transport; it's an experience that connects visitors to the ingenuity of the past.
Today, the Hammetschwand Lift continues to operate seasonally, drawing visitors who are fascinated by its history, engineering, and the unparalleled views it provides. It stands as a unique attraction, blending historical significance with breathtaking natural beauty, making it a must-see for those visiting the Bürgenstock Resort area.
Navigating the Paths to the Lift
For those seeking a more adventurous and visually dramatic journey, the Felsenweg (Cliff Path) is the recommended choice. This path hugs the cliff face, offering spectacular, close-up views of the rock formations and the expansive Lake Lucerne below. While more challenging and not stroller-friendly, it's a highly rewarding experience for hikers who appreciate dramatic scenery.
Regardless of the chosen path, comfortable hiking shoes are essential. The duration of the hike is typically around 30-45 minutes one way, allowing ample time to soak in the surroundings before reaching the lift. Careful navigation is advised, as GPS can sometimes be misleading, so following resort signage is often the most reliable method.
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