Kohlerer Bahn (Funivia del Colle)

The world's first passenger cable car, still running on its original route above Bolzano

The Kohlerer Bahn is a piece of transport history that happens to also offer exceptional views. It opened in 1908 — making it the world's first passenger cable car — and has been running largely continuously ever since. The lower station is a short walk from the old town; the wooden cabin rises steeply through orchards and forest to the village of Kohlern at 1,000m.

At the top, there are several walking routes through the plateau above the city, a panoramic restaurant, and views that put the Dolomites behind Bolzano in proper perspective. The ride itself, in the vintage wooden cabin, is charming. It runs year-round except for maintenance periods.

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A story
The Kohlerer Bahn opened in 1908 as the world's first passenger cable car intended for regular public use. It was built by the local engineer Luis Zuegg to connect the city with the village of Kohlern (Colle), and ran on electricity generated by the Talfer river below. Over a century later, it still runs on essentially the same route, still using wooden cabins of a vintage design.