Have you ever seen the dizzyingly steep Pilatus Mountain Railway? Maybe you're already sitting on it? One of the most special tourist attractions in Switzerland is the 133-year-old red train, which runs on a 48-degree incline, making it the steepest cog railway in the world.
A small railway runs from Alpnachstad to the 2132 - meter - high Pilate Peak, a journey of more than 4.5 kilometers in half an hour. It is a sin not to miss this, as you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Vierwaldstätti and the central Swiss Alps while traveling.
The Pilatus Mountain Railway is a real technical masterpiece, its track was completed in 1889 in 400 days, as a result of the efforts of 600 people. At that time, the train was still driven by steam, which is evolving with age. From 2023, eight new rail cars are scheduled to run on the original route, and even the 360 ° panoramic view will make the experience unforgettable.
Light railways in Hungary
1. Szilvásvárad Small Railway - Szilvásvárad
Operates:
Timber was initially transported on the 114 - year - old Szilvásvárad State Forest Railway, but since the 1960s, hikers in the Szalajka Valley have been able to travel on it. The 4.5-kilometer route runs between the Szalajka - Fatelep and Gloriett - clearing, touching, among other things, the cave of Istállóskő.
2. Királyréti Forest Railway - Kismaros
Operates:
The small railway between Kismaros and Királyrét is an unmissable experience if we hike in Börzsöny. The 12-kilometer journey takes about 30 minutes by train, which can be pulled by Tóbi, Morgó or Vili.
You can find the current timetable of the Királyréti Light Railway here >>
3. Nostalgia small railway - Csömödér
Open: Every day from April 30 from 10:00 to 14:00
The Csömödér forest railway network crosses the hills of Göcsej for almost 110 kilometers, and also transports tourists for 32 kilometers - between Lenti and Kistolmács. The light rail ride is a perfect program even if you are exploring the landscape by bike or on foot, as the railway line is also connected by bicycle and hiking trails.
4. Children's railway - Budapest
Open: All year round, every day
One of the most famous of the domestic light railways is the Children's Railway in the Buda hills, formerly known as the Pioneer Railway, where both ticket managers and traffic controllers are children. This line was even included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2015 as the world’s longest youth-run railway line.
5. Zsuzsi Forest Railway - Debrecen
In operation: from May 29 on certain days
If you buy a ticket for the Zsuzsi Forest Railway during your vacation in Debrecen, not only a pleasant train awaits you. This line is the oldest small railway in the Carpathian Basin, still operating today - it opened in 1882 - and winds through the landscapes of the Erdőspuszta.
6. State Forest Railway - Kaszó
Open: every year all year round
The Kaszó Forest Railway passes through the most beautiful landscapes of Inner Somogy. On the 8 - kilometer - long railway line we arrive at the terminus in 40 minutes, which is located at Lake Balaton, next to the Kaszó Excursion Center. It is worth withdrawing so far, as there are also built-in fire pits, a hedge maze, a special playground, and we can even visit the bird-watching tower and the dr. Marián Miklós promenade.
7. Lillafüred State Forest Railway - Lillafüred
Open: All year round, daily from 09:30 to 16:00
The Lillafüred small railway starts from an urban environment and then winds its way along steep hillsides and tunnels. You can get to Lillafüred and the Garadna Valley with it, for example , by passing Lake Hámori, the ancient smelter and the Trout Colony.
8. Lillafüred Libegőpark - Lillafüred
Open: Every day from April 1, 10:00 to 18:00
The Lillafüred cable car starts at an altitude of 303 meters, with a route of more than 1 km in the valley of the picturesque Szinva stream , from the lower station at the foot of Jávorhegy to the Jávorhegy meadow near Fehérkő. From the top there are many hiking trails in all directions of the Bükk, but we can also discover the Oxygen Walking Tour, which is a themed hiking trail.
Open: Every day from 10:00 to 16:00 all year round
The cable car between Normafa and Zugliget is extremely popular among the people of Budapest, where we can enjoy a wonderful panorama . The perfect program is a lift if you combine it with a pleasant hike in the woods around Normafa.
Open: March 18, weekends 10:00 - 18:00
The 500-meter-long Mátra Cable Car connects Sástó and Oxygen Adrenaline Park. The lower station is at the Sástó car park and the upper station is at the adventure park. Sástó and Gyöngyös can be seen from the chairlift, and in clear weather the Great Plain or even the mountains around the capital.
(Source: marmalade.co.uk; szallas.hu | Image: pixabay.com)