Stoosbahn

8 Highlights Stoosbahn

• 110% maximum gradient (47.73°) make the funicular the steepest in the world.
• Over a length of 1738 m, the funicular passes through 3 tunnels and climbs 743 meters in altitude up to the mountain village of Stoos.
• At speeds of up to 36 km/h, the funicular takes a total of 4 to 7 min. to reach the top.
• Generous panoramic windows open up views of the scenic Muota Valley and the Great Mythen.
• 36 passengers fit into one cabin, one carriage (4 cabins) takes up to 136 passengers.
• The Stoosbahn crosses the river Muota over a 90 m long bridge right at the beginning.
• Opened in 2017, the cable car is an eye-catcher and regularly attracts international guests.
• A maximum of 1500 people can be transported with the two cars per hour.

The Stoosbahn has very unusual looking carriages. They resemble side-by-side cylinders in their shape and were developed especially for this railroad. This design allows for immediate compensation of height differences. Passengers always sit horizontally on the funicular, which ensures a high level of ride comfort.

The Stoosbahn runs from Schlattli (Hinteribrig) up to Stoos (initially in the direction of Muotathal). The bottom station is located at 563 meters above sea level and belongs to the municipality of Schwyz. The mountain station on the Stoos reaches 1306 m above sea level. The Stoos is car-free. In winter it becomes a popular ski resort.

On the Stoosbahn awaits you

The Stoosbahn runs in all weathers. The mountain and valley stations are both at ground level. In this way you can reach the wagons barrier-free. Your luggage is also transported without any problems.

Technical facts about the Stoosbahn:

• Track gauge of the railroad: standard gauge 1435 mm
• Passengers per cabin: 36
• Passengers per track length: 136
• Speed: max. 10 m/s (36 km/h)
• Drive: 1360 hp = 1000 kW (in the top station )

The ride to Stoos begins with the crossing of the Muota bridge. Afterwards, the Stoosbahn passes through the following 3 tunnels:

• Zingelifluhtunnel (245 m)
• Ober Zingeli tunnel (80 m)
• Stoosfluhtunnel (223 m)

As soon as the funicular leaves the third tunnel, the view opens up into the vastness of the mountains. You will see the peaks Klingenstock (1935 m above sea level), Huser Stock (1904 m above sea level) and Fronalpstock (1922 m above sea level).

The mountain station is located in the middle of the car-free village of Stoos, which lies on a high plateau.

In groups you can visit the mountain station with an exciting guided tour. The guided tours last about an hour and show the construction, technology and operation of the Stoosbahn. It is rightly proudly called the project of the century. With 14 years of planning and 11 votes won, the new Stoosbahn has an eventful history behind it.

Activities and events at Stoos

In winter, the area on Stoos is a popular ski resort. It stretches from the Fronalpstock to the Klingenstock. There is also a fun park and a snow sports school here.

The ski area around Stoos includes:

• 35 km of slopes
• 8 lifts
• 10 km of cross-country ski runs
• 2 km of toboggan runs
• snowshoe trails (e.g. 3.5 km Stoos-Rieter-Stoos) and prepared winter hiking trails

In summer the whole area becomes a popular hiking region. 340 km of hiking trails of the Stoos-Muota Valley region lead you into the Muota Valley or to the surrounding mountains. Many of these trails are also accessible by e-bike or mountain bike.

The most popular hiking routes include for example:

• 5 km ridge hiking trail from the Klingenstock to the Fronalpstock with 360-degree panoramic views, extendable to 13 km with branching off via Rot Turm, Huser Stock and Furggeli.
• 5 km hiking trail (descent) from Stoos to Morschach
• 21 km via Muotathal to the 450 hectare primeval forest reserve Bödmeren Wald
• 24 km to the karst landscape Silberen, the largest eroded limestone area in Switzerland

A number of events are offered throughout the year:

• January: the Stöösler bathtub race
• End of July: open-air yodel fair on the Fronalpstock at 1922 m above sea level
• 31.07. and 01.08.: Swiss national holiday
• Summer: Schwinget Stoos
• August: Klapperlappap Festival Stoos

The history of the Stoosbahn

The current Stoosbahn was completed in 2017. Before that, 14 years were needed for planning and completion. 11 referendums were required and were all won with a high approval rate.

The new funicular replaced the old funicular from 1933. It was technically obsolete and its concession had expired

Garaventa won the international tender for the engineering and electromechanical systems. A consortium led by Implenia AG took on the bridge and tunnel construction, embankments and other terrain work

During construction, there were various problems that led to delays. For example, the material ropeway collapsed in 2013. During tunnel boring, drill heads got stuck several times. Overall, construction was delayed by around two years.

In mid-February 2017, the last tunnel was cut through. It was possible to set up an alternative station between the second and third tunnels. The official opening of the railroad took place in mid-December 2017

The history of the Stoosbahn

The current Stoosbahn was completed in 2017. Before that, 14 years were needed for planning and completion. 11 referendums were required and were all won with a high approval rate.

The new funicular replaced the old funicular from 1933. It was technically obsolete and its concession had expired

Garaventa won the international tender for the engineering and electromechanical systems. A consortium led by Implenia AG took on the bridge and tunnel construction, embankments and other terrain work

During construction, there were various problems that led to delays. For example, the material ropeway collapsed in 2013. During tunnel boring, drill heads got stuck several times. Overall, construction was delayed by around two years.

In mid-February 2017, the last tunnel was cut through. It was possible to set up an alternative station between the second and third tunnels. The official opening of the railroad took place in mid-December 2017.

Swiss Activities Tips Stoosbahn

Mountain ride in the lowest cabin

Do you want to consciously experience how steep the track is? Then look for a seat in the lowest cabin. Here you have the best view of the track and experience how the gradient gets steeper and steeper.

Downhill ride in the foremost cabin

Do you like a roller coaster feeling? Then it's best to get into the front cabin for the downhill ride. But you should be sure that you like it, you can't change during the ride.

Regioshop

At the bottom station of the Stoos cable car there is a Regioshop with a small café. Here you will find traditionally made cheese and other specialties from the Stoos-Muota valley region. Handicraft products are also offered.

St. Barbara at the Stoosfluhtunnel

Saint Barbara is a patron saint for miners and is said to avert accidents in tunnel construction. You can see her illuminated statue during the mountain ride on the left side of the Stoosbahn. She stands about 50 m before the end of the last tunnel.

Babies and other wild animals next to the railway

For maintenance and rescue work, a total of 3260 steps have been created between the bottom and top stations. Chamois and other wild animals often stand on them and can be perfectly observed through the panoramic windows.

Transports on the Stoos

The Stoos is car-free. Should you wish to transport luggage (or yourself) to your vacation accommodation, horse-drawn carriages are available. The Stoosbahnen AG and the Suter Transport Stoos GmbH work together. You only have to announce your ride 30 minutes in advance.

Stoosbahn prices

There are two price lists for the Stoosbahn. The summer prices are valid from May to October, the winter prices from November to April. Adult guests with GA and Swiss Travel Pass travel free of charge, children with the Junior Card. Children under 6 years of age can travel for free when accompanied, but require a ticket.

Stoos funicular railroad timetable

The funicular runs all year round. Inspection periods are from mid-April to early May and mid-November to early December. On weekends the funicular runs anyway. During the week, transport is provided by the Morschach-Stoos cable car.

When there is a large number of visitors, the cable car runs more frequently. It can carry up to 1500 people per hour. The Stoosbahn runs from early morning to evening

How to get to the Stoosbahn

The Stoosbahn is easily accessible from all directions by car or public transport.

by car

There are three directions for arriving by car.

• Basel/Lucerne: From Lucerne you take the A14 in the direction of Zug. At the freeway junction Rütihof you turn off onto the A14 and leave the freeway at Schwyz. Signposts lead in the direction of Stoos/Muotathal to the parking lot of the valley station.

• Rapperswil/Lake Constance:** From Rapperswil you drive in the direction of Gotthard/Schwyz. A short stretch leads over the A3 in the direction of Gotthard. Via Rothenthurm and Sattel the country road brings you to Schwyz.

• At Flüelen you come over the Mositunnel in the direction of Schwyz. With exit 40 Brunnen you leave the highway in direction Weggis/Gersau/Schwyz. In Ibach turn off at the 2nd traffic circle (1st exit) in the direction of Muotathal.

The parking lot is on the main road. It may be used free of charge for one hour. From the 2nd hour you pay 1 CHF per hour. There is a free Park & Ride bus between the parking lot and the valley station.

by public transport (ÖV)

By public transport, the journey from all directions is also very easy. You take the train to Schwyz and change at the station to the bus. Take line 501 in the direction of Muotathal Hölloch / Stoosbahn. At the bus stop "Schwyz, Stoosbahn" you arrive at the valley station of the Stoosbahn.