Konigstuhl Funicular (Bergbahn), Heidelberg

As the hordes of tourist coaches blocking the roads every summer prove, Heidelberg is one of the most popular destinations in Germany for visitors from all over the globe and anyone who lives there would probably agree that the Hauptstrasse is only rivalled by the Tower of Babel for the variety of languages that you hear when strolling along towards the old town and the castle.

Perhaps it is unfair to say that the Bergbahn (funicular ...
...many passengers who do use it to take the easy way up to the castle and beyond are probably unaware of the unique nature of the service that they are using. The Bergbahn is the longest funicular railway in Germany, with a track length of 1.5km, and odd though it sounds, this is simultaneously the most modern and the oldest funicular railway in the country… which is true but only if you regard it as one line, as it is in fact split into two distinct ... more

As the hordes of tourist coaches blocking the roads every summer prove, Heidelberg is one of the most popular destinations in Germany for visitors from all over the globe and anyone who lives there would probably agree that the Hauptstrasse is only rivalled by the Tower of Babel for the variety of languages that you hear when strolling along towards the old town and the castle.

Perhaps it is unfair to say that the Bergbahn (funicular railway) is not a well-known attraction in Heidelberg, but the many passengers who do use it to take the easy way up to the castle and beyond are probably unaware of the unique nature of the service that they are using. The Bergbahn is the longest funicular railway in Germany, with a track length of 1.5km, and odd though it sounds, this is simultaneously the most modern and the oldest funicular railway in the country… which is true but only if you regard it as one line, as it is in fact split into two distinct sections.

The lower railway runs from the Kornmarkt, in the heart of the old town, up to the famous Heidelberger Schloss and thence to the Molkenkur station further on up the slopes behind the castle. This stretch of track opened in 1890 and was completely overhauled between 2003-2004 and entirely new rolling stock was introduced to meet stringent new safety standards. Although the Heidelberg funicular had run for decades without any mishaps, various accidents on similar railways in the Alps led to the tightening of safety regulations for all funicular railways and so the town decided that major investment was necessary to keep the trains running. It is an impressive feat of engineering, certainly, but as the whole stretch of track is contained in a tunnel, you can't enjoy any views out over the old town.

A short walk from the lower platform at the Molkenkur station transfers you to the second stretch of the Bergbahn that runs right up to the summit of the Königstuhl (King's Seat), the imposing hill that looms up above the castle and the town. This was opened in 1907 and continues to use the original historical wooden carriages, although these have also been thoroughly renovated and restored to their former glory as well. The decision to retain the old carriages was a popular one and really adds to the whole Bergbahn experience as you rattle and squeak up the hill to the Königstuhl station at the top (at 550 metres above sea level). However, unlike the modern carriages introduced on the lower section and the stations with wheelchair access, these older ones are not 100% suitable for disabled visitors (the legal requirements of the historical preservation orders placed on the rolling stock and stations meant that it was not possible to include a wheelchair lift or remove stairs during renovations). You may also notice that the funicular passes through the remains of a disused halt - previously it was possible to ask to be let out at the Hirschsprung stop but this service has now been discontinued, although you can still see the remains of the old platform.

The journey from Kornmarkt to the Königstuhl takes about 20 minutes (including transfer time from the lower to the upper section), and the views from the platform constructed near the station at the top are spectacular. You can see down into the heart of the old town in the Neckar valley and look west and north across the Rhine plains to Mannheim and beyond (I won't mention the more industrial Ludwigshafen, which you can't avoid seeing but probably won't want to linger over for very long!). On a clear day, the view stretches for miles so that you can see the hills of the Pfalz rising in the west and it is fascinating to just enjoy the peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Heidelberg and take in the beauty of the location. You are also just a short walk away from the Märchenparadies (Fairytale Paradise), a great family attraction

The renovations did cost quite a lot though, and this has been reflected in the pricing structure for the Bergbahn since it reopened. Although government grants covered a share of the costs, the town authorities have to recoup their investment I suppose, and this means that it has got more expensive to take a ride up to the Königstuhl. Previously, if you had a Ticket 24 (Heidelberg's equivalent of the old One-Day Travelcard on the London Underground), this entitled you to free use of the funicular as well, but as far as I know this is no longer the case. Holders of long-term travelcards also used to be able to take up to 4 guests along for free at weekends (as is the case on other local transport in Heidelberg and Mannheim) but this has been discontinued on the funicular too. Fair enough, I suppose, but still a bit of a shame.

Anyway, the Bergbahn runs daily from 9 a.m. until late afternoon in winter and until mid-evening in summer. Trains runs every ten minutes on the lower section, and every twenty minutes on the upper stretch of track. Ticket prices depend on how far you travel, starting at €3 for single and €5 for a return on each section. A ticket for the entire funicular, allowing you to stop off at the castle and then continue your journey, will set you back €5 for a single and €8 for a return. The individual prices don't sound like a lot (and of course children travel for reduced fares and various group travel offers are available), but if your group consists of a few adults travelling together, the combined price of €30-40 can seem a bit steep. My preferred solution is to walk up to the castle, which can be reached easily by a variety of paths from the old town (this way also allows to make the most of some excellent viewpoints on the way up) and then use the upper stretch of the Bergbahn to reach the Königstuhl.

The Kornmarkt base station can be reached easily on public transport - it has its own bus stop served by the lines 30/33, and is only 5 minutes' walk away from Universitätsplatz. There is an underground car park at Kornmarkt as well, just follow the signs for P12 on the parking system signs when you approach Heidelberg.

For more information, see the official website:
http://www.bergbahn-heidelberg.de/ 

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