Description of the attraction
The Hammetschwand lift connects two Swiss cantons - Lucerne and Nidwalden. It is located on the northern side of the Burgenstock alpine mountain. It offers a splendid view of Lake Firwaldstetsee, which locals call "the lake of the four cantons".
The elevator got its name in honor of the Hammetschwand observation deck, where it delivers everyone. The lift has a partially transparent cabin that can accommodate 12 people at a time. An elevator connects the foot of the cliff and the open observation platform at the top of the mountain. The distance between these two points is 157 meters. An elevator shaft 39 meters long is cut into the rock. The rest of the way, that is, 118 meters, the lift passes outside the mountain, which is very much appreciated by many tourists who admire this attraction. During the ride on the high-speed elevator, you can admire the lake Ferwaldstätsee below and the small towns built on its shores. The transparent elevator car moves in a lattice metal structure, which does not interfere with the view at all.
The upper platform, where tourists go by elevator, is located at 1132 m above sea level.
The Hammetschwand lift, considered the highest observation lift in Europe, was built in 1903-1906 for 500 thousand francs. It is listed as a cultural property of two cantons - Lucerne and Nidwalden.
You can get to the lower elevator station, located near the tourist village of Burgenstock, first by the funicular, which delivers people from the Kerchsiten-Burgenstock pier, and then on foot along the well-maintained paths.
