100 Years of Kreuzeckbahn
On May 28, 2026, the Kreuzeckbahn celebrates its 100th anniversary – a full century of vision, pioneering spirit, and memorable moments. What seems like given today was a sensation in 1926: With the founding of Kreuzeckbahn AG in 1925, a new chapter in the history of Alpine technology began, and just one year later, Bavaria’s first aerial tramway began operations.
Planning & Construction
The construction of the Kreuzeckbahn not only created a means of transportation but also made an entire Alpine region permanently accessible. The Kreuzeck quickly became a starting point for hikes to the Alpspitze and into the Höllental.
At the same time, the cable car laid the foundation for the development of world-famous ski runs such as the Kandahar and the Olympia runs. Major international events – including the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Alpine World Ski Championships in 1978 and 2011 – would have been difficult to imagine without this infrastructure.
1926 to 2002
Over the following decades, the facility was continuously modernized. New cables, more powerful drives, an improved power supply, and modern cabins enhanced safety and performance. Despite the challenges of World War II and the postwar period, the cable car remained in operation and became an integral part of regional life.
2002 to the present
Toward the end of the 20th century, however, the historic aerial tramway was increasingly reaching its limits. Its capacity, comfort, and technical standards no longer met the requirements of modern year-round operation. After extensive planning, the old cable car ceased operations on April 7, 2002.
After just eight months of construction, the new bicable gondola lift was officially opened on December 19, 2002. To this day, it combines proven alpine expertise with state-of-the-art technology and significantly increased capacity.
Exhibition
in the mountain station
To mark its 100th anniversary, a completely new exhibition on the history of Bavaria’s oldest aerial tramway was set up at the Kreuzeckbahn mountain station and opened in May 2026.
The development of the cable car over the course of the last century is presented in two rooms. In addition to interactive elements and original exhibits, the highlight is a replica of the first cable car cabin from 1926 – located in the historic driveway of the original mountain station.
The exhibition is open during the Kreuzeckbahn’s regular operating hours. Admission is free for guests of the Kreuzeckbahn.
