10 Most Amazing Aerial Lifts In The World

An aerial lift is a means of cable transport in which cabins, cars, gondolas or open chairs are hauled above the ground by means of one or more cables. Aerial lift systems are frequently employed in mountainous territory where roads are relatively difficult to build and often found in touristic landmarks

1. The Merida cable car, Venezuela

Has the distinction of being the highest in the world at 4,765 meters (15,633 ft), as well as being the longest aerial tram at 12.5 km (7.8 mi). It spans the magnificent national park area called the Sierra Nevada de Merida and connects the city of Merida with the surrounding heights.

2. Masada cableway, Israel

The Masada cableway which lifts visitors from well below sea level up to the butte where the ancient Jewish fortress town’s ruins can be seen. The only other way up is a snake path. Masada UNESCO heritage site and the nearby Dead Sea are among the most popular attractions in Israel.

3. The Emirates Air Line, London, England

Also known as the Thames cable car, it links across the River Thames in London. The service opened in 2012 and has an average ridership of over 30,000 passengers a week.

4. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, New York, United States

One of two aerial tramways in North America used by commuters as a mode of mass transit (the Portland Aerial Tram being the other). The Roosevelt Island Tramway connects the small island of Roosevelt with Manhattan.

5. Sugarloaf Cable car, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Actually composed of two separate cable car systems, one going from city level to the top of the Morro da Urca hill and a second one going from the hill to the top of the Sugarloaf Mountain. The latter appeared in the James Bond movie Moonraker.

6. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, South Africa

One of the oldest aerial transport systems. The Table Mountain system opened in 1929 with a single cable system that carried twenty-five passengers and was sold in 1993 by the son of one of the founders. One of the problems with a single cable system is the wind. The cars are quite liable to sway in a slight wind making the journey something akin to being riding a very slow, long wave.

7. Kaprun Gletscherbahnen, Salzburg, Austria

German for “Glacier Railways”, this cable car was opened in 1965. For a long time, this was the highest cable car pylon in the world, being 113.6 meters (373 ft) high. There is a viewing platform on the roof of the station, at 3,035 meters (9,957 ft) above sea level.

8. Grouse Mountain Skyride – British Columbia, Canada

Located in Northern Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is home to North America’s largest aerial tramway, which takes you from the resort base to the plateau on the mountain. The view is exceptional with nature scenery, the city of Vancouver, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf Islands in the distance.

9. Klein Matterhorn Aerial Tramway, Switzerland

The highest cable car in Europe with a height of 3,820 meters. It takes you almost all the way up to the second highest peak of the Zermatt-Cervinia ski area in Switzerland. The peak is in height of 3,883 meters.

10. Shinhotaka Ropeway No. 2, Japan

A massive double-decker aerial lift on mount Hotaka. It allows spectacular views of the mountain to the up to 90 people at a time. The trip time is about 7 minutes for the entire span of 2.6 kilometers.