Cable car rides, also known as gondola lifts, can offer memorable bird’s-eye views of a destination. Here’s a look at some of the world’s most breathtaking cable car routes.
GULMARG GONDOLA, GULMARG, INDIA
Gulmarg Gondola is the world’s highest cable car ride. It run from Gulmarg resort to Kongdoori Mountain at a height of 13,057 feet (3,980 meters).
Peak to Peak, Whistler, Canada
This route links Whistler Mountain with Blackcomb Mountain, at the popular Whistler ski resort. Some of the cable cars have glass panels in their floors, giving riders a plunging view straight down.
Skyline, Queenstown, New Zealand
This is said to be the steepest cable car in the southern hemisphere. The cable car ride, rising 1,500 feet (457 meters) above Lake Wakatipu, takes visitors to the top of Bob’s Peak.
The Heights of Abraham, United Kingdom
Installed in 1984, the Heights of Abraham cable car offers spectacular views of Derbyshire, England. The ride soars to a height of 1,863 feet (568 meters).
Heavenly Gondola, Lake Tahoe, California, United States
This 12-minute ride takes riders up more than 2 miles, with a panoramic view of the stunningly blue Lake Tahoe.
Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, Scotland, United Kingdom
Apart from being a prime attraction for tourists, this gondola is also used as shortcut by climbers in harsh winters and by skiers to reach the slopes. The cableway travels up to 2,148 feet (655 meters).
Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The two-stage, 2,000-foot (609-meter) ascent to Sugarloaf Mountain wows visitors with views of Rio de Janeiro’s famous beaches and surrounding mountain peaks.
Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
From this cable car, you can get a view of the enormous bronze Tian Tan Buddha statue, an important Buddhist landmark.
Huashan Cableway, China
This cable car, opened in 2013, carries visitors up to two location on Mount Huashan: the North Peak Summit (5,300 feet or 1,615 meters) and West Peak Towers (6,700 feet or 2,042 meters). The view may be dizzying, but it’s a safer experience than the notoriously steep and dangerous hiking trails up the mountain.
Panorama Langkawi Cable Car, Langkawi Island, Malaysia
This cable car takes you to the top of Gunung Machinchang Mountain for a panoramic view of Langkawi Island. From the top, you can also access a suspension bridge.
Sky Safari, Sydney, Australia
Head to the Taronga Zoo to ride the Sky Safari cable car for a view of the Sydney waterfront.
Table Mountain Cableway, Cape Town, South Africa
The cable car rotates 360 degrees, maximizing the view of Cape Town and Table Bay.
Ba Na Hills Cable Car, Da Nang, Vietnam
Opened in 2013, this cableway claims to be the world’s longest single-line, non-stop cable car.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Cairns, Australia
Over a 2-hour round-trip ride, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of a tropical rainforest, gliding close to the treetops. The “Diamond View” gondolas have glass floor panels.
Dubrovnik Cable Car, Croatia
On a clear day, locals say, you can see for 37 miles (60 kilometers) from this gondola ride, scanning the old city of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea, and nearby islands.
Teleferiqo, Quito, Ecuador
Quito is one of the world’s highest capitals, at more than 9,000 feet above sea level. Go even higher by taking this sky tram up the flanks of the nearby Pichincha volcano.
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