The longest funicular railway in Germany is one of the attractions in Baden-Baden, and a popular destination for excursions. Climbing the highest point in Baden-Baden sounds rather strenuous. It need not be, however. The summit of the 2,191 foot Merkur Mountain can be easily reached with Europe’s steepest, and most technically advanced, funicular railway. In little over 5 minutes, and after negotiating inclines of between 23% and 54%, and a difference in altitude of 1,214 feet, you will have reached your target.
It is a safe, environmentally friendly and convenient mode of transport used by between 130,000 and 160,000 walkers, day-trippers, hikers and nature lovers every year to get to the top of the Merkur Mountain in Baden-Baden in just a few minutes. The Merkur Funicular Railway operates to and from the summit between the hours of 10am and 10pm. The railway’s base station can be easily reached from the town center by taking either the 204 or 205 bus. If you intend to use the bus service, we would recommend you buying a combination ticket, which you can purchase from the bus driver. When the doors of the Merkur Mountain Railway close and the train starts moving, almost silently, you leave all the noise, stress and hustle and bustle of everyday life behind in the valley.
If you don't fancy an exciting trip on the Merkur Mountain Railway, you can also go up along a wonderful footpath. Once you arrive, there is a free lift up the Merkur Tower, to bring visitors up to the 23-meter viewing platform, so they reach a total height of 700m. There you can enjoy a fascinating panorama of the Baden-Baden basin, the highest mountains in the north of the Black Forest and the Murgtal valley, and you can even see as far as the Upper Rhine Plain, to Vogesen, Haardt and Odenwald. You have a view of the Hohenbaden and Alt-Eberstein ruins, mountains including the Battertfelsen, the Fremersberg, the Yburg, the Badener Höhe and the Hornisgrinde, and the cities of Karlsruhe and Strasbourg.
There is a pleasant restaurant at the summit, the "Merkurstüble", where you can enjoy a tasty bite to eat. There are signposted footpaths for walking and hiking, viewing points, wildlife reserves and much more for interesting excursions and amazing views.
At the top of the Merkur Mountain there is also a barbecue station, an area of grass for sunbathing and a playground with a giant slide.
Another highlight for visitors to the Merkur mountain is the chance to take a relaxed tandem flight on a paraglider, to get a bird's eye view of Baden-Baden and the surrounding area.
