The Most Scenic Cable Car Journeys

From timing your ride to catch the setting sun to marvelling at breathtaking vistas, these cable car journeys quite literally elevate travel. Whether gliding over city skylines, alpine meadows or tropical jungles, each ascent promises not just a summit where you can dine with a view, but unforgettable spectacular moments.

Sugarloaf Mountain Gondola

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From Copacabana’s sun-drenched sands, many a beachgoer has gazed up at Sugarloaf Mountain, or Pão de Açúcar as it’s known by the locals, a dramatic granite monolith that rises above the Atlantic. Ascend its slopes and watch as Rio de Janeiro appears to unfurl in cinematic fashion: golden beaches, a sprawling cityscape and the famed Christ the Redeemer all seen from this captivating perspective. The journey is broken up into two parts. The first leg brings you to Morro da Urca, where you’ll find chic restaurants and boutiques to enjoy before continuing to the summit. A marvel of early 20th-century engineering, this was only the third cable car system in the world when it opened in 1912. Luxury tip: opt for the skip-the-queue tickets for a seamless experience.

SOARING TOWARD SUGARLOAF ABOVE RIO’S GOLDEN COAST

Stanserhorn CabriO

Lucerne, Switzerland

Just like its watches, Switzerland does cable cars with impeccable precision. The ascent of Mount Stanserhorn begins aboard a vintage funicular railway dating back to 1893 before transferring to the world’s first open-top aerial cable car. The CabriO's upper deck allows passengers to ride al fresco, feeling the rush of the wind. At the summit you’ll be greeted by blooming edelweiss and marmots – alpine creatures that resemble oversized squirrels. Enjoy hearty Swiss food such as Älplermagronen at the Rondorama restaurant or strike up conversation with a Stanserhorn ranger for some local insight.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS AT STANSERHORN CABRIO, SWITZERLAND

The Ngong Ping 360

Hong Kong

Suspended between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, this cable car glides above the emerald sweep of Lantau Country Park, past the shimmering South China Sea and toward the majestic Tian Tan Buddha. A 25-minute journey takes you to Ngong Ping Village, with easy access to the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha.

SKYWARD JOURNEY PAST THE TIAN TAN BUDDHA

Peak2peak Gondola

Whistler, Canada

An engineering triumph and a thrill-seeker's dream, the Peak2Peak Gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains with the world’s longest unsupported lift span and is the highest cable car of its kind. The 11-minute journey will have your heart pounding as you soar above lakes, forests and peaks. Some cabins even feature glass floors...

RIDING HIGH ABOVE WHISTLER’S WILDERNESS

Ba Na Hills Cable Car

Da Nang, Vietnam

Rising over Vietnam’s lush Trường Sơn Mountains, the Ba Na Hills Cable Car is the longest non-stop single-track cable car in the world. At more than 5.8 km, it transports guests from Da Nang’s tropical foothills to the mountaintop French village of Ba Na Hills. Mist curls over jungle-clad slopes, waterfalls tumble below and the air grows ever cooler as you climb. A whimsical world of French châteaux awaits you at the summit, with manicured gardens and the famed Golden Bridge, held aloft by two giant stone hands.

BA NA HILLS CABLE CAR ROUTE [LEFT] AND THE HILLSIDE CHÂTEAUX FROM ABOVE [RIGHT]

Why not pair your airy excursions with a stay in one of our nearby properties, such as InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam, or Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These luxurious hotels combine comfort and breathtaking views – which are enjoyable without making the trek. Of course, you can explore our full hotel offering on ASMALLWORLD Collection.