CZ/SK verze

The Austrian Mountain Railways Will Enchant Everyone with Their Views

The Austrian Mountain Railways Will Enchant Everyone with Their Views
photo: Maarten van der Velden / Flickr/ÖBB 1018.04
09 / 02 / 2024

The Austrian railway has a rich history and was the first railway network in Europe to be powered by steam. In this article, we will bring you interesting facts about mountain railways with the most beautiful views.

The longest tunnel on the Austrian railway is the Arlberg Tunnel, which is just under 14 kilometers long. Our western neighbors have the largest network of narrow-gauge railways in Europe. The highest railway station in Austria is located in the village of Kühtai in Tyrol, with an altitude of a beautiful 2,020 meters. Austrian Railways also operates several luxury trains, such as the Orient Express and the Royal Scotsman.

The Austrian railway offers several beautiful routes through the magnificent countryside

The Semmering Railway is considered one of the most beautiful routes in Austria. The railway passes through the beautiful Austrian mountains and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The line was built between 1848 and 1854 and was considered one of the most important works of civil engineering. The Semmeringbahn is 41.7 kilometers long and runs from Gloggnitz via Semmering to Mürzzuschlag.

Bálint Novák / Flickr

The Arlberg Railway route is located in the western part of Austria and passes through spectacular mountain areas. The Arlberg Railway was built in four years between 1880 and 1884. The route passes through the aforementioned longest tunnel of the Austrian railway. The train crosses the Arlberg, a high mountain ridge between the states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol. It connects the city of Innsbruck in Tyrol and Bludenz in Vorarlberg. It passes through 31 stations, and the total length of the route is almost 137 kilometers. This train link is important for the transport of freight and passengers.

Richard Weber / Flickr

The Mariazellerbahn is located in the southern part of Austria and also passes through mountainous areas and picturesque villages. The railway was built between 1898 and 1907. The route is still known today as one of the most beautiful. Why? Because it offers travelers unforgettable views of the surrounding countryside. It is an electrified narrow-gauge railway with a gauge of 760 mm. The line connects the town of Sankt Pölten in Lower Austria with the Marian pilgrimage site of Mariazell. The length of the line is just over 91 kilometers.

flightlog / Flickr

The Tauernbahn is one of the most important north-south trunk lines in Europe as it connects the northern and southern parts of the continent. The line was built in the 19th century and was considered an engineering marvel at the time. The route crosses the Alps and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The line connects the town of Schwarzach-Sankt Veit in Salzburg and the town of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia. It passes through 21 stations along the way and has a total length of 79 km. The longest tunnel on the line is the Tauern Tunnel, which measures 8,370 meters. The line is also considered an important part of tourism in the Gastein Valley.

Kurt Wartner / Flickr

Tags