Thrilling European Cable Car That’s NOT for the Faint-hearted

① Exploring the Dolomites in Italy

Located in the northern Alps region of Italy, the Dolomites are renowned for their stunning natural landscapes. The Dolomite Mountains consist of 18 peaks that are over 9,842 feet high. Although not well-known among Korean tourists, it is a region highly recommended by locals.

The Dolomites offer a range of activities for travelers, making it a vibrant destination all year round. In particular, hiking in the Dolomites is world-renowned. It is a favorite spot for locals to enjoy hiking.
There are several hiking trails in the Dolomites, allowing you to choose a course that suits your difficulty level.

As one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, you will be amazed by the picturesque scenery. You can visit Cinque Torri, Seceda, Lake Carezza, and Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites.
Among them, Sassolungo is also a popular destination for many tourists.

② Sassolungo Cable Car

Sassolungo is a must-visit destination during your trip to the Dolomites. You can take a cable car to reach the top. The Sassolungo cable car has been gathering attention online. It is emerging as a must-visit course during a trip to the Dolomites, drawing more popularity due to its unique cable car.

The Sassolungo cable car is a two-seater, which is different from the usual cable car system. The dizzying method of boarding the cable car can seem scary. Passengers must wait at the station and quickly enter the cable car when it arrives.

At this point, the staff closes the cable car door. If one person enters first, the other will follow. The process of getting off the cable car is also unique.

Although boarding can be scary, the view from the cable car is indescribable. The cable car ride takes about 15 minutes and costs 28 euros (approximately $32 USD).

Some passengers have expressed fear about the Sassolungo cable car boarding method. One visitor called it the “terrifying mini gondola” and wrote a review saying, “It was the most thrilling of all the cable cars in the Dolomites. The staff pushes the passengers in.” The narrow interior of the cable car can also feel frightening.

On the other hand, many visitors left reviews saying they found the cable car ride interesting. Visitors expressed reactions such as “the only cable car in the world,” “the way to ride and the appearance are very unique,” “fantastic experience! The cable car itself is special,” and “with the help of the staff, it’s not difficult to ride.” Once you get off the cable car, you can enjoy a drink while admiring the Dolomite Mountains. The cable car does not operate in winter or on windy days.

The Sassolungo cable car, built in 1972, is an old facility, and there has been controversy over its replacement. Environmental groups oppose the replacement and development of the Sassolungo cable car. You can also climb to Sassolungo without taking the cable car. Hiking while looking at the surreal scenery will surely be a memorable moment. Of course, climbing to Sassolungo is not easy, but it’s worth a try.

③ Representative Trekking Courses

There are various trekking courses in the Dolomites, including Sassolungo. One of the most famous trekking courses is the Seceda trekking course. The course is about 3.1 miles long and takes approximately three hours. Since Seceda is not very difficult among the Dolomites trekking courses, even beginners can climb it.

You can walk while looking at the Puez-Odle, Sella, and Sassolungo groups. As you can take a cable car to reach the top, it’s a great place to trek without any burden. The sight of the cliffs, which seem to have been sharply cut, will likely be one of the best scenes of your trip to the Dolomites.

If you want to admire the vast meadows of the Alps that you’ve only seen in pictures, I recommend the Alpe di Siusi trekking course. This place is known as the largest plateau in Europe. The meadow, which is about the size of 8,000 soccer fields, spreads out before your eyes. It is located at an altitude of 7,710 feet and is surrounded by massive rock pillars.

The Alpe di Siusi trekking course is about 7.5 miles long and takes approximately six hours. Just looking at the vast meadow will make your trip to Italy feel special. From the endless meadow, you can see Sassolungo. It is the best trekking course where you can feel the peaceful scenery of the Alps up close.

By. Min Jae Kim