5 Mountain Towns Accessible Only by Cable Car

As special as mountain towns can be, they sometimes make you work a little to get there. Some of the most beautiful towns in the world have no road access, leaving cable cars as the only way up. From charming Swiss villages to dramatic island peaks, these five spots offer stunning views, pristine nature, and a truly adventurous way to arrive. Here are five mountain destinations accessible only by cable car.

Gimmelwald, Switzerland

A small, car-free village in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region, Gimmelwald is the epitome of a beautiful alpine town. It’s nestled in a valley at around 4,500 feet in elevation, surrounded by mountains and glaciers, crystalline lakes, rushing waterfalls, and pristine valleys, with the striking 13,640-foot Jungfrau massif rising directly in front. 

Gimmelwald is home to just over 100 residents — and famously more cows than people. The only way to reach the town is by cable car, either from Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen Valley or from Mürren. The most common route is to take a train to Lauterbrunnen, continue by bus to Stechelberg, and then ride the cable car up to Gimmelwald. 

With no direct road access, the remoteness of Gimmelwald has helped preserve the village and its pristine natural setting. Once in town, stroll the main street past flower-filled wooden chalets, working farms, and grazing animals. Visit the Honesty Shop — which has an unmanned register and a trust-based buying philosophy — and pick out a memorable souvenir, then enjoy fondue at one of several restaurants in town with sweeping views of the Alps.

Mürren, Switzerland

Aforementioned Mürren is another car-free village in the Bernese Oberland. It’s a scenic 1-mile paved walk or a quick five-minute cable car ride from Gimmelwald. It’s also easily reached from Lauterbrunnen via a 20-minute cable car ride. 

Mürren is home to about 400 to 450 permanent residents and is often considered one of the most beautiful mountain towns in Switzerland. Sitting at around 5,500 feet above sea level, it’s ideal for hiking, skiing, and soaking up Alpine views — especially from the Schilthorn area. The latter is home to Piz Gloria, one of the world’s first revolving restaurants that was a famous filming location for the 1969 James Bond flick On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. 

A short but can’t-miss experience is the Thrill Walk at Birg, a 650-foot cliffside walkway with glass floors, steel grates, and a cable tightrope. For more adrenaline-inducing activities, Mürren is also a launch point for paragliding over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. If you prefer to take it slow, wandering through town and grabbing a sunset drink as pink skies light up the mountain horizon is a low-risk, high-reward way to end the day.

Aiguille du Midi, France

Aiguille du Midi, a 12,605-foot peak in the French Alps, is accessible from the commune of Chamonix only by cable car — the highest in France. After a quick 20-minute ride, you’ll step onto panoramic terraces with sweeping views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. Other highlights include Le Tube (a steel gallery), Espace Vertical (the world’s highest mountaineering museum), a mountain-themed 4D cinema, and an attraction called Step Into the Void — a glass box that welcomes visitors to stand suspended over 3,000 feet of open air below.

While some come just for the views and an epic dining experience, others come to descend the Alps in one of the most spectacular ways possible — via Vallée Blanche, an off-piste ski route in the Mont Blanc massif. Extending from Aiguille du Midi toward Chamonix over roughly 12 miles, with a nearly 9,000-foot drop, it crosses dramatic glaciers like the Mer de Glace and offers an unforgettable ski experience.

Monte Solaro, Italy

Capri, located off the Amalfi Coast, is an exclusive island escape reached by a 30-minute ferry from Sorrento. Its reputation as a high-end destination is apparent from the moment you set eyes on the luxury resorts and designer shopping in Capri Town and the sleek yachts lined up in Marina Grande. Monte Solaro is the highest point on the island, but there are no roads to reach it. Instead, visitors can hike about an hour or take a scenic chairlift from Anacapri. 

The ride itself is part of the experience, providing views over rooftops, gardens, and terraced hillsides on the way up. At the top, you can gaze over Capri, the Faraglioni rocks, the Amalfi Coast, and across the Bay of Naples. There’s a small café, a few easy paths to wander, a statue of Emperor Augustus, and plenty of spots to sit back and just take it all in.

Ngong Ping Village, Hong Kong

Sitting atop Lantau Island in Hong Kong, Ngong Ping is best known for its Big Buddha statue and Po Lin Monastery. You can reach this popular attraction via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung, which glides over lush mountains, forests, and the South China Sea, with glass-bottom cabins that add to the thrill. The village itself has a small year-round community supporting the temples, shops, and local tourism, but roads are closed to the general public and require a special permit to drive. 

Many visitors come to Ngong Ping Village for the dramatic mountain scenery, cultural sites, and peaceful walking trails. At the top, you can explore the Po Lin Monastery, climb up to the Big Buddha, wander the village paths, grab a bite to eat, and shop for souvenirs, all while soaking in panoramic views of Hong Kong.