Rotating cable cars around the world

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• By Camilla Bath
• 18 February 2010

One of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway's cable cars. Photo courtesy mrpepper27.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is one of only three rotating cable car systems in the world. As it twirls its way up to the summit, the 800 000 passengers who use it every year are treated to a 360⁰ view of the mountain itself, the magnificent Lion’s Head, the Cape Town city bowl, the V&A Waterfront and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean. The rotating cable cars are unique to Africa, affording many of the continent’s residents an unforgettable experience. The ride lasts just over 5 minutes, and the cables the cars run on are 1.2km long. The rotating cars run on a double cable, which means they’re far more stable in the strong winds that buffet the Cape Peninsula. To book your ride, click here.

One of the Titlis Rotair cable cars. Photo courstesy Björn Söderqvist.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway’s most recognised (and often chillier) counterpart is the Titlis Rotair in Engelberg, in Switzerland. It was the world’s first rotating cable car system, and was installed in 1989. The Rotair provides visitors with spectacular views of the Alps during the five-minute ride to the top of Titlis, central Switzerland’s loftiest peak. As it rotates on its axis, passengers can marvel at the Engelberg Valley, as well as the crevasses of the Titlis Glacier itself.

One of the cable cars at Palm Springs. Photo courtesy Danny McL.

The world’s third set of rotating cable cars is located in Palm Springs, in the USA.  It’s the most popular tourist attraction in Palm Springs, with more than 400 000 visitors a year. The revolving cars give passengers a chance to sample picturesque views of Mount San Jacinto’s Chino Canyon, whose peaks are often covered in snow. A trip to the summit takes 15 minutes – by far the longest ride on offer. The cable cars pass 5 intermediate towers, with a one-way trip covering almost 4km.