Giessbach, on the Lake of Brienz, is famous for its wonderful waterfall. The best way to reach Giessbach is to take the boat at Interlaken.

The funicular was designed by M. Riggenbach, the engineer who built the Rigi Bahn, and it was first in used in 1879 as a water-ballast funicular. It was one of the first funiculars of Switzerland. For sure it is the oldest one still in use.

Today the Giessbach Bahn is moved by electricity but the cabins are exactly the same as in 1879.

It still uses a Riggenbach cog between the rails as a brake to regulate the speed of the down cabin.