An elevator rope guide system comprises a plurality of rope guides for restricting the swaying of at least one main rope and a plurality of stop mechanisms each configured to stop a corresponding rope guide. The rope guides are located above an elevator car and/or counterweight and are vertically movable along a hoistway. The stop mechanisms are positioned at different intermediate heights along the hoistway. The elevator rope guides are collected by the elevator car or counterweight as the elevator car or counterweight moves up and are stopped by a corresponding stop mechanism as the elevator car or counterweight moves down.