Mt. Pilatus

The Basics

Visitors to Lucerne cannot miss Mt. Pilatus looming over the city. If you want to ascend the majestic mountain and soak up the stunning panorama of the Swiss Alps, several options are available. The Golden Round Trip package involves traveling by boat, cogwheel railway, panoramic gondola, and aerial cableway. There are self-guided, partly guided, and fully guided tours from both Lucerne and Zurich, all of which include round-trip transportation. Some organized day trips incorporate guided city tours of Lucerne and, in summer, cruises on Lake Lucerne. You can also take a 2-day tour that includes a night’s stay in a hotel high on the slopes.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Mt. Pitalus is a must-visit for train buffs, scenery seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Drink lots of water to stave off the effects of altitude sickness.

• Book tickets or tours in advance to save yourself lining up for the cable car or cogwheel train.

• The cogwheel railway, panoramic gondola, and aerial cableway are all wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There

To access the Mt. Pilatus cable car, ride the trolleybus route 1 from Lucerne’s railway station to Kriens, where you can travel to the summit station at 5,560 feet (1,695 meters) via panoramic gondola and aerial cableway. Alternatively, travel by train or ferry from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, where you can board the cogwheel railway. The Golden Round Trip can be done only during summer.

When to Get There

If you want to ride the cogwheel railway or do the boat ride from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, plan your trip for the summer. Both boats and the railway generally operate between May and October (depending on weather conditions). The earlier you set off, the fewer crowds you are likely to encounter. Note that the gondola and aerial cableway close for maintenance for a couple of weeks in late October and November.

The Legends of Mt. Pilatus

Mt. Pilatus is associated with many myths. In medieval times, rumors abounded that dragons lived in its crevices. According to local legend, the mountain is named after Pontius Pilate, the Roman emperor who ordered the death of Jesus Christ, and whose lifeless body the devil supposedly dumped in a lake on Mt. Pilatus. It’s more likely, however, that the mountain’s name is connected to the Latin word pileatus (“capped”), which may refer to the clouds that often shroud its peaks.

Ways to explore

You don’t need to be a mountaineer to scale Mt. Pilatus these days—several sightseeing options are available that make access easy for everyday travelers. A popular summer excursion is the Golden Round Trip experience that covers all the different Lucerne-summit transportation options, from boat to cogwheel train, panoramic gondola, and aerial cableway. There are also organized day trips from Lucerne that add on city tours and Lake Lucerne cruises, or multi-day tours that include overnight stays on the mountain.

Accessibility

The stations and public restrooms on Mt. Pilatus are wheelchair accessible; however, wheelchair users are advised to make reservations for the gondolas or cogwheel train in advance.

Age limits

There are no age restrictions to ride on the cogwheel train or gondolas. Just note that the Tomlishorn summit is at a high altitude, and babies and elderly people are at greater risk of altitude sickness.

What to pack

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, waterproof layer, camera

What to wear

Long pants, layers including a waterproof or windproof jacket

Not allowed

Bikes and general snow sports equipment are not permitted. Specialist skis or snowboards for touring are allowed, but can only be transported in bags in the equipment carriers between Fräkmüntegg and Kriens.

Amenities

Restaurants, self-service restaurants, restrooms, picnic/barbecue areas

Address

There are two Mt. Pilatus access points: Kriens (year-round) and Alpnachstad (summer only). The closest to Lucerne is Kriens, from where you ride the gondola to the aerial cableway Dragon Ride. From Alpnachstad, you board the cogwheel train.

Driving

For Kriens from Lucerne, follow Autobahn A2 south to the “Luzern Süd / Kriens” exit. For Alpnachstad from Lucerne, follow Autobahn A8 toward Sarnen / Interlaken to the “Alpnachstad” exit. There are paid parking lots in Kriens and Alpnachstad.

Public transportation

For Kriens from Lucerne, take bus #1 from the train station to the stop “Kriens, Zentrum / Pilatus.” The gondola station is within a 5-minute walk. For Alpnachstad from Lucerne, take train #S5 to Alpnachstad, or the summer-only boat from Lucerne Pier 2.

Best times to visit

Visit on a sunny, cloud-free day to experience Mt. Pilatus at its best. The gondola, aerial cable car, and some mountain attractions may close in bad weather conditions such as strong winds.

Best days to visit

Aim to visit Mt. Pilatus between Monday and Friday to avoid the crowds. Weekends and school holidays are busier with visitors.

Best months to visit

To experience the Golden Round Trip, visit between mid-May and mid-November, when the cogwheel train and boats are running. This is also the busiest time, so book transportation in advance.

Special events

The Swiss Trailrun Pilatus takes place in mid-June, with runners completing routes between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg. Expect some hiking trails to be closed and the gondolas to be busy on the day.