Mount Pilatus from Lucerne

General information

Destination	Category
Lucerne, Switzerland	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Feel on top of the world at the summit of Mount Pilatus, with this fascinating full-day guided tour to one of the most famous peaks in the Alps.


We’ll bring you to the picturesque town of Kriens, which nestles at the foot of Mount Pilatus. From here, we’ll take the panoramic gondolas and cable cars to reach the top, which is more than 2,000 metres (7,000ft) above sea level. Enjoy the spectacular view over the surrounding mountains and lakes, stop for a bite to eat or hike to the summit.


The descent involves yet more adventure as you board the world's steepest rack railway, with a gravity-defying 48% gradient. Watch the goats and cows chew the cud without a care in the world as you gently come down at a safe 9km/h during this scenic ride through meadows carpeted with alpine flowers, past sparkling mountain streams and into rock faces before reaching the lakeside hamlet of Alpnachstad. During summer from here you will board a ferry for a scenic one-hour cruise to Lucerne on the Lake of the Four Forested Cantons (as Lake Lucerne is romantically called in German). For those who join the tour during winter, instead you will enjoy lunch on top of Mount Pilatus with a backdrop to remember.


Meeting point: Tourist information bureau at the central train station every day at 12.30pm.
Languages: Live guided in English, German, Spanish(early May to mid Nov) and partly live guide in English and German (Spanish on request from mid-November to early May).
Others: The Panoramic gondolas and aerial cable car are offered all year except during revision early November, the World’s steepest cogwheel railway is available early May to mid-November, boat ride on Lake Lucerne is offered early May to late October and lunch will be offered instead of boat ride from November to early May.
From Lucerne to Kriens (no guide on the mountain + from Kriens back to Lucerne).