Mount Pilatus - The Dragon Mountain

There is no doubt that you would absolutely enjoy your time at Mount Pilatus, but the trip to Pilatus itself is a wonderful experience. The best way is to book a Golden Round Trip. After you reach Lucerne, take a ferry on Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to Alpnachstad. From Alpnachstad, take the cogwheel railway to reach Pilatus Kulm peak. After spending time at Mount Pilatus, take the aerial cableway down to Fräkmüntegg. From there a gondola would take you down to Kriens. It's just 15 minute bus ride (Bus No. 1) from Kriens - Linde Pilatus bus stop to Lucerne. You can also do the trip other way round, if you prefer. Either way, the golden round trip would be a rewarding experience.

The train ride from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm is the world's steepest cogwheel railway, with a 48% gradient. It was opened in the year 1889 and during then, it operated in steam engine. Later in 1937 the railway was reopened after electrification. The ascent to Pilatus Kulm takes around 30 minutes, and the descent takes 40 minutes. The railcar has a capacity to carry 40 persons. The train ride would offer breathtaking panoramic views of Central Switzerland, and a closer look at the mountain streams, lush alpine meadows, rugged cliffs and alpine flowers.

From the Pilatus cable car or train station, you can go on a short hike up the Esel peak located at 2406m. It's just a 10 minute walk, and you can enjoy 360 degree view of the alpine ranges including Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Black Forest. Other hiking opportunities are Oberhaupt and Tomlishorn. You can also take a short stroll through the 500m long Dragon Path. In the dragon path, you can see details about the mysterious myths and legends surrounding Mount Pilatus immortalized by Hans Erni - popular Swiss artist. There are over 7 restaurants in Mount Pilatus, to whet your appetite. For a quick snacks or a-la-carte menus, you can go to Hotel Bellevue. For celebrations and banquets, you can choose among Queen Victoria Saal, Cheminée Saal and Dohlenstübli.

Fräkmüntegg on the way to Mount Pilatus, has Central Switzerland's biggest suspension rope park known as Pilatus Seilpark, with 10 exercise trails in varying degrees of difficulty. For unmatched fun, try the racy toboggan run from Fräkmüntegg down to 1415m with its numerous twists and turns. It is Switzerland's longest summer toboggan run, open from May to October, and costs around 8CHF for a single run. PILU-Land at Krienseregg on Mount Pilatus is a wonderful destination for kids.

Mount Pilatus is a hikers heaven, offering many hiking opportunities. It is said that the hike from Kriens to Krienseregg is relatively easy, the hike from Krienseregg to Fräkmüntegg is of medium difficulty, and the final hike from Fräkmüntegg to Pilatus is challenging. You can also go for paragliding, climbing or biking. In winter, there is a 6km long sledge run from Fräkmüntegg to Kriens for sledging fans.