Mt Pilatus

Mount Pilatus rises high above the city of Lucerne giving wonderful views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. At 6,992 ft (2,132 m) high, it has 2 cable cars, the world's steepest cog-railway, hotels, restaurants and lots of outdoor activities. People come here to toboggan, sledge, mountain bike and for the excellent hiking. There is a Rope Park for treetop adventures.

Rumor has it that the mountain is named after Pontius Pilate who they say was thrown into a nearby lake and haunts the mountain. More likely is that the name comes from the Latin word for cloud-covered, pileatus. It was made famous by the composer Richard Wagner in the 19th century and Britain's Queen Victoria rode up here on horseback.

Practical Info

To ride up on the cablecars, take trolley-bus no. 1 from Lucerne Railway Station towards Kriens. Get off at stop Linde/Pilatus, then it's an easy 5 minute walk. To go on the cog-railway, go to Alpnachstad by train from Lucerne Station (look for the Pilatus sign) or by boat from landing stage 2 which takes about 90 minutes. From May-October, the boat and cog-railway is by far the most scenic option.