This trail up to the Brisen mountain (2,404 m / 7,887 ft) near Lucerne is one of our favorite peak hikes in this region. Fantastic panorama views across the whole region for most of the hike and lots of dramatic geological formations to admire.

Trail: Challenging • 4.5 h • 9.5 k • 466m up, 1248m down
See trail map.

Open: mid June to mid-October, assuming no snow on the peak

Location: Dallenwil-Niederrickenbach gondola – 46°55’40.8″N 8°23’49.5″E

To reach the trail, you ride a cable car up the mountain, then a short walk through a tiny alpine village. Then a chair lift up to the Haldigrat ridge, where you'll already get spectacular views before you even start the hike. There's a restaurant at the chair lift where you can have coffee and snack before you begin the climb.

The trail starts on a narrow up the ridge, a tough climb gaining abot 400m over 1.8km to reach the peak. Celebrate and rest up there for a bit (don't forget to sign the peak guest book).

Then a traverse across a rocky landscape and descent to the Brisenhaus mountain hut, a nice place for lunch. Then another 90 mins through meadows and forest to get back to the cable car.

• Learn more in my Brisen Peak Hike article.