Mount Pilatus is a tall mountain towering over Lucerne at 2,128.5 meters high (6,983 feet), a popular destination for tourists.

How to get there

You can reach the top either by riding a 🚞 steep cogwheel train or 🚠 cable car up the mountain.

In summer, we suggest the "Golden Round Trip," which starts with a boat ride to the base of mountain, the cogwheel train up one side, time to explore the top, and finally a cable car down the other side of the mountain.

Location: Pilatus gondola - Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens

Book tickets for Pilatus cable cars.

You get a discount with Swiss Travel Pass and other Swiss travel cards.

What to do

At the top, you’ll find a big observation deck where you enjoy views of Lake Lucerne and countless mountain peaks in all directions. You can climb stairs to higher viewpoints, Esel and Oberhaupt, which are better photo spots than below on the observation deck.

Cliff Walk

🥾 If you have the energy, we highly recommend doing the cliff walk that leads to the Tomlishorn peak and viewpoint, about 30 mins each way. This well maintained path is cut into the cliffs and fenced for safety. It's not particularly difficult, it does climb 150m with some switchbacks, stairs and uneven terrain. Learn more about the cliff walk.

Amusements

On your way down, you can stop at the Fraumüntegg middle station, where you'll find a 1.3km long summer toboggan ride and ropes climbing park in the forest.

Where to eat

The self-service restaurant next to the cable car station is convenient, but nothing special and pricey. The full service restaurant at the hotel is a bit better, with outdoor seating with a view. The wait can be quite long, so only sit if you aren't in a hurry. So we usually prefer to eat back in Lucerne or bring a picnic.

More details: our full article about Pilatus

Book tickets for Pilatus cable cars.

Discount with Swiss Travel Pass and other Swiss travel cards.

Pilatus Website: https://www.pilatus.ch/en/

Conditions: live status • webcam • forecast