Luzern is a picturesque city located in central Switzerland, surrounded by the stunning Alps and situated on the shores of Lake Luzern. The city is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower, which date back to the 14th century.
My stay was at Bellpark Hostel, which is a ten-minute bus ride from Luzern’s main station. This hostel is in a perfect location for those planning to visit Mt. Pilatus.
I hit the bed directly after having dinner to get up early to visit Mt. Pilatus. Do check the weather forecast before visiting the top. The next day, I got up early before sunrise to visit Mt.Pilatus. It was a 15-minute walk from the hostel to the starting point where we could get the Panoramic Gondola.
Tip! – The hostel provided a Luzern city ticket as the hostel prices include a tax which is paid to the city. The city ticket is very useful as the transportation in and around Luzern is free and also you get discounts at various attractions. Do not forget to ask the hostels if it is not provided before travelling.
Pilatus Kulm- 7000ft
It was perfect weather and the Alps around Luzern provided a stunning landscape while walking to Kriens where the trip to Mt.Pilatus starts. The gondola ride takes around 30 minutes to get to the first stop. One can get down at intermediate stops, explore and take the next connection to the summit.
After 30 minutes, you reach the first stop, Fräkmüntegg which is at 4650 ft above sea level. The weather had slowly started to get worse. I clicked a few pictures before it started snowing. There is a restaurant at this station for those who want to get a quick grab or enjoy the view and have a slow breakfast.
Next train is a larger panoramic ride named Dragon Ride which takes around 10 mins to reach the Pilatus summit. At the summit, Pilatus Kulm is 7000ft above sea level.
The weather went from bad to worse within minutes and it was snowing heavily and the beautiful views down to Luzern from Mt.Pilatus were now just dense fog. You can step into the Pilatus Kulm Hotel to warm yourself down as it gets freezingly cold outside.
We had some feathery visitors in the cold. I initially thought it was a crow but turned out to be Alpine Chough, a member of the crow family and true alpine species.
After a short walk in the snow and having a cup of hot chocolate, I took a walk around the famous dragon trail. There are many legends and myths associated with Pilatus. In the Middle Ages, people believed that dragons with healing powers lived in the rugged clefts and crevices of Pilatus.
You can read one of the Dragon myths on the Pilatus official site- Dragon Trail on the Pilatus – Steeped in legend and myth | Dragon Trail on the Pilatus | Pilatus Bahnen Lucerne Switzerland
The Dragon Trail has to be visited in summer as it offers some stunning views of the valley as you walk along the mountain. Unfortunately, the path outside the mountain was closed because of snow and was extremely slippery. We were allowed to walk the cave pass which is half the dragon trail.
People planning to visit in summer should ride the cogwheel railway which has a gradient of 48° and is the steepest cogwheel ride in the world. The cogwheel only runs from June to November
Chappel Bridge
After descending from Mt. Pilatus, I took a stroll across the Chappel Bridge, one of Luzern’s most famous landmarks. The bridge dates back to the 14th century and is adorned with beautiful paintings that depict the city’s history and legends. The bridge is also home to a range of souvenir shops and cafes, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this charming city. As it was about to rain, the dark clouds added more beauty to the backdrop of the bridge.
Just sit down at a Café nearby and enjoy the view the bridge and lake have to offer.
Conclusion
Luzern is a destination that offers something for everyone, from history buffs to nature lovers to foodies. With its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and world-class attractions, Luzern is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Switzerland. I hope this travel experience has inspired you to plan your Luzern adventure and explore all that this beautiful city has to offer.
Useful Links
Pilatus Kulm – Summit experience | | Pilatus Bahnen Lucerne Switzerland
The Official Lucerne & Lake Lucerne Region Guide | Luzern.com
