See the View from Mt. Pilatus

While in Lucerne, it would be a shame to miss the trip up Mount Pilatus, going up by the cableway from Kriens and down by the cog-railroad. The half-hour ride from Kriens leads to another short cable car ride to the 2,070-meter Pilatus-Kulm.

From here, it is a six- to 10-minute climb to the summit of the Esel – the central (but not highest) peak of Pilatus with magnificent views of the Alps. From the Pilatus-Kulm, it is a 30-minute walk to the Tomlishorn, at 2,132 meters, the highest point in this rugged limestone massif.

Alternatively, you can take a boat to Alpnachstad to board the cog-railroad for a 30-minute ride at gradients up to 48 percent through Alpine meadows and forests, over the rock-strewn Mattalp, up the steep rock face, and through four tunnels to the upper station on Pilatus-Kulm, returning via the cableway.

If you don’t want to deal with planning a trip and navigating your way to Mount Pilatus, a guided tour is a great option. The 5.5-hour Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip includes a gondola ride and an aerial cableway ascent to the peak of Mount Pilatus, followed by a descent on the world’s steepest cogwheel train. The tour ends with a panoramic one-hour boat ride across Lake Lucerne.