PILATUS

The steepest cog railway in the world reaches the top of Mount Pilatus (2,132m) and it was built more than 100 years ago.

To fully enjoy the adventure on Mount Pilatus, the "Golden tour" is recommended: you will take a boat trip from Lucerne to Alpnachstad (about 90 minutes); then you will continue with the steepest cog railway in the world (48%) to the top of Pilatus Kulm, where you will find the romantic Hotel Pilatus-Kulm (built in 1890) and its magnificent sun terrace, with a unique alpine lookout. And then, after a stop for lunch or even just for a coffee or a cup of tea, you will make a spectacular downhill by cable car and panoramic cable car towards Kriens / Lucerne.

A mountain of adventures: a hiking paradise, with intact nature and itineraries of all levels. You will admire the largest Alpine Park in Central Switzerland on the Fräkmüntegg (1416m) which promises fun and adventure for outdoor hikers, families, schools, companies and associations. You will see the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland, before descending by cable car to Kriens, from where you will leave for Lucerne by bus.

The Pilatus, the mountain of Lucerne, is one of the most legendary places in Central Switzerland and also one of the most beautiful because on clear days it offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks. The creator of this spectacular rack for the ascent of Mount Pilatus was the engineer Eduard Locher in the nineteenth century. Many people thought he was crazy. However, the madness became a reality with the inauguration, in 1899, of the 4,618 m long line that led from Alpnachstad to the Pilatus Kulm, the summit (steam line until 1937).
This work of art was built in 400 days by 600 men. What remains to this day the steepest rack railway in the world is considered an engineering masterpiece. Extraordinary in its time, authentic and very modern in the 21st century.
With a gradient of 48% it is still the steepest cogwheel train in the world to date. All this was possible thanks to the ingenious idea of ​​making two horizontal rack wheels which were also presented at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition. It was a revolutionary concept that caused a sensation.
Since 1956, the summit of Pilatus can also be reached from the other side of the mountain. Starting in Kriens near Lucerne, you will take a panoramic cable car up to Fräkmüntegg and from there you will continue with the brand new Dragon-Ride cable car. In this way it has become possible to do the Golden Ring, a circular excursion by rack, cable car and panoramic cable car, combined with a cruise on Lucerne Lake, which does not fail to thrill the thousands of tourists who visit every summer the Lucerne region.
In winter, when the rack is not working, visitors go up by cable car to admire the sun from the summit and the panorama of the peaks or to practice winter sports.

Depending on the time of year, you can do:
- Golden Ring: Full boat trip to Alpnachstad and experience of the rack to reach the summit. Descent by cable car and return to Lucerne by bus from Kriens 
- Silver Ring: Train ride to Alpnachstad and experience the rack railway to reach the summit. Descent by cable car and return to Lucerne by bus from Kriens
- Ascent and descent by rack railway from Alpnachstad with train connection from Lucerne
- Ascent and descent by cable car and cable car from Kriens with bus connection from Lucerne