Pilatus

Pilatus is the mountain above Luzern, about 2,100 metres high, at Pilatus Kulm near Alpnachstad, 12 kilometres southwest of the city in central Switzerland. It is reached by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, with a 48 percent gradient, from Alpnachstad, or by gondola and cable car from Kriens. Many visitors combine the two as a round trip, going up one way and down the other. The summit has restaurants, a hotel and a network of walking paths, including routes to the Esel and Oberhaupt peaks that give views over Lake Lucerne and the Alps. On clear days, the panorama stretches across dozens of peaks, while cloud can fill the valley below and leave the summit in sunshine. The cogwheel railway runs from 11 May to 29 November 2026, and the cable cars operate daily with last descents in the late afternoon, varying by season. A return ticket from Alpnachstad or Kriens costs about CHF 80 according to the 2025 price list, and the Golden Round Trip from Lucerne costs about CHF 120. Children aged 6 to 15 pay half price, under-6s are free, and the Swiss Travel Pass covers part of the route. A visit takes half a day to a full day. Getting to the base takes a boat from Luzern to Alpnachstad (about 90 minutes), a Zentralbahn train (about 20 minutes), or bus 1 to Kriens Pilatusbahnen. Clear mornings from May to October offer the best views, and checking the summit webcam first helps avoid a cloudy trip. Midday and summer weekends bring the largest crowds.