Mount Pilatus – Perfect Views To The Alps
The rugged peak of Mount Pilatus is after Mount Rigi the most famous lookout point of central Switzerland. The mountain probably has its name of the Latin "Spileatus", the (with clouds) covered. In the middle ages, The Pilatus was also called "Mons fractus" (Latin) which translates to broken mountain. From the small town of Kriens, an aerial cable car takes you through Fraekmuentegg to Pilatus-Kulm. From Alpnachstad runs the steepest cogwheel railway in the world with an incredible gradient of 48%. In fact, the railway is so steep that it needs 30 minutes for its 4,6 km. The monument-protected hotel Pilatus-Kulm was built around 1900 and has a surprisingly stylish ambience. The cogwheel railway climbs to the summit at 2,122 meters (7,000 ft) and grants a spectacular view from Mount Saentis until to the Bluemlisalp, the lakes of Vierwaldstaetten and Zug and the surrounding hills. From Pilatus-Kulm, you can walk comfortably to the Tomlishorn (2,132 m) in about 30 minutes, which is the highest point of the lime massif. Very popular is the "Golden Roundtrip", around Mount Pilatus by Lake Steamer, cogwheel train, aerial cable car and gondola. The Golden Roundtrip The voyage starts and ends at the docks in Lucerne, the most beautiful city of Switzerland. A paddle boat takes you out into the deep blue lake to the small town of Alpnachstad. On your journey, you can take shoot some stunning photos of the city as it disappears in the distance. Continuing on your journey, you can see the vast green mountains of Mount Rigi, Buergenstock and as far down as the Stanserhorn to the south.
After the ferry ride, you walk a short distance to the station to where the Mount Pilatus cog railway leaves up to the top. To get a perfect straight down view of the mountain on your way up, sit on the last car. However, I do not recommend it if you have height problems because the backside of the car is made entirely of glass. At the summit, several restaurants and a large sun terrace awaits you. Ones at the top, you can have a magnificent look over the Swiss Alps while having lunch inside the café or at the restaurant sun deck. It’s not gourmet food but the view over Central Switzerland is just fantastic. After lunch, you may want to have a visit at the nice gift shop that sells typical souvenirs of the region. After you have spent some time at the top of the mountain, it is time to get back down to the lake area. The large cable car takes you in 5 minutes to the town of Fraekmuentegg. From there, a leisurely ride in a panoramic gondola to Kriens and finally a 15-minute bus ride back to the Lucerne train station. Even if you don’t do any hiking at Mount Pilatus, the trip to the top is worth it. You can even stay a night at the mountain at either the Hotel Bellevue or the Hotel Pilatus-Kulm. Sorry, they are not 5-star luxury. Just be sure to check the weather forecast when you are planning to go up. Otherwise, you run the risk of being encircled by 360 degrees of fog. Which means good-bye taking pictures? When Should You Visit Mount Pilatus Unfortunately, this fascinating trip is possible only from May to mid October. The best time to take this trip is in the months of July and August. The Mount Pilatus weather is sometimes cloudy with fog. The temperature can either be very comfortable, and sometimes even cold. Therefore, wearing warm clothes is necessary at any time! You can buy tickets for the "Golden Roundtrip" with 1st or 2nd class transportation on the lake steamer section. You can receive a 50% reduction off the cogwheel and cable car fares, and on the local bus. Just buy either a Swiss Card, Swiss Pass, Swiss Flexi Pass or a Swiss Youth Pass at any train station in Switzerland. Return from Mount Pilatus to Switzerland Attractions Return from Mount Pilatus to High end Travel Switzerland Home Page
|
