The Best View in Switzerland: Mount Pilatus
Updated: Mar 12, 2021
A day at Mount Pilatus: taking the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to the summit, hiking the trails and finding the best viewpoints.
A SPONTANEOUS SWITZERLAND TRIP
My friend Megan and I were talking about turning 30. We were in our living room (when we were neighbors in Queen Village), and I don't think she was too excited about the birthday.
In hopes of making it more exciting, I asked her what she wanted to do. If she could go anywhere in the world, where would she go? She didn't hesitate: it was Switzerland.
I also didn't hesitate. I went to Google flights and we booked a ticket to Zurich.
This was the most spontaneous trip I've ever booked! And I am so glad we just DID IT. It was one of the best trips of my life, and possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen.
And the most beautiful place in Switzerland was...
MOUNT PILATUS
THE SUMMIT: THE PILATUS RAILWAY
To get to the top, you get to take the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. The Pilatus Railway is in the village of Alpnach, about 15 - 20 minutes from Lucerne. The 30-minute train ride is nonstop views of beautiful alpine meadows and mountains.
May - October
View Timetable
THE VIEWPOINTS
There's actually lots to do at the summit of Mount Pilatus, but I was there for the hiking and to take in the views! Everything was a lookout point in my opinion, but technically there are four main ones. My favorite was Tomlishorn.
DRAGON TRAIL
OBERHAUPT + ESEL
TOMLISHORN
Highest point on Pilatus
The Flower Trail to Tomlishorn is flat and an easy, breezy walk. Until you get to the last few minutes of the 40-minute walk. At the end, I constantly felt like I was going to fall off the side of the cliff.
But it was worth it. I don't know if it was the altitude, the fresh air of the Alps or just the sheer beauty, silence and peace - just me and the mountains... it was heavenly and I was so happy I literally cried.
Meg and I spent a few hours together and a few hours solo on the mountain. After our separate solo time, we met back up and apparently, she cried too. So yeah, if you want to cry tears of joy, visit Mount Pilatus!
MAPS
AllTrails - Tomlishorn:
WHERE TO STAY: LUCERNE
You can actually stay on Mount Pilatus, but I loved staying in Lucerne. We stayed at Hotel Stern Luzern in the Old Town. They have a restaurant too and serve modern Swiss cuisine. We ended the night with wandering the old city streets and a lakeside stroll.
