The top can be reached with the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, operating from May to November (depending on snow conditions), and the whole year with the aerial panorama gondolas and aerial cableways from Kriens. Pilatus has the longest summer toboggan track in Switzerland (0.88 miles or 1.350 km) and the biggest suspension rope park in Central Switzerland.

During the summer, the “Golden Round Trip” – a popular route for tourists – involves taking a boat from Lucerne across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, going up on the cogwheel railway, coming down on the aerial cableways and panorama gondolas, and taking a bus back to Lucerne.

Pilatus was named after a local legend which alleges that Pontius Pilate was buried there.

Numbered amongst those who have reached its summit are Conrad Gessner, Queen Victoria and Lenin.

The Mountain

Whether you admire Mount Pilatus from the centre of Lucerne, whether you stand in Hergiswil beneath its steep slopes, or whether you stand in Eigenthal gazing at the rugged mountain chain towering behind the valley, the mountain always reveals its immense size and shape – although these appear different from every location.

Geology

From a geological aspect, Mount Pilatus is the northernmost branch of the Alps. The geological edge of the Alps stretches right through Lake Lucerne. Along this border run the sedimentary layers which traverse the whole of Switzerland and, with the lakes in the Alpine foothills, create some of Switzerland’s most stunning scenery.

History

The first written reference to Mount Pilatus was made in the 13th century. But Celtic herdsmen already inhabited the extensive heights in much earlier times.

But the real story of Mount Pilatus began with the completion of the Gotthard route. Suddenly, not only local people stood at the foot of Lucerne’s “own” mountain, but also travellers from the whole of the then-known world.

Legends & Myths

Since time immemorial, the rugged cliffs above Lucerne have been enveloped in mysterious myths and legends. in the Middle Ages, people believed that a dragon with healing powers and spirits inhabited the rocky crevices. It was said that the restless ghost of Roman governor once found lasting peace in Lake Pilatus. And so for a long time it was forbidden to climb the mountain – for woe betide any one who disturbed Pontius Pilate!

Intact Nature

On its climb from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway passes meadows carpeted with Alpine flowers, crystal-clear mountain streams and fascinating sheer cliff formations. With a little luck you may spot ibex, chamois, colourful Alpine roses, arnica or gentian on your journey. Over 900 species of plants are native to the Mount Pilatus area, many of them officially protected.

Hiking & High-Alpine Paths

Enjoy an easy stroll along the Dragon Path through the rock gallery on Pilatus Kulm – or make a short detour to the «Oberhaupt», the «Esel» or «Tomlishorn». In summer, these Mount Pilatus peaks are accessible along good paths, within an easy 10 to 35-minute walk from the Mount Pilatus hotels.

The boats run daily and year round. They connect famous resorts to hiking trails and cable car stations. An excellent excursion departing from Alpnachstad is by world’s steepest cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus. In Lucerne, Brunnen, Flüelen and Alpnachstad, passengers have the option to connect to international train routes.

Apart from the Wilhelm Tell Express, the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company offers other attractive arrangements, such as the Lunch Boat (daily, all year round), the Cake Boat, Sundown Cruises, the Fondue Boat, the Sushi Boat and the Jazz Cruise on the steamer, as well as many more special offers of the musical and culinary sort. Beyond that, most courses include an innovative gastronomic experience. The chef’s team at the Tavolago loves to cook, and it shows!
Routes:
Lucerne – Weggis – Vitznau – Beckenried – Brunnen – Flüelen
Lucerne – Stansstad – Alpnachstad
Lucerne – Küssnacht am Rigi

German Luzern, capital of Lucerne canton, central Switzerland, on the Reuss River, where it issues from the northwestern branch of Lake Lucerne (German: Vierwaldstätter See; French: Lac des Quatre Cantons), southwest of Zürich. The city’s name was derived from the Benedictine monastery of St. Leodegar (Luciaria), founded in the 8th century. From the nearby fishing village grew a city, probably chartered about 1178, whose inhabitants were originally serfs of the monastery. After the opening of the St. Gotthard Pass (c. 1230), Lucerne developed into an important trade centre between the upper Rhine and Lombardy. In 1291 the monastery and city were purchased by Rudolf IV of Habsburg (also called Rudolf I of Germany), against the will of the citizens, who desired independence. Political instability under Rudolf’s successors led Lucerne in 1332 to join the alliance formed by the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden in 1291. The group won independence after the Battle of Sempach (1386) against the Habsburg army. By 1415 Lucerne had acquired most of the territory of the present canton, by either treaty, armed occupation, or purchase. It became the leader of the Catholic cantons at the Reformation and was the seat of the papal nuncio from 1579 to 1874. The city’s aristocratic regime was compelled to abdicate in 1798 under the onslaught of the Napoleonic armies. Lucerne was for a time the capital of the Helvetic Republic, resuming its status as the cantonal capital in 1803.

Divided into two parts by the Reuss River, which is crossed by seven bridges within the town, Lucerne has one of the most picturesque settings in Switzerland. The Spreuerbrücke (1407), now the oldest bridge, is roofed and decorated with some 56 paintings, scenes from the Dance of Death, dating from the early 17th century. Until its destruction by fire in 1993, the Kapellbrücke (1333; “Chapel Bridge”) was the oldest bridge. It was similarly decorated. The old town on the right bank is distinguished by well-preserved 14th-century town walls (Musegg) with nine watchtowers, quaint alleys, and squares with medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque houses. Notable buildings are the old town hall (1602–06), housing the historical museum; Am Rhyn House (1617); St. Peter’s Chapel (1178; altered 1750); the Hofkirche (an 8th-century cathedral and collegiate church of St. Leodegar); and the Mariahilf Church (1676–81). Other landmarks are Bertel Thorvaldsen’s “Lion of Lucerne” monument (1819–21), in memory of the Swiss guards slain while defending the Tuileries in Paris in 1792; the Glacier Garden, a relic of the Ice Age excavated in 1872–75; and the comprehensive Swiss Transport Museum (1959). On the left bank are the cantonal government building, Regierungsgebäude, or Ritterscher Palast (1557–64; a Jesuit college 1577–1804); the State Archives (1729–31), with a Rococo Marian chamber and library and the Central Library (1951), housing the numismatic, natural history, and Helvetica collections; the St. Francis Xavier (Jesuit) Church (1667–77); the 14th-century Gothic Franciscan Church with Rococo transepts; the Corporation Building (1675); the new town hall (1913); the Richard Wagner Museum (1933); the modern St. Anthony’s Chapel (1954); and the Art Gallery and Congress Hall (Kunst- und Kongresshaus; 1932–33).

In addition to various cantonal and municipal schools, there are the central Swiss Transport School, the Swiss Catholic School of Sacred Music, the Central Swiss Technical College, and the Swiss Schools of Bakery and of Hotel Keeping. Lucerne is also the seat of the Supreme Cantonal Court, a commercial tribunal, a criminal court, a juvenile court, and the Federal Insurance Court.

Because of its magnificent surroundings, temperate climate, and easy access by road and rail, Lucerne has become one of the largest and most important tourist resorts in Switzerland. Steamer services on the lake connect with various mountain railways and cableways, and there is a direct narrow-gauge rail connection with the winter-sports centre of Engelberg. Facilities include a casino, beaches, rowing and sailing regattas, horse-racing and show-jumping competitions, an annual international music festival, and a traditional pre-Lenten carnival. Lucerne’s commercial and industrial activities depend largely on the tourist trade. The population is German speaking and largely Roman Catholic. Pop. (1991 est.) 59,370.