Mount Pilatus
2,128 m
Switzerland
Also known as Пилатус (планина), Pilatus, +7Also known as
Пилатус (планина) · Pilatus · Monte Pilatus · Pilate · Pílatus · პილატუსი · Fractus Mons · Muntele Pilat · Пилатус
- Elevation
- 2,128 m
- Prominence
- 585 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T2+ (okwirsindweg.ch) · T4 (gipfelbuch.ch)
The classic walk up Lucerne's local mountain: about 1,630 m of ascent in 5 hours from the lake at Alpnachstad, following the world's steepest cogwheel railway via Ämsigen and the Chilchsteine to Pilatus Kulm, then 40 minutes along the secured Flower Trail to the Tomlishorn (2,128 m), the massif's highest point. Most people ride the railway or cable cars down.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 10.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,749 m
- −63 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,128 m
- Time Up
- 7h 15m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 5h
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Pilatus Railway valley station at Alpnachstad (436 m), follow the main road briefly and turn right onto the Pilatusweg. It passes under the railway, climbs via Grossrüti (614 m) and across the Wolfortbach, then zigzags through the shady Langenschwandwald and crosses the line on the Wolfort tunnel to the Ämsigen middle station (about 1,360 m), once the water stop for the steam locomotives. From Alp Ämsigen paths climb in tight bends either side of the railway, via Mattalp on the left or Matt on the right, to the Chilchsteine (1,865 m) below the Matthorn. A mountain path then crosses a steep scree slope to the summit station at Pilatus Kulm. Pilatus Kulm, with its hotels, terraces and the Esel (2,118 m) and Oberhaupt viewpoints, is not the highest point. Cross the terrace of Hotel Pilatus-Kulm and follow the Flower Trail (Blumenpfad) south-west along the ridge; the well-secured path, partly with railings and steps, reaches the Tomlishorn in about 40 minutes (1.45 km, about 95 m of ascent). Return the same way to Pilatus Kulm. Allow about 5 hours from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm plus 40 minutes to the Tomlishorn. The section above Ämsigen is steep and sustained, and the scree path below Kulm needs sure feet. Starting at Ämsigen by train (tell the conductor) cuts the walk to about 2¼ hours. The upper paths are usually snow-free only from mid-June to October and are repaired at the 'Pilatus Putzete' on the third Saturday of June.
Start
Alpnachstad438 m
- Pilatus cogwheel railway Alpnachstad–Ämsigen–Pilatus Kulm (May–November, snow permitting); gondola and 'Dragon Ride' aerial cableway Kriens–Fräkmüntegg–Pilatus Kulm (all year)
- SBB train to Alpnachstad (Lucerne–Interlaken line); in summer also by boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpnachstad → Tomlishorn | 10.4 | 1,749 | 63 | 7h 15m |
Waypoints
- Station: Alpnachstad438 m
SBB station and Pilatus Railway valley station; car park
- Feature: Grossrüti605 m
- Station: Ämsigen1,355 m
Middle station of the Pilatus Railway
- Col: Chilchsteine1,866 m
Below the Matthorn; scree path to Pilatus Kulm above
- Lift: Pilatus Kulm2,061 m
Top station of the cogwheel railway and the cable car from Fräkmüntegg; hotels and restaurants
- Summit: Tomlishorn2,128 m
Key Passages
- Steep switchbacks either side of the railway above Ämsigen
- Scree slope from the Chilchsteine to Pilatus Kulm
- Secured Flower Trail along the ridge to the Tomlishorn
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
Lucerne's local mountain: a jagged limestone ridge rising 1,700 m straight out of Lake Lucerne, served by the world's steepest cogwheel railway and by cable cars. Its highest point, the Tomlishorn (2,128 m), is a 40-minute walk from the summit hotels; walkers can also climb the whole way from the lake in about five hours.
Pilatus is the northern outpost of the Central Swiss Prealps, a long limestone ridge on the borders of the cantons of Obwalden, Nidwalden and Lucerne. Seen from Lucerne it closes the south-western horizon, and from the top the view spans Lake Lucerne, the Swiss Plateau and a long line of Alpine summits. It is one of the most visited mountains in Switzerland.
The summit area, Pilatus Kulm, has two hotels, restaurants and the top stations of the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad and the cable cars from Kriens. Around it are several tops: the Esel (2,118 m) and the Oberhaupt (2,106 m), whose fortified radar and weather installations are closed to the public, and, 1.3 km to the south-west along the ridge, the Tomlishorn (2,128 m), the true high point, reached by the secured Flower Trail.
For walkers the mountain offers a choice: a short, easy outing from the top station to the Tomlishorn, or a full day climbing about 1,600–1,700 m from the lake shore at Alpnachstad, Kriens or Hergiswil on steep, well-marked mountain paths, finishing with a ride down. Expect crowds at Kulm on fine summer days and frequent cloud.
Climbing Notes
The walk from Alpnachstad is graded about T3: no scrambling, but steep and sustained, with a scree path below Pilatus Kulm. Fitness for 1,600 m of ascent in about five hours is the main requirement; most people take the railway or cable cars down to spare their knees. A shorter option starts at the Ämsigen middle station (about 2¼ hours to Kulm). The Flower Trail to the Tomlishorn is easy and secured but has steps and drops beside the railings.
The upper paths are generally walkable from mid-June to October; before then snow lingers in the north-facing sections and gullies. Reserve seats on the cogwheel railway on fine days, as queues are common. In winter only the cable cars from Kriens run and the summit paths are not maintained; walking up is then a winter-mountaineering undertaking with avalanche risk.
History
Several legends attach to the mountain: that Pontius Pilate was buried there, giving it its name, or that its outline resembles a man lying on his back; the name may also derive from the Latin 'pileatus', cloud-capped. The naturalist Conrad Gessner climbed it in the 16th century, and later visitors included Arthur Schopenhauer (1804), Queen Victoria and Theodore Roosevelt. The cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad opened in 1889, with gradients of up to 48%; the newest aerial cableway from Fräkmüntegg is known as the 'Dragon Ride'.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Summit paths snow-covered and unmaintained; cable cars from Kriens run
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Snow on upper paths
- May
- Cogwheel railway reopens; upper paths often still snow-covered
- Jun
- Summit hikes recommended from mid-June; paths repaired on the third Saturday of June
- Jul
- Flower Trail in bloom; busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Sep
- Often clear, fewer visitors
- Oct
- Shorter days; early snow possible; Flower Trail usually open until October
- Nov
- Cogwheel railway closes during November, snow permitting
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- No hut is needed. Hotel Pilatus-Kulm and the Pilatus Bellevue at the summit station take overnight guests; book via pilatus.ch.
- Fees
- Cogwheel railway and cable car tickets (seat reservation on the railway recommended in fine weather)
- Paid parking at Alpnachstad station
- Rules
- All alpine plants in the Pilatus area are protected
- The military radar and weather installations on the Oberhaupt are closed to the public
- No fire pits on Pilatus Kulm
- Getting There
Lucerne; Alpnach, Kriens and Hergiswil at the foot
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
- Train (SBB) from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, start of the cogwheel railway and the walk from the south
- Bus from Lucerne to Kriens for the gondola to Fräkmüntegg and the aerial cableway to Pilatus Kulm (all year)
- Summer: boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad as part of the 'Golden Round Trip'
- By car: A8 to the Alpnach exit, parking at Alpnachstad station
- Bus Alpin runs from Alpnach Dorf to Lütholdsmatt on selected days (booking via app)
Hazards
- Weather
- Rockfall
- Exposure