Day Trip to Mount Pilatus from Zurich
One of my favourite day trips in Switzerland has to be the one to Mount Pilatus. The outlook was not great as we set off one cloudy Sunday morning from Zurich, but we hoped for the best. The image on the Pilates webcam at 8.30am looked marginally brighter than Zurich, but that was possibly because the rising sun looked glorious set against the fluffy, cloudy background.
Pilatus In Just Over An Hour From Zurich
Throwing caution to the wind got in the car, and just over an hour later we were standing at the foot of the Pilatus gondola stop. Parking was easy as there was a car park close by and we quickly purchased our return tickets to the summit. (You can use your Halb Tax card to get half price rates in if you have one. Juniorkarten are also valid, so children under 16, if cardholders, and travelling with their parents, are free).
We chose to go up via gondola and at the time we visited there was a choice of return options. We could either return by cog-wheel railway and then by train (20 minute train journey), or by cog-wheel railway and by boat (50 – 70 minutes boat trip ). Please note, however, that these last two options are only available from May – October/November.
Stunning Views at the Top Of Pilatus
Arriving at the top of Pilatus, the views were stupendous. The layering of the cloud and the blue lake below just added to the atmosphere and it was all quite spectacular. It seemed to change minute by minute.
There is a circular walk you can take at the top where they explain all the myths surrounding Pilatus and the dragons and from every angle there are more wonderful views.
Lunch in the Restaurant on the Peak
After the walk there was a choice of lunch at either the new self-service restaurant with glass windows and views over the lake below or in the traditional waitress service restaurant, which in Winter often has a great fire crackling in the hearth. Sadly there was no fire in the hearth that day, but the food was great and the service excellent.
Lunch in the waitress service restaurant.
The Boat To Lucerne
Suitably revived, we took the cog-wheel train down the mountain with more breathtaking views, arriving directly at the lake where we boarded the boat for the journey back to Lucerne main station. You can read about the Pilatusbahn railway here – it’s the an incredibly steep cogwheel and an amazing experience.
From the station we took the bus number 1. It was then just a short walk back to the car park where our journey had begun.
Wear Layers and Suitable Footwear
Do take your camera and enjoy a great day out. Wear suitable foot gear and wind and rain-proof clothing as it can be cold at the top – and snowy! You might be interested to know that until the end of March each year they often serve a traditional Swiss cheese fondue at a height of 2132 metres above sea level on the top of the mountain.
Mount Pilatus makes for a great day out and the views are simply awesome.
For more information please visit the Pilatus website here.
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*** Articles You May Find Of Interest ***
The Pilatusbahn – The Steepest Cogwheel Railway in the World
Adventure on the Gelmerbahn – the “Alpine Rollercoaster” in Grimselwelt
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