Pilatus summer trip self-guided with cogwheel railway and cable car from/to Alpnachstad or Kriens

Visit the legendary site of Lucerne and enjoy the world's steepest cogwheel railway.

Start your journey at the Alpnachstad or Kriens valley station and experience the 30-minute ride on the world's steepest cogwheel railway (from Alpnachstad) or on the panorama gondola and cable car "Dragon Ride" (from Kriens).

At the summit of the Swiss local mountain, you can enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the Swiss Alps, Lake Four Cantons, and the city of Lucerne – either from the spacious outdoor panoramic terrace or from the cosy indoor panorama gallery.

Within a few minutes, you can also reach one of the three peaks of Pilatus Kulm (Esel, Oberhaupt, or Tomlishorn) and enjoy hiking in the Swiss mountains or along the Dragon Path.

Pilatus is also called the Dragon Mountain because legends tell of a dragon living there – learn more about these myths in the Dragon World at Pilatus Kulm.

In Alpnachstad and on Pilatus Kulm, you can taste specialities at one of the restaurants. Queen Victoria once visited Pilatus, and one of the restaurants on Pilatus Kulm is named after her.

If you choose to take the cable car to/from Kriens, you can enjoy various leisure activities (extra charge) such as the largest zipline park in Central Switzerland (suitable for visitors from 4 years old), the dragon flyer, or Switzerland’s longest summer toboggan run at the Fräkmüntegg station.

From Fräkmüntegg, you take the "Dragon Ride" cable car to reach the summit of Pilatus Kulm at 2,132 meters above sea level.

Practical information:

• Accessible for wheelchair users (reservation needed)
• Duration: 2.5 – 6 hours; check the timetable for departure times.

• Operation of the cogwheel railway: 12.05.2025 – 16.11.2025
• Cable car closed for maintenance: 20.10.2025 – 07.11.2025 During this time, Pilatus Kulm is accessible via the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad.
• Check the timetable carefully
• To avoid long waiting times for the cogwheel railway between Alpnachstad and Pilatus Kulm (or vice versa), we strongly recommend making a reservation at www.pilatus.ch/reservation
• It operates in almost all weather conditions, so dress appropriately
• Please note that this is a self-guided tour, with no guide waiting for you.
• Children under 6 years old participate free of charge (age 0 – 5.99 years)
• You can choose your start and end points (Kriens and/or Alpnachstad).
• Transport to the start and end points is not included.

• Small dogs up to 30 cm are free to bring on the Pilatus trains. However, they must remain in a transport container for the entire journey. You need to tuck this container under your seat.
• Dogs without a container and all dogs taller than 30 cm at the shoulder require their own dog ticket for the Pilatus trains.

• Please check the timetables before your travel day
• The cable car from Kriens is closed for maintenance from 20.10.2025 to 07.11.2025. During this period, Pilatus Kulm is only accessible by the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad.