Mt. Pilatus & Mt. Rigi Walking Tour Highlights
“2 Peaks in 1 Day”
Mt Pilatus or Mt Rigi? Which mountain peak to choose?
If you have one day in Lucerne and are wondering which mountain to go up – why not choose them both?
- Experience Lucerne’s two home mountain peaks in just one day
- Ride a cogwheel rail system to the top of Mt Rigi
- Start at Mt Rigi and savor its 360-degree views of the surrounding Alps
- Visit a 7th generation Swiss-Dairy and artisan cheese-maker
- Take a panoramic summit walk with views over 3 lakes
- Ride the cable car down with heart-stopping views over Lake Lucerne
- Relax on a 1-hour scenic boat cruise
- Ascend Mt. Pilatus in a combination panorama gondola and “Dragon Ride” cableway up to its 7000 ft. Summit
- Enjoy the world’s steepest cogwheel train ride to Lake Lucerne
- Easy bus & train transportation back to Lucerne
- This is a quiet, private, tour where you can learn about the Lucerne area and Switzerland, while enjoying spectacular Alpine views
The Hike
This is an easy to moderate day hike on mountain contour path and rocky summit trail (with safety railings). Ride a cogwheel rail system to the top of Mt Rigi.
Season
mid-May to October
- Meet: 07:00 am – Under the arches in front of the Lucerne train station
- We depart promptly at 07:18 am
- We return: 17:29 (5:29 pm)
Included
Includes
- All activities and transportation described in the itinerary
- Light picnic lunch, drinks, & snacks (please advise us at time of booking of any special dietary restrictions)
- Private tour with expert local English-speaking guide who is happy to give you as much information as you want and to answer any questions about Switzerland – the country, its heritage and its culture.
Not Included
Not Included
Alcoholic drinks (can be purchased)
Items of personal nature.
What to Bring & Wear
What to wear and bring
Water bottle
Sunscreen & sunhat
Comfortable footwear with a sturdy sole – good quality trainers with a sturdy sole are also fine for this tour.
Warm layered clothing and wind/waterproof jacket as it can be cold at the top of the mountain.
Rates
Rates
Adult Standard: US $595 per person, based on 2 or more
Adult Standard: US $820 for one person
Adult with Half-Tax Card Swiss: Standard Rate less US $105 per person
Adult with Swiss/Tell-Pass/GA: Standard Rate less US $210 per person
Child (Standard ages 6 to 15): US $298 per child
Child with Half-Tax Card Swiss: Standard Child Rate less US $52 per child
Child with Swiss/Tell-Pass/GA: Standard Child Rate less US $105 per child
Children 0-5 years are free
5 or more contact ECHO Trails
Cancellation Policy or Changes
Cancellation policy
The tour departs rain or shine.
Full refund up to 24 hours prior to the tour departure.
50% refund if cancelled by 6.00 p.m. the day before departure.
No refund on the day of departure.
Changes?
Calling outside of Switzerland: +41-79-813-36-10.
When in Switzerland, just dial 079-813-36-10 to reach our office.
Or e-mail: office@echo-trails.com
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Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus Day Hike Details
Experience Lucerne’s two mountain peaks in one day
The tour starts at Mt. Rigi, also known as the “Queen of the Mountains”. This is the mountain peak where Alpine tourism began over 200 years ago, and before that, in the Middle Ages it was considered as the Center of the World. Relax with a boat ride on Lake Lucerne before ascending Mt. Pilatus, the higher of the two peaks with steeper and more forbidding slopes.
Mt Rigi section - Details
Meet your guide early so there is time to grab a quick snack or breakfast before boarding the local train for a 30 min ride alongside Lakes Lucerne and Zug to link up with the cogwheel mountain railway which takes you on a scenic journey up to Rigi-Kulm (the summit of Mt Rigi).
Here you enjoy impressive 360-degree views over the Alps stretching way out into the distance. On a clear day you can even see as far as France to the West and the Black Forest in Germany to the North.
Take a gentle 30 min walk down to a 7th generation family-owned alpine dairy and artisan cheese-maker and see just how much physical labor is involved in making a wheel of cheese.
Continue to hike on for about an hour along a mountain trail, over alpine meadows and along a ridge path with spectacular views over the lakes and far into the distance. If the wind is blowing in the right direction, you may be able to watch paragliders launch themselves off the mountain.
At Rigi-Kaltbad you catch the aerial cable-car down to to Weggis so as to be in time to catch a Lake Lucerne boat for a scenic 40 min cruise back to Lucerne. Sit back and relax while enjoying a picnic lunch provided by your guide (let us know in advance of any special dietary restrictions).
Mt. Pilatus section – Details
Mt. Pilatus section – Details
Once in Lucerne, walk across the street and board the local bus for a 15 minute ride and then a short walk to the Mt. Pilatus gondola station. Climb aboard a 4-person gondola and enjoy the views over the city and surrounding hills. Then transfer to the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway that whisks you up to 2,032 m / 7,000 ft to the top of Lucerne’s other home mountain, the Mt. Pilatus.
Once on top, there is time to take in the magnificent views over the Alps. Follow the Dragon Caves walking trail (500 m/0.3 miles) and learn about the legends of the mountain’s dragons and its surprising connection with Pontius Pilate. Take an adventure walk along the Flower Trail to the Tömlishorn (the highest peak at 2128 m) where, on a clear day, you can see the famous peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the distance. If you are lucky, you may even encounter a few wild ibex along the way, and hear the clanging of cowbells in the air.
Return to the main are for refreshments and souvenir shopping at the Pilatus Kulm visitor center. The return trip to Lucerne begins with a descent to Alpnachstad on the world’s steepest cogwheel train with 48% gradients and through numerous tunnels. More wonderful views of the Swiss Alps accompany you on your descent. In Alpnachstad board the local train for a quick and easy ride back to Lucerne.