Pilatus - Pilatus

View of the Pilatus
Pilate
CantonObwalden
Residentsunknown
no value for residents on Wikidata: Add residents
height
2,128 m
Tourist info webhttps://www.pilatus.ch
no tourist info on Wikidata: Add tourist information
location
Situation map of Switzerland
Reddot.svg
Pilate

The Pilatus is the local mountain with great views Lucerne and destination for tourists and locals. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Pilatus was opened up for tourism. The Pilatus is a small massif that extends over several peaks. The highest peak is called Tomlishorn (2128 m above sea level). They are only slightly lower ass (2118 m.a.s.l.) and that head (2106 m.a.s.l.); between these two peaks stretches the Kulm - a small plateau on which the tourist center is located with a viewing terrace, a covered panorama gallery and two mountain hotels with various catering options[1].

The mountain can be reached from two different sides - from Alpnachstad by cogwheel train and from Kriens by cable car.

View of the Pilatus von Kriens

background

From a geological point of view, the Pilatus is the northernmost foothill of the Alps and, due to its exposed location, a popular excursion destination in the Lucerne area. The mountain range lies on the border between the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden and Obwalden.

In the Middle Ages, Pilate was very feared because of the violent thunderstorms that erupted on its flanks. The mountain was considered a monster and some legends tell of dragons and evil spirits that lived up there. One of them was the restless spirit of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, banished into a mountain lake; he gave the mountain its current name[2]. These myths and legends are also reflected in the representation of a golden kite, which was chosen as the logo of the Pilatusbahnen.

getting there

Pilatus - cog railway, valley station

In the street

  • 1 Kriens (Pilatusbahn): Of Basel on the highway A2 until the exit Lucerne-South / Kriens. Of the A1 resp. the Zurich-Nordring you take it A4 "Westring" with the tunnels under the Üetliberg massif and remains on the A4 to the Rütihof junction and then take the A14 in the direction of Lucerne, which can also be found in Lucerne-South / Kriens leave.
  • 1 Alpnachstad: Of Basel out, on the highway A2 via Lucerne in the direction of Gotthard and at Hergiswil on the A8 in the direction Interlaken, after a short distance is the Symbol: ASAlpnach Nord reached. Of Zurich coming here, use the as described above A2 through Lucerne and then also turn onto the A8.

Public transport

  • Kriens: Train to Lucerne, with line 1 of the Lucerne transport company to the Linde / Pilatus station. From there it is a 5-minute walk to the valley station of the Pilatus cable car.
  • Alpnachstad: By train to Lucerne station. Continue by train or ship to Alpnachstad. The valley station of the Pilatusbahn is right next to the SBB train station and the Schiffländi.

Mountain railways

Transfer of a railcar of the Pilatusbahn on the transfer platform
Pilatusbahn: ascent
Pilatusbahn below the donkey summit
Cable car to the Pilatus

As already mentioned, various mountain railways lead up to Pilatus Kulm.

  • 2  Pilatus - rack railway, Pilatus-Bahnen AG, Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens. Tel.: 41 (0)41 329 11 11, Fax: 41 (0)41 329 11 12, Email: . Alpnachstaad cogwheel railway (near SBB train station and ship landing stage) - Pilatus Kulm, Ämsigen intermediate station.Open: Approximately mid-May to November, 8 am to 6 pm, approximately every 40 minutes, timetable on the website.Price: return 72.00 / 36.00, one way 36.00 / 18.00 Fr., golden round trip Lucerne (boat) - Alpnachstaad - Pilatus Kulm (cogwheel train) - Fräkmündegg (aerial cableway or gondola lift) - Kriens (bus) - Lucerne 106.00 / 53.00 Fr. (As of 2017).Last change: Jul. 2017 (information may be out of date)
The steepest cog railway in the world (operating time May to November) leads with a maximum gradient of 48% from Alpnachstad via the Ämsigen intermediate station to Pilatus Kulm. The first steam trains on the cog railway, which started operating on June 4, 1889 after three years of construction, required around one and a half hours for the 4.3 kilometer long route, which leads through seven tunnels and climbs 1629 meters. The electric railcars used after electrification in 1937 travel from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm in just over half an hour. The cogwheel system was specially developed for this railway by Eduard Locher, the railcars are self-propelled and, in contrast to similar looking funiculars, can travel in the same direction at short distances. At the crossing points, due to the technology used, transfer platforms must be used instead of conventional switches, the maximum speed is 9-12 km / h for uphill travel and 9 km / h for downhill travel. [3]
  • 3  Fräkmündegg - Pilatus Kulm cable car, Pilatus-Bahnen AG, Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens. Tel.: 41 (0)41 329 11 11, Fax: 41 (0)41 329 11 12, Email: . Cable car from intermediate station Fräkmündegg to Pilatus Kulm, the cable car was renewed and equipped with two new gondolas in 2015, the ride in the "Dragon Ride" is supposed to be reminiscent of a flight experience.Open: approx. 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m., March-Oct. until 5.30 p.m., timetable on the website.Price: return 32.00 / 16.00, one way 16.00 / 8.00 Fr. (as of 2017).Last change: Jul. 2017 (information may be out of date)
  • 4  Kriens - Fräkmündegg gondola lift, Pilatus-Bahnen AG, Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens. Tel.: 41 (0)41 329 11 11, Fax: 41 (0)41 329 11 12, Email: . Gondola lift with two sections from Krien via the intermediate station Krienseregg to Fräkmündegg.Open: approx. 8.30 a.m. - 4 p.m., March-October. until 5 p.m., timetable on the website.Price: return 40.00 / 20.00, one way 20.00 / 10.00 Fr. (as of 2017).Last change: Jul. 2017 (information may be out of date)

From Kriens, the mountain can be reached with the panorama gondola lift (Kriens - Krienseregg - to Fräkmüntegg) and the “Dragon Ride” cable car (Fräkmüntegg - Pilatus Kulm), which was renewed in 2015 18 minutes a distance of 4.9 km and a difference in altitude of 900 m, the cable car a difference in altitude of 732 m on the Pilatus.[4][5]

The classic so-called golden tour runs from Lucerne train station with the ship to Alpnachstad and from there with the Rack railway on Pilatus Kulm. On the other side of the mountain, the journey only leads with the Cable car "Dragon Ride" to Fräkmüntegg. The panoramicGondola lift via Krienseregg leads to Kriens. The bus takes you back to the starting point of your journey, Lucerne train station.

fauna

The mountain is a diverse habitat and retreat for nature. For example for ibex and chamois, roe deer and deer, marmots and mountain hares or alpine choughs, who clearly feel at home here. Because they are present in a larger population, the Alpine choughs and ibexes are easy to observe. You don't have to look far for the alpine choughs, they enliven the surroundings on Pilatus Kulm and have lost all shyness. The ibex, which were once exterminated all over Switzerland, were resettled on Pilatus in 1961. The colony has around 100 animals. Ibex can now and then be seen below the Kulm or even better at the quieter Tomlishorn. You can even often come across ibex on the alpine hiking trails[6].

Tourist Attractions

View from the donkey peak
  • The panorama over the Central Switzerland, including the Lake Lucerne and the city of Lucerne
  • The Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, a building from the 19th century
  • The 1 DrachenwegHikingSign-Europe-Easy.svg leads in a tunnel with viewing windows around the summit of the Oberhaupt (2106 m), here is a picture gallery with works by the Lucerne painter Hans Erni. On a stairway that starts in front of the Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, you can easily climb the summit of the Oberhaupt. Through the tunnel cavity of the Chriesiloch you can go up to a lookout point.
  • A hiking trail Hiking-Sign-T2.png leads in approx. 10 minutes to the summit of the 2 ass (2119 m).
  • On a hiking trail Hiking-Sign-T2.png you can reach the summit of the mountain in a north-westerly direction in 35 minutes 3 Tomlishorn, the old Tomliweg is much more demanding Hiking-Sign-T4.png over the north flank.
  • The Drachenmoor, a nature reserve

Summer activities

General plan of the Pilatus massif

Hike: Numerous hiking trails and paths run through the massif. On well-developed paths, easy walks are possible as well as demanding tours that require surefootedness and a head for heights.

  • One of the easiest hikes is the route from Kulm to the Tomlishorn (About an hour there and back).
  • The following map shows the most popular and well-signposted hiking trails on the Pilatus: Pilatus hiking map
  • Despite the tourist development, the Pilatus offers a whole range of lonely, remote, varied and sometimes challenging routes in the alpine hiking area. The path that leads from the Heitertannliweg over the old Tomliweg (difficulty T4) directly to the Tomlishorn or the path over the Ängifeld (difficulty T5), which leads past the great “Steinbockhütte” or the Esel-Ostgrat (difficulty T5) are only some examples[7].

Climb: The Pilatus is a popular climbing area and offers a variety of routes of all levels of difficulty. The best starting point for all climbing routes is Pilatus Kulm or Ämsigen[8].

  • Galtigentürme: For beginners, connoisseurs and classic alpinists, crossing the four Galtigentürme in the third and fourth levels of difficulty is a great experience. Everyone can determine the length of the tour themselves, as it can be broken off after each tower. Climbing time: 3 - 5 hours (all four towers)
  • Mattalp slab: The Mattalp slab is ideal for climbing courses or for warm-up and offers interesting slab climbing.
  • Matthorn: The Matthorn offers routes of all levels of difficulty.

Biking: Special bike trails have been set up and signposted in the Kriens-Hochwald area. Important note: The Pilatus Bahnen do not transport bikes[9].

1 Rope park on the Fräkmüntegg

2 Summer toboggan run on the Fräkmüntegg, the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland

3 Children's playground on the Krienseregg with roasting options

Activities in winter

View through the rock window from the Drachenweg
  • Toboggan run from Frankmüntegg to Kriens
  • Winter hiking
  • Snowshoeing

Restaurants

Hotel Pilatus-Kulm
Hoteol Bellevue, Donkey's Summit
  • On Pilatus Kulm in the hotel Pilatus Kulm Restaurants in the Quuen Victoria-Saal, in the Cheminée-Sahl and in the Dohlen-Stübli; at the hotel Bellevue modern self-service restaurant; is located in the glazed panorama gallery in the connecting building between the mountain railway stations Capricorn bar.
  • 1  Restaurant Fräkmüntegg. Self-service restaurant on Fräkmündegg, valley station of the cable car and mountain station of the gondola lift.Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (in winter until 4 p.m.).
  • Restaurant Alpgschwänd (approx. 30 minutes' walk from the Fräkmüntegg station)
  • 2  Mülimäs ski house. Ski house of the Lucerne Ski Club, reachable on foot in approx. 45 minutes ascent from the Krienseregg train station or in approx. 30 minutes descent from the Fräkmüntegg train station, mountain inn with simple meals and accommodation.Open: open Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
  • 3  Krienseregg restaurant. Tel.: 41 (0)41 329 11 55. family-friendly restaurant with a large children's playground nearby.Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (in winter until 4 p.m.).
  • 4  Bergbeizli & Naturfreundehaus Krienseregg, Forenmoos, Krienseregg. Tel.: 41 (0)41 320 77 98, Email: . About 10 minutes on foot from the Krienseregg station, mountain inn with overnight accommodation.
  • 5  Berghaus Ricketschwändi, Krienseregg, 6010 Kriens. Tel.: (0)79 375 77 66. Mountain inn, run by the Lucerne Citizens' Gymnastics Association, restaurant and overnight accommodation on weekends and public holidays, natural bowling alley.

accommodation

On the mountain

  • 1  Hotel Pilatus Kulm, Postal address: Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens. Tel.: (0)41 329 12 12. The Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, built in 1890, was completely restored in 2010 and is a listed building, restaurants.
  • 2  Hotel Bellevue, Postal address: Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens. Modern round building with 20 double rooms in an exceptional panoramic position.

In the valley

In Kriens and the city Lucerne there are numerous hotels and accommodations in every price range.

literature

Kundert, R. & Volken, M. (2011). Alpine hiking / summit destinations. Central Switzerland Lake Lucerne. Bern: SAC-Verlag

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑Volken, M., Krebs, P. & Fink, C. (2014). Pilatusbahn experience. Zurich: AS Verlag & Buchkonzept AG
  2. ↑Stadelmann, J., Brülisauer, J., Meier, R. & Schoedler, J. (2001). City guide Lucerne. Zurich: Werd Verlag AG
  3. ↑Stadelmann, J., Brülisauer, J., Meier, R. & Schoedler, J. (2001). City guide Lucerne. Zurich: Werd Verlag AG
  4. ↑Pilatus Bahnen website accessed on May 18, 2016 at http://www.pilatus.ch/de/bergbahnen/
  5. ↑Stadelmann, J., Brülisauer, J., Meier, R. & Schoedler, J. (2001). City guide Lucerne. Zurich: Werd Verlag AG
  6. ↑Volken, M., Krebs, P. & Fink, C. (2014). Pilatusbahn experience. Zurich: AS Verlag & Buchkonzept AG
  7. ↑Kundert, R. & Volken, M. (2011). Alpine hiking / summit destinations. Central Switzerland Lake Lucerne. Bern: SAC-Verlag
  8. ↑Pilatus Bahnen website accessed on June 26, 2016 at http://www.pilatus.ch/de/pilatus-aktiv/sommer/klettern/
  9. ↑Pilatus Bahnen website accessed on June 26, 2016 at http://www.pilatus.ch/de/pilatus-aktiv/sommer/biken/
Usable articleThis is a useful article. There are still some places where information is missing. If you have something to add be brave and complete them.