From Alpnachstad via Ämsigen to Pilatus Kulm

From Lake Lucerne, the demanding Pilatus trail climbs alongside the historic cogwheel railway through forest and alpine pastures to Pilatus Kulm – gaining more than 1,600 metres in elevation over just under eight kilometres.

The Pilatus trail begins at Alpnachstad railway station, almost level with Lake Lucerne. The houses are soon left behind as the route climbs via Grossrüti into the Langenschwandwald. It follows the Pilatus railway, opened in 1889 and considered the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.

At the Wolforttunnel, the historic railway infrastructure comes particularly close. The forest opens up at Ämsigen, formerly a water station for steam locomotives. The mountain trail now continues upwards across Alp Ämsigen and Mattalp, demanding considerable stamina. Meadows and pastures gradually give way to rocky terrain; below the Matthorn, the route leads to the Chilchsteine.

From there, the final steep ascent leads to Pilatus Kulm. After around five hours and more than 1,600 metres of ascent, the highest point is reached at just over 2,050 m. The view extends back towards the lake and out across the surrounding mountains. Shortly afterwards, the Pilatus Kulm restaurant and the cogwheel railway station for the descent to Alpnachstad come into view.