Pilatus is a mountain massif at the border of the three cantons: Lucerne, Nidwalden, and Obwalden. Its highest point is the Tomlishorn at 2,128 m above sea level. However, the route does not lead to its summit but to the Pilatus Kulm mountain station, surrounded by two peaks of this massif – Oberhaupt (2,106 m) and Esel (2,119 m).

The Beginnings of Pilatus Kulm

The Pilatus Kulm station is a large complex with hotels, restaurants, viewpoints, children’s attractions, and more. The history of this facility goes back hundreds of years. In 1860, the Hotel Bellevue was opened on Pilatus, where one of the British icons, Queen Victoria, stayed with her entourage eight years later.

Cogwheel Railway with a Gradient of up to 48%

Since 1889, access to the mountain has become much easier thanks to the cogwheel railway that runs from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm. It is characterized by its very steep gradient of up to 48%. This cogwheel railway is the result of the work of several hundred workers, mainly from Italy, and the Swiss engineer Eduard Locher. This persistent inventor received an honorary doctorate for his contributions.

Expansion of the Pilatus Kulm Complex

A year after the cogwheel railway was put into operation, the Kulm Hotel was built on the mountain. Over time and with the growing interest in this place, the entire building complex was modernized and expanded. Today, it has little to do with the concept of mountain tourism and is far from mountain huts or inns. The size of the place and the mountain panorama, which can be enjoyed from the viewing terrace in both summer and winter, are certainly impressive. And for me, the question always arises in such places: “How did they build this at this height?”.

The Other Means of Transport – Gondolas

The cogwheel railway is not the only means of transportation to Pilatus Kulm. There are two gondolas that take you up the mountain from Kriens. The smaller gondola takes you to the Fräkmüntegg station, while the larger and more modern Dragon Ride takes you up a steep route to the Pilatus Kulm station. The Kriens gondolas were put into operation much later than the cogwheel railway, namely in 1956.

A Few Words About the Route

The route is not the easiest, after all, more than 1,600 meters of elevation gain must be overcome. Nevertheless, the path from Alpnach Dorf gently ascends.

Only in the last section, after the Chilchsteine station, does it become steeper but still safe. Furthermore, the quiet and peaceful surroundings and nature invite you to take your time and pause.

You can take the gondolas or the cogwheel railway down. Those who are not tired can, of course, also walk down.