Pilatusbahn - Naturupplevelser i Schweiz

Lucerne, Switzerland - train to the top of Mount Pilatus

In co-operation with Switzerland Tourism

We have now visited Lucerne in Switzerland, and this is a city we really fell in love with! Besides being characterised by its beautiful old wooden bridges, the city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes. We made our way to the top of Mount Pilatus, using the world's steepest rack-and-pinion railway.

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Lucerne in Switzerland

Lucerne is a city in central Switzerland, right next to Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee). We had no expectations when we came to this city, but we immediately fell in love with the beautiful houses, the old footbridges and the dramatic surroundings with both lake and alpine peaks.

There are of course a lot of tourists in Lucerne, especially Americans and Asians, but it still doesn't feel crowded. At Schwanenplatz you'll also see a lot of swans.

Yoga i Luzern — Afternoon yoga in Lucerne

READ MORE: The Laveaux wine region in Switzerland - and Chaplin's world
READ MORE: Bern, the capital of Switzerland - a swim in the river Aare

The old wooden bridges in Lucerne

The footbridges over the River Reuss in Lucerne are very special. Originally there were three wooden footbridges, but since one was demolished in the 19th century, only two remain, the Kapellbrücke and the Spreuerbrücke. The bridges were built in the 13th and 14th centuries, and the oldest of them is also the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe.

Unfortunately, much of this bridge, the Kapellbrücke, was destroyed in a dramatic fire in 1993. The bridge has been rebuilt using old techniques, but the paintings that burned are gone forever.

Broar målningar Luzern — Some of the paintings on Kapellbrücke survived the fire

On the Kapellbrücke, original paintings remain at the beginning and end of the bridge. On the Spreuerbrücke, all the paintings remain. Feel free to check them out if you come here, and see how death in each painting brings different people, by attracting an attribute belonging to their profession ...

Vid Spreuerbrücke i Luzern i Schweiz — Spreuerbrücke in Lucerne, Switzerland

Another special feature of the river that runs through Lucerne is the system for regulating water levels. The system, built in the 19th century, consists of special wooden sticks (known as 'needles') that can be adjusted to control the flow of water through the city.

Nivåreglerare Luzern — The system for controlling the river's water was constructed in the 19th century.

READ MORE: Geneva in Switzerland - city of peace and freedom
READ MORE: Summer in Zermatt, Switzerland - car-free and close to nature

Dinner at a French restaurant

After looking around the city, we had dinner at a French restaurant called Brasserie Bodu. This is a restaurant that we can highly recommend if you come to Lucerne!

The atmosphere is cosy and the food was fantastic. We ordered a seafood stew with different types of fish, prawns, vongole mussels and scallops. Yummy!

Luzern — In the house behind me is the French restaurant, and also a traditional Swiss restaurant.

Boat trip on Lake Lucerne

The next day we took the opportunity to look around Lucerne. We did the tour called "The Golden Tour". You start with a 1.5 hour boat ride from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, where you take a train (!) up to the top of Mount Pilatus. On the way down, you take a cable car to Kriens, and from there a bus back to Lucerne.

Luzernsjön — Lovely boat trip between Lucerne and Alpnachstad

Mount Pilatus - train up and cable car down

Taking the train up to Mount Pilatus is an amazing experience! The train runs on a 4.6 km long narrow gauge rack railway, which has a 48 (!) per cent gradient at the steepest points. The Pilatusbahn was built in 1889 and electrified in 1937. The maximum speed upwards is 12 km/h and the train journey takes about 40 minutes.

The train takes you up to Pilatus Kulm, at a height of 2132 metres above sea level. From here you have a great view of the mountains and lakes, and you can also see all the tough (crazy?) people climbing the mountain on foot or perhaps by bike.

We had lunch at the restaurant at Pilatus Kulm, and decided to try something Swiss. There must be something else than raclette and cheese fonduewe reasoned.

So what was it? Well, it was a puff pastry dish "Lucerne style" with veal, pork, rice and peas. Really good!

After walking around and getting our fill of the surroundings, which in itself is not easy, it was time to go down on the cable car. I am not yet completely cured of my fear of cable cars, but going down is easier than going up, for some reason.

On the way down with the cable car (or up if you take it in the other direction) you can stop at an intermediate station. Here you'll find a high-altitude course, a smaller and easier high-altitude course for children, tents hanging between trees (!) that you can sleep in, and a restaurant.

READ MORE: Swiss Alps and making raclette cheese
READ MORE: The Rhine case in Switzerland - and a journey along the Grand Tour

Video from Lucerne

Peter has put together a film about Lucerne. Please check it out!

TCS Camping Sempach

We stayed two nights at TCS Camping Sempach outside Lucerne. We have now stayed at three TCS campsites in Switzerland and all have been really good. Among other things, all have had a good solution for WiFi that we could use for three devices at no extra cost. Very practical for us, and good in a country like Switzerland where you cannot use your own internet.

Camping Sempach is a large and well-maintained campsite, nicely situated next to a lake. Bicycles can be hired and if you want to visit Lucerne you can walk or cycle to the railway station (15 minutes walk or 7 minutes by bike). From here the train runs between the campsite and the city three times an hour. The campsite is also known for its beautiful sunsets over the water.

More to see and do in Switzerland

There is of course much more to see and experience around Switzerland. Below you will find lots of reports with tips and inspiration.

Facts about Lucerne

Country: Switzerland
District: City of Lucerne
Canton: Cantons of Lucerne
Residents: 81 000 (2018)
Location: The city is located on Lake Lucerne, in central Switzerland.
Industries: Trade, industry and tourism

History of Lucerne

Founding: Lucerne developed around the monastery of St Leodegar, founded in 740. The city gained city rights around 1178.
16th century: Lucerne was the centre of the Catholic Counter-Reformation in Switzerland.
18th century: In 1798, Lucerne became part of the Helvetic Republic.

Travelling to Lucerne

Flight: There are several different flight connections to Switzerland, including Zurich.
Car: It takes just over 40 minutes to drive from Zurich, and 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Bern.

READ MORE: 12 nature experiences in Switzerland - from tranquillity to adventure

Helena

18 August 2018 6:02

Switzerland

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Helena

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28 Comments

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Kenneth Risberg says:

I recognise those old footbridges from my first but perhaps not only or last visit to Switzerland.

It was a long time ago but I remember that we were offered a lot of food, I don't think I have ever eaten so much food.

18 August 2018 - 7:30

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The footbridges are special! And the portions can probably be quite large here 🙂 .
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:10
  
  Reply
Monet says:

I also remember my first visit to Lucerne many years ago and the "Pont Couvert" - the covered bridge. Sad that it burned but too well that it was renovated so nicely. Switzerland is really a country to fall in love with, so wonderfully beautiful and varied everywhere!

18 August 2018 - 7:38

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, sad about the fire! They have renovated it so it looks like the original, apart from the paintings then. Agree that it is easy to fall in love with Switzerland 🙂 .
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:12
  
  Reply
diana's dreams says:

So beautiful in Switzerland, was there a long time ago Hugs

18 August 2018 - 8:25

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Can only agree! 🙂
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:12
  
  Reply
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Here you have presented one pearl after another in a country that, for some strange reason, I have never felt any desire to visit. Why, I have no good explanation, but maybe it's time to re-evaluate Switzerland as a destination?

18 August 2018 - 8:27

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Switzerland is a great country to travel in, and the nature is magically beautiful! 🙂
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:16
  
  Reply
Ama de casa says:

So you continue to challenge yourself with cable cars and steep trains, Helena? In the next post, I expect a film where you go hanging from a string in that wire... 😀.

Wonderful pictures and beautiful surroundings! However, there was one thing that bothered me... Everyone could not stay within their parking space there at the yoga - how difficult can it be? 😉 Haha! Yes, I'm probably a little injured 😀.

Have a great trip!

18 August 2018 - 9:12

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, I think I'm done with height challenges now actually 😉 And no, you'll just have to come to Lucerne and guide the yoga practitioners a bit 😉 .
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:18
  
  Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

That seafood stew didn't look too bad! So good with such things.

But camping hanging between trees! Hua!

Hug Lena

18 August 2018 - 9:31

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The tents are stretched between several trees, not so high above the ground. A bit like sleeping in a hammock 😉 Seemed cosy to me, but they are only up on certain days of the week, so I couldn't take photos right now.
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:20
  
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JoY says:

Yes, you could call it steep. There is probably an even steeper one, up to Stoos, which is not so far away.
Hugs

18 August 2018 - 11:00

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, that's probably right. I think I read that it runs on a 51 per cent gradient. But it is a different kind of track if I understand everything correctly, not a rack and pinion track.
  
  18 August 2018 - 12:22
  
  Reply
Mr Steve says:

Switzerland just "grows and grows". It feels good to have been there once, even if it was 47 years ago.
"The Golden Tour", what a great tour.

18 August 2018 - 13:39

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you were in Switzerland Steve! And yes, we enjoyed the tour 🙂 .
  
  18 August 2018 - 15:50
  
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OnTrip.com says:

Switzerland is so beautiful but I have not yet experienced Lucerne. It looks very nice so I will consider visiting it. Thanks for the tip.

/Annette

18 August 2018 - 15:13

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We liked this city very much! Recommended!
  
  18 August 2018 - 16:38
  
  Reply
marina says:

It looks like a very nice destination. There are so many of them! It is really fun to read all your posts from all places. I appreciate them very much. The problem is just how I will have time to visit all the wonderful places...;)

18 August 2018 - 15:14

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I agree that there are many great travel destinations and that it is difficult to choose. But still rather so than the other way round! 😉
  
  18 August 2018 - 15:50
  
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Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

You really get to go to interesting places.

18 August 2018 - 18:10

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  During this trip we have seen some really interesting places, especially here in Switzerland!
  
  18 August 2018 - 21:26
  
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BP says:

What a great post! I immediately like Lucerne when I look at the pictures. Cosy, charming and the bridges are something special!
And then a cable car, boat trip and good food on top of that - what an active and varied holiday you have this time.

PS. Definitely prefer the food at the French restaurant, I must say;-) DS.

18 August 2018 - 20:49

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you, like us, fell in love with Lucerne! Yes, this trip was very varied, which we like. And French food is one of our favourites when it comes to food ... 😉.
  
  18 August 2018 - 21:31
  
  Reply
Mia's Mix says:

Amazingly beautiful in Switzerland! My husband lived in Geneva as a child. Very cool bridges. Too bad the paintings were lost in the fire.
Thanks got your answer. We went to Stykkisholmur and it was very beautiful and cosy. Will post pictures from there as soon as I can.

18 August 2018 - 21:00

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Great that you have a connection to Switzerland! Also great to hear that you went to Stykkisholmur! I look forward to reading about it!
  
  18 August 2018 - 21:32
  
  Reply
Elisabeth says:

This post made me feel really nostalgic. Was there during my teenage years!

19 August 2018 - 21:18

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Lovely, hope they are good memories! 🙂
  
  31 August 2018 - 14:39
  
  Reply

Lucerne, Switzerland - train to the top of Mount Pilatus

In co-operation with Switzerland Tourism

Lucerne in Switzerland

The old wooden bridges in Lucerne

Dinner at a French restaurant

Boat trip on Lake Lucerne

Mount Pilatus - train up and cable car down

Video from Lucerne

TCS Camping Sempach

More to see and do in Switzerland

Facts about Lucerne

History of Lucerne

Travelling to Lucerne

You might also like:

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28 Comments

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Monet says:

Helena says:

diana's dreams says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

JoY says:

Helena says:

Mr Steve says:

Helena says:

OnTrip.com says:

Helena says:

marina says:

Helena says:

Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Mia's Mix says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

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