Loading...
Pilatus is the mountain of Dragons. There are a lot of legends about Pilatus mountain. For many centuries people believe that Pilatus was a home for a salutary and helpful dragons.
Dragons helped farmers, protected the villages and rescue injured pilgrims. The proof of one of these legends is kept in the Church of St. Leodegar in Lucerne. It’s a silken tunic on which the story of saving a young cooper was embroidered.
Another legend is related to Pontius Pilate. Pontius Pilate was a prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, and is known as a responsible person for the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The legend says that the body of Pontius Pilate was drowned in Lake Pilatus. Ever since once a year, on Good Friday, his ghost appears in the middle of the lake.
Nevertheless, whether you believe in these myths and legends or not, the mountain is definitely worth a visit.
How to go to Pilatus.
Of course, first you should arrive to Lucerne.
You may also find interesting places and useful information about Lucerne in my article -> EXPLORING LUCERNE
The travel road to pilatus:
- Traveling to Lucerne from Zurich by train (the road takes approximately an hour).
- There is a bus station next to the train station. Take the bus #1 to the Kriens direction till the stop “Kriens Zentrum, Pilatus”. The bus journey takes around 15 minutes.
- Then follow the signs and in 5 minutes walking you will find the cableway panorama gondola. It goes to Frakmuntegg with a stop in Krienseregg. If your target is the top of the mountain, don’t get up in Krienseregg, keep going to Frakmuntegg. The journey from Kriens to Frakmuntegg is around 25 minutes.
- In Frakmuntegg, take another cable-cart, called aerial cableway «Dragon Ride». After 3,5 minutes ride with spectacular view of Lake Lucerne and mountains you will reach the top of Piltus.
- If you decide to have even more fun on the way back, then you should take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. It goes all the way down to Alpnachstad, which is on the other side of the mountain. The journey will take around 40 minutes.
Good to know:
- Prices:
- Kriens – Pilatus Kulm – Kriens round trip (includes Aerial Panorama Gondola and Aerial Cableway «Dragon Ride»):
Adults – 72 CHF; Holders of 1/2 price or GA SBB – 36 CHF.
2. Kriens – Pilatus Kulm one-way trip (includes Aerial Panorama Gondola and Aerial Cableway «Dragon Ride»):
Adults – 36 CHF; Holders of 1/2 price or GA SBB – 18 CHF.
3. Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm – Alpnachstad round trip (includes cogwheel railway):
Adults – 72 CHF; Holders of 1/2 price or GA SBB – 36 CHF.
4. Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm – Alpnachstad one-way (includes cogwheel railway):
Adults – 36 CHF; Holders of 1/2 price or GA SBB – 18 CHF.
- Working hours: 9:00 – 17:00. The last ride from Pilatus is at 17:30.
- There is a hotel, restaurant and souvenir shop at the top of Pilatus.
- There is an amazing caved trail along the mountain. It’s about 200 m walking path with outstanding view through small tunnels and caves along the mountain. Don’t miss it! :)
Additional information about Pilatus you may find on the official website.
Check the weather report before travelling. The best view, obviously, when the the sky is clean.
Enjoy the mountain of dragons! Maybe you will be lucky enough to hear dragons in one of the caves! :)
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me -> GET IN TOUCH
