Feel on top of the world!
Imagine eating Swiss cheese fondue on a real Swiss alp? Of course, after playing in the snow and marveling at the legends and breathtaking views! This is possible on Mount Pilatus.
I was so excited for this day, I love cheese, fondues and yummy things! Even though I had to overcome my fear of heights, I went happily. Lucky for me, I discovered the little secret that makes Swiss cheese and chocolate something out of this world. Do you want to know too? Then come and travel with me and find out everything you need to know to visit Mount Pilatus in Switzerland.
Mount Pilatus
Mount Pilatus is a rocky massif in the Swiss Alps, very close to Lucerne, with a breathtaking view! From the top of Mount Pilatus, you feel like you're on top of the world, from where you can see almost all the nearby peaks.
Mount Pilatus isn't the highest mountain in Europe or Switzerland, but it's undoubtedly something very special, with unparalleled views.
Mount Pilatus is divided into a few stations:
Krienseregg
It's the first stop on Mount Pilatus and perfect for families! Especially if you have small children. However, in winter, everything was covered in snow and we only stopped at this station for Emmanuel to meet the mountain mascot and to rent our sleds.
Meanwhile, the Pilu Land playground and picnic area can be found at this station.
Fräkmüntegg
This is where the adventure begins! It's where we set off with our sled on a breathtaking track! I fell even more in love with Switzerland, this little piece of the earth has been painstakingly crafted. It's all so beautiful that you just want to stop at every turn and stare.
But the fun called us and any fear I might have felt at one point went away instantly and I went down happy and content with my husband and son.
In summer, this season is also full of fun and the toboggan run gives way to the largest rope park in central Switzerland, Tree Tents. There is also a toboggan run and hiking trails.
Don't worry if you get hungry, the self-service restaurant will certainly satisfy your craving for Swiss delicacies.
Pilatus Kulm
It's the highest part of Mount Pilatus, with shops, restaurants and even a hotel! That's where I simply stopped for a few minutes and lost myself in the scenery! landscape! It's so beautiful to see the tops of the nearby mountains and realize that you really are on top of the world.
Everything there is wonderful, and that's where the famous Dragon's Cave is! You didn't think the dragon on Mount Pilatus was just a drawing, did you? There are those who say with all their hearts that these animals really existed there and many legends surround the place.
And if you want to explore, don't be afraid, go to the Dragon trail or the Flower trail, there are many waiting for you! Unfortunately, we've only been on the Dragon trail and I can tell you that the view from there is surreal.
Hotel Pilatus Kulm
If you want to stay no problem! At Pilatus Kulm there is a hotel, luxurious and traditional. traditional hotel that I still want to visit one day. view? At 2,132 meters above sea level?
Dragon of Mount Pilatus
If you look it up, you'll find a dozen legends about the Dragon of Mount Pilatus, even a legend that says the name Pilatus comes from Pilatus himself.
However, the legend I heard there was a little different and it was Corin, the Mount Pilatus employee who told us.
The legend
Legend has it that one winter in the Middle Ages, very cold and freezing, a boy got lost and fell into a hole! He remained missing all winter and when he reappeared, he swore to everyone that he only survived because two dragons had kept him warm all winter.
Whether it's true or not, we don't know, but there are several dragon legends in this area, and some swear that dragons did live there!
Real magic
What we can't deny is that Mount Pilatus is truly magical and if I could, I would have spent days there.
I'm already looking forward to seeing the place in summer, but I have to confess that it can't be more beautiful than in winter, when the snow looks like a pile of sparkling diamonds.
Mount Pilatus in winter
Mount Pilatus is completely versatile and has activities all year round, for both summer and winter.
However, in this post I'll tell you about Mount Pilatus in winter and all the fun it can bring.
There are a lot of slopes on Mount Pilate, so you can use and abuse them. The view is totally different from the usual, with its snow-covered mountains that look like chocolates sprinkled with sugar!
Winter activities
There's no such thing as a good time in the snow, and Mount Pilatus offers incredible moments! Both for the more adventurous and the more cautious.
However, the fame of Mount Pilatus really comes from the warmer days when it is possible to take a special train ride, the Golden Roundtrip! I definitely want to come back this season.
Sleigh
There are several slopes of natural snow, which make for exciting sledging races. It may seem difficult at first, but you'll get the hang of it in a few minutes. The track is subdivided in the middle of the descent into more extreme or more peaceful. Of course we chose the more extreme one and I don't regret it, even though I was shaking at the bottom at the time, lol.
But of the whole trip, this was one of the most magical moments, descending among the beautiful trees full of snow was simply INCREDIBLE! I felt like I was in a movie with a set so beautiful.
Rent and value
Don't worry about taking your sled, you can rent it at Krienseregg station. A double sled costs 20 Swiss francs and a single sled costs 15 Swiss francs for the whole day. But remember, this price refers to the winter of 2019, there may be variations in the year of your visit.
Snowshoeing
If the scenery is incredible, enjoying it is certainly a great option. Don't miss out on this simply beautiful mountain!
Rent those rackets and hit the trails.
Gastronomic experience
If I'm in Switzerland in winter, I can't help but try the famous Swiss Fondue, Swiss cheese on top of Swiss alp, can I? And I'm glad I didn't miss out, it was a COMPLETE gastronomic experience!
Pilatus Kulm Restaurant
Our lunch was at Queen Victoria's Hall, built in 1890. An exquisite setting with a wonderful view and two ice dragons waiting for us at the door.
Before I'd even eaten anything, I was already enchanted, until the aroma came and made me fly around the room.
Cheese fondue wasn't just cheese fondue. It was a Swiss cheese fondue. It was tradition, and completely different from anything I'd ever eaten.
First the aroma and the taste made me float, then came all the jokes about who loses the potato in the fondue pot, and of course I did!
Huh? It's a tradition among the Swiss that whoever loses a potato in the fondue pot will pay a gift agreed upon by the group; I didn't pay the gift, but I liked the idea.
Kids Menu
For the little one, we decided to order something more nutritious and complete! As soon as we arrived, he was welcomed with a drawing kit and then came his nuggets along with the vegetables and potatoes, a real treat and so appetizing that he wanted to eat a few pieces.
He ate everything and ended up being so satisfied and happy with the fun-filled day that he went to sleep.
How to get there
Mount Pilatus is easily accessible by public transport and is very well connected to the city.
Go to Lucerne train station (Luzern Bahnhof) and from there take bus number 1 in the direction of Obernau, which will take you to Kriens at Zetrun/Pilatus station.
But don't worry, you're not there yet, but a 5-10 minute walk will take you to the gondola station, from where you'll actually climb up to Mount Pilatus.
Rest assured, the path is all signposted, so it's impossible to get lost during the walk.
Swiss Travel Pass
We chose to use Swiss Travel Pass for the duration of our stay in Switzerland and with this we guarantee unlimited access to all types of public transport in Switzerland.
You don't have to show your pass every time you get on any form of transport, but have it handy if you're asked. If you don't, be prepared for a hefty fine.
What I thought of Mount Pilatus - A snippet from the book Breaking the Ice
I woke up excited and Igor a little better. Time to go to Mount Pilatus, where I'm going to fulfill another dream, but this time a gastronomic one.
My name is Cristina, but I think my soul is Magali. I want to try everything I can to get a taste of each country.
Just imagine. Eating cheese in Switzerland and tasting authentic fondue!!! That's anxiety you're talking about, isn't it? And I'm very anxious! But before the fondue, there's still a lot going on, such as: getting to know Mount Pilatus and sledding down it for 4 km.
The first obstacle
The day started bright and early! Do we really need to climb this thing? Many people don't know, but I'm DEAD, DEAD scared of heights, and to get to the top of Mount Pilatus, we took some cable cars... Stop! It swings! My hands are sweating, but at the same time, I can't show it to Emmanuel, lest he absorb my fear.
So, scenery, a frozen smile, and let's pretend that the beautiful scenery will cancel out that fear.
The second challenge
We finally reached the top of the hill with our sled in hand. For me it was going to be a very easy descent, as children are allowed. However... another challenge to overcome.
Once again the fear of heights came, and the fear of doing something for the first time came with it. I hardly knew what it would be like to control a sled, and when I saw the track, I almost gave up.
In my head it's a precipice with lots of curves, which I wouldn't even know how to make. I hate driving anything, but how am I going to get down if it's not like this?
Okay, Emmanuel wants to have fun, let's do it! And God willing.
Mount Pilatus - Fun guaranteed
- Hey, wait a minute! It's not even that difficult. Your feet control it well and you don't lose direction. You can even control the speed. Uhullllll, I love it. Come on little one, with mommy too.
And life has shown me once again that my fears are foolish, and I'm grateful for overcoming them.
Emmanuel got out of his father's sleigh and walked a few meters with me. It was a magical moment, between frozen trees with the sun's rays passing between them, which seemed to have been drawn so perfectly. I felt like I was in an enchanted kingdom or a movie.
It's a perfect day, neither hot nor cold, with blue skies and a few clouds to draw a beautiful picture wherever we go. I don't know why, but I love it when the sky has white clouds that look like cotton candy.
Child's play child
We reached a part of the descent where we couldn't slide and had to carry our sled. This gave us time to enjoy the scenery and throw ourselves into the snow! I threw myself on the fluffy ground with the white snow, and did "little angel", followed by Emmanuel and Igor, the three of us like children playing in the snow, as if we'd never seen it before.
The restaurant Pilatus Kulm
We continue on our path. We slide a little further. We left our sled. We went up another cable car and arrived at the place I was really looking forward to!!!
The restaurantee with Swiss cheese fonduuuueee! While our fondue didn't arrive, we had a nice salad, and Emmanuel was able to play coloring with the kit the restaurant had given him. Peace and quiet for us to eat and enjoy! And if we're going to have the fondue, Emmanuel is going to have the nuguetts with potatoes, which are so appetizing that it made me wonder if I wouldn't like the same. Crunchy and soft, homemade nuguets, with salad and little potatoes that crunch when you bite into them.
Cheese fondue Swiss
I'm glad I didn't fall for it! The fondue arrived, with baskets of bread and potatoes! The best cheese fondue I've ever had!
While eating, we chatted with the Swiss who told us that the cheese produced for this fondue comes from a village near there, very artisanal, and that the cows are very happy, which is why they make such delicious milk. Could this be the secret of Swiss chocolate? Come to think of it, it makes sense.
Come to think of it, where's the chocolate fondue we eat so much of in Brazil?
-Hey? No chocolate fondue here?
- There are, but it's not common, and we usually do it on special dates and for children.
A bucket of cold water! I was enjoying myself! Imagine Swiss cheese and chocolate fondue together! My taste buds wouldn't even be able to handle so much deliciousness. Maybe it was for the best.
Happy and fulfilled!
I ate so much, I was so happy that I came back almost floating. Time to go down.
The day was wonderful, and I just wanted to keep this memory in a little box. Emmanuel's happy eyes, Igor's smile, and my realization that I was traveling as a family and so happy! It couldn't have been any different.
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