Is Mount Pilatus worth visiting in winter?
I'm going to be in Luzern in late February for a couple of days and a friend suggested visiting Mount Pilatus and going up to the summit. He visited in summer and it looked amazing, however is it still worth visiting in winter? I know the cog railway is closed but the cable cars are still operating. I imagine it will still be spectacular views if the weather is clear but what are the chances of fog and/or bad weather?
Best Answer
Pilatus is a good day out from Luzern however also very easy to get to is Mount Titlis via Engelberg (an easy train ride out of Luzern station also with cog railway), it also has station at the top and is much higher. Titlis has magnificent views. If you've got the time do both, if your not a skier you can hire toboggan on both mountains, awesome. I took my Wife on valentines day(which was amazing but difficult now to beat), also best time it with the mardi-gras in luzern.
Pictures about "Is Mount Pilatus worth visiting in winter?"
How do you get to Mt Pilatus in winter?
Indeed, the cable car is the only way to get up and down Mount Pilatus in winter. It is free with your Swiss Travel Pass, and the bus is free as well.Is Mt Pilatus worth visiting?
It is definitely worth seeing and doing. It was one of my favorite places I visited in Switzerland. Although it's cold and seems to always be surrounded by fog (even on the brightest, sunniest day, there always seems to be a little cloud on top of Mt Pilatus), this place is out of this world.Which is better Mount Titlis or Mt Pilatus?
If you like to have a real "mountain feeling" you should go for Titlis (here you will see a glacier & plenty of snow), if you prefer a romantic trip & a beautiful view over Lucerne & the lake you should go for Pilatus.How much time do you need for Mount Pilatus?
Usually people spend about 2 hours at the mountain top, but it depends on what you do of course - but that is the average I think. Thank you. I read that the cog railway to Pilatus does not run in April.Day trip to Mount Pilatus and Lucerne
More answers regarding is Mount Pilatus worth visiting in winter?
Answer 2
Why not? I've been to the top of Jungfrau mountain in January and liked it. It might not offer great views, but it is still worth it. Also, Interlaken ain't that far from Luzern. If you travel by train, it takes an hour approximately and offers great views through the windows of the train. Interlaken and it's surroundings have some great things to offer.
Answer 3
Consider that the cog railway "at the back" of Mount Pilatus is closed during winter. Thus the really nice golden round-trip from
- Luzern to Alpnach-Staad by (Steam-)Ship,
- climbing up with one of the steepest cog railway,
- and finally descend with the Cable Car to Kriens (suburb of Luzern)
is not possible.
The mentioned trip to Jungfrau (Top of Europe) is not comparable to a trip on Mount Pilatus. Jungfrau is much higher but also presumes more time effort to reach. You can spontaneously decide to visit Mount Pilatus at Lunch time and be up there at 3 o'clock
Whenever you decide to visit Mount Pilatus, always check before whether you can see the top of the Pilatus from Luzern. Without the great view, the trip is... not worth.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Maria Orlova, Fede Roveda, vT NOR, Rachel Claire