Mount Pilatus
“In medieval times, it was believed that dragons with healing powers lived in the rugged clefts and crevices of Mount Pilatus”
If jagged mountain peaks and isolation are something you crave then the dizzying edge of Mount Pilatus may be somewhere you want to explore.
This hidden gem in central Switzerland, 2132m above sea level, is a hiker's paradise as well as a refuge for the solitary hermit.
There are a couple of ways up to the peak; year-round you can ride the panoramic gondola from Kriens (map) but we chose the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad (map)
The long way up isn't for the faint of heart
Hikers and adventure bikers can make their way down from the peak on winding paths.
“The Roman governor Pontius Pilatus might have been buried in Lake Pilatus. Legend has it that a petrified man stands guard in front of a cave.”
Along the cliff's edge are cavernous paths to explore
There are a couple of restaurants and hotels at the top where you can take in the staggering view, and end your days after a wealth of activities available around the mountain.
We stayed at the Pilatus-Kulm Mountain Hotel, which was refurbished in 2010. There is a sleek clean Scandinavian style to the rooms which is often shared by modernised Swiss hotels and the views are unparalleled. Nothing quite beats a dinner on the terrace overlooking a seemingly endless panorama of mountain peaks and clouds.
Everything you need to plan your journey can be found at Pilatus.ch and on MySwitzerland
Good luck on your journey
