Cogwheel train and tour of Mount Pilatus
You can take the world's steepest cog railway to the top starting from Alpnachstad on the shores of Lake Lucerne. This railway was built in 1889 by engineer Eduard Locher, who led 600 brave Italian workers and many Swiss locals over three summers. It still has a maximum inclination of 48 degrees and remains "the steepest cog-rail mountaineering railway in the world." " title. The altitude difference of the railway is 1,635 meters, and the railway length is 4,618 meters. The parallel double gear structure designed by Eduard Locher is an engineering miracle. In 1937, an electrification transformation was carried out, from steam trains to electric trains. The operation time of the rack mountain train is from early May to November every year, and the specific date depends on the weather conditions. The cable car line from Kriens on the outskirts of Lucerne to the top of the mountain runs year-round.
The "Golden Round Trip" from May to October is the most popular route for tourists to visit Mount Pilatus. Depart from the Lucerne Pier next to Lucerne Train Station and take a cruise on Lake Lucerne. After arriving at Alpnachstad, transfer to the cog railway to reach the top. Go down the mountain and take the two cable car lines, the large cable car and the small cable car, to reach Kriens. Take the bus from Kriens back to Lucerne train station. You can also go in the opposite direction.
The mountain above Alpnachstad is steep and rugged, and blue sheep can be seen at the market on the way up the mountain. It is also a favorite hiking route for hiking enthusiasts. It takes skilled climbers 5-6 hours to reach the summit. On the way there was an opportunity to take a mountain train at Aemsigen station. On the top of the mountain, there is a three-star hotel, Hotel Bellevue, and a boutique hotel, Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, located in a century-old building, several restaurants, multi-functional halls, "Dragon Forum" conference room, souvenir shop, indoor viewing gallery, and outdoor scenery. Large terrace. Visitors who love hiking can also reach the highest point along several walking trails on the top of the mountain. The scenery at the top of the mountain is very spectacular and heart-warming, admiring the miraculous craftsmanship of nature: the snow-capped peaks of the Alps are floating in the clouds, with a fairy spirit; looking down, you can have a panoramic view of Lake Lucerne and the old town of Lucerne; to the north, You can see several emerald lakesides, then Zurich, and Basel will reach directly into the Black Forest of Germany. The mountains on the Kriens side are relatively gentle and there are several pastures. At the Fraekmuentegg cable car transfer station there is the longest dry land toboggan run in Switzerland (summer toboggan, 1.35 kilometers) and the largest rope climbing park in central Switzerland. You can also rent sleigh chairs here in winter and sled down to Kriens station.
Many celebrities have climbed to the top in the 19th century, including Conrad Gessner, Theodore Roosevelt, Arthur Schopenhauer (1804), Queen Victoria and Julia Ward Howe (1867). The magnificent Queen Victoria Hall on the top of the mountain commemorates Queen Victoria of England who rode to the top of the mountain in 1868. The Queen wrote in her diary that "this was the happiest day of her life".