For fans of Mt. Pilatus

Thanks, that was a great article, Mt. Pilatus is a special place for my wife and I, we hit it on a clear day and the views were awesome!

Thanks, Carrie. A nice view of what it is like up there in the wintertime!

A coincidence!, I was just reading this a few minutes ago with my coffee . ,

Carrie, thx , I was up there on my first Swiss trip in 2017. SO glad you get to go again!

Thanks for posting the article, Carrie. I throughly enjoyed it and hope to experience Mt Pilatus on my upcoming trip.

Carrie, “gifting” the article on Pilatus was so thoughtful and appreciated. Thank you so much.
I really enjoy reading about places I’ve experienced; brings back such pleasant memories. Spending time on Pilatus last year was one of many highlights of our Switzerland trip.
Do you think you might consider going there? Having lunch on the outdoor patio of the hotel was so delightful; looking at the mountains in the distance, as well as watching the cogwheel train inch its way up.

Hi Carol. For some reason, I don’t have the desire to see Pilatus yet. For my June trip, I have plans to see Rigi, Titlis, and Stanserhorn. Pilatus will just have to wait for another trip. 😊

Interesting. We are trying to decide between Pilatus and Rigi as well. Carrie, sounds like you are choosing Rigi. Any specific reason or just a preference?

Hi MOTravelMore, I went to Mt. Rigi on my trip last year and it was a highlight for me. I absolutely loved the boat/train combo to the top. I did not get to do much walking up there because I had my sister and brother-in-law with me and they are not big walkers. So, I am looking forward to spending some more time up there when I return. Also, money was not a factor in my decision, but Rigi is covered 100% with the Swiss Travel Pass.

I had watched You Tube videos on the mountains and Rigi and Titlis just appealed to me more. As for Stanserhorn, forum member Pat went last year and really enjoyed her time there. And as soon as I read there was a marmot zoo up there, I was sold. 😊 This one is also covered 100% with the Swiss Travel Pass.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I would suggest watching some You Tube videos to see which appeal to you.

Carrie: I guess you'll just have to make a 3rd trip to Switzerland...so you can go to Mt. Pilatus.
We're heading back to Switzerland in September...and plan to go to Mt. Titlus when we have a 2-night stay in Engelberg. So, I'll be waiting for your trip report.

To add my two cents to the Rigi vs Pilatus debate: a key deciding factor is time. Rigi is a full day trip, Pilatus is more of half-day affair (unless you spend time at the adventure park at the midway point).

Otherwise, Carrie, thanks for the article!

Hi carol, I definitely plan to return to Switzerland many times. Is to too soon to declare Switzerland my favorite country when it’s really the only one I have been to outside the US? 😊 And I’m so happy that you get to go back. Here’s a good video on the journey to titlis. Engelberg looks like a great place to spend some time. I plan to at least walk around there a bit before or after titlis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3kTFvLbx2g&t=1s

Hi balso, one negative to the rigi trip is the timing of the boats. The first one does not depart Luzern until 9:12 am on the days I will be there. I haven’t looked at the timing of Pilatus, but I think now I will. If I can get an earlier start, I may have to consider it.

Carrie, when we went to Pilatus last September, the first boat scheduled was for 10:00 a.m., so we took the train to the cogwheel at Alpnachstad.

Carol, I watched some videos today and didn’t see one cow on Pilatus. 😊 Besides having cows, Rigi looks like a better place for walking around. So, I think Pilatus will wait for now.

Carrie…you are correct. Not a single cow at Pilatus…only ibex.

Carol, ibex!?!?!?!? Ok, I may have to see if I can squeeze in 2 mountains in 1 day. If I go to Pilatus via the train to Alpnachstad as you mentioned, it shouldn’t be that long of a trip.

Carrie, how many days are you in Lucerne area? I have done both Rigi and Pilatus, and I like Rigi better- just my preferences. Next time I would like to stop at one of those hotel/cafes on the way down from Rigi and just sit on the outdoor patios and enjoy the mountain air. Not sure how long it takes to hike down.
I have had the luxury of being on the top of Rigi in December, also, which was quite magical: perfect day, bright blue skies, fresh power snow!
I'm jealous you're going back.

PS: off-topic alert - [ regarding your other trip]:
The German paprika chips aren't as good as the Swiss ones. And even tho German chocolate is good, I prefer the Swiss chocolate, and at least the Swiss chocolate bought in Germany is actually made in Switzerland, vs the Swiss chocolate bought in the US.

Hi Pat, I have 2 full days in Lucerne and 1 partial day. If I leave Wengen early, I could get to Lucerne late morning. But, I might not want to leave Wengen. 😊 I’ve prioritized the mountains like this: Titlis, Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Pilatus. We’ll see how much I have time. I get up super early in the morning. My problem is the cable cars and boats don’t start as early as I do.

I think when I’m in Austria, I’m going to eat apple strudel every day. 😊 I’m sure if my sister sees paprika chips, she’ll want to try them. I’ll warn her they won’t be as good. Did you try the Mozart balls?

Very interesting article - thanks for sharing

I went up Mnt Pilatus this past Thursday, May 12. We were in Luzern doing day trips (my daughter lives there so my husband and I stayed there, did things during the day, and spent evenings with her). Like others, it wasn't high on my list. For me it was because I've been up many different mountains in Switzerland, and also back here in Canada.

But we were very pleasantly surprised, and both my husband and I think that Mnt. Pilatus is unique and definitely worth a visit. It was a highlight of a 2 week trip, for sure. I was hoping to do the funicular up and cable cars down, but the funicular doesn't start until the end of May.

We also went up Mnt Rigi this trip, and it's a very different experience. They are both worthwhile. I had been to Mnt Rigi in December 2021 but just to the spa, which is also a fun thing to do.

Carrie, the Mozart balls are delicious. There’s a legendary chocolate shop in Salzburg where they originated . Although I was there in November, I can’t remember the name. Ask any local and they can tell you. In Vienna, our favorite restaurant for the best Wienerschnitzel is Beisl; we always go there when in Vienna. It’s right off Der Graben and easy to find - be hungry! You’ll enjoy Vienna.

' In Vienna, our favorite restaurant for the best Wienerschnitzel is Beisl; we always go there when in Vienna. " I think a slight clarification here - A " Beisl " is German for a pub ( loose translation ) , not a name . Vienna has numerous beisls , all with different names . Here is one example - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glacis+Beisl/@48.2029655,16.3572945,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x476d0791cbf88dd9:0x672e2e997bba5f80!8m2!3d48.2030438!4d16.3571972

Hi emily and steven, I appreciate the info. on Vienna, but I’m not going to Vienna. 😊 Just Salzburg and Innsbruck. The bigger cities just don’t appeal to me. I may get to Vienna someday, but it’s not high on my list.

Steven, Very interesting; I obviously wasn’t aware of that. :-). To clarify, our favorite beisl in Vienna is Reinthaler’s Beisl. They have the best weiner schnitzel I’ve ever had..,and LOTS of it.