Basel was the perfect home base to explore Switzerland! We stayed in Basel for a week, so one day we decided we need to get up close and personal with the mountains. The biggest mountain nearby was in Lucerne. So off to Mt. Pilatus we went! We didn’t plan too far in advance because we wanted to check the weather to ensure that we would probably have clear views from the mountain, and it wouldn’t be socked in with clouds or rain. We left in the late morning and spent about two hours on top of the mountain and then came down to enjoy a walk around Lucerne and a lake cruise. The perfect day blending water and mountains in Switzerland!

First stop was the lovely information store in Basel’s Old Town. There, you can pick up all kinds of printed information on Switzerland attractions, buy cool souvenirs like a WickelFisch bag to float the river, postcards (and stamps), Swiss rubber duck (for our duck collection for the grandkids) and more. They will also help you plan your side trips and sell you the appropriate tickets. We got our gondola tickets so that once we got there, we would not be delayed or disappointed by long lines or sold-out tickets. The tickets for the gondolas and the bus were about $78 francs each. You can also take a longer route around Mt. Pilatus that includes the cog railway train and a boat segment on the lake to get to one side and then you take the gondolas back down. This journey would cost more and take the whole day. For more information on your options go here: PILATUS – Mountain adventures near the city | | Pilatus Bahnen Lucerne Switzerland

GETTING THERE

We took the tram by our hotel to get to the Basel train station to jump on a one-hour train ride to Lucerne. From there, we took the #1 bus for a short ride to the neighborhood where the gondola started. After walking uphill to the gondola, we quickly scanned our tickets and walked right on to a small (max 4 person) gondola. As we glided up the mountain, we passed by a Swiss chalet with roaming cows underneath us. With the windows on the gondola open, we could not only hear the cow bells but smell the cows. A truly immersive Swiss experience! We stayed on at the first stop along the way because our end goal was to go right to the top. You are required to get off at the second stop, however, because you change gondolas from the small one to a larger one that holds up to 50 people, where most of this trip is standing with very few seats available.

Many people got off the gondolas at the second stop because this is where there is a large playground, zipline, adventure park with climbing obstacles and the luge attraction. We had considered doing the luge but chose instead to spend our time exploring the mountain top. Another time!

ONCE YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF MT. PILATUS

Reaching the top, you enter a large visitor center with facilities, snacks, shops and information booths. We walked out and grabbed some deck chairs to soak up the views and the sun. We watched one courageous visitor lay out his equipment right below the observation deck we were on and take off hang gliding over the mountains. Up, up and away he soared which would seem terrifying, but he looked like he was having fun. Hope he made it down okay!

Speaking of adventures, another tourist had hauled up a huge alphorn and was entertaining the other tourists. He stopped my husband to take his picture playing on the narrow trail with views of the alps. I wonder if he was fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing his alphorn there. It reminded of when we were in Venice and a tourist taking a gondola was playing his sax as they toured the canals. Treasured memories of people living their best lives is one of the most awesome parts of travelling!

We took the “dragon trail” walk that starts from the visitor’s center. If you have children, make sure you share the story of the dragons with them before the visit-more info here: https://www.pilatus.ch/en/discover/dragon-trail/ Even if you don’t have children, this is an enjoyable walk in the tunnel with different views of the mountain through large holes in the mountain (the better for the dragons to enter into their lairs).

STAYING ON TOP OF MT. PILATUS

We were surprised to see that there is a hotel on the top of the mountain:  Pilatus Kulm Hotels – The overnight experience at 2132 m. above sea level | | Pilatus Bahnen Lucerne Switzerland Built in 1890 and completely renovated in 2010, it would be a dream to stay here on a clear night and see all the stars. Next trip! There is also a nice restaurant/bar with a patio so those who want to have a leisurely lunch with more variety than the food huts that are primarily sausage/hot dog sandwiches.

LUCERNE

After coming down the gondola, we hopped back on the local bus to take us to downtown Lucerne. The bus/train station is right in the heart of downtown and the lake. We checked out the historic wooden Chapel Bridge first, walking across to admire the interior art. Then we wandered the cobblestone streets to check out the architecture. Drawn to the water, Thom nixed the paddle boats so we took a leisurely one-hour lake cruise where we could sit inside the boat and not in the hot sun. To see Lake Lucerne, a boat ride is a must-it was very reasonably priced at $20 Francs a piece and there were refreshments to purchase on board. With commentary as we cruised, we saw several castles towering over the lake and heard some history. All very informative and making for a lovely day outing. Enjoy the journey!