Luzerne – Monday 12th August 2024
Lucerne, or Luzern in German, is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque and culturally rich cities. Nestled at the foot of the Swiss Alps and along the shores of Lake Lucerne, this city combines stunning natural landscapes with a charming old town, making it a must-visit destination.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden bridge that dates back to the 14th century. The bridge spans the Reuss River and is adorned with a series of 17th-century paintings depicting events from Lucerne’s history. Lucerne’s landmark is considered to be Europe’s oldest covered Bridge.
Walking across the Chapel Bridge offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past and provides stunning views of the river and surrounding architecture.
In addition to the Chapel Bridge, there is another famous wooden bridge in Lucerne: The Spreuerbrücke, located a little further down the river. Although it is less well-known than the world-famous Chapel Bridge and somewhat shorter, it is in no way inferior to its big sister.
Lucerne’s Old Town is a well-preserved medieval district filled with narrow, cobblestone streets, colourful frescoed buildings and historic landmarks. The Old Town is perfect for leisurely strolls, shopping and enjoying the local cafes.
One of the most popular day trips from Lucerne is a visit to Mount Pilatus, which stands at 2,128 meters (6,982 feet) above sea level. If you dont want to hike this mountain, you can reach the summit via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway or by taking the gondola.
Lucerne is well-connected by train, making it easy to reach from major Swiss cities like Zurich, Bern, and Geneva.
The city itself is compact and walkable, with most attractions located within a short distance of each other. For exploring the surrounding mountains and lakes, public transportation options like boats, trains and buses are readily available.
Visiting Lucerne offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and historical significance. Whether you’re wandering through its charming Old Town, cruising on Lake Lucerne, or venturing into the mountains, Lucerne provides a quintessential Swiss experience that’s captivating and delightful. Â
Mount Pilates – Tuesday 13th August 2024
Hiking Mount Pilatus offers a quintessential Swiss mountain experience, combining stunning alpine scenery with exhilarating trails.
Standing at 2,128 meters (6,982 feet), Mount Pilatus dominates the skyline near Lucerne, making it one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a casual walker, Pilatus has something for everyone.
Even today, Pilatus is a source of mystical discoveries and is home to places of natural beauty that are steeped in legend and lore. One story claims that Pilatus was named so because Pontius Pilate was buried there. Another is that the mountain looks like the belly of a large man, Pilate, lying on his back and was thus named for him. Legend has it that in the Middle Ages, dragons dwelled among men and lived in the crevices and cracks on Mount Pilatus.
Mount Pilatus is easily accessible from Lucerne. Many hikers choose to combine their trek with a ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway or a gondola, either as a way to reach the summit or as a return trip after completing their hike.
The summit also has a hotel, restaurants and facilities, making it a convenient spot to rest and refuel before heading back down. Not the kind of mountains we are used to!!!
Mount Pilatus is known for its dramatic views, diverse terrain and the opportunity to experience the raw beauty of the Swiss Alps. As we hiked, we passed through dense forests, alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, rugged rock formations and plenty of scree near the top.
The summit area, Pilatus Kulm, features several viewing platforms where you can take in the 360-degree vistas of the surrounding mountains, valleys and lakes.
Our hike on Pilatus took a couple of detours to a few of the peaks along the way, like Esel, a ridgewalk and Klimsenhorn, to visit the small chapel.
None of these are required but were all detours as we wanted to explore the area whilst we were up here and I guess have peace on the mountain and get away from the ‘tourists’ who had come by train and gondola to experience the views from the summit.
The climb down towards The Klimsenkapelle, which translates to Klimsen Chapel, was rewarding. This chapel sits at an elevation of 1,864m (6,115 feet) above sea level and is located on the Klimsenhorn summit. I make no apologies for the number of photos taken of this small chapel on the hill as every angle provided something more eye-catching!
It looks like it’s sitting on top of the world. I love this chapel and the thinking behind building it way up here. It’s way closer to heaven than most chapels, that’s for sure! Complete with supporting pillars and a red roof turret, the neo-Gothic chapel rests on a dramatic cliff edge overlooking Lake Lucerne. It’s simply stunning!
On this clear day, we could see as far as the Black Forest in Germany and the Jura Mountains in France.
Hiking Mount Pilatus was a rewarding experience that offered some amazing views.
Mary's Outdoor Adventure's 