Mt Rigi & Mt Pilatus tour from Lucerne: Both peaks in one day

Two Alpine peaks and a lake cruise in a single day from Lucerne

A private, full-day tour from Lucerne that ascends both Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus with an English-speaking local guide. The route includes a visit to an artisan alpine cheese-maker, a panoramic ridge walk with views over three lakes, a scenic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, and descent by the world's steepest cogwheel train. All transport, activities and a picnic lunch stop are included. The tour runs 9 to 10 hours and requires a minimum of two people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus

• Ascend Mt Rigi and enjoy views
• Visit alpine cheese-maker
• Walk panoramic ridge route
• Relax with picnic lunch on boat cruise
• Ascend Mt Pilatus by gondola and cableway
• Descend on steep cogwheel train
• Train ride back to Lucerne

The experience

Mt Rigi opens with a 360-degree view of the surrounding Alps from its summit, reached by cable car and a panoramic ridge walk that frames three lakes below. Along the way, you stop at an artisan alpine cheese-maker to see how the local product is made. The guide (fluent in English, Italian or German) walks the route with you and explains what you're seeing across the landscape.

After the ridge, a boat cruise takes you back across Lake Lucerne toward town. This is where the picnic lunch break happens, so you eat on the water with the mountains receding behind you. The boat timing adjusts in winter if weather closes the lake route. In those cases, a scenic train journey replaces the cruise while keeping the same mountain experiences intact.

Mt Pilatus comes next, reached by gondola and the "Dragon Ride" cableway to the summit. The descent is the signature moment: the world's steepest cogwheel train, which drops you back to lake level on a track so steep it feels engineered for the view. A regular train then carries you the short distance back to Lucerne. The whole day is private (your guide, your pace, your group of at least two people), and every transfer between mountains and back to town is arranged.

What’s included

• Private tour with a local guide in your chosen language.
• all transport between Lucerne, Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus including cable cars, cableways and the cogwheel train.
• a stop at an artisan alpine cheese-maker.
• a panoramic ridge walk on Mt Rigi.
• a scenic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne.
• a picnic lunch during the cruise.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by ECHO Rails & Trails

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want to see both mountains in one day with a guide who adjusts the pace to your group, rather than piecing together separate public transport connections yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6).

What is the artisan cheese-maker stop like on Mt Rigi?

The cheese-maker visit is a working alpine dairy where you see how local cheese is produced. The guide explains the process and the mountain setting where the milk comes from. It's a short, hands-on stop built into the ridge walk.

How do I get down from Mt Pilatus?

The descent uses the world's steepest cogwheel train, a railway engineered to climb and descend slopes up to 48 percent grade. It's a single ride back to lake level, then a short train journey returns you to Lucerne.

What happens if the weather is bad in winter?

In winter, if weather closes the lake for the boat cruise, the tour replaces it with a scenic train journey through the region. Both Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus remain part of the day. Only the water crossing changes.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

A picnic lunch is included and served during the boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking. Let the operator know any dietary requirements in advance.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The ridge walk on Mt Rigi is the most active part. The mountain ascents use cable cars and cableways, not hiking. It's not recommended for travelers with cardiovascular or spinal issues, or for pregnant travelers.