Panoramic trails around Lake Lucerne

Arrival in Lucerne

Thanks to its attractions, souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountains of the Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, Lucerne is the perfect starting point for your hike round Lake Lucerne.

Lucerne–Alpnachstad approx. 21kms 6.5hrs | +945m -945m

Today’s leg leads via Horw peninsula to Mount Pilatus. Steep passage over the Renggpass, the only overland link to Obwalden in the 1860s before the construction of the Brunigstrasse.

Alpnachstad-Niederrickenbach-Emmetten approx. 15kms 5.5hrs | +1,135m -715m

By bus to Dallenwil and with the cable car up to Niederrickenbach. This leg leads on the well-known “wildlife path» on the mountain flanks of Schwalmis and Oberbauen. You reach Niederbauen and go by cable car down to the same village.

Emmetten-Brunnen approx.10kms 3hrs | +330m -640m

Down towards the shores of Lakes Lucerne and through the refreshingly cool gorge on the Urnersee lake-along the lakeshore road to Risleten and a climb through the attractive Risletenschlucht gorge. Crossing of the Stützberg along the historic path to Volligen and arrival in Rütli, with views down to the Urnersee lake. From here by ship to Brunnen.

Brunnen–Rigi Kaltbad approx. 14kms 4hrs | +675m -445m

Another cable car brings you up on Mount Urmiberg. From here you continue via Gätterlipass on well -developed trails towards Rigi Kaltbad.

Rigi Kaltbad–Küssnacht am Rigi approx. 11kms 3.5hrs | +215m -1,215m

Steep descent towards Seebodenalp, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Swiss mountains. Take a break in the mountain hut. If you want, you can shorten today’s hike by cable car down to Küssnacht am Rigi.

Departure or extra nights.