You don’t have to be a serious hiker to enjoy the stunning landscapes surrounding Lucerne. In fact, there are endless trails and walks for all ability levels.
So here are 7 easy hikes in Lucerne and Central Switzerland with jaw-dropping scenery. And at less than 2 hours each, they won’t exhaust your legs.
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Hike #1 | The One with Dragons (Pilatus Tomlishorn Viewpoint)
Let’s start with some fire — literally.
There are 2 ways to reach Mt. Pilatus from Lucerne:
- By riding a bus to Kriens, and then a series of gondolas and cable cars.
- Or, our favorite way, heading to Alpnachstad by boat or train, and then catching the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the summit.
Once you reach the top, don’t worry, you won’t be greeted by fire-breathing dragons. Although local legends say that dragons lived on these craggy peaks for hundreds of years. And if you made it up here, they had powers to heal you.
Nowadays you can play with dragons in the interactive Dragon World museum or walk along the Dragon Path. And if you happen to spy a dragon, we wanna hear all about it!
But you’re up here for the hike we’ve called “The One With Dragons.”
Exit the station, cross the Panorama Terrace, pass Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, and follow signs for the Tomlishorn.
The broad, flat gravel path hugs the cliff on your right with sweeping mountain panoramas over the cable railing on your left. This first section is part of the Pilatus Flower Trail, where you might be able to spy various alpine flowers. But our favorite part was passing hidden bunkers and rocky tunnels.
Once you hit the stairs, it’s about a 10 to 15 minute uphill climb on a rockier trail. Then, you’re welcomed to the highest point on the Pilatus Ridge: the Tomlishorn viewpoint (2132m / 7000ft).
You can see for miles in every direction, including Lake Alpnach and a nice glimpse of the Pilatus station. Rest for a little snack at the picnic tables and don’t forget to keep your eyes open for dragons in the sky! Then finish the trail by retracing your steps back to Mt. Pilatus.
“The One with Dragons” is posted at 3.2km roundtrip and takes about 1 hour.
| The One with Dragons | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.2km / 2mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 1 hour |
Hiking in Switzerland
If we haven’t met, we’re Jana and Brett, Aplins in the Alps. Our trail shoes have clocked hundreds (if not thousands) of miles hiking in Switzerland, and we’ve lived here full-time since 2023. Our goal is to help you travel — or hike — Switzerland with confidence.
So whether you’re on the hunt for the best hikes, easy walks, or just epic views, this list — in no particular order — offers it all. So let’s keep going.
Hike #2 | The One to an Alpine Lake (Bannalpsee)
To reach hike #2 from Lucerne, take a train toward Engelberg, hop off in Wolfenschiessen, and board a bus to the tiny village of Fell — which your GPS might call Oberrickenbach.
There are two small cable car stations here. Start by riding up on the Chrüzhütte cable car — but buy a roundtrip ticket so you can ride down on the other one later. Once at the top, you’re ready to hike “The One to an Alpine Lake.”
Instead of walking straight to the lake, we’re following signs for Urnerstaffel. You’ll pass by a few farms and an adorable little cafe, then the trail heads back toward the finger-like rocky peaks. The path curves to the right and you’ll see the Urnerstaffel Mountain Hotel.
The last time we were here was in Autumn, and while we enjoyed our lunch of local juice and meats and cheeses, we watched the sun peer through the mountain peaks. Yep, it was only noon and that was all of the sun they’d see for the day!
After refreshments, keep following the trail, where you’ll wind above Lake Bannalp. We think this is the best spot for selfies! You can see the triangle-shaped lake with a unique teal color, surrounded by gray rocks on one side and green hills on the other.
The rocky path winds down along the side of the lake. The gravel might be loose and some sections are fairly steep, but it’s not too difficult. You’ll eventually pass over the manmade dam. This was actually our favorite section because look at the perfect mirror of the water! It was hard to tell if the hotel was rightside up or upside down!
The trail ends right at the other cable car station, where you’ll ride back down to Fell — but you might need to pick up the phone in the station to call the cable car first, just like it’s 1995 or you’re ordering a pizza!
“The One to an Alpine Lake” is posted at 3.2km and takes about 50 minutes.
| The One to an Alpine Lake | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.2km / 2mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 50 minutes |
Hike #3 | The One for Everyone (Rigi Lake View Hike)
Now let’s talk about one that we think is great for any kind of traveler!
From Lucerne, travel to Vitznau by boat or by train and bus. If you happen to have a few minutes to spare before your departure, you can watch the trains spin around on the turntable! Otherwise, hop on board Europe’s first cogwheel mountain railway to Rigi Kulm.
Find a seat on the left side for the best views as the train climbs for 32 minutes up Mt. Rigi, also known as the Queen of the Mountains. If you have the energy for a game of Eye Spy, try to count the 620 mountain peaks and 13 different lakes that you can supposedly see from here!
Now, you’re ready to start the hike we’ve called “The One For Everyone.”
Head to the small chapel near the station and follow trail signs for Rigi Staffel, which should take about 20 minutes on the gentle downhill path with a nearly 360° panorama. You’ll pass a small mountain restaurant and plenty of benches along the way.
Next you’ll reach the Rigi Staffel train station. Stay beside the tracks to continue our hike. Notice the building on your left with a giant mural of schwingen, or Swiss wrestling. And for train enthusiasts, there’s also a historic steam engine at this station as well.
From here, you can take an optional uphill detour to the Rigi Rotstock, which is our absolutely favorite view from anywhere on Mt. Rigi. But for this post, we’re going to continue down the easy gravel path to the Känzeli Viewpoint, through lush green fields and never-ending alpine scenery.
When Queen Victoria of England visited here in 1868, she praised the majestic panoramic views, and we think they’re pretty incredible too.
Finish by walking a few more minutes through the trees to Rigi Kaltbad. At this point, you can:
- Ride the cogwheel train back down to Vitznau.
- Ride the cable car down to Wimmis.
- Or soak in the Rigi Kaltbad Spa!
This is a great hike for just about anyone since it’s downhill the entire way, with multiple restaurants along the route, and plenty of chances to shorten or lengthen the hike. Oh, and who can resist ending in an outdoor heated pool in the mountains and water that supposedly has healing properties. Clearly, not me.
“The One for Everyone” is posted at 4km and takes about 1 hour.
| The One for Everyone | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4km / 2.5mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 1 hour |
Hike #4 | The One for Wannabe Aristocrats (Bürgenstock Felsenweg)
The fun begins before you even reach this next hike! From Lucerne, indulge in a swanky 25-minute Catamaran ride, then a swift lift on Switzerland’s first hydroelectric powered funicular.
Now you’re at the luxurious 5-star Bürgenstock Resort. Yep, it’s pretty fancy with 4 hotels, 10 fine dining restaurants, and the largest spa in Europe, perched on a narrow peninsula in Lake Lucerne. Loads of famous people and movie stars and world leaders frequent this spot, but we’re just here for an easy, scenic walk we call “The One for Wannabe Aristocrats.”
First, you’ll pass by a cute chapel where Audrey Hepburn was married. Then at the beginning of the trail, you’ll see a large sign for the Hammetschwand Lift.
As you get going, notice that you’re walking along an engineering marvel! Miners spent 5 years dangling above Lake Lucerne to blast, drill, and shape this walkway. You’ll see rocky cliffs, lush greenery, and sweeping views as you stroll along the gently uphill trail.
By the way, you can stay on the gravel path the entire time! The stairs are just a shortcut, but all of the paths will eventually lead you to the lift. And you’ll know when you reach the highest elevator in Europe because it soars up the cliff face like a giant toothpick!
Buy a ticket, step inside, and skyrocket 152 meters above Lake Lucerne in a glass elevator going at a speed of 3.15 meters per second!
When the doors open, you can enjoy more impressive views from this little mountain peak, including a restaurant. And from here, you can ride the elevator back down and retrace your steps to the resort, or there are other trails that wind back to Bürgenstock.
“The One for Wannabe Aristocrats” is posted at 3.3km roundtrip and takes about 55 minutes.
| The One for Wannabe Aristocrats | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.3km / 2mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 55 minutes |
Beyond just hiking in Switzerland…
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And if you’re already thinking, “How do I fit this into my trip?” — that’s exactly what we map out in our Lucerne Day Trips Guide: how to get here, which signs to follow, and what to pair it with — so you don’t have to figure it out yourself.
Hike #5 | The One with Cheese and Ice Cream (Trübsee)
Alright foodies, this one is for you! From Lucerne, ride the Luzern-Engelberg Express for 43 minutes to Engelberg, then ride a gondola to Trübsee, the first stop on the line to Mt. Titlis.
In our opinion, Trübsee is a must-visit! The bright blue lake has enough activities to keep your whole family happy for an entire day: a zipline, a kids playground, row boats, spots for grilling, and even more hikes here, like Jana’s favorite walk to the Stäubi Waterfall. But this is also where you’ll begin “The One with Cheese and Ice Cream.”
From the station, walk downhill along the left side of the lake, winding past most of the spots we just mentioned. When you reach Restaurant Alpstubli, follow the signs for Untertrübsee. The slightly-hilly gravel trail goes along the back of the lake with Titlis towering above you and Trübsee below.
The path veers away from the lake at a farmhouse. And aside from the obvious natural beauty, you’re heading toward a special experience!
This tiny cable car is one of 26 within the region built and utilized by farmers — although they’re also open to hikers. It’s a cool way to save your legs from a long, steep descent and a great way to financially support local farmers.
Speaking of farmers, after your descent, exit the station, turn left, and walk just a couple minutes on the road to the Untertrübsee Cheese Dairy. Browse the self-service shop of regional and handmade products. We like to pick out our favorite flavor of ice cream for a deliciously creamy mid-hike snack, and often buy some cheese and sausage to enjoy later for lunch or dinner.
Once you’ve licked the bowl clean, head back to the tiny cable car station and follow signs for Gerschnialp, which has another cheese dairy you could explore. This leisurely 30-minute stroll goes through quintessential Swiss fields, farms, and forests. It passes under the Titlis gondola that you rode this morning, before dropping you off at the Gerschnialp funicular station. And during the 4-minute ride down, admire the sprawling village of Engelberg below.
“The One with Cheese and Ice Cream” is posted at 5km and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
| The One with Cheese | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5km / 3.1mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 1 hour 20 minutes |
Hike #6 | The One for Kids and Families (Brunni)
But what about hikes for kids? Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten your tiny travelers!
This next hike also starts in Engelberg. Take a short bus ride through the village to the Brunni station. After riding up on the cable car and on a chairlift, you’ll reach Brunni, where you can hike “The One for Kids and Families.”
Lake Härzli might be teeny tiny, but it sure is captivating! And it’s completely surrounded by the 220m / 720ft Tickle Path, a barefoot trail over pebbles, dirt, logs, water, and more. We watched kids from toddlers to teenagers circle the lake. And to his surprise, this was one of Brett’s favorite things he did here!
Although he also felt like a kid again on the Wooden Ball Path. Buy a wooden ball and follow the 1-hour trail down to Ristis. Along the way, there are numerous tracks where you can watch your ball glide along wooden slides, float in water, and drop down tubes. Kids find this so fun, but don’t be fooled — adults (or at least big kids like Brett) enjoy this adventure too!
Once you reach Ristis, the fun doesn’t stop. Cruise down the summer toboggan run with awesome mountain views, explore Globi’s Playground, enjoy a treasure hunt trail, or eat in one of the restaurants. When your family is all done exploring, ride the cable car back down to Engelberg.
“The One for Kids and Families” is posted at 2.8km roundtrip and takes about 45 minutes.
| The One for Kids and Families | |
|---|---|
| Length | 2.8km / 1.7mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
Hike #7 | The One with Marmots (Stanserhorn Summit Circuit)
If you’re looking to enjoy panoramic vistas without increasing your daily step count, the Stanserhorn is a great peak for you.
A short train from Lucerne delivers you to Stans, one of our favorite towns in Central Switzerland. From here, ride a funicular and then stand on the roof of the world’s first double-decker aerial cableway in order to reach the Stanserhorn, where you can hike “The One with Marmots.”
The wide trail of the Stanserhorn Summit Circuit is easily accessible for most travelers. The first third is uphill, the middle third is downhill, and the final third is mostly flat.
Start by exiting the station and walking up the hill. The first highlight is the madness of marmots! Yep, that’s the actual name for a group of these adorable little alpine critters. They’ve called this place home since 1912, and the spot behind them might just be the best viewpoint on the ridge!
Next, keep following the trail uphill to the Summit. Along the way are picnic tables and grill spots with complimentary firewood, and you might even spy hang gliders taking off. And on our last visit, a Stanserhorn Ranger told us that you can see more than 600 mountains and 10 lakes from here!
From the Summit, follow the signs downhill past hundreds of different alpine flowers, more scenic overlooks, and plenty of benches to take a rest. Continue walking until you’re back at the Stanserhorn station and restaurant.
But just because you’re done walking doesn’t mean the views are finished. The viewing platform behind the restaurant offers an incredible look at the snowy peaks in the distance. And the Grand Tour of Switzerland sign on the other side of the restaurant has a great backdrop of Lake Lucerne. And finally, you can dine on classic Swiss dishes prepared with local ingredients in Central Switzerland’s first revolving restaurant.
If you’re following our Lucerne Day Trips Guide, then you already know that the Stanserhorn pairs perfectly with a visit to the Bürgenstock and the Hike for Wannabe Aristocrats.
“The One with Marmots” is posted at 1.2km and takes about 25 minutes.
| The One with Marmots | |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.2km / 0.75mi (roundtrip) |
| Duration | 25 minutes |
Hike #8 | The Most Popular One in Switzerland??
At this point you’re probably wondering, “What about the Stoos Ridge Hike??”
While we left it off this list since we wouldn’t quite consider it an easy hike, you can learn all about it by reading this post.
Or binge our playlist about Swiss hikes and we’ll see you on the trails in Switzerland!
