Lucerne Golden Memories In 2011
PILATUS GOLDEN ROUND TRIP
Of the various routes we decided to start with the steamer trip across the lake and return by cable car
and gondolas. Jumping on and off the gondolas is not for the faint hearted or for those with hip
problems, but Margaret was determined to try.
We changed over to another panoramic gondola on the Krienseregg Mountain that also has an
adventure park. We declined the opportunity to stop and continued on our way to Kriens for a bus back
to Lucerne.
KRIENSEREGG CHANGEOVER
FRAKMUNTEGG CHANGEOVER
We left the cable car here for a beer and watched some balancing acts in the Rope Park. There are
various challenges for adventurers and the young at heart seeking thrills and spills. Having plucked up
some of their courage we jumped on a gondola and off we went.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Having had a most wonderful experience of reliving our journeys here in 1960 and 2000 it was time to
say goodbye again; until the next time. We reluctantly boarded a cable car to begin our way back to
Lucerne.
A DRAGONS LIAR
A dark, damp, weaving tunnel runs close to part of the mountain wall. At intervals are roughly- hewn
balconies and viewing holes giving vistas of rolling valleys against a backdrop of distant mountains,
some with snow. Beware, you may come face-to face with a dragon.
WAY UP HIGH
From here we had a 360 degree view of Switzerland covering 73 mountain peaks. While we relaxed
drinking a beer we listened to an Alpenhorn band playing their traditional music.
HANG GLIDERS
We watched some hang gliders as they circled the peak. Others were preparing to take a few quick
steps down the mountain when almost immediately they were airborne. One did not have his harness
on properly and fell out without hurting himself or losing his chute.
MOUNT PILATUS SUMMIT
Called “Dragon Mountain” during the Middle Ages, as it was believed to harbor dragons and evil spirits.
Dragon symbols feature in the gondolas, cable cars and the cogwheel trains. The body of Pontius
Pilate was said to have been disposed of in a tiny lake on the mountain.
AN HISTORIC MOMENT
Here we are on the steepest cog railway in the world (maximum gradient 48%) that passes through five
tunnels as it climbed to Pilatus Kulm and the romantic Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, built in 1890, for us to enjoy
its sun terrace and panoramic views of the Alps.
THE UPWARD JOURNEY
As the train started its journey looking back could be seen our steamer. The train chugged through
sweeping meadows where cows wearing giant Swiss bells grazed over scrub grassland, as it made its
final ascent along a knife-edge of barren rock.
ALPNACHSTAD RAILWAY STATION
A throng of holiday visitors disembarked from the steamer at Alpnachstad to take the railway journey
up the 2070 metres to the Hotel Pilatus Kulm. As we were from England it was interesting to learn that
Queen Victoria visited the mountain in 1868; on horseback.
After hydraulically lowering the masts, bridge and funnel the boat nears the bridge carrying the A2
motorway separating Lake Lucerne from Alpnachersee. This is the only steamboat on Lake Lucerne
that can cross into the smaller lake and then onto Alpnachstad.
NAVIGATING THE ARCHEREGG BRIDGE
STEAMSHIP UNTERWALDEN
For Keith the steamer brought back memories of holidays in his youth. A popular Sunday family trip
was a journey on a similar boat from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight. A fascination was always to see
the steam engines and to hear the splashing of the paddle wheels.
