Pilatus, also known as Mount Pilatus, is a mountain massif overlooking Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It is composed of several peaks. There are 3 peaks right next to the namesake Pilatus Kulm (2073m): Mount Esel, next to Pilatus Kulm, 27 meters taller, and 300 meter hiking distance to the top, the highest peak in the massif, Tomlishorn (2,128.5 m), about 1.5 km away from a cliff side, mostly gently modulated trail, Mt Matthorn (2040 m), about 2 km away via a trail which goes down to the valley between Pilatus and Matthorn (~ 200m elevation drop), then goes up ~ 170m to reach the summit of Matthorn.
Pilatus viewed from Lucerne during our day 1 there
It was a cloudy day on our second day at Lucerne Switzerland when we hiked at Pilatus.
We took a train from Lucerne to the foot of Pilatus at Alpnachstad in early morning, where the Pilatus trailhead and cogwheel train station are. Instead of hiking from Alpnachastad, we took the a cogwheel train to Pilatus Kulm and hiked between the peaks from there.
Cogwheel train ride
The cogwheel railway here is the steepest in the world with largest slope at 48%! The cogwheel train, with chains beneath it, climbs the mountain from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm, past blooming alpine meadows and striking rock formations. On one point, our train stopped on a sidetrack to allow a maintenance train going downhill. Seeing the rail tracks switch position real time was exciting.
When we got to Pilatus Kulm, it was very cloudy we could barely see anything 20 meters away. We hiked on the dragon path behind the train station, which is a trail by the cliffside around the peak. It was very windy and cold up there I had to put on a raincoat as a windbreaker to keep myself warm. We were not prepared for this - we did not bring our light climbing coats, which we used during our TMB trek, with us for this hike - we did bring them for the trip but left them in hotel.
put on raincoat as a windbreaker
Hiking to Matthorn
We stayed at the visitor center for a while. Seeing that clouds started to break up from time to time, revealing the beautiful mountains and valleys in front of us, just a few seconds, we decided to take our chance to hike the longest peak to peak hike from Pilatus Kulm to Matthorn (2km point to point).
The trailhead is right beneath the visitor center at Pilatus Kulm. As we walked down the zigzagged trail into the valley between Pilatus and Matthorn, clouds came and went, and one cogwheel was climbing the last section of the steep rail, some passengers waved to us, and we waved back, a few minutes later, another cogwheel appeared.
The descend is pretty steep, with 5 switchbacks on the slope of Pilatus.
The views were very good as we started to ascend to the summit of Matthorn. Matthorn emerged from the cloud, the beautiful valley perpendicular to the trail appeared.
hiking to Matthorn
a cogwheel climbed uo
beautiful valley appeared momentarily
The 5 switchbacks on Pilatus to Matthorn trail - looking back from the ascending trail to Matthorn
Matthorn emerged as cloud moved away
Quickly we approached the steepest section of the trail, at about 1.5km on the trail around 1950m elevation. I stopped taking photos, and focused on the hike 100%. With the aid of steel ropes by the trail side, I successfully passed this section. The approaching of the summit was almost anticlimax because the rest of the trail to the summit was actually easy!
on the narrow, steep section of the trail
I got through the most dangerous portion of the trail using the steel rope by the trail side
The rest of the trail is easy!
The view was spectacular: The Pilatus Kulm, The Mt Esel, were prominently present across the valley, the cliff side rock formation is exotic, and cloud flew under our feet when we summitted! We rested by the Cross, drinking water, having snack, and watching the everchanging scenery in the river of clouds.
I recorded the descend from the summit for a little bit over a minute. Tomlishorn was clearly visible cross the valley, in fact we saw people walking around at its summit. At the top of the steepest section of the trail, I took a few photos of Lily descending, and she video-recorded part of my effort there from below. As we got to the valley between Matthorn and Pilatus Kulm, the cloud cleared beneath us, we saw Lake Lucerne and Alpnachersee (Alpnacher lake).
We completed the 4km Pilatus to Matthorn in 2.5 hours, with lucky breaks from the weather and enjoyed the hike and the vista.
Mt Esel in the center, the cliff side trail to Tomlishorn in the upper side of the cliff
green mountain, white cloud and exotic rock formation
Lily reached the summit a few minutes ahead of me
Flowing cloud under our feet at the summit of Matthorn
Descent from Matthorn summit with a view of Tomlishorn
Ecstatic at the summit of Matthorn
trekking at cliff side
hold-on to the steel rope on the rough cliff side trail
Lake Lucerne (far) and Alpnacher See (close)
Mt Esel (left) and Mt Matthorn (right)
Mt Esel and Mt Tomlishorn
From Pilatus Kulm, Mt Esel is a small hill, we climbed it without rest after Pilatus to Matthorn. The most interesting thing on this climb was to see two Ibx resting on the cliff.
After a late lunch, we went for Tomlishorn. The clouds were getting dense, halfway to the summit, it started to rain without visibility beyond 3 meters, we called it quit, and returned to Lucerne via the cogwheel and train.
cloud cleared for aa short moment , and the mountain across a valley by Esel appeared, two ibx were resting on the cliff side
The trail to Tomlishorn
the intermediate peak before the summit, about halfway
Tomlishorn is the peak at the back of the photo, we got to the intermediate peak and returned due rain and no visibility
completed Pilatus to Matthorn, and Pilatus to Esel, but did not complete Pilatus to Tomlishorn due to rain and low visibility
The day we traveled from Lucerne to Zermatt was a cloudy day with rain in the forecast for Lucerne and cloudy with potential rain/snow for Zermatt. So we decided not to rush too early in the morning. We took the 8am train from Lucerne heading to Bern, Visp, then finally Zermatt after a 3.5hr journey. When we arrived at Zermatt, we were surprised and encouraged by the blue sky and lovely sunshine. After quickly dropping our luggage at the hotel, which happens to be right by the train station, we grabbed some pastry from town and headed to the funicular to go up the mountain. As recommended by others, we took the funicular to Sunnegga then rode the gondola to Blauherd. By the time we reached Blauherd, the blue sky at Sunnegga had changed to cloudy with a flurry of snow. We decided to try our luck and follow our plan to take the 5-lake trail, starting from Stellisee, the lake with highest elevation among the five lakes.
Our 5 lake trail - the blue patches along the trail are the lakes - the trail map was rotated - up is west, the direction of Matterhorn
The first lake is Stellisee (2537 m elevation). It was supposed to be the best place on this trail to see the reflection of Matterhorn. But Matterhorn was nowhere to be seen with all the clouds. We circled the lake and spotted a grey heron by the rock at the far end of the lake. Seeing it standing in front of the glaciers was quite a unique sight. We waited a while hoping the clouds would lift a bit but no luck. So, we headed to the next lake, Grindjisee, which has elevation 2324 m, a 213 m vertical drop in elevation to get there, a couple of sections of the trail are very steep. The general direction is going west - where Matterhorn would tower the valley if it were not blocked by clouds. Lush green trees surrounding the lake created a contrast against the grey glacier mountains in the background. By the time we reached Grünsee (2300m elevation), the blue sky appeared, the rocks around the lake lit up by the brighter daylight. We took a break there, drank water and had some snack.
on the way to Stellisee, the cloud in front us broke up a bit revealing a mountain peak, which we mistaken as Matterhorn
Lake 1 - Stellisee - This is supposed the best viewpoint to see the reflection of Matterhorn, which was behind the block of cloud in center right of the photo
A heron standing on a rock in Stellisee
Steep descend to the valley
Looking backward from Ganjisee - a waterfall, and surrounding glaciers
Matterhorn was right in front of us (center left) - partially blocked by clouds
Lake 2 - Granjisee
Lake 3 - Grunsee
Continuing on, we reached my favorite lake, Moosjisee (2139 m elevation). I was instantly drawn by the color of the lake, emerald green. Decorated by the pink, yellow and white flowers surrounding it, the lush green meadow, glacier mountains, white clouds, and blue sky, it was a heavenly place. We sat on the rock, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and taking in all the colors.
Looking back on the trail, the cloud broke up - more peaks appeared
Lake 4 - Moosijisee
As more clouds moved away, Matterhorn was partially revealed
A short but steep hike (~ 100m elevation gain), we reached the last lake Leisee (2232m elevation). We enjoyed a fun activity, floss float, there. We stood on a wooden raft and pulled a rope to get across the lake. Standing in the middle of the lake we took in a 360 view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. As more cloud moved away, Matterhorn appeared only with cloud near its peak. It was a surreal feeling.
Lake 5 - Leisee
Leisee - viewed from a different angle
floss foat with Matterhorn partially appeared in the background
The 9km trail took us about 4 hours. We took the funicular from Sunnegga and back to Zermatt town.
Despite less than ideal condition - very cloudy sky, and blocked view of mountain peaks most of the time. The come and go of clouds, the momentary appearing of blue sky, glacier peaks, made it thrilling. We enjoyed the hike.
The first time we visited Chinese Garden at Jurong Lake was on September 21, 2024, during the Lights by the Lake show celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival. The garden had been closed for renovation for several years since we arrived at Singapore, and was reponed on September 8.
It was a Saturday and second to the last day of the light show. The area was unexpected crowded, the road to the north entrance was jammed. We took a detour and managed to find a parking spot at the south parking lot of the park. The light show at Chinese garden and surrounding area, made it worth the hassle.
But we did not really see the garden itself. So we went back about one month later, October 27, 2024, a bright sunny Sunday! Blue Sky, white clouds in the background, everything showed their true color. The down sides were that it was hot, and high UV exposure - need sunscreen, and sun sleeves...
The following are some photos we took during out two visits.
Lanterns on the bridge to the main temple
A full picture of the Chinese Phoenix
The main paifang
statue of Confucious
Cloud pagoda
A dragon without the crowd
Nature themed lights
bugs are part of our ecosystem
daytime view of the main Pai fang - The Grand Arch
