My top 3 easy hikes around the peaks of Lake Lucerne

You don’t have to be a serious hiker to enjoy the walking trails in the Lake Lucerne area. There are plenty of challenging options, but here are my suggestions if you’re looking for an easy hike near Lucerne that almost everyone, including families, can do. 

Even better, most of these hikes can be enjoyed as part of a wider sightseeing excursion. They encompass some of the top attractions in the region, such as Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus and scenic lake cruises. Plus, there are optional add-ons, such as a summer toboggan run and a high ropes park for kids.  

Getting to the start point of the hikes and back are all part of your day out and incredibly scenic.

1. A summit hike – Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad

Mount Rigi is one of the top things to do in the region, and it’s straightforward to combine an easy hike with a day trip from Lucerne. Thanks to the oldest cogwheel railway in Europe, the summit is easily accessible by all. Mark Twain hiked to the top in 1878, which you can read all about in his book A Tramp Abroad. But there are plenty of less strenuous trails to walk, such as this short, easy hike from the top.

Description of this easy hike near Lucerne –

From the summit of Mount Rigi, this lovely, gentle downhill stroll is relatively easy underfoot. Views sweep along grassy ridges and across Lake Lucerne to the distant snow-capped Alps.

Allow at least 1 hour and 15 minutes to walk the 4 km from Mount Rigi to Rigi Kaltbad via Staffel, Staffelhoehe, and Kaenzeli. However, it’s best to factor in much longer to allow stops at the mountain restaurants along the way. Plus, there are lots of photo opportunities. 

Getting there and back –

For a classic day trip from Lucerne, board the lake steamer for a tranquil one-hour cruise to the lakeside village of  Vitznau.

When you depart the boat in Vitznau, you’ll see the station for the cogwheel railway right ahead. The journey to the summit of Rigi Kulm takes 40 minutes.  

From Rigi Kaltbad, a cable car descends to the lakeside village of Weggis in 10 minutes. Then, you have a 15-minute walk to the lakeside promenade, which you can follow to the boat pier. 

From the Weggis boat pier, take the lake steamer back to Lucerne. The journey takes around 50 minutes. 

At a glance – 

1. Lake steamer from Lucerne to Vitznau.
2. Cogwheel railway from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm. 
3. Hike from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad.
4. Cable car from Rigi Kaltbad to Weggis. 
5. Lake steamer from Weggis back to Lucerne.

Read more here.

2. A cliffside hike with a panoramic lift – Felsenweg Rock Path

Bürgenstock is the wooded peninsula that rises from the lake, close to the city of Lucerne. At the top, you’ll find a choice of restaurants as well as the Bürgenstock Resort, a luxury spa that reopened in 2017. This walk offers the opportunity to take a short detour to ride the highest outdoor lift in Europe. This optional Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator moment whisks you up to the Hammetschwand restaurant and panoramic viewpoint. 

Description of this easy hike near Lucerne –

The Felsenweg is a 2.2 km footpath from Bürgenstock Resort to the Känzeli viewpoint. It’s an out-and-back walk, so it’s 4.4 km in total, and you should allow around 2 hours. 

Cut into the cliffside of the wooded Bürgenstock peninsular; it’s very well signposted and easy to follow. The path is well-surfaced and wide along the entire length, so suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs as well as walkers. Thankfully, there’s a railing that protects you from the sheer drop down to the lake. Plus, plenty of benches along the way to rest and enjoy the spectacular view. This walk is suitable for everyone as long as you have a good head for heights. Particularly so if you’re tempted to take the glass elevator detour that you’ll reach after about 45 minutes. 

All in all, this is an exciting but easy hike close to Lucerne on a pathway that gives you a taste of rocky cliffside walking.  

Getting there and back –

Take the lake steamer from Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock; an enjoyable 25-minute lake cruise to start your day.

Then, board the mountain funicular to Bürgenstock. You’ll see the funicular station as you depart the boat. The journey up to Bürgenstock takes 6 minutes.

At the end of the walk, retrace your steps to Lucerne via the mountain funicular to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock and the lake steamer to Lucerne. 

At a glance – 

1. Lake steamer from Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock
2. Mountain funicular from Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock to Bürgenstock Resort.
3. Walk the Felsenweg Rock Path from Bürgenstock Resort to the Känzeli viewpoint and back again (with an optional stop to ride the Hammetschwand glass elevator). 
4. Mountain funicular from Bürgenstock Resort to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock.
5. Lake steamer from Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock back to Lucerne.

Read more here.

3. On the slopes of Mount Pilatus – Fräkmüntegg to Krienseregg

Pilatus is one of the must-do mountain excursions from Lucerne. Its distinctive jagged peak forms the backdrop to the city, frequently shrouded by clouds but offering spectacular views on a clear day. Whatever the view, you’ll likely spot a few Alpine Choughs. These crow-like birds, with their yellow beaks, orange legs and high-pitched trill, make a good alternative photo opportunity before you take the gondola down to the start point of the walk. 

Description of this easy hike near Lucerne –

From Fräkmüntegg, there are two footpaths that descend to Krienseregg. The trail that takes you via Alp Mülimäs is slightly shorter at 3.5 km but also the slightly steeper option as it takes the more direct route. My preference is the 4.9 km path that goes via the Schönenboden and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. This is a nice, gentle descent through tranquil forests and lush green meadows. You’ll enjoy views of Lake Lucerne along the way looking across to the wooded peninsula of Bürgenstock and Mount Rigi beyond.

On a clear day, the views are as far-reaching as the snowcapped Titlis. 

On weekends, you should find the mountain restaurant at Schönenboden open. Otherwise, there are restaurants at both Krienseregg and Fräkmüntegg.

Children will love it at Fräkmüntegg. They can whizz down the 1,250 m steel toboggan track, the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland.

Or, have fun climbing in the trees at the Pilatus Ropepark, an adventure park with ladders, cables, zip lines, and bridges. Make sure to book in advance. 

Getting there and back –

There are various options, but I like to turn this easy hike into a day trip excursion from Lucerne. So, for example, instead of taking the train from to Alpnachstad (which takes less than 20 minutes, ideal if you’re in a rush), I recommend taking a boat steamer across the lake.

From Lucerne, the leisurely cruise to Alpnachstad takes 1 hour 20 minutes. It’s a beautiful cruise that takes you into an almost hidden bay, opening out with views of the Stanserhorn and Mount Pilatus. 

When you leave the boat in Alpnachstad, you’ll see the steepest cogwheel railway in the world just across the way. The journey to the top takes around 30 minutes through aromatic pine forests and alpine meadows. The lake falls away below you, the surface seemingly dotted with toy paddle steamers, as the track climbs higher still through rugged, rocky, dramatic terrain to reach the top station. 

When you’ve finished on the summit of Pilatus, instead of descending the same way by the cogwheel railway, take the cable car down to Fräkmüntegg.

When you finish the hike at Krienseregg, hop on the gondola for the 10-minute journey down to Kriens. 

From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to the bus stop, which takes you back to Lucerne train station in about 10 – 15 minutes. 

At a glance – 

1. Lake steamer from Lucerne to Alpnachstad
2. Cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to Mount Pilatus
3. Gondola from Pilatus to Fräkmüntegg
4. Hike from Fräkmüntegg to Krienseregg via Schönenboden
5. Gondola from Krienseregg to Kriens
6. 5 minutes walk to Kriens bus stop
7. Bus from Kriens to Lucerne train station

Finding further information

If you’re a first-time hiker in Switzerland –

Read my tips on hiking the Swiss trails here.

If you love hikes with lake views –

Read about hiking the Niederhorn Ridge here.

For hiking suggestions in the Jungfrau region –

Read about my top 5 easy hikes here.

Read about hiking the classic Schynige Platte to First hike here.