The Lake Lucerne region has so many beautiful hiking areas, it’s hard to choose. So I’ve selected the best hikes in the region, with both popular destinations like Engelberg and quieter locals only places.
I’ve grouped the hikes by easy, moderate and challenging, but depending on your fitness and hiking experience, you might find a hike easier or harder than I describe. Stay safe and have fun out there!
Contents
How to save money on these hikes
Many travelers purchase the Swiss Travel Pass, which includes all public transport like trains, buses, trams, and boats. This pass also gives you a discount (usually 50%) on many mountains, including most listed below. Buy Swiss Travel Pass here.
Another option is the Tell Pass, which is a pass just for the Lake Lucerne region. This pass can be purchased for 2 to 10 days, giving you free public transportation, free mountains transport, and discounts on many attractions within the region, not all of Switzerland. Learn about the Tell Pass.
Most popular hikes near Lucerne
1. Stoos Ridge Trail
The Stoos ridge trail is one of the most popular trails near Lucerne for good reason, with spectacular views over Lake Lucerne. The trail is well built but there are many exposed sections with steep slopes to the side, no safety railings. So best for those with hiking experience wearing sturdy hiking shoes.
- Trail: Moderate • 2 h • 4.4 k • 300m up/down
- From Lucerne: 45 mins by car, 1hr10 by train/bus
See details for Stoos Ridgeline Trail
2. Rigi Panorama Trail
Mt Rigi is one of the closest mountains to Lucerne and a popular destination for many travellers. We suggest the Panorama trail, which is easy walking on a wide, mostly obstacle-free path.
The full trail is 8.2 km, including a beautiful cliff walk section, which is safely secured with fences. You can easily shorten this to 4 km or even just 1 km, by catching the mountain train earlier. There are restaurants along the way and a playground at the end. This trail is also possible in winter. See details for Rigi Panorama Trail
- Trail: Easy • 3 h • 8.2 km one way • 230 m up, 320 m down
- From Lucerne: 35 mins by car, 45 mins by train, 1hr10 by boat
Suggested tour: Classic round trip from Lucerne (with boat cruise)
3. Mt Pilatus Tomlishorn
Mt Pilatus is easy to reach by cable car or cogwheel mountain train. From there, you can do a short hike to the Tomlishorn peak for an even higher (and better!) view.
Most of the path is cut into the side of the mountain, but safely secured with railings on one side. For experienced hikers, this is an easy hike. But beginners and non-hikers may find this a little challenging with uneven terrain and stairs up to the viewpoint. See details for Tomlishorn cliff walk
- Trail: Moderate • 1h • 3 km there and back • 150 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 10 mins by car, 15 mins by train
Suggested tour: Pilatus Golden Round Trip from Lucerne (with boat cruise)
4. Grosser Mythen peak hike
This impressive peak is an icon of central Switzerland, so it’s very satisfying to reach the top and do a little victory dance. It’s a demanding mountain trail, with steep rocky switchbacks gaining about 400 m of elevation over 2km.
There are also very steep slopes on the side of the trail, not always with railings. There have been some deaths on this trail, so best for those with hiking experience who are not afraid of heights. See details for Grosser Mythen Peak Hike
- Trail: Difficult • 3 h • 6.5 k • 660 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 45 mins by car, 1h20 by train/bus
Easy hikes near Lucerne
5. Engelberg Trübsee
An easy walk around an alpine lake with mountain views. Many amusements for children including a theme trail, huge playground, tall jump into an air pillow and pony rides. Suitable for strollers.
- Trail: Easy • 1 h • 3.2 km one way • 20 m up, 40 m down
- From Lucerne: 35 mins by car, 1 h by train
See details for Engelberg Trübsee lake walk. See also our 3 day Engelberg Itinerary for Families.
6. Burgenstock Cliff Walk
From Lucerne, you can ride a boat, then funicular train up to the posh Bürgenstock resort overlooking the lake. From there, walk on the easy Felsenweg path along the cliffs, safely secured with a railing on the cliff side.
After about 30 mins, you can optionally ride up the Hammetschwand free standing lift (shown above) to a higher viewpoint. For the full hike, ride back down the lift and continue the loop around the mountain.
- Trail: Easy • 1h45 • 5.3 km loop • 180 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 25 mins by car, 45 mins by bus or boat/funicular
See details for Bürgenstock Cliff Walk
7. Lungernsee
Easy stroll around a beautiful bright blue lake with mountain views. There are lots of picnic areas with fire pits along the way and restaurants on both ends of the lake. We suggest the short detour to two waterfalls. If you need a shorter hike, you can just walk half the lake and take the train back to your starting point.
- Trail: Easy • 2h30 • 9.5 km loop • 140 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 35 mins by car, 50 mins by train
See details for Lungerersee lake walk
8. Golzernsee
From the cable car, it’s an easy walk on a wide dirt path to reach this alpine lake, popular for swimming, picnics and fishing. There are a mountain restaurants nearby for lunch.
If you want a longer hike, you can walk up to a viewpoint up the Maderental valley and also hike down the river. For very long day, you can follow the Höhenweg Maderental trail up to Wildgällerhütte mountain hut.
- Trail: Easy • 2 h • 7 km loop • 60 m up, 50 m down
- From Lucerne: 1h10 mins by car, 2h by train/bus
See details for Golzernsee hike
9. Arnisee
Ride a tiny cable car up the mountain, then a short hike to the lovely Arnisee alpine lake, where you’ll find nice picnic areas and places to lounge. You can do an easy walk around the lake, about 20 mins. There are several more difficult hiking trails in the mountains above the lake.
- Trail: Easy • 1 h • 2.7 k loop • 60 m up, 50 m down
- From Lucerne: 45 mins by car, 2h by train
See details for Arnisee
10. Glattalpsee
Ride a little cable car up the mountain. Then an easy, flat walk to and around this beautiful alpine lake. There’s a mountain hotel and restaurant near the cable car. But we prefer a picnic on the lakeshore.
- Trail: Easy • 2 h • 7 km loop • 60 m up, 50 m down
- From Lucerne: 1h10 mins by car, 2h by train/bus
See details for Glattalpsee hike
Moderate hikes
I’ve categorized these hikes as moderate because most average hikers with good fitness will find these hikes well within their ability.
11. Fürenalp
From minute one, it feels like the biggest mountains you ever did see. After riding up a tiny cable car, you follow a relatively easy mountain path to a huge waterfall. Then down along the rushing river back to your starting point. Locals only on this one, so you feel like you discovered a secret.
- Trail: Moderate • 3h30 • 9 k • 10 m up, 750 m down
- From Lucerne: 40 mins by car, 1hr20 by train/bus
See details for Fürenalp hike
12. Stäuben Falls
You can walk on a service road to view the powerful Stäuben falls. But we suggest the mountain trail instead, riding a cable car up and traversing above the falls before descending to the main event. Approaching the falls this way adds so much beauty and adventure to your day, passing several rivers and waterfalls before reaching the main event.
- Trail: Moderate • 2h30 • 8.3 k • 150 m up, 650 m down
- From Lucerne: 50 mins by car, 2hr train/bus
See details for Stäuben Falls hike
13. Melchsee Frutt Bonistock ridge trail
Lots of variety on this hike, starting along a dramatic ridge, then walking under the rocky cliffs, then cutting through grassy fields. and finally meandering along the lake shore. For an easier day, you can stay on the lower trail that circles the lake.
- Trail: Moderate • 4 h • 10 k • 300 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 40 mins by car, 1h10 by bus
See details for Melchsee Frutt
14. Spilauersee
This hike so much variety, a beautiful alpine lake, big mountains, and dramatic views over cliffs. The first bit of fun is the tiny open-air cable car which carries you up the mountain.
Then up, up, up the mountain to panorama views across the Lake Lucerne region. Then down, down, down to the beautiful blue lake, where brave souls might jump in the chilly water with the fish. Make sure to stop at one of the mountain dairy for lunch or at least to sample the local cheese.
- Trail: Moderate • 3h15 • 7.2 k • 480 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 1 h by car, limited connections by bus
See details for Spilauersee
15. Tomasee – source of Rhine river
This small lake is the source of the Rhine river. The trail starts at the Oberalp mountain pass and hikes up a rocky path to this magical spring surrounded by mountains. With a little extra effort, you can hike up to the mountain hut above the lake for lunch or an overnight.
- Trail: Moderate • 4 h • 8 k round trip • 460 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 1hr15 by car, 2hr30 by train/bus
See details for Tomasee hike
Challenging hikes
These hikes are challenging for different reasons. Some are slightly dangerous with steep slopes on the sides of the trail. Others have very steep ascents and/descents that require a good fitness level.
16. Niederbauen Kulm peak hike
Ride a cable car up the mountain to reach this trail. It’s a steep climb up to the top of the Niederbauen peak, where you can peer over the cliffs to the lake. Then a steep hike down on switchbacks along a beautiful ridge with mountain views. Less experienced hikers can stay on the lower trail and still reach a beautiful viewpoint over the lake.
- Trail: Moderate • 2h30 • 5.3 k • 300 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 25 mins by car, 1 h by train/bus
See details for Niederbauen Kulm Hike
17. Gotthard 7 lake hike
Visit seven alpine lakes in a beautiful rocky landscape on this hike near the Gotthard pass. Starting at a dam and large reservoir, hike up the mountain to discover a series of small alpine lakes. A small detour leads to mountain pass where you see even more mountains and even glaciers on the other side. This hike requires a good level of fitness to manage the switchbacks and uneven terrain, but it’s not dangerous. No restaurants along the way, so bring a picnic to enjoy next to one of the lakes.
- Trail: Moderate • 4h • 11.2 km loop • 630 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 1h15 by car, 2hr20 by train/bus
See details for Gotthard 7 Lake hike
18. Walenpfad panorama trail
So much drama on this hike! After enjoying a beautiful alpine lake, head up the mountain to a remote dairy hut to sample local cheese. Then traverse the mountain, up down up, through cow meadows, rocky passages and panorama views for day. If you are hiking with children, they’ll be rewarded at the end with a bunch of fun amusements including a sensory barefoot path, summer toboggan and playground.
- Trail: Moderate • 4 h • 10 km one way • 590 m up, 410 m down
- From Lucerne: 30 mins by car, 40 mins train/bus
See details for Walenpfad hike
19. Seewlisee alpine lake
It’s a long tough climb to reach this lake, but well worth the effort. You start with a thrilling ride on a tiny open-air cable car. Then many switchbacks up the mountain, mostly in the forest, where you’ll be happy to have your hiking sticks. Eventually you break out to big beautiful mountain views and the lake. There is a mountain hut and café next to the lake, where you can get refreshments and stay the night.
- Trail: Moderate • 4 h • 10 km one way • 1040 m up/down
- From Lucerne: 40 mins by car, 1h30 mins train/bus
See details for Seewlisee hike
20. Haldigrat to Brisen peak
If you need a little thrill and bit of a workout, this hike will scratch that itch. My pictures don’t do it justice, but climbing along this ridge was absolutely delightful for an experienced hiker comfortable with some risk. A cable car and chair lift bring up you up to the good stuff. Then hike up the ridge to the Brisen peak, where you’ll feel on top of the world. The downhill is a bit of a slog, but the views are nice along the way.
- Trail: Difficult • 4 h • 9 k loop • 380 m up, 1140 down
- From Lucerne: 20 mins by car, 40 mins by train
See details for Haldigrat Brisen hike
2 Responses
Are the costs listed (example below) for trail access fees?
Trail: Moderate • 2 h • 4.4 k • 300m up/down
From Lucerne: 45 mins by car, 1hr10 by train/bus
Cost: CHF 50/adult, discounts with GA, SBB Half-fare, Swiss Travel Pass
The costs are typically for the mountain transport like cable cars and mountain trains. In general, there is no costs to access trails in Switzerland.