Niederbauen Kulm • Hike to Mountain Peak with Lake Lucerne views

I absolutely adored this peak hike to Niederbauen Kulm, with spectacular 360 views of dramatic mountain peaks in all directions and the impossibly bright blue Lake Lucerne (aka Vierwaldstättersee). It’s a tough climb up to the viewpoint, but relatively short, so it’s a good option for casual hikers.

I also have a shorter, safer alternative for small children and those with strollers, which skips the climb and cliff areas, but still has great views. 

Gallery

Trail overview

This 5.3 km trail starts at the top of the Emmetten-Niederbauen cable car. It starts on a dirt service road to the base on the peak. You’ll pass the Alptritt alpine dairy, which has a small café.

Then a steep hike up on switchbacks and stairs, gaining about 330m of elevation, to the Niederbauen Kulm viewpoint. Then down along the cliffs to the Hundschopf viewpoint and picnic area. Then back on the dirt service road to the cable car.

Hiking map

The trail is 5.5 km (3.4 miles), about 360m elevation ascent & descent. It took us about 2 hours walking time, about 3 hours with breaks. 

See trail on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive • AllTrails

Trail conditions

The trail is mostly a narrow dirt path, with lots of stairs, switchbacks and rocky bits. I was happy to have my hiking sticks. The path is set back from the cliff edge, but it could be dangerous for small children. During cow season in summer, there is a barbed wire fence along the cliff edge, but in late September the fence was taken down.

The trail requires a good fitness level and secure footing, but it’s not particularly long or difficult. I’d recommend it for slightly older children (maybe 7+) with hiking experience and enough common sense to stay away from the cliff edge.

Shorter, safer alternative

With small children and those using a stroller, you can walk from the Niederbauen cable car straight to the Hundschopf viewpoint (bottom of the loop shown above), about 2km each way. See trail map.

It’s mostly on a mild dirt road, the last bit on a dirt path. I saw one family who did this with a stroller, which gave me the idea. This alternative is much shorter and skips all the semi-dangerous tough bits along the cliffs. But you still get great views and a nice picnic area.

Nearby alternative for kids

The nearby Stockhütte cable car takes you up to a huge playground and a mountain scooter ride. More fun for the kids but also great views. Get details here.

How to get there

Niederbauen is a mountain area near Lucerne in central Switzerland (see on Google Maps). It is accessed by cable car from the small village Emmetten.

By public transport: Take a train to Stans, then transfer to bus 311, direction Seelisberg. Get off at Emmetten, Post, then walk up the road 280m to the cable car station.

By car: Drive to the Emmetten-Niederbauen cable car at Seelisbergstrasse 2 6376 Emmetten. There is metered parking directly adjacent to the cable car station. You can pay with coins or the EasyPark or ParkingPay mobile apps. There is also a larger parking lot near the bus stop, a short walk away as shown below. 

Planning your day

Ticket prices 

In 2022, a return cable car ticket costs CHF 22/adult, CHF 12/child aged 6-16, under 6 free. SBB Half-fare, Junior cards and other discounts are not accepted. You can pay with cash or card.

See current ticket prices.

Operating Times

The cable car runs from 7:00-12:00 and 13:00-19:00. The cable car fits about 8 people, so you might have to wait a bit to go up. It officially runs every 30 mins, but if there are more than 4 people waiting, they run it on demand. See current timetable.

Summer hiking season is generally May through October. But it’s often open on weekends and sunny weekdays in November if there isn’t snow yet. It’s also open in winter season for winter hiking and snowshoeing.

Although this isn’t a tourist area, it’s popular with locals, surprisingly bustling on the sunny Thursday when I went. Most everyone was speaking Swiss German and the small sample of hikers I chatted with all lived nearby. So on nice weekends, best to come early to avoid a line.

Photo story

1. Riding up the cable car

Here’s the gorgeous view from the cable car.

At the top, you are dropped off at the restaurant with outdoor seating and this mountain view.

2. Starting the trail to Niederbauen Kulm

From the cable car station, walk left following signs to Alp Tritt (an alpine dairy and cafe) and Niderbawer Chulm (aka Niederbauen Kulm), the viewpoint.

The trail starts on this dirt road and will climb to the top of that hill in front of you.

At this sign, leave the road and follow the dirt path up to the Alp Tritt dairy.

Here is Alp Tritt. They have a small outdoor cafe, serving drinks and cheese plates.

3. Hiking up the mountain

Behind the dairy, the trail goes up this grassy hill. Doesn’t look that bad, but you’ll start sweating soon.

The trail is very lumpy, chewed up by cow tracks.

Looking back down to Alp Tritt and the cable car station at the end of that mountain road.

Happily there are some stairs on the steepest parts. The section on the left has some steep drop offs on one side, but not too dangerous.

Here I’m looking back on the trail, so you can see it winding along this steep mountain side.

4. Arriving at the cliffs

The trail crosses over to these dramatic cliffs on the east side. Admire the view, the turn left and head up the mountain to the viewpoint.

This is the view over the cliffs. You might want to linger.

Walk up the mountain on the grassy hill up to the viewpoint. On your way back down, follow the trail that hugs the cliffs to the right.

5. Niederbauen Kulm Viewpoint

Here’s the fenced in viewpoint at the top of Niederbauen Kulm. There are a couple benches and a guestbook to sign. Kids can safely enjoy the view here without you chasing them away from the cliff edge.

View towards Luzern from the fenced in area.

View across to Stoos, my other favorite hiking place in this region.

Here’s what the cliffs look like under the viewpoint, for your information.

6. Hiking down

After enjoying the views at the top, hike down along the cliffs. The trail is set back from the edge, but keep kids close anyway. In summer, there is a barbed wire fence along the cliff edge, but in late September, they had just taken it down, presumably because the cows were already down in the valley for winter.

Lots of switchbacks and some parts on dirt “steps” straight down. Get out those hiking sticks.

Follow signs to Hundschopf.

7. Detour to Hundschopf

This is Hundschopf, the small outcropping to the left, with a viewpoint and picnic area.

Here is the Hundschopf picnic area, with tables and fire pits, but I didn’t see any wood piles. I saw one family here with an all terrain stroller. I assume they skipped the Kulm viewpoint and just came here on the dirt road. This would be a good alternative for families with small children.

Looking back up to the Niederbauen viewpoint from Hundschopf.

7. Loop back to the cable car

Follow signs to Bergst. Niederbauen, the cable car station.

Follow this dirt road back to the cable car station.

One last look at these beautiful peaks.