We loved this ropes course at Pilatus for its fantastic views and fun special features we hadn’t seen before. We loved the terrifying “Power Fan” 20 m free fall, which even brave 8 year olds can try. Our boys enjoyed scrambling up the monkey trees, with climbing holds attached to tall trees and a self-service belay. I loved the long zip-lines outside the forest with big views. Kids as little as 4 were giggling along the mini-course, looking up at their siblings on tougher courses right above them. Something for everyone.
For a full day, you could combine this with a visit to the Mt. Pilatus observation deck above and short panorama walk at top. For a special experience, consider sleeping overnight in the tree tents under the ropes course – we loved it!
Contents
| Location: | near Lucerne, Central Switzerland |
| Address: | Pilatus gondola, Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens |
| Car: | Parking: Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens 10mins from Luzern, 45 mins from Zürich. |
| Train: | Bus stop: Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus, then 10 min walk 20 mins from Luzern, 1hr20 from Zürich HB |
| Suitable for: | Main courses starting at age 8 and 120cm Mini course for ages 4 to 8 |
| Price (2024): | Adult CHF 30, Child CHF 22, Minis CHF 12 Family discount does not include gondola ticket |
| Open: | May through mid-October daily 10:00-17:00 (longer in summer) may close due to extreme weather |
| More info: | www.pilatus.ch • webcam |
Location
Mt Pilatus is near Lucerne. To reach the ropes course, you ride a cable car from Kriens, a town a few mins by bus or car from Lucerne center. See location on Google Maps.
Parkour Courses
There are regular 10 parkour courses, all explained on a sign on site (shown below), both in English and German. The staff speaks English and can answer any questions you have. Note, the courses don’t match exactly the illustrations, there must have been some changes over the years.
There are 3 courses for min. 120 cm tall, 3 courses for min. 130 cm tall, 3 courses for min. 140 cm tall, and one very difficult course for age 14+.
We particularly liked the long zip lines on the Flying Dragon and the fun obstacles on the Höhenrausch. We all found the Draconita course a bit too challenging and were glad to be done with it. We thought the Drachen-Jäger course looked great, but we ran out of time. The Drachen-Ei and Pontius courses are easy and are used as a part of the instruction course.
Super Fan – 20 Meter Free Fall
This free fall jump is an exhilarating experience. My boys thought it was the best thing ever. I forced myself to do it and I’m really glad I did. I liked it enough to do it twice.
To reach the free fall, you first have to climb up some challenging obstacles. So you are a little tired and shaky just reaching the platform. At the top, you use a stick to grab the free fall line. You hook both your safety harness carabiners to the carabiner of free fall line. Then you stand on the edge of the platform and take a big step off into the void. It’s a fast drop down but a controlled fall so you have a scary free fall feeling for a couple seconds but you still have a slower soft landing.
Children aged 8 and 120 tall can do this but it’s best if they are accompanied by an adult. There is no supervision at the top and the free fall rope can be a little difficult to reach with short arms. I happened to be up there when two small children came up behind me with no adult. The staff called to me from below asking if I could help the kids. I was happy to help but what if I wasn’t up there?
This free fall costs extra, CHF 5 per jump. I recommend doing it at least once. Definitely worth it. If you are staying overnight in the tree tents, you get unlimited jumps for free – take advantage of it!
There’s also a shorter jump on the yellow Höhenrausch course shown below, about 10 meters and a slower ride. This doesn’t cost extra.
Monkey Trees
There are two trees with climbing holds mounted up the tree. You hook your harness to a self-service belay line and climb as far up as you like. When you want to come back down, just push off the tree with your feet and let go and the belay line slowly lowers you back to the ground.
Pilu Rope Park for under-8’s
This mini course is for children aged 4 to 8, with lower obstacles that can be easily monitored by an adult on the ground nearby. Unlike adult rope courses, the safety harness is always connected through the course, making the experience much easier and safer for the children.
Prices
This is one of the more affordable ropes courses in Switzerland at CHF 28/adult and CHF 21/child.
However, you must also pay for the cable car to reach the course, from Kriens to Frakmün. In 2021, a return ticket on the gondola from Krie
I also appreciate that they offer family rates. For example, 2 adults and 2 children costs CHF 84, saving CHF 20. See current prices here.
Opening times
This ropes course is open May through mid-October from 10:00 to 17:00, slightly longer hours in summer. Your fee includes three hours of climbing, after which you are sure to be exhausted.
P.S. If you want to talk about ropes courses in Swiss German, check out this fun mini lesson.
Getting there
By car: Drive to Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens and follow signs to Pilatusbahn. There are 3 small metered parking lots adjacent to the cable car station (In 2020, parking costs CHF 5 for 24 hours). These can quickly fill up on busy days, which happened to us on our last visit. There is another parking lot about a 5 min walk down the street: Parkhaus Hofmatt at Horwerstrasse 13, 6010 Kriens.
By public transport: Take Bus 1 from Luzern train station to Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus (11 min ride), then a 5 minute walk to the valley cable car station as shown below. The bus runs quite frequently, check the schedule. Note, there is a closer bus station, but the bus doesn’t stop there for some strange reason.
See more ropes climbing parks in Switzerland
