In the Lucerne and Central Switzerland area, there are many beautiful options for spring travel, including mountain viewpoints, lake cruises, low elevation hikes and scenic drives.
Here are our top suggestions if you are traveling to the Lucerne area in spring time. For each activity, I’ve listed the summer season opening date and/or best time to visit in spring.
Contents
Map of spring activities
More spring ideas?
See all our spring activities and hikes on a map in our Switzerland Travel Guide.
Mountain Viewpoints
The Lucerne region boasts five popular mountain viewpoint destinations: Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis, Stanserhorn and Stoos. All have expensive, breathtaking rides on funiculars and gondolas to sweeping panoramic views. Make your decision last minute based on which has the clearest views using the webcams.
1. Mt Rigi
Open year round
Since the Rigi railways are open year round, you can visit this mountain any time in spring. In early April, you might encounter some snow and mud, so best to visit with waterproof snows. But by late April/early May, the trails are usually ready for hiking.
We like to visit on the Classic Round Trip from Lucerne, starting with a boat ride to the base of the mountain. Then a cogwheel train to the top to catch the big views. If you like to hike, you can follow the panorama trail down to one of the lower stations, where you can catch either the train or cable car back down to the lake.
Learn more about visiting Mt Rigi
2. Mt Pilatus
Viewpoint open year round • summer activities open mid April
You can visit the top of Mt Pilatus most of the year by riding a cable car up from Kriens in the valley. At the top, you’ll find a large observation deck with views over Lake Lucerne and dozens of mountains.
The amusements at the Fräkmüntegg station like the summer toboggan and ropes park usually open by mid April. The cliff walk hike to the Tomlishorn viewpoint usually opens by mid May. Check the live status.
Starting in mid May, you can do the Golden Round Trip, which includes a boat ride from Lucerne, cogwheel mountain train up the mountain, and cable car down the other side of the mountain. This is our favorite way to visit Mt Pilatus, with so much variety in your visit.
Learn more about Mt Pilatus
3. Stanserhorn
Opening 11 April 2026
Very near Lucerne, this tall mountain at 1850 m offers spectacular views of lakes, alpine meadows, and mountains in every direction.
To reach the top, you ride a vintage funicular train, then a cable car with an open-air roof, where you can stand outside while you ride up the mountain.
At the top, you can walk a short and easy 1k loop trail around the top, visiting another viewpoint. There’s a restaurant with a big panorama terrace (reservations required for brunch). There is also a nice picnic area with grill pits, a bit unusual on mountain peaks but very welcome.
Learn more about Stanserhorn
4. Titlis glacier
Open year round • summer season mid May
From the Engelberg village, you can ride a gondola and rotating cable car to Mt Titlis at 3020m. At the top, you can walk on the glacier snow, cross a high suspension bridge and explore an ice cave. There are restaurants at the indoor complex at the top and the middle station lower down the mountain.
The ski resort is usually open thru mid April, so you’ll be riding the cable car with skiers during that time. Summer season usually starts in mid May. Once the snow melts, you can start hiking around the Trübsee lake at the middle station.
Learn more about Mount Titlis
5. Stoos
Viewpoint on weekends in April, daily starting May • hiking from 13 June 2026
Stoos is a mountain resort south of Lucerne, with fantastic views of Lake Lucerne from the cliff viewpoints. During the shoulder season, Stoos runs the lifts to the Fronalpstock viewpoint, where you visit the restaurant and enjoy views from the observation deck.
But Stoos hiking season usually starts around early June, when the snow has melted. To reach the popular ridge trail, you use the Klingenstock chair lift, which typically opens the second weekend of June. Check live status.
If the snow melts earlier, you could hypothetically access this trail by hiking up and down the lifts. But for safety, it’s very important that this trail is free of ice and snow.
Note that the Stoos funicular usually closed for maintenance on weekdays in second half of April (check current maintenance schedule). On these days, you would instead need to access the Stoos village using the Morschach cable car.
Learn more about Stoos
Spring hikes, no gondola
6. Ibergeregg-Rotenflue panorama loop
Open year round, summer bus service starts in June
You don’t need a gondola for this mountain hike. You can drive to the Ibergeregg pass and start many beautiful trails from there. We like the loop trail from the pass up to Rotenflue and back, which has passes through fields and forests with beautiful mountain and lake views.
If you are coming by public transportation, you can ride a bus to the pass starting in June. Or you can ride the Rotenflue cable car starting mid May.
Hike: moderate • 2h30 • 6.8 km • 230m up & down
See trail map for Ibergeregg-Rotenflue panorama loop
7. Lungernsee lake
Open year round
You don’t need a gondola to reach this lake, so you can hike it anytime in spring. There is a path around the lake, mostly easy walking on a wide path. Along the lakeshore, there are lots of picnic areas with fire pits, as well as the Kaiserstuhl restaurant serving fresh trout from the lake.
In spring, the water level will be quite low as shown in the picture below. In April, the trees will still be mostly bare, so we prefer hiking this one starting in mid May. Since there is public transportation on both ends of the lake, you can easily just walk half the trail instead of the full loop.
Learn more about the Lungernsee lake walk
8. Stäuben Falls
Best mid May
These powerful waterfalls have become popular on Instagram recently. From the You can reach them with an easy walk along the river, on a service road up the valley. This walk is 6 km round trip, about 2 hours, climbing about 200m of elevation on your way to the falls.
Starting around mid May, you can ride a cable car up and do a spectacular mountain hike before reaching the falls. In this case, the moderate hike is 8.3 km, about 2h45, 60m up and 630m down. It’s a narrow mountain trail, best done with proper hiking shoes and some hiking experience.
See details for Stäuben falls.
9. Lake Lucerne Waldstätterweg
Possible in April, but best in May
The Waldstätterweg is a long distance trail that goes along the the top half of Lake Lucerne. We like this section from Beckenried to Treib, which visits two big waterfalls and wanders through dense forest and lush meadows with mountain views. At the end of your hike, ride a ferry back to your starting point.
The ferry between the end and starting point runs year round, but the spring schedule starting 15 April 2023 has more options.
Hike stats: Moderate • 3.5 h • 10.5 k • 410m up, 370m down
See hiking map & directions for Waldstätterweg
10. Swiss Path along Lake Lucerne
Spring ferry starts mid April
The Swiss Path is a long distance trail around the bottom half of Lake Lucerne (aka Vierwaldstättersee). It’s broken into seven sections, which can be hiked separately, accessed by boat, train and bus. The ferries start a more frequent schedule in mid April.
This area is a good choice for spring time because of the lower elevations and many alpine meadows filled with wildflowers. Our favorite section is from Sisikon to Brunnen, as shown in the picture below.
Although you can often start hiking these trails in late March (assuming no snow), this trail is much prettier starting in May. Also, the winter ferry schedule is quite limited. So better to wait until the spring ferry schedule starts in mid April.
11. Burgenstock
Lift open starting early April
This small mountain near Lucerne is famous for it’s luxury hotel & spa built on the cliffs overlooking Lake Lucerne. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, you can admire the views from their panorama terrace and follow the cliff walk to reach the tallest free-standing lift in Europe.
To reach this area, you can drive or take a bus up the mountain, no gondola required. For more special day trip, you can take a boat from Lucerne and ride a funicular train up the cliffs to reach the viewpoint. If you want to hike longer, there are a few trails crisscrossing this mountain.
Learn more about the Burgenstock cliff walk
Mountain spring hikes with gondolas
Here are a few mountain areas that open in April and May. Even if the mountain transport is open, the trails may not be open yet. So check the websites for current conditions.
12. Fürenalp Engelberg
Cable car opens 18 April 2025
Fürenalp is a mountain at 1800m in the Engelberg valley, southwest of Lucerne. This area looks exactly how you imagine Switzerland, green alpine meadows speckled with mountain huts surrounded by towering peaks.
This cable car opens for summer season in early May, giving you access to one of our favorite spring hikes (and most affordable). It has big mountain views, a roaring waterfall, and rushing river.
Hike stats: Moderate • 3.5 h • 9.5 k • 750m down
Get more details about the Fürenalp hike
13. Mythenrundreise
Gondolas open starting 10 May 2025
This popular spring hike winds under the spiky Mythen peaks, through alpine meadows and forests. You’ll have spectacular views across the Lake Lucerne region as you make your way to Sattel Hochstuckli, where the one way hike ends.
It’s a long walk at 10km, but not super difficult. If you are bringing kids, the big playground and summer toboggan at the end is a great reward for good hiking.
Hike stats: Moderate • 3.5 h • 10 k • 270m up, 660m down
14. Grosser Mythen Peak Hike
Cable car open starting 10 May 2025
Hike to this impressive peak near Lucerne. It’s a short but demanding mountain trail, with steep rocky switchbacks gaining about 400 m of elevation over 2km. Suitable for those with hiking experience and head for heights.
The cable car accessing this trail opens 13 May 2023. If the snow has melted, you can hike up from the valley or drive to the Ibergeregg pass and hike across to the peak. In any case, be absolutely sure the trail is safe with no ice or snow. People have died here by slipping off the trail and tumbling off the cliffs.
Hike (with cable car): Challenging • 2 hours • 3.5 km round trip • 410m up & down
See trail map for Grosser Mythen hike
15. Rigi Panorama
Viewpoint open year round • hiking usually mid April
The Lucerne area is a great choice for spring as there are many lower elevation areas to explore. Our favorite spring hike here is the panorama trail at Mount Rigi, which can vary in length depending on your schedule and ability.
On the Classic Rigi Round Trip, you can combine this with a lake cruise to see even more mountains around each corner. The trains up Rigi run year round without a break. The cable cars take breaks in spring, but these are not required for a visit.
If you want to hike the Panorama Trail to Rigi Scheidegg, you need the Kräbel cable car to be open, usually third weekend of April.
Get the details for the Mount Rigi Panorama trail
16. Schächentaler High Mountain Trail
Cable cars open beginning of May
This long trail traverses the mountain above the Schächentaler valley. Since there are four cable cars and a bus stop that access different parts of the trail, you can hike as little or as long as you like.
We like the section from Biel-Kinzig to Eggeberge, with dramatic mountain views and small alpine lake along the way. The cable cars at each end of this hike are open in May, but check the trail status and webcams to make sure the trail is free of snow. I think this hike is best starting end of May.
Hike: Easy • 3 hours • 9 km • 260m up, 430m down
Learn more about the Eggberge hike
Spring hikes for kids near Lucerne
Here are a few trails and mountain play areas near Lucerne that are fun for children.
17. Sattel Playland & Goat Trail
Opening Sat 18 April 2025
This family mountain resort has a lot of attractions for kids, including a bouncy castle complex, trampolines, an inner tube slide, summer toboggan, mountain scooters, and suspension bridge. Since it’s one of the first mountains to open in spring, we often come here in late April to hike the Engelstock panorama trail.
This trail also has a theme trail for kids about the goats that live in this region, with several activities along the way. The trail leads to a goat farm, where you can enjoy goat cheese and goat milk ice cream.
Learn more about Sattel Hochstuckli panorama trail
18. Mooraculum
Opening 29 May 2025
This alpine playground has lots of fun activities educating children about nature, particularly the endangered moor. There’s water play, swings, slides, climbing stuff, obstacle courses, games, and a little scavenger hunt.
The short theme trail has 18 activities related to the senses along the way. There is a restaurant and big picnic area with grills and tables. This is particularly nice for small children (age 3-7) since the trail is short and the amusements are within their reach.
Learn more about Mooraculum
19. Wirzweli witch trail
Trail usually open late May
On this theme trail near Lucerne, children follow Lizi, the “herb witch,” who tells the story of her forest through a series of interactive and informative stations along the trail. There is also a nice playground and summer toboggan.
Although the lifts may be running in early May, the theme trail may not yet be fully functional. So check their website for current trail status.
Hike: Easy • 1.5 h • 3 k • 20m up, 360m down
Learn more about Wirzweli witch trail
20. Illgau Ladybug Trail
Best starting mid May
This cute trail follows ladybugs painted on the ground through alpine fields and forests. There are two playgrounds and picnic areas with grills and lots of mountain views. This is a definitely a locals-only place, so usually not the big crowds you might see elsewhere.
Hike: Easy • 1 hour one way • 2.7 km • 350m descent
See hiking map & directions for Chäferliweg
More spring ideas near Lucerne
21. Cruise on Lake Lucerne
This lake has some of the most beautiful views in Switzerland. We like the section between Brunnen and Vitznau. You can combine a lake cruise with visiting Rigi or Pilatus, combo offers available when purchasing your cruise tickets.
Some boats run the full year. But more frequent service starts in mid April.
Get more details about cruising on Lake Luzern.
22. Driving Tour
The drive from Luzern to Interlaken is an attraction on its own. The highlight is the super blue Lungernsee, much photographed by tourists from the various lookout points. Another beautiful drive is the Sustenpass, from Wassen to Innertkirchen. You could continue to Interlaken or loop back to Luzern over the Brünigpass.
Here’s a sample driving route:
Rainy Day Activities near Lucerne
There are lots of fun indoor amusements in the Lucerne area. Here are a few of our favorites. See more Rainy Day Ideas.
23. Swiss Museum of Transport – Lucerne
A quick day trip from Zürich, the Verkehrshaus Luzern is the best and biggest museum in the transportation category. This enormous place is dedicated to all modes of transportation (planes, trains, automobiles, water craft, space, etc).
It has lots of kid-friendly interactive exhibits to both educate and entertain. Fun for kids and adults.
Location: Lucerne – Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Luzern. From Zurich 45 mins by car, 1h05 by train/bus
Learn more about Swiss Museum of Transport.
24. Glasi Hergiswil – glass factory
Learn about the history of glass making in Switzerland at this glass factory and museum near Lucerne. You start with a short multimedia presentation about glass making. Then you can watch live glass making on the factory floor.
Next to the factory, there is a museum with fun amusements for kids including a glass labyrinth, a hands-on glass exhibit, a big playground and a huge marble run where you can roll glass marbles purchased at their gift shop.
Location: Near Lucerne – Seestrasse 12, 6052 Hergiswil
Learn more about Glasi Hergiswil
25. Aeschbach Chocolate Factory
Aeschbach is well known in Switzerland as the producer of the Schoggitaler chocolate coins sold by school children as a fundraiser (my kids have done this every year). Like other chocolate factory visitor centers, you walk through a series of decorated rooms with a variety of interactive display teaching you about the history and production of chocolate.
During the tour you can sample chocolate, including small chocolate cubes of varying cocoa percentages, chocolate coins and chocolate fountain with toppings. On weekdays you can see people working on the chocolate factory floor. After the museum tour, you can make your own chocolate bar for CHF 10.
Location: ChocoDromo 1, 6037 Root
See review of Chocowelt from Our Swiss Experience
Opening Dates for Lucerne Summer Season 2026
Here’s a quick reference for the scheduled summer opening dates for popular cable cars and mountain railways in the Lake Lucerne Region.
⚠️Just because the mountain transport opens, does not necessarily mean the trails and other services are open. Check trail status and opening times carefully before making plans.
Mountain transport open all year. Check their websites for trail status.
3-6 April 2026 (Easter weekend)
- Pilatus cable cars & summer toboggan
- Arnisee cable car
- Illgau-St Karl for Ladybug trail
- Eggberge + Ruogig for Höher Schächentalerweg
Sat 11 April 2026
- Stanserhorn
- Stoos Fronalpstock – open weekends from 11 April 2026, then daily from 2 May
Sat 18 April 2026
- Sattel Hochstuckli gondola
- Kräbel – Rigi Scheidegg cable car – weekends in April, daily service from this weekend (for full Rigi panorama trail)
Sat 25 April 2026
- Pilatus ropes park
- Engelberg Fürenalp cable car
- Bürgenstock cliff walk & lift (date not confirmed)
- Maria Rickenbach
Sat 9 May 2026
- Pilatus Golden Round Trip (ferry and mountain train from Alpnachstad)
- Engelberg Brunni
- Brunni-Holzegg cable car for Grosse Mythen peak hike
- Mooraculum – this weekend, then daily from 14 May 2026
- Märbachegg gondola – open weekends, then daily service starting 31 May 2025
14-17 May 2026 (Auffahrt weekend)
- Klewenalp: Beckenried-Klewenalp & Emmetten-Stockhütte cable cars
- Stoos Fronalpstock chair lift
Sat 22 May 2026
- Wirzweli Hexenweg – should open this weekend
Wed 3 June 2026
- Glattalp cable car
Sat 6 June 2026
- Bannalp cable car – may open for weekends before this
- Sörenberg – Brienzer Rothorn cable car – opens 4 June
Sat 13 June 2026
- Stoos Klingenstock chair lift – for Stoos ridge trail
- Melchsee-Frutt cable car
- Engelberg Trübsee gondola
- Haldigrat chair lift (date not confirmed)
Mid June
These small cable cars are open from April, but hiking usually possible mid June
- Niederbauen cable car
- Golzern cable car
- Arnisee cable car
- Chäppeliberg-Spilau cable car for Spilauersee hike
Sat 27 June 2026
- Andermatt – Gütsch cable car & Oberalppass – Schneehüenerstock
