There is a cog-wheel railway that takes us up to the top. It starts at the little village of Alpnachstad (where we had our hotel). The train is famous as being the steepest cog-wheel train in the world. A large portion of the trip runs between 40% and 48% grade. The trip takes about 40 minutes to get to the top and cost us $150 for the round-trip (for 2). At the top, there is a hotel and restaurant and many hiking trails. People can hike the whole way up or get off or on at a half-way point on the trip. There are also several gondola rides from near Lucerne itself.
I will leave the rest of the descriptions to accompany the many photos.
This is us up on the top. We got a man to take our picture for us.
Now we will start from the beginning...
The town of Alpnachstad.
Boarding the train. You see that the cars are built on the 45° angle. They seem to be able to adjust to the varying angles of slope as we go up. They are really quite amazing.
Heading up, approaching one of the many little tunnels.
Signs along the way show the change in slope.
Occasionally looking down into the valley as we rise up the mountainside.
Looking at the city of Lucerne.
At the top there was a man who played an alphorn. It was beautiful to hear. especially as he played "Amazing Grace" and it echoed on the mountains.
At the top there were many trails. This one included many steps. The stones of the steps were fairly uneven and sometimes wobbly. On one or both sides, it dropped down a lot. As many of you know, Sister B has a great fear of edges (drops). She is faking a smile here. Maybe it is nerves.
One of the trails continues up to an observatory (closed at the time), but Sister B refused to go on. I went a little ways up.
I took a panorama movie of the view from where we were. There are several people going around us, but you get the idea anyway.
Here is a view of the buildings they built up on the top. The closest one is the Pilatus Kulm Hotel.
Behind the hotel is the pathway up a lot a steps. Sister B only made it partway before her nerves (and ankles) refused to go on.
I walked most of the way to the observatory.
Here is a view especially made for our engineer son. This would probably be a dream job for him.
A view of Lucerne and the lakes surrounding it.
The symbol of the mountain is the dragon, based on this legend.
The mountain is named Pilatus, which is Latin for Pilate (Pontius Pilate), who is reputed (by this legend) to have been buried here, his spirit haunting the place ever since. The people and the church leaders were forbidden to climb this mountain or go to the lake below.
Another view of the mountains in the area as seen from up here.
On one trail there are many signs describing the local flowers and plants.
Sister B on the trail (yes, it is on an edge).
In the valleys approaching the mountain, there are many trails and little cabins.
Sister B stopped at this point on this trail. Here she consoled a young Chinese lady who was brought up to the mountain by her German boyfriend. She was terrified by the heights.
I hiked on to the top of this section (not the end of the trail, though).
Another of the beautiful flowers along the trail. I did not ever see any edelweiss.
Back at the beginning of the trail to Tomlishorn. We made it about 90% of the way to the end of that trail.
As we were waiting for our ride back down, we saw a pair of people fly out over the top of us and soar over the area.
On the way back down, just before entering a tunnel.
A view of the valley as we descended.
A cabin on the side as we were about half-way down.
We are absolutely FLOORED that Oma made it up that far. Way to go, Mom! You are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThe kids particularly liked the story of the cooper and the dragons. :)
Thanks for sharing! We felt like we were there :).