Mt. Pilatus dragonhead rock formation
Our next trip was to Mt.Pilatus, a snow capped peak in Switzerland side Alps. Our residence was near Friedrichshafen which is a railhead and we had planned to start from here early morning. We got ready at 6.30 am and proceeded to the nearest railway station to reach Friedrichshafen where we had to change trains. The train came at the dot and we reached at Fr.Shafen at 6.50 am. We took a train to Radolfzell from where we have to change for another train to Singen a major station which is one of the trunk routes and one can board a train to any part of Europe from here. From here we took a train to Zurich which is the nearest hub for going to all parts of Switzerland and entire Europe. We reached Zurich station at around 9.40 am. From there the train to Lucern was at 10.15 am. So we immediately proceeded to that platform and boarded the train to Lucern. Lucern station is a terminus with around 16 platforms and our train to Alpenachstadt was at platform 6. We first went to the wash rooms to freshen up and had our breakfast from Coop stores.Here the Coop store is in the groundfloor and the platforms are in upper storey. The store is quite spacious with its front provided with wooden tables and benches and chairs where we can rest and have food at our leisure. We purchased some croissants and apple pie tart which is quite tasty and also a bottle of fruit juice. The rates are quite affordable when compared to regular hotels. We boarded the train to our dream destination Mt.Pilatus. The train journey is quite scenic with hills and tunnels and pastures where we could see the Swiss cows grazing. We could also see the Rhein waterfalls on the way which is said to be the biggest waterfall in Europe.
Lucern railway station front area
Lucern Railway Station
Lucern railway station platform
Lucern railway station platform another view
Rhein waterfalls view
The view was breathtaking and I felt it worthwhile taking this trip as the entire stretch got etched in my mind. Finally we reached Alpenachstadt station where we got out to proceed to MT.Pilatus. This train route also takes you to Interlaken. Once outside the station we were greeted by 3 elderly men in black suits standing outside the station blowing Alpine horn. This is a traditional Swiss horn and part of their culture. We had already booked train tickets online to Mt.Pilatus. We proceeded to the counter with those printed tickets which a polite elderly lady checked and issued a card with a picturesque Mt.Pilatus on one side and details of our ticket on the other. We proceeded to the gate where the cog railway train is waiting which is just opposite to the Alpenachstadt station. This train is box type and inside is paneled with wood. The driver greeted us and opened each section of the 7 compartments and once each section is filled he will close the door from outside to avoid any accidental opening during the ascent. The working of the train is unique as it is pulled by two cog wheels fitted under the carriage and connected to a cog rail fitted in the centre. The two cog wheels which looks like a sprocket makes the train start moving which turns in ascent direction while going up and is electrically operated by cables overhead like in our electric trains. These wheels prevents the train from derailment and going down in case of power failure which is a safety feature. The ascent was quite steep and at times we can see the lake Lucern down below which is a spectacular sight.
Cog wheel train
Views of snow capped mountain from the train section
Halfway there is a station named Amsigen where the line forks into two allowing descending trains to go down. Our train waited for 15 minutes for the descending train reach this station to proceed further. There is a board which says 46% to 47% ascent over. We reached the Mt.Pilatus station known as Pilatus Kulm. It is like a rest place for tourists with a hotel and café and shops selling swiss merchandise. We went outside and felt the cold pinch on our faces. As it was a rainy day again rains started and a chilly wind started blowing. We were fully insulated by thick coats and umbrella. There you can view the entire valley on one side. The peak is again few steps away and we reached the top. I felt breathlessness and slightly giddy due to the altitude and I sat on the wooden bench for a few minutes and slowly got acclimatized to the thin air. The sight is fantastic and we had the chance to play with the snow. The peak of the MT.Pilatus is having a rock formation of a dragon and a legend says that it had healing powers and revered for this. The logo of Mt.Pilatus is that of a red dragon. After finishing the sight seeing at the top, we went inside the lounge and had a hot coffee and visited the souvenir shop. Here on one side there is a life size mountain goat of Alps stuffed with its arched horns with thorns known as Alpine ibex.
The descent is available by cable car and gondola travel in addition to cog rail system. The tickets is inclusive of all these and one can choose between cable car and cog wheel train to return to the base station. Here it is worth a mention that the side of cable car is a different picture with vast grasslands with fir trees standing in a clump.
Pics from Mt.Pilatus
Alpine Chough bird
Alpine ibex or swiss alps mountain goat
Cable car from Mt.Pilatus
Views from cable car
Docking station of cable car
Gondola
Pics from Gondola during descent
Finally we reached the base station where we had to proceed on foot to the nearest bus stop to go back to Alpenachstadt station. The route is well marked with directions in English for the tourist to reach the plying roads. On the way we saw swiss fighter jets coloured bright red with swiss cross in white underneath taking its manoeuvre exercises swooping above us and we lost sight in 10 seconds due to its mach speed We stood at the bus stop to take us back to Alpenachstad station to catch our train to Lucern. It was an electric trolley bus which is hooked on to overhead cables and runs on rubber tyres. These overhead cables is fixed to sides of roadside buildings and on to posts wherever possible and bus bays are provided for stops without creating any block on the roads. We got into the train to Lucern and reached there by 1.30 pm. We had our lunch at Coop housed at Lucern railway station. We went for a walk to see in and around Lucern as we had ample time for our return train which was at 5.30 pm.
Lucern lake waterfront
Lucern sightseeing ship
We went to the lakeside where a sightseeing cruise ship was docked for ferrying tourists along the lake for breath taking view of the swiss landscape and snow capped mountains. A swiss flag was hoisted on a flagpost near this dock. We moved on to a thoroughfare road towards the bridge across the Lake Lucern. On the other side we saw the famous wooden chapel bridge and an imposing building right across the road. This building houses Lucern Post office and the construction is typical of European construction during medieval times.
Lucern Post office
After crossing the busy road, we took the road alongside the lake to reach the entrance of wooden chapel bridge on this side. The entire chapel bridge is made of wood and is well maintained. Along the bridge there are curio shops and is slightly better priced than Zurich. We did purchase some curios from a curio shop for taking back our memories of the visit there.
Wooden chapel bridge
Finally after finishing our sight seeing at the lakeside we walked back to the station. As we had another hour to spare we went to shopping complex on the ground floor of the station where fashion shops, book shops, confectionary shops, snack shops were in line with an airport lounge. An art gallery was also there on one side. We took a stroll along the shopping mall and proceeded to our platform to board the train to Zurich. Finally we reached our house at 11.00 pm.
I shall suggest Mt.Pilatus as a must visit for two reasons. One is cog railway and is cheaper compared to Mt.Titlis and Jungfraujoch. While planning a visit to the swiss side, one should need at least 3 days stay apart from travel which may be limited to one day. Zurich may be chosen as a hub and one can easily cover these 3 fabulous destinations one by one taking each day. The following youtube video may be visited to get an insight before proceeding to know what is in store.
Another site I always refer to is THE MAN IN SEAT 61 which may be made use of.
My next trip was to Paris and Versailles and I shall be posting my blog on that trip within a fortnight.Please share my views and pics for those interested in travel as I find such tips provides one with time space and an insight what to expect.
Comments