Efficient Ascent: Up to Mount Pilatus with Bächli’s choke
Being able to make a contribution to the steepest cogwheel railroad in the world with our choke is something very special for us at Bächli. That's why we wanted to experience how technology and nature come together on the Pilatus. This blog post takes you on a journey through impressive landscapes, steep tracks and the fascinating role played by our choke.
Our journey began with the famous Golden Round Trip, which took us up to the majestic Pilatus. It was a glorious summer's day and the city of Lucerne was at its most beautiful. We started our tour towards Alpnachstad on board a boat with great anticipation. On the glistening lake, surrounded by an impressive mountain backdrop, we enjoyed the gentle breeze and watched the many other visitors who were also seeking the Pilatus adventure.
Dalia Rico
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During the boat trip, we were already wondering what the famous cogwheel railway would be like - the steepest in the world!
The thought of soon travelling 1,635 metres up and looking down on Lake Lucerne from there made us look forward to the next stage with excitement.
As the boat slowly reached Alpnachstad, the crowd began to move. The passengers got ready and soon we were all streaming towards the cog railway. Some went straight to the ticket office, while others joined the already long queue.
We hadn't expected so many visitors and had to be patient - but time passed quickly as we watched one train after another climb effortlessly up the steep mountain. It was impressive to see how smoothly this technical marvel worked, even on such extreme gradients.
Finally, the time had come: our train pulled in and we grabbed a window seat. As the doors closed and the journey began, our anticipation grew immeasurably. A spectacular journey up to the summit of Mount Pilatus lay ahead of us.
The interior of the cogwheel railway surprised us with a successful blend of modernity and nostalgic charm. The wooden-look seats gave the carriage a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the arrangement in compartments with two rows of seats facing each other for four people made for a cosy get-together during the journey.
When the railway started, the ride was surprisingly smooth. It moved smoothly and steadily up the impressively steep track. Although we knew it was going to be steep, it was hard to believe that we were working our way up so effortlessly. We noticed that there were always two trains behind each other with some distance between them. We had managed to get a place in the front train and were able to watch the railway behind us take the same route around the bends - a fascinating spectacle that once again demonstrated the technical precision of the system.
The journey took around 30 minutes and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the changing views and marvel at the special features of the railway. The higher we got, the wider the view opened up and we could already guess what breathtaking panoramas awaited us at the summit.
Even the journey to Pilatus was an adventure in itself. But the real magic began when we finally arrived at the top of the "Dragon Mountain", which towers majestically 2,128 metres above the sea. After an impressive journey on the cog railway, we got off the train full of anticipation and immediately felt the cool, fresh mountain air - a contrast to the summer heat down in the valley.
Of course, we couldn't resist climbing to the highest point like real tourists, armed with our cameras and mobile phones. A narrow path and steep steps took us all the way to the top. Once there, it felt like we were standing on the roof of the world. The abyss dropped steeply into the depths as we marvelled and soaked up the scenery. It was one of those rare moments when you simply stop and savour the beauty of life to the full.
But the Pilatus had even more to offer. We set off to explore the famous Dragon Trail. This path was carved into the rocks and not only offered spectacular views, but also a pinch of adventure. A particular highlight was the moment when, looking down, we could even recognise the location of Bächli in Obernau - a tiny dot in the distance.
We glided gently down into the valley from Pilatus Kulm on the funicular railway and panoramic gondola, enjoying the spectacular view. In the gondola, we happened to strike up a conversation with Pilatus cable car staff, who gave us an insider tip: Either early in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet and the first light magic, or even better - spend the night at the top and experience the sunrise. We will definitely remember that!
