How is the hike from Pilatus to Ämsigen train station?
A traveler is planning a trip to Pilatus in early September and wants to hike down to Aemsigen after taking the train up, avoiding cable cars due to their spouse's fear of heights. They hope the hike will take no more than 3 hours and be of moderate difficulty, but they're unsure about the feasibility of this plan.
- The hike from Pilatus Kulm to Aemsigen is labeled T2, indicating moderate difficulty, and may take about 2.5 hours.
- Considering an alternative like Mount Rigi could be a better option for a more comfortable experience.
- Hiking from Frakmuntegg to Kriens is an easier option if you choose to hike down instead of taking a cable car.
AI-generated summary-
I’m hoping someone here might be able to confirm this is possible and not terribly difficult. This will be in early September; after taking the train from Alpnachstad up to Pilatus, I’d like to hike down to the Aemsigen train station, where we’d board for the rest of the way back to Alpnachstad. I’m hoping that hike wouldn’t be more than 3 hours or so and of only moderate difficulty. The reason for this instead of something like the golden route is my wife has a strong fear of heights and refuses any cable cars or gondolas. Yes, that does make for some difficult choices in Switzerland! I feel adding a partial hike back down will make it at least more interesting than just taking the same train all the way up and back. I’m finding scant info on this online, so if anyone has done this or aware it will work as I hope, I’d appreciate it. Cheers!
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Hi Celtic Frosty,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
This trail is labelled as T2 which is intermediate or moderately difficult. If you hike for fun, this could be a demanding hike as some parts are quite steep. Based on the information I found on the Pilatus website, if you hike all the way from Pilatus Kulm to Alpnachstad via Amsigen (middle station), it could take up to 5 hours. So to hike to Amsigen will probably take half of that. Perhaps even if you’re going downhill.
I would highly recommend you take the cable car down from Pilatus Kulm to Frakmuntegg. The cable car has a big capacity and the journey takes only 5 mins. From Frakmuntegg, if you don’t want to continue with the gondola ride down, you can hike all the way down to Kriens (the base station) and this is much, much easier as I have done this with my kids.
You can find more information about Mt Pilatus here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/
regards,
Anna
Thanks for the reply Anna! Unfortunately the cable car is probably out, my wife saw what it looks like and says no way. Sadly she’s become less flexible when it comes to her fear of heights as she gets older. That’s fine though, if we have to take the train back it won’t be the end of the world, or maybe when we get up there she’ll decide it’s worth it.
Hi Celtic Frosty,
Re your wife’s fear of heights, I’m not sure the Pilatus cogwheel train would be such a good choice!
It’s the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, and in some places feels like it’s clinging to the rockface by the skin of its teeth. It’s quite a thrilling ride, which for your wife might translate to “terrifying”.
These photos illustrate some parts of the journey:
https://www.switzerland-tours.ch/fileadmin/_processed_/c/3/csm_pilatus-cogwheel-train_b134469064.jpg
https://www.pilatus.ch/fileadmin/_processed_/7/7/csm_Pilatus_Zahnradbahn_Eselwand_b2f921e985.jpg
I seem to remember most of the steep drop-offs are on the left hand side on the way up, so your wife might be more comfortable seated on the right-hand side of the train.
If you needed an alternative, I would recommend the Rigi.
Good luck!
Alpenrose
Hi Celtic Frosty,
Here’s our guide for a trip to Mount Rigi that Alpenrose mentioned. Just click on the link below:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thanks Alpenrose & Yolanda, I appreciate the advice! Also looking at Rigi as an alternative, so that trip report is very helpful
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