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<p>Whether you're looking for a day trip or a night above the clouds, Mount Pilatus offers a beguiling escape into nature, myth and quiet luxury.</p>
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<p><span>Just a short ride from the storybook city of Lucerne, <a href="https://www.hommessingapore.com/living/right-on-track-landwasser-world-opens-this-summer-in-graubunden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Switzerland</a> rises a peak that feels plucked straight out of legend: Mount Pilatus. Soaring over 2,100m above sea level, its <a href="https://www.hommessingapore.com/culture/frankenstein-movie-2025-cast-plot-trailers-release-dates-jacob-elordi-guillermo-del-toro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cinematic</a> landscape, mythic folklore and promise of adventure has also lent it another popular moniker, Dragon Mountain. Despite being a natural extension of this fairytale <a href="https://www.hommessingapore.com/living/best-scenic-marathons-in-asia-tokyo-bali-china-travel-sports-running" target="_blank" rel="noopener">travel</a> trail, it remains refreshingly under the radar; it&rsquo;s even remarkably accessible, a mere half-day escape from Lucerne or a rewarding full-day excursion from Zurich, Basel or Bern via a seamlessly journey of train, boat, cableway, and cogwheel railway.</span></p>
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<p><span>Local lore tells of dragons with healing powers that once dwelled in Mount Pilatus&rsquo; craggy cave. These stories endure today, and at the summit you&rsquo;ll find the Drachenweg or &ldquo;Dragon Path&rdquo;, a cliffside walkway carved into the rock that invites visitors to follow in their trail. The young and young-at-heart can explore Dragon World, an indoor adventure zone that brings the legends to life through interactive exhibits and animated storytelling.</span></p>
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<p><span>Mount Pilatus is also the site of Swiss engineering ingenuity. From mid-May to November, the historic cogwheel railway ascends from Alpnachstad at an incredible incline of up to 48 percent, making it the steepest in the world. The ride provides spectacular views of lush pine forests, alpine meadows and sheer rock walls. At the summit, the 360-degree panoramic view encompasses more than 70 peaks as well as the glittering expanse of Lake Lucerne.</span></p>
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<p><span>For those seeking the full journey, the Golden Roundtrip offers a boat ride across the lake, a ride up the mountain via the cogwheel railway, and a descent by aerial cableway and gondola, all in one seamless circuit. The route can be travelled in reverse as well, but either way, the different travel modes makes the journey an adventure in and of itself. Family-friendly highlights like the Dragon Glider flyline and Drachenalp barbecue area add playful stops along the way.</span></p>
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<p><span>When winter arrives, Mount Pilatus magically transforms into a quieter alpine retreat. With no ski pistes, it offers a slower pace perfect for snowshoeing, winter hiking, or simply soaking in the hush of the high Alps.</span></p>
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<p><span>Two hotels provide a rare opportunity to stay above the clouds. The historic Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, established in 1890 and renovated with modern amenities, blends alpine chic with timeless charm, featuring a restaurant with a panoramic sun terrace for front row views of the surrounding peaks. Next door, Hotel Bellevue offers cosy, contemporary rooms with easy access to gondolas, trails and all-season activities.</span></p>
<p><span>With only 45 rooms in total between them, nights on Mount Pilatus feel intimate and exclusive. Those who stay over are treated to skies shimmering with stars, reflected also in the lake below. The mountain belongs to them during that time, shared only with a herd of ibex, and perhaps, the distant rustle of dragon wings.</span></p>
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Switzerland's Dragon Mountain is Perfect for Adventure Seekers

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