Photoshoot on Mount Pilatus

Best time

Seasons

Mid-May to October is the full season: both ways up are open, the Tomlishorn trail is clear of snow and the flowers peak in June and July. Autumn often brings the clearest air and, from October, the chance of a sea of fog below the summit. In winter only the aerial cableway from Kriens runs, the summit is snowbound and some paths close, but a snowy Pilatus above the fog can be spectacular. Each year the lifts pause for maintenance: in 2026, the Kriens gondolas are closed from 19 October to 27 November while the cogwheel railway runs until 29 November.

Time of day

Day visitors come up from about 9:00 and the terraces are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon. Early morning and the last hours before the final descent are quieter. For sunrise or sunset, stay overnight at one of the two summit hotels: the last regular descents leave in the late afternoon, well before a summer sunset. Sunrise from the Esel looks east over the lake; sunset lights the western faces and the Plateau.

Weather

At over 2,000 metres, Pilatus is often around ten degrees colder than Lucerne and the ridges are exposed to wind. Cloud frequently wraps the summit even when the city is clear, and summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms; morning slots are safer. From October to February the lake basin is often under fog on calm high-pressure days, and the summit usually sits well above it, since the fog top is typically lower than 1,500 metres. The aerial cableway can stop in strong wind. Your photographer will check the summit webcams and forecasts and may suggest switching to the Kriens side, to Rigi, or to another date.

Getting there

There are two ways up. From Kriens, a bus from Lucerne station takes about 15 minutes, then a short walk leads to the panorama gondola to Fräkmüntegg and the aerial cableway to Pilatus Kulm, about 40 minutes in total. From Alpnachstad, reached by train from Lucerne in about 20 minutes or by boat in summer, the cogwheel railway climbs in about 30 minutes. Combining the two with a boat trip is the Golden Round Trip. No cars can reach the summit. Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass receive a discount rather than free travel (50 percent in 2026).

Good to know

Sessions on Pilatus start from CHF 650, the Alpine starting price, which reflects the mountain transport and travel time; tickets for you and the photographer are shown in your proposal. There is no fee for photography on the public terraces and paths. Drones above 250 grams need a permit from Skyguide to fly at Pilatus Kulm because the military airfield at Alpnach is nearby, and the permit takes several days; at Krienseregg and Fräkmüntegg flights are allowed within a set radius. Operator registration is always required and flying over crowds is prohibited. The cogwheel railway strongly recommends seat reservations on fine days.

• Reserve cogwheel railway seats in advance on sunny summer days; queues form at Alpnachstad.
• Wear shoes with grip for the Esel and Tomlishorn steps; bring a jacket even in July.
• For a proposal on the Esel, go early: by late morning the platform is rarely empty.
• Strong colours stand out against grey rock and blue sky; avoid grey.
• Hair ties and a light scarf help on the windy ridges.
• If the summit is in cloud, the forest and meadows at Fräkmüntegg make a good plan B.