- Lucerne Old town hotels -

Sport & Nature
in the Lucerne region

The Lucerne region offers sporting and nature experiences for every taste and at all altitudes. Lake Lucerne is ideal for sailing, stand-up paddleboarding or leisurely boat trips, while lidos and lakeside paths promise relaxation by the water. Pilatus and Rigi are classic destinations for hiking, mountain railways and winter sports. Further south, the Titlis beckons with its glacier world and year-round snow. Cycle paths lead along the lake and into the Lucerne hinterland, where rolling hills and traditional villages open up. Whether on the water, in the mountains or in the countryside – the diversity of the landscape makes Lucerne an ideal starting point for sports and nature.

On the mountain

Some of Switzerland's most famous mountains rise up around Lucerne. Pilatus, at 2,128 metres, can be reached via the world's steepest cog railway or the panoramic gondola lift and offers sweeping views of the Alps. The Rigi, also known as the ‘Queen of the Mountains’, attracts visitors with historic cogwheel railways from Vitznau and Arth-Goldau and a dense network of hiking trails. The Bürgenstock offers a spectacular ride up to the viewing terrace high above Lake Lucerne on the Hammetschwand Lift, the highest outdoor lift in Europe.

On the water

Lake Lucerne is the heart of Lucerne and offers a wide range of ways to experience it. It is home to one of Europe's largest inland fleets, including five historic paddle steamers from the early 20th century. If you want to take the helm yourself, there are numerous rental options for pedalos, rowing boats or small motorboats. Sporty visitors can explore the lake with stand-up paddleboards, water bikes or kayaks, which are available at lidos. Sailors and windsurfers appreciate the reliable wind conditions, while private yacht trips show Lake Lucerne from its most exclusive side.

In the countryside

Even away from the lake and mountains, the Lucerne region offers a wide range of experiences. A dense network of hiking trails leads through rolling hills, forests and traditional villages in the Lucerne hinterland. Cyclists will find well-developed routes along the Lake Lucerne and through the rural valleys, ranging from leisurely tours to challenging stages. Excursions to farms, where regional products can be sampled on site, are also popular.

On the trail of dragons

The Mount Pilatus has been shrouded in legend for centuries. Dragons are said to have once lived in the caves and lakes of the mountain range – mysterious creatures that gave the mountain its name, meaning ‘dragon mountain’. On the Dragon Trail, visitors can learn about the myths at various stations and set off on a search for clues. At the top, a unique panoramic view of more than 70 Alpine peaks opens up. Numerous hiking trails, via ferrata routes and, in winter, snowshoe tours make Lucerne's ‘Dragon Mountain’ a very special experience.

In the air

Lucerne can also be experienced from a bird's eye view. Paragliding from Pilatus, Rigi or Stanserhorn offers impressive flights over the lake, city and Alpine panorama. Those who want to go even higher can discover the region on helicopter tours that take them up to the glaciers and mountain peaks. In summer, seaplanes even take off from Lake Lucerne, offering a unique view of the shore, the old town and the mountains.

Our travel tip:
Lucerne guest card

With the Lucerne Guest Card, as our overnight guest, you can enjoy free use of buses and trains in fare zone 10 in the city of Lucerne, as well as a wide range of discounts for mountain railways, museums and excursions in Lucerne and Lake Lucerne adventure region. You also have the option of connecting to the Lucerne Wi-Fi network free of charge at selected locations in the city.

The most popular activities
in the Lucerne region

Hiking in the Lucerne region

The Lucerne region offers hiking trails for all abilities – from leisurely walks along the lakeshore to alpine mountain tours. On the Rigi, the ‘Queen of the Mountains’, marked trails lead to vantage points with views of lakes and the Alpine chain. The Pilatus attracts visitors with steeper climbs and via ferrata, while the Titlis offers high alpine routes up to the eternal snow. Panoramic trails such as the ‘Weg der Schweiz’ (Way of Switzerland) along Lake Lucerne are also popular.

Biking in the Lucerne region

Cyclists will find an impressive variety of well-signposted cycle routes around Lucerne. Flat paths lead along the Lake Lucerne, through historic villages and past lakeside landscapes. Sporty mountain bikers will discover challenging trails with an alpine character on Pilatus, Rigi or in Entlebuch. E-bikers can enjoy longer tours through the Lucerne hinterland, past hills, meadows and traditional farms.

Swimming in the lake and river

On warm days, Lake Lucerne becomes an open-air swimming pool. Popular spots include the Lido beach with its wide sunbathing lawns and the lakeside bathing areas in Lucerne, which lead directly into the water via wooden jetties. There are numerous bathing spots along the entire lake, from small bays to large lidos in Weggis, Vitznau and Beckenried. On the River Reuss, the Ufschötti and the river baths at the Nadelwehr offer refreshing opportunities for swimming in the middle of the city.

Paragliding flights in the region

The Lucerne region is one of the most popular starting points for paragliding flights in Central Switzerland. Experienced pilots take off for tandem flights from Mount Pilatus, Mount Stanserhorn and Mount Rigi. The Stanserhorn in particular is known for its official launch site, from which flights take passengers to the shores of Lake Lucerne. Providers in Lucerne and the surrounding area organise tours all year round, ranging from gentle gliding flights to thermal flights high above Central Switzerland, depending on the weather conditions.

Climbing in the Lucerne region

Steep rock faces, exposed ridges and secured climbs make the Lucerne region a versatile climbing area. On Mount Pilatus, alpine routes and via ferrata offer views over Lake Lucerne, while on Mount Bürgenstock, the rock path winds spectacularly high above the water. The Rigi offers easier climbing gardens for beginners, while the Rigidalstock above Engelberg attracts experienced mountaineers with its via ferrata. Those who want to go high up will find alpine terrain up to the glacier area on the Titlis.

Winter sports in the Lucerne region

When the mountains around Lucerne are covered in snow in winter, Pilatus, Rigi and Titlis are transformed into versatile winter sports areas. Rigi offers family-friendly slopes, toboggan runs and winter hikes with sweeping views across the lake. Pilatus offers short, sunny runs and one of the longest toboggan runs in Switzerland. At Titlis, skiers and snowboarders will find high-alpine slopes, snow parks and a year-round glacier experience. The offer is complemented by cross-country skiing trails in Entlebuch and varied snowshoe trails throughout the region.

Old Town Hotels Lucerne

Old Town Hotel Krone
Weinmarkt 12, Lucerne
T +41 41 419 44 00
info@krone-luzern.ch

Old Town Hotel Magic
Brandgässli 1, Lucerne
T +41 41 417 12 20
mail@magic-hotel.ch

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