Sunday excursion with a view: Kite path on Pilatus

There are the Swiss mountain classics, which are visited with foreign guests. In the Bernese Oberland, I would assign Niesen, Stockhorn, Niederhorn and the Jungfrau to this category. In Central Switzerland, Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis. In eastern Switzerland, the Säntis clearly belongs to this category. And although I can often be found in the mountains, I have never been to Säntis, Titlis and Pilatus. After braving squalls and snow showers last Saturday, we took the temperature change on Sunday as an opportunity to go up to a summit. Quasi an excursion for lazy people. Originally, we wanted to take a look at the new summit restaurant Chäserrugg in Toggenburg. But just there the clouds seemed to feel particularly comfortable and only want to make way for the sun towards the evening. So we switched to the classic Pilatus at short notice. Not only did the sun seem to show up earlier, but at the same time I was able to work off my deficit in the Swiss mountain classics by one peak.

The decision whether we want to take the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad or the cable car from Kriens to the top of Mount Pilatus was taken away from us without further ado. The rack railway is under overhaul during the winter months and is not in operation. We ignore the gray cloud cover and set off shortly after 8 a.m. From Zurich, you can reach the summit of Mount Pilatus in two hours. By then, the clouds will have cleared. It’s not quite that fast. After a short walk through the dragon gallery with a magnificent view – even in this gloomy weather – towards the Mittelland, we make ourselves comfortable behind the generous glass fronts and order a plate and a glass of Lucerne Riesling-Sylvaner at surprisingly moderate prices.

The fact that we have really gambled with our spontaneous Sunday excursion becomes apparent shortly after the plate is plastered. The cloud cover disappears towards the east and gives way to the blue sky. Complete change of weather within seconds. That’s exactly what the perfect lazy Sunday feels like. Everything done right.

If you don’t plan this excursion at such short notice as we did, you might still find a free spot at the Sunday brunch on the Fräkmüntegg halfway between Kriens and Pilatus.