Hiking options around Luzern in mid-May?
 

I'm looking for suggestions for two half-day hikes (4-5 hours including getting to/from central Luzern) that are easily accessible without many transfers. I am staying at a hotel right by KKL. I will be free Friday from morning until maybe 2-3pm? I have a concert that evening at KKL starting at 6:30pm so I'd want to be back at my hotel by 3 so I can shower and take a nap, grab a bite.

The next day (Sat) I potentially have all day until I head to Zurich to stay overnight, unless I decide to go early for an opera in Zurich. Opera starts at 7pm so I should leave Luzern by 2pm so I can check into my hotel in zurich, have a rest, shower, grab a bite.

I'd say I can do moderate hikes with some elevations but not long strenous treks, preferably < 5 miles. I'd love to head up to the mountains for the views but unsure if the trails are free of snow? I have looked at some options on line but truthfully speaking, there are an overwhelming amount of choices so I'm hoping to get some recommendations from fodorites here. Thanks!

Forget the spectacular hikes bcause you have no time for that (for example access from Lucerne to Rigi Kaltbad and back: 4 hrs).
You may check the hikes on Sonnenberg above Kriens or from Fraekmuentegg gondola station down to Hergiswil or Horw.
I suppose you aready visited the cit of Lucerne or ar not interested in such things.

My first thought is to take a train to Engelberg and find a hike there. Engelberg is 43 minutes from Luzern, and there are some 19 trains a day.

I know you're a fast traveler, so you might be able to pull it off.

https://www.alltrails.com/switzerland/obwald/engelberg

https://www.engelberg.ch/en/summer/hiking/#/experiences

The Stoos Ridge hike is another possibility, but I think it takes about 90 minutes to get there and back, so probably not viable.


Plenty of lake walking options in Luzern as well:

https://www.komoot.com/guide/2216412...d-lake-luzerne

I would consider Bürgenstock. Quite spectacular with Felsenweg and Hammetschwand elevator.

And I enjoyed: train to Dallenwil, cable car to Niederrickenbach, walking via convent Maria Rickenbach to Klewenalp, cable car down to Beckenried, bus/train or boat back to Luzern. About 4.5 miles.

Hello YK,
Usually, mid May is too early for the Stoos Ridge hike: it opens around early-mid June, when the bridges and the safety measures are put in place again after the Winter.

I agree with Ingo about Bürgenstock, Klewenalp and Rickenbach, but probably the closest opportunities are towards the Pilatus, as Neckervd points out. However, you can also head towards the Rigi: you have not necessairily to climb it up to start hiking. You can also go for the Seeboden above Küssnacht am Rigi or go for the Rigi Scheidegg from Arth Goldau, both by cable car. Starting in Goldau you couls head as well towards the Rossberg. And the Stanserhorn couls as well be still in your range.

neckervd Ingo Finsteraarhorn & Melnq8 thanks for all your suggestions! I will look into them - hopefully this weekend - and likely come back with more Qs.
Mel - the last link you posted komoot link - i think it links to Lake Luzerne of NY, not of switzerland 😅

Oops, my bad, sorry!

This is the one I meant to post.

https://www.komoot.com/guide/176274/...d-lake-lucerne