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

I have researched a number of options and here is what I'm considering. But firstly, 10-day weather forecast is out and the 2 days I'll be in Luzern is looking like cloudy with rain.

Friday (I have half day until maybe 4pm the latest)
if I'm feeling well-rested, able to rise early, then plan to do
Bürgenstock
Likely will take the boat then funicular up to the hotel, then do the cliff walk to the elevator - back on the loop back to the hotel, and take bus 321 to Stansstad and train back to Luzern

If I sleep late, then will go to Sonnenberg
Bus to Kriens, funicular to Sonnenberg, hike a bit and then hike back down to Luzern?

For Saturday, if the weather is nice, I'll just spend all day in Luzern. If weather is crummy, then I'll probably check out the city/indoor museums, then head to Zurich early to catch the opera (or not)

For the full Saturday day in Luzern, I'm leaning towards the
Rigi Panorama Trail
Train to Arth-Goldau (leave my luggage at locker at station), mountain train up to Rigi Kulm, panorama Weg to Rigi Scheidegg, cable car down to Rigi Kräbel, then train back to Arth-Goldau. Retrieve luggage and train to Zurich

Alternatively is to do the hike mentioned by Ingo from Niederrickenbach to Klewenalp. I can't find too much information about this by googling, but I think it's the reverse route of this?https://swisstravelgirl.blogspot.com...nbach-via.html

I have a couple of Qs:
Will Bürgenstock and Niederrickenbach to Klewenalp have similar views? All I can tell is these 2 are in the same "general" area but I don't know if the views are different? If they are similar then I probably should not do both of them.

Will Rigi panorama weg / rigi train be super crowded on a Saturday? From what I can tell, Niederrickenbach to Klewenalp walk is far less popular?

Lastly, I think I get a Luzern Visitors card from my hotel, but I doubt it covers much of anything that I have in mind. All the mountain trains and funicular and cable car adds up quickly! Are there cheaper options / passes instead of paying standard fare for each individual ride ? I saw there's a Luzern travel pass but the minimum is 3 days which won't work for me.

If I pay standard fare, do I buy the funicular / ferry / cable car / mountain train / bus ride when I board? (tap to pay?) I don't think I can buy all of these on sbb app

Lastly, will it be difficult for me to find restaurants that serve spargel in central Luzern? If i'm going to be in that part of Europe in May, I'm going to indulge myself in Spargelzeit.

Sorry for all the Qs!

Firstly, 10-day weather forecast are not that reliable: follow the development of local forecasts as on https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/loca...erne/6003.html But it's good to have options for good weather / bad weather / mixed weather.

The Bürgenstock hike from the funicular to the lift and back is a short one: you will walk for about 1h. If you want to make it a bit longer, you can walk to the east all the "Felsenweg" after the bottom end of the lift to the "Känzeli", then back by the ridge trail, passing by the Hammetschwand restaurant and point of view, at the upper end of the lift.

The Rigi Panorama trail is very nice, really easy and not as short as the Bürgenstock one. I did it last Winter the opposite way on snow prepared trails. You will walk for about 3h - 3h30'. The lockers at the Arth-Goldau station are very modern and require you install and use an app to open/close/pay them. It will require some time to do it, especially if it is your first time: plan accordingly enough time to change trains.

On Saturdays, by good weather, there will be people on the trains and on the top of the Rigi. You will not be alone as well on the trail down to the Staffel and the Kaltbad. There will be less people if you walk the detour by the Kulmhütte to the Staffel and also in the second part of the hike, from the Kaltbad to the Scheidegg. But it is a popular destination, hence you will never be alone, but that should not bother you.

If you really look for out of the beaten path hikes starting in Arth Goldau, look east at the Rossberg and its summits, especially the Gnipen, scene of a terrible landslide 200 years ago. From Arth-Goldau railroad station, a varied hike leads through the landslide area, which is now a cantonal plant reserve. You should allow three and a half hours to complete the “Goldau landslide trail”. The circular hike is particularly beautiful in early summer, when the numerous orchids along the trail are in full bloom. Bergsturz von Goldau – Spuren der Naturkatastrophe – SOB

Niederrickenbach to Klewenalp walk is as well far less popular, as you noted. The views are different from the Bürgenstock hike, even if both hikes are in the same area: the Bürgenstock Felsenweg overlooks the lake on a steep low mountain flank while winding through the woods. Niederrickenbach to Klewenalp takes place in the mid-altitude mountains, with views of the lake only at the end.

The Lucerne Guest Card | Discounts for guests | Useful information gives you free public transportation in the urban area of the agglomeration and discounts on the regional/mountain journey, 20% or so. Better than nothing. I little chance to get better prices is to look at "Supersaver" Tickets for the outbound transfers in the morning, but they would be risky for the afternoon, as they are unflexible and valid only for a specific timetable. Saver day passes would have been a better deal, but now it is a bit too late to find convenient offers. Find the convenient saver offer. | SBB

"Spargel" are high on the menus during May: I love them and you will find them easily in many restaurants. I had a good recent experience at Pfistern, but it wasn't yet "Spargelzeit" and I'm not a specialist of restaurants in Lucerne. Maybe have a critic look at Trip Advisor or Google Maps reviews?

@Finsteraarhorn

I guess I should have thought about this sooner. I can still get the saver day pass from SBB for Saturday- not cheap but probably still cheaper than buying point to point

I tried to buy rigi day pass but somehow it says it's not available. I can get 20% off rigi day pass with Luzern visitor pass but if I'm traveling from Luzern to rigi and then on to Zurich , then the SBB saver pass seems like it will end up be cheaper? One thing I'm not 100% sure is if the SBB saver day pass covers all the routes on Mt Rigi?

Zooming in the validity area map for the Saver day pass GA Travelcard area of validity | SBB you see that the SDP covers both cogwheel trains up to Rigi Kulm from Arth-Goldau and from Vitznau as well as the cable cars Weggis - Rigi Kaltbad and Kräbel - Rigi Scheidegg, therefore the whole journey around the Rigi panorama trail you described in post #9. Just the peripheral Küssnacht am Rigi - Seebodenalp and Gersau Gschwend - Rigi Scheidegg cable cars are only 50% discounted and they are not relevant for your plan.

I don't think the Rigi Day pass is the solution, as it includes the boat trip on Lake Lucerne (return journey between Lucerne and Vitznau) and unlimited travel on all Rigi railways, but not the train transfers from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau, nor the Arth-Goldau - Zurich leg, which would be covered by the SDP.

It's rather difficult to give you any advice concerning tickets/rail passes as long as we dont know how you will reach Lucerne.

Finsteraarhorn, Thanks for the confirmation on the validity of the SDP. I went ahead and bought one for Saturday next week. Let's hope weather is reasonable. If not, I guess I can just ride on a couple of trains all day lol

neckervd, sorry I wasn't clear. I will be flying into Zurich next Thursday, then continue on the train to Luzern. Will stay 2 nights in Luzern (Thursday and Friday). Friday I have half day free until 3-4pm to go hiking/sightseeing. On Saturday I have full day free; Saturday afternoon / evening will travel to Zurich and stay in Zurich for 2 nights until Monday morning.

I won't buy any discount train tickets from Zurich - Luzern as I don't know if my flight will be on time or delayed.

So the one day that I will have the most traveling is next Saturday and I just bought a saver day pass for that day.

May be you will take a train to Lugano (1 3/4 hrs OW) or Locarno next saturday, because the weather seems to be much better there.
Lugano - Zurich is 2 hrs by train.

I just looked at the forecast website posted above, and you're right, it looks like only the Ticino area of Switzerland will be less rain next Saturday. Haven't though about going to Lugano but maybe I will. I have been there twice before but I love the ferry rides on Lake Lugano, and I believe the Saver Pass covers ferry rides? Thanks for the idea as I definitely didn't think about that. (I see that the train also stops in Bellinzona but I have also been there before and visited the castle, so maybe sticking with Lugano gives me more things to do for the day.

There are actually three castles in Bellinzona, so more to see if you find yourself there.

Maybe I can head up to Monte Brè while I'm in Lugano! It looks like I've done both "arms" of Lake Lugano plus Mount Bre when I was there with my parents and brother back in 2010. I'll see what I can accomplish this time.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...5/

I think I went to all 3 when I was there!!!

Most popular (not too long) hikes:
Monte San Salvatore (rope railway station) - Carona (bus stop) - Morcote (bus stop and boat's pier)
Monte Bre (rope railway station) - Bre Paese - Gandria (boat's pier)
Swiss smuggler museum (boat's pier) - Caprino (boat's pier) - Pugerna (bus station) - Campione (boat's pier)
Curzutt (cablecar from Monte Carasso/Bellinzona) - Tibetan rope Bridge - San Defendente - Gudo or Cugnasco (Post Bus stops) https://www.mornera.ch/en/my-product...bridge-carasc/
Serpiano (cableway stop) - Crocifisso - Meride - Riva San Vitale (Unesco site) - Capolago railway station

neckervd Thanks for the list! While I'm disappointed I won't get to hike around Luzern, I am excited about the prospect of hiking above Lugano. The first one you listed, I think is this one?
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/...il-to-morcote/

Looking at Friday's forecast for the entire country, it looks like everywhere has a 90-100% chance of precipitation. If the weather forecast stays the same, I might take a train to Basel and visit the Kunstmuseum for the morning. Basel is one of the bigger cities in Switzerland that I have never been.

yk - I've not walked that path, but Morcote is gorgeous - you can spend a couple of hours there just wandering - fabulous lake views and a gorgeous cemetery.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...818d291e55.jpg

Not sure why my post jumped ahead of yours yk, as you posted first! Weird.

Wow, thanks! that is beautiful! One amazing thing about Switzerland is there is no shortage of beautiful scenery! I have passed through Morcote on ferry before (we went to Ponte Tresa just for the fun of it) but have not stopped there.

Of the mentioned hikes, probably Monte San Salvatore - Carona - Morcote is the most scenic and the one I would also choose. The SDP does not cover the boats of lake Lugano, but gives a 50% discount. Exiting Carona, pass through the botanical garden "Parco San Grato" as it will be full in flower! At Alpe Vicania there is a "rural-chic" restaurant, where you can eat, but probably it will be crowded on that day.

The description you found is the right one: here the "original" map from the hinking portal Switzerland Mobility (where they let you also climb the mount San Salvatore by feet and not by funicular) Trans Swiss Trail – Stage 31, Lugano (Paradiso) – Morcote | SwitzerlandMobility

To reach the funicular start in Paradiso, at the Lugano train station just change trains (instead to take slower buses). The funicular is not covered by the SDP.

Thanks for the other link! I will need to stop at Lugano station anyway to stow my suitcase first, before hopping on the next train to Paradiso station. I am looking at SBB website for the SDP validity, and it shows free ferry travel on Lake Lugano from Morcote? Unless I am reading it wrong?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8102657334.jpg
Saver Day Pass validity map for Lugano environs

SDP on lake Lugano
 

Mmmh..., you are apparently right, but the thing is tricky. To ease the congested traffic in the Lugano area, the transport system includes some boat transfers especially at rush hours. Information is not clear, even in Italian. If you zoom more in the validity area map, you will see other grey lines for boat trips that are not covered by the SDP.

The boat company states that "Holders of a valid SDP can travel free of charge on services scheduled listed in the official SNL timetable." TITOLI DI TRASPORTO TURISTICI, ABBONAMENTI and the timetable lists those connections Orario Lake Lugano - solo orari

In the end, they seems to have adapted their policy, including more cruises in the SDP, in fact all the ones listed in the timetable. I would then go for it, checking at the pier that the choosen boat is listed.

Lugano - Morcote - Porto Ceresio is covered. Porto Ceresio - Caslano - Ponte Tresa is not covered.
Local traffic Lugano - Gandria - Caprino etc is covered. Lugano Gandria - Porlezza is not covered..
Lugano - Maroggia and Maroggia - Mocrcote are most probebly covered too, despite the fact that Maroggia doesnt' appear on the map.
SDP are NOT accepted on the Italian buses from Lugano to Menaggio

Oh, i didn't zoom in enough to see the grey lines. I do have the same ferry schedule downloaded as you. So you're saying if it's on this official schedule, then the fare is covered by SDP? My hope is to catch the 15:20 ferry from Morcote back to Lugano, arriving at 16:20. And then take the 17:02 IC train to Zurich arriving at Zurich HB at 18:55

If the ferry schedule doesn't work, looks like I can take Bus 431 back to Lugano as well (which I believe is covered by SDP?)

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...21d9bed591.png

I think so and I would go with this plan: Thumbs up! (as well for the SDP covering the buses to Lugano and in Lugano)