Our most recommended things to do in Canton Nidwalden

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

1. Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

Embark on a day trip from Lucerne and ascend Mount Pilatus by cable car. Go on a hike and kick pack on the panorama terrace, descended the mountain by cogwheel railway, and complete your experience with a return journey by boat. Depart Lucerne and relax aboard a comfortable coach on the drive to Kriens. Then, climb aboard the panoramic gondolas and journey to Fräkmüntegg to board the aerial Dragon Ride cable car up the mountain. Get magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks from the panoramic windows. Arrive at the top of Mt. Pilatus, 2,132 meters above sea level and feel like a bird as you survey your surroundings. Hike to the summit or venture down the Dragon Trail where dragons with healing powers were thought to live in the Middle Ages. Relax on the panoramic terrace and take in the magnificent vistas of the mountains and lakes. Eat at one of the restaurants to enjoy lunch on top of the world. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime as you descend the mountain on the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Arrive in Alpnachstad to embark on a one-hour cruise back to Lucerne on the beautiful "Lake of the 4 Cantons" (only during summer).

From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip

2. From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip

See the Lake Lucerne area from the clear, blue waters of the lake and from the famous mountains above. Cruise the lake, ride along the world’s oldest cogwheel railway, an aerial cableway, and a gondola at your own pace.  Start your roundtrip excursion on the number 1 bus in Lucerne in the direction of Kriens/Obernau. Get off at the Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus stop and reach the gondola station in Kriens after a short walk. Enjoy a 15-minute ride to the Krienseregg station. Get back on the gondola and hop off at Fräkmüntegg. Board the aerial cableway, the Dragon Ride, and reach the top of Pilatus Kulmafter after an exhilarating 5-minute ride. With its spacious interior, cockpit-like design, and large windows the Dragon Ride feels just like a helicopter. From the top you can enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Take your time and decide if you want to stay inside the panoramic gallery, relax on the terrace, climb one of the peaks, or enjoy a local specialty in one of the nearby restaurants. The world's steepest cogwheel railway, built in 1889, will bring you from Pilatus Kulm past jagged rock faces, sparkling mountain streams, and lush fields of alpine flowers down to Alpnachstad. From there, take a breathtaking one-hour boat trip on Lake Lucerne and arrive where you started.

Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

3. Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

Explore the beauty of Switzerland as you travel with a Swiss Rail pass, valid all over the country. Have the benefit of unlimited usage of public transport and free entrance to over 500 museums across the country.  This ticket offers hassle-free and unlimited travel throughout Switzerland on the Swiss Train Network, buses, and public boats. This pass includes the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Bernina Express, and others. This pass includes museum admission, boat rides, and discounts on many mountain excursions. Choose between a 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 15-day pass and discover the beauty of Switzerland in your own way. 

Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket to the Peak

4. Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket to the Peak

Visit Lucerne's landmark mountain, Mount Pilatus, with a round-trip cable car ticket. Experience breathtaking views of Fräkmüntegg as you travel up to 2132 meters above sea level. Look out over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss mountains before finding a restaurant at Pilatus Kulm. Start your trip at Kriens valley station and enjoy the 30-minute ride from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg, where you can raise your adrenaline during the visit of the biggest rope park of Central Switzerland. In the winter, try sledding routes and snowshoe trails going from the station Fräkmüntegg down to Krienseregg. At Fräkmüntegg change into the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" and arrive at Pilatus Kulm, 2132 meters above sea level. Enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne. Walk in the Swiss mountains or on the Dragon Path, named after legends of the mythical creature in the area. You can try some Swiss specialties in any of the restaurants in Krienseregg, Fräkmüntegg, or Pilatus Kulm. Even Queen Victoria stayed at the Pilatus mountain and one of the restaurants at Pilatus Kulm is named after her.

From Lucerne: Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus

5. From Lucerne: Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus

Board the bus at Lucerne train station for the 15-minute ride to Kriens, where you will collect your tickets for the rest of the day. Make your way to the panoramic gondola for an amazing ride up the mountain to Krienseregg. Continue to Fräkmüntegg to take the thrilling Dragon Ride cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Marvel at the views from 2,000 meters above sea level and gaze over the glacial lake and snow-capped mountains. Use your free time to grab a bite to eat or walk around the beautiful area. Then, board the world's steepest cogwheel railway and ride down to Alpnachstad. Pass lush meadows of Alpine flowers, sparkling mountain streams, and fascinating rock formations. Arrive at the valley station to take the train back to Lucerne. You may also enjoy this trip reversing the order of events.

Alpnachstad: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Train Ticket

6. Alpnachstad: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Train Ticket

Customize your Mount Pilatus visit by taking the train up from Alpnachstad and enjoying free time at the summit. Take advantage of your roundtrip tickets to arrive as early as you wish, explore the area and its views at your own pace, and ride the train down when you're ready. Start your trip at Alpnachstad Station and sit back on your 30-minute ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Travel to the top of the beautiful Mount Pilatus and take in stunning panoramic views over the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne. Choose to embark on a short trek to one of the three surrounding peaks: Esel, Oberhaupt, and Tomlishorn, or simply wander around and admire the view. Snap amazing photos from the summit and board the return train when you're done exploring. If you're feeling hungry, take some time to taste a delicious meal at one of the restaurants in the area.

From Interlaken: Canyoning Chli Schliere

7. From Interlaken: Canyoning Chli Schliere

After a 60-minute transfer from Interlaken to the gorge, get your equipment for your canyoning adventure. The Chli Schliere takes canyoning to the next level. This canyon has long rappelling stations, high jumps, fast slides and is the best place for canyoning in the region. This tour is physically and technically challenging. It's a guaranteed adrenaline rush. This tour is particularly suitable for confident, adventurous people interested in a new challenge. Finish the trip with a picnic and a transfer back to Interlaken.

From Zurich: Full-Day Mount Stanserhorn Discovery Tour

8. From Zurich: Full-Day Mount Stanserhorn Discovery Tour

On this full-day tour you will discover the magnificent Mount Stanserhorn in the heart of the stunning Swiss countryside. From Zürich you will be taken on a scenic coach journey to Lucerne through the beautiful countryside via the Albis Pass and along the shores of the Lake Lucerne. On a short tour of the city you will take a photo stop at the Lion Monument or Lake Lucerne (depending on traffic conditions) and see the main sights of this charming town. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the Old Town before continuing on to Stans, where you will board the vintage funicular train for an unforgettable ride through blooming meadows to the valley station of the world’s first CabriO cable car. This latest master piece of Swiss engineering is a unique open top aerial cable car which takes you up to Mount Stanserhorn (6,230 feet/1,900 meters). The unimpaired view from the roofless upper deck of the gondola is truly memorable. On the top of the mountain, a magnificent panoramic view over ten lakes, 100 kilometers of the Alpine mountain range and three countries awaits you. Take the short hike to the peak and visit the marmot park to watch these cute animals play, and have the option of sampling a typically Swiss dish in the revolving Rondorama restaurant. After descending to Stans, you will take the public train back to Lucerne for some additional time in this lovely city before taking the coach back to Zurich in the evening.

Stans: Stanserhorn CabriO Cable Car Tickets

9. Stans: Stanserhorn CabriO Cable Car Tickets

The most memorable moments of the trip are etched in the CabriO – the world’s first open double-decker cable car. A one-of-its-kind cable car is a combination of a mighty, luxurious bus with a convertible-car-like open roof, allowing you to bask 360-degree panoramic views. The six and a half minute journey of CabriO equals an indulgent ride to paradise, rejoicing the picturesque, green landscapes of Switzerland. Stanserhorn is the go-to mountain for hikers. If you are a beginner or an occasional hiker, sweat over a 30-minute’s walk around the mountain, and if you are a regular hiker, walk your way right from Stans up to the peak of Stanserhorn – a near 4 hours hike. Mesmerising views of the valley of Engelberg or the cantons of Obwalden are enjoyed during the hike.

Mt. Pilatus: Private Tour with Lake Cruise from Lucerne

10. Mt. Pilatus: Private Tour with Lake Cruise from Lucerne

73 Alpine peaks and countless lakes ensure a unique and unforgettable all-round view at Mt. Pilatus which is located outside Luzern. The typical Golden Round Trip (Jun-Oct) offers a wonderful excursion: first by lake boat on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. From there by the world's steepest cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus. On the return travel by panoramic aerial cableway via Kriens and by local bus back to Luzern. Families and adventure seekers are also very welcome on the Pilatus. Central Switzerland's largest rope park is on the Fräkmüntegg. Numerous attractions await you on Mount Pilatus. Or enjoy the time on the large viewing terrace. Cogwheel railway and the scheduled lake board are closed from Nov-May. During this time you reach Mt. Pilatus by cableway and you'll take a one-hour scenic lake cruise in Luzern instead.

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What people are saying about Canton Nidwalden

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,091 reviews

Used this to board a ferry from the transport museum to the Lucerne train station and a bus ride. Most of the train travel was covered by Eurrail. This works with the glacier express too but we tried to book a little too late so there were no reservations. Yet used regular trains running the same route for that visual experience.

The experience was incredible. Best self guided tour ever. I highly recommend this trip. All transport was arranged and we had the liberty to choose our own times to travel at our own pace. Give it a try.

It was very foggy with slight drizzle so visibility was limited. But still a beautiful view of what is visible. Climbing to the top of the mountain was exhilarating, (very windy also)

A good option if you are going to travel through cities in Switzerland, you do not have to worry about which train, bus or tram you are going to take.

Trains and busses on time - what a wonderful experience!