Montreux to Lucerne & Mount Pilatus – From the Riviera to the Summit

Your private driver will pick you up in Montreux, where the day begins among palm trees, lake reflections, and Belle Époque villas. The road heads east along the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of terraced vines cultivated since the 12th century — a living symbol of the Riviera’s harmony between man and nature. As you ascend through Fribourg and cross into the canton of Lucerne, the scenery shifts: the air cools, the valleys open, and the Alps begin to dominate the skyline.

Upon arrival in Lucerne, Switzerland’s postcard-perfect city, you’ll step back in time. The Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), built in 1333, is the oldest surviving covered wooden bridge in Europe. Its painted panels illustrate episodes from Lucerne’s medieval history, while the adjacent Water Tower once served as a prison, treasury, and lookout post. Nearby, the Spreuer Bridge offers equally rich art — 17th-century paintings depicting the Dance of Death, a rare and haunting masterpiece of the Baroque period.

Stroll through the Old Town, where every building tells a story. The Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz squares glow with frescoes, and the cobblestone alleys lead toward the Lion Monument — a world-renowned memorial dedicated to the Swiss Guards who died in 1792 during the French Revolution. Described by Mark Twain as “the saddest and most moving piece of stone in the world,” it remains one of Lucerne’s most visited landmarks.

Continue to the lakeshore, where Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) reflects the mountains and sky in shades of blue and silver. Here you can take an optional 1-hour boat cruise, gliding past Alpine villages, hidden bays, and the grand Hotel National and Schweizerhof. The views from the water capture Lucerne’s soul — elegant, historic, and framed by peaks.

After discovering the city, your driver will take you to the base of Mount Pilatus, one of Switzerland’s most storied mountains. Local legends claim that dragons once lived in its caves and that Pontius Pilate’s spirit rests in its lakes. Reality, however, is equally magical.

From Alpnachstad, board the Pilatus cogwheel railway, the steepest in the world, operating since 1889. The ascent takes about 30 minutes, passing waterfalls, meadows, and sheer rock faces before emerging at the summit, Pilatus Kulm. Here, vast terraces open toward the horizon, offering a view of more than 70 alpine peaks on clear days.

Alternatively, you can reach the summit year-round via the cableway from Kriens, which climbs in two stages — first the Panorama Gondola and then the Dragon Ride, a modern aerial cable car with glass panels for a near-360° view.

At the top, you’ll find walking trails, restaurants, and even an observation deck once visited by Queen Victoria in 1868. Lunch at Pilatus Kulm Hotel is a true alpine experience — clouds drifting past, cowbells echoing faintly below.

The descent back to the valley is just as scenic, and your driver will be waiting to begin the comfortable return trip to Montreux. As you leave Lucerne behind, the landscape softens once more — rugged peaks giving way to vineyards, and by the time you return, Lake Geneva’s golden light reflects a perfect end to your Swiss day.