<p>Mount Pilatus offers a beguiling escape into nature, myth, and quiet luxury&mdash;whether for a day&rsquo;s adventure or a night above the clouds.</p>

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<p>Just a short ride from Lucerne, Switzerland&rsquo;s storybook city, rises a mountain that feels plucked from legend. Mount Pilatus is a natural extension of this fairy tale travel trail and stands at over an impressive 2100 metres above sea level. Its cinematic landscape, mythic folklore and promise of adventure, has lent it another more popular moniker&mdash; Dragon Mountain. While it remains refreshingly under the radar, Mount Pilatus is remarkably accessible for any traveller&mdash;a mere half-day escape from Lucerne or a rewarding full-day excursion from Zurich, Basel or Bern via a seamless blend of train, boat, cableway and cogwheel railway.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p>The mountain&rsquo;s name is steeped in lore with local fables depicting dragons with healing powers that once roamed its craggy caves. The stories endure today and at the mountain&rsquo;s summit, the <em>Drachenweg</em><i> </i>or Dragon Path&mdash;a cliffside walkway carved into the rock&mdash;invites visitors to follow in the footsteps of these myths. The young and young-at-heart can explore Dragon World, an indoor adventure zone with animated storytelling, interactive exhibits and immersive dragon tales that ignite the imagination.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p>Mount Pilatus is also a marvel of Swiss ingenuity. From mid-May to November, the historic cogwheel railway climbs to the summit from Alpnachstad at an incredible incline of 48%&mdash;making it the steepest of its kind in the world. The train ride itself provides spectacular views, passing lush pine forests, Alpine meadows and soaring rock walls. At the top, the view reveals a 360 degree panoramic view of more than 70 peaks and the glittering expanse of Lake Lucerne.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p>For those seeking the full journey, the Golden Roundtrip offers an ideal circuit that includes a boat ride across the lake, a ride up the mountain via the cogwheel railway, and a descent by aerial cableway and gondola. The route can be travelled in reverse, but either way, the blend of travel modes makes the journey part of the experience. The Dragon Glider flyline and Drachenalp barbecue area add a family-friendly touch.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p>In winter, the mountain transforms as if by magic. Without ski pistes, Pilatus becomes a quieter escape that is perfect for snowshoeing, winter hiking or simply taking in the hush of the high Alps.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p style="font-weight: 400;">Two distinct hotels offer a rare chance to stay above the clouds. The <span>Hotel Pilatus-Kulm</span>, established in 1890, is elegantly renovated and blends Alpine-chic design with historic character. Its refined restaurant and panoramic sun terrace offer front-row views of the peaks. Just next door, <span>Hotel Bellevue</span> provides cosy, modern rooms with effortless access to gondolas, trails and all-season activities. With only 45 rooms in total, nights on Pilatus are quiet and exclusive. Those who stay on the mountain are treated to skies shimmering with stars reflected in the lake below. The mountain becomes yours exclusively save for a herd of ibex, and, perhaps, the distant rustle of dragon wings.</p>

Magic Mountain: Mount Pilatus has something for everyone

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