Lucerne – Alpnachstad

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This third stage will take you from Lucerne (LU) to Alpnachstad (OW). After crossing the Seebrücke, you’ll pass the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL). The route continues along the lake before branching off towards the hills above Horw. The path descends back towards the lake at Rank Winkel before tackling the climb up the Rengg Pass at the foot of Mount Pilatus. The route ends in Alpnachstad, following the shore of Lake Alpnach.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour du Lac des Quatre Cantons

Details

n°109426646
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.76 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,982 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,012 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,959 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,414 ft
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Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 1,453 ft - Ibis Styles Hotel – Lucerne
  2. 1 : mi 0.32 - alt. 1,447 ft - Kapellbrücke
  3. 2 : mi 0.52 - alt. 1,421 ft - Sign No. 98
  4. 3 : mi 1.91 - alt. 1,486 ft - Tribschen
  5. 4 : mi 2.67 - alt. 1,437 ft - Matthof
  6. 5 : mi 2.89 - alt. 1,483 ft - Stutzstrass
  7. 6 : mi 3.63 - alt. 2,014 ft - Oberrüti
  8. 7 : mi 4.02 - alt. 1,699 ft - Oberrütistrasse
  9. 8 : mi 4.28 - alt. 1,601 ft - Kastanienbaumstrasse
  10. 9 : mi 4.48 - alt. 1,631 ft - Sign No. 98
  11. 10 : mi 4.65 - alt. 1,749 ft - Sign No. 98
  12. 11 : mi 4.86 - alt. 1,765 ft - Crossroads
  13. 12 : mi 5.9 - alt. 1,650 ft - Birrholz
  14. 13 : mi 6.26 - alt. 1,709 ft - Sign No. 98
  15. 14 : mi 6.63 - alt. 1,565 ft - Elevation 470
  16. 15 : mi 7.05 - alt. 1,453 ft - Rank Winkel
  17. 16 : mi 7.75 - alt. 1,447 ft - Sign No. 98
  18. 17 : mi 9.1 - alt. 2,667 ft - Crossroads
  19. 18 : mi 10.44 - alt. 2,753 ft - Sign No. 98
  20. 19 : mi 11.32 - alt. 2,612 ft - Chapel
  21. 20 : mi 11.53 - alt. 2,949 ft - Rengg Pass
  22. 21 : mi 12.01 - alt. 2,438 ft - Sign No. 98
  23. 22 : mi 13 - alt. 1,430 ft - Sign by the lake
  24. E : mi 13.76 - alt. 1,414 ft - Alpnachstad Railway Station

Notes

Hike completed by the author on 6 October 2026

The route for this hike follows the Waldstätterweg, which is marked on Swiss maps.

Signposting: at every major junction, you will find signposts:
- Sign No. 98 or P98 with a sticker marked No. 98 indicating this trail.
- R sign: a yellow sign with a hiker pictogram

Before setting off, it is advisable to check the Suisse Topo website for any trail closures and diversions. This information is updated in real time.

As well as the Visorando app, you can also download the free swisstopo app, where you’ll find this information too.

Transport: Timetables

Weather:before setting off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Météo Blue

Hiking equipment, particularly good walking boots.

Accommodation: take the train from Alpnachstad to Alpnachdorf

Worth a visit

  • Lucerne
  • Alpnachstad
  • Alpnach Dorf (departure point for the world’s steepest rack railway to Mount Pilatus)
  • Mount Pilatus.

Other walks in the area

Walking A getaway to Lucerne

Visorando Member
Escapade à Lucerne
↔4.16 mi ↗+157 ft ↘-148 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lucerne (Canton of Lucerne)
Lucerne boasts an impressive heritage and ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world. The world-famous Chapel Bridge is an integral part of Lucerne’s image. The suggested route will take you past its two covered wooden bridges, the Chapel Bridge and the Spreuer Bridge, the city walls with their towers overlooking the town, the old town with its richly decorated houses, and St Leodegar’s Church. You’ll also enjoy a stroll along the shores of the famous Lake of the Four Cantons.

Walking Lucerne - Fräkmüntegg - Pilatus via the Alpenpanorama Weg

Visorando Member
Lucerne - Fräkmüntegg - Pilatus par l'Alpenpanorama Weg
↔6.50 mi ↗+3,323 ft ↘-177 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lucerne (Canton of Lucerne)
Mount Pilatus, which towers over Lake Lucerne and Lucerne, quickly comes into view on the Alpenpenpanorama Weg trail. It is clearly visible from the heights as soon as you leave Lucerne. This summit is well worth a detour. You will have unforgettable memories of the panorama of the Alps and the Jura in the evening, when you can enjoy the absolute calm and a magnificent sunset over the Bernese Alps.

Walking From Lucerne to Schwarzsee via the Alpenpanorama Weg

Visorando Member
De Lucerne à Schwarzsee par l'Alpenpanorama Weg
↔97.78 mi ↗+19,350 ft ↘-17,323 ft ◔10 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lucerne (Canton of Lucerne)
This ten-day itinerary follows the Alpenpanorama Weg from Lucerne to Schwarzsee. With Mount Pilatus within easy reach, it is well worth stopping off to enjoy the unique panorama of the Alps. You will cross the following cantons: Lucerne, Niedwalden (at Pilatus), Bern and Fribourg. This beautiful route offers numerous panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and the Jura.

Walking Pilatus - Fräkmüntegg - Malters via the Alpenpanorama Weg

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Pilatus - Fräkmüntegg - Malters par l'Alpenpanorama Weg
↔8.74 mi ↗+335 ft ↘-3,320 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Kriens (Canton of Lucerne)
After a night at the summit of Mount Pilatus and a last look at the Bernese Alps, you will descend towards the Alpenpanorama Weg. Before reaching the Petite Emme valley, you will have several more opportunities to admire the Pilatus massif.

Walking Renggpass - From Stansstad to Hergiswill

Visorando Member
↔4.82 mi ↗+1,772 ft ↘-1,709 ft ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Hergiswil (Nidwalden)
Starting from Stansstad railway station, you go straight up above the motorway, thus tackling the steepest part. Then, along the ridge overview of the Alpnachersee lake for a good third of the way, glimpses of views and appreciating the 400-500m ascent: Probably a good time to rest for a lunch break before the Renggpass. The final part is downhill all the way to the village and train station of Hergiswil, passing through fields of cows, farms & green pasture.

Walking Malters - Wolhusen via the Alpenpanorama Weg

Visorando Member
Malters - Wolhusen par l'Alpenpanorama Weg
↔7.11 mi ↗+620 ft ↘-348 ft ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Malters (Canton of Lucerne)
This short stage will take you from Malters to Wolhusen. You will walk along the banks of the Petite Emme before arriving in Werthenstein. At the entrance to this village, you can admire the imposing cloister, a major pilgrimage site on the Via Jacobi.

Walking Küssnacht am Rigi – Lucerne

Visorando Member
↔11.07 mi ↗+1,043 ft ↘-1,040 ft ◔6h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Canton of Schwyz
This second stage will take you from Küssnacht am Rigi (SZ) to Lucerne (LU). The route passes through the Wagenmoos nature reserves before descending towards the lake at Meggen. At Meggenhorn, notable for its castle, the path descends to the shores of Lake Lucerne, reaching the magnificent city of Lucerne

Walking Küssnacht am Rigi – Rigi Kaltbad

Visorando Member
Küssnacht am Rigi - Rigi Kaltbad
↔5.79 mi ↗+4,098 ft ↘-804 ft ◔6h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Canton of Schwyz
This first stage will take you from Küssnacht am Rigi, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, to Rigi Kaltbad. The hike is fairly short but quite steep as you make your way up to the Rigi. At Rigi Staffel, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Alps, Lake Lucerne, Lake Sempach and Lake Zug. The Rigi is accessible from all directions via seven cable cars and two funiculars.

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