If you are planning to spend some time around Lucerne when you visit Switzerland then a trip to Stanserhorn is a must.
Stanserhorn is one of the most beautiful mountains around Lucerne offering some of the most spectacular views of the Swiss Alps you can find.
Not only is it a stunning place to visit, but getting there is an adventure in itself and there are some spectacular things to do up on the peak too.
To add to Stanserhorn’s prowess, it is also a recognized place of power as it has energy lines from the earth running straight through it.
Join me as I run through everything you need to know about visiting this spectacular mountain peak, from how to get there, when to go, and great things to do while you are up there.
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Where is Stanserhorn?
Stanserhorn sits in the canton of Nidwalden just outside of the canton capital of Stans and down the road from the town of Lucerne.
It rises up to 1,897 meters above sea level on the southern shores of Lake Lucerne and offers some incredible views.
From the top, you can see countless mountain peaks including Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus as well as 10 alpine lakes including Lake Lucerne, Lake Sarnen, and Lake Sempach.
How to Get to Stanserhorn
Getting to Stanserhorn is all part of the adventure. The ride up is not only spectacular but you also get to ride in a historical funicular and one of the coolest cable cars ever.
To start off with, you have to get to the town of Stans. Take the train from Lucerne direct to Stans or drive via the A2, both journey times are just 15 minutes.
You can also drive to Stans from Zurich in under 2 hours, and get the direct train to Lucerne from Zurich in just over an hour too.
Once you arrive in Stans, it is a five-minute walk to the bottom station of the funicular from the train station. If you are driving, be sure to park in Stanserhornbahn car park, as the others have a maximum parking time of 2 hours.
Funicular
Once you reach the bottom station of the funicular it is time to board one of the oldest working funiculars on the planet which dates back to 1893.
When it was first opened in 1893, it was the longest funicular on the planet. Riding in this funicular is like riding in a classic car as it is all made from iron and wood with frosted glass and curtains.
It will take you up to Kälti, the middle station, where you hop off the funicular and onto the new-age CabriO Cable Car.
CabriO Cable Car
The CabriO Cable Car is also famous as it was the first ever open-air cable car in the world. It has two decks, the lower deck sealed and surrounded by glass, and the upper deck which is open-air.
Have your camera ready for this cable car, as the views as you climb to the peak of Stanserhorn are nothing short of spectacular. You will have a 360-degree view of the alps with no cables in the way.
The cable car can hold 60 people and the upper deck only has room for 30 people so be sure to arrive early if you want to be on the upper deck.
The ride up to the peak on the CabriO Cable Car is only 6.5 minutes so don’t wait around to take pictures.
Things to Do on Stanserhorn
Once you’re at the top of Stanserhorn, there is a range of activities on offer from peaceful nature walks to adventure sports that will get your adrenaline pumping.
Paragliding
An incredible way to get back down from Stanserhorn is to paraglide. Paragliding is becoming more and more popular on Stanserhorn and there are a number of Paragliding schools you can book a tandem flight with.
The take-off point is a beautiful alpine meadow at 1650 meters above sea level, accessed via a 10-minute hike down a marked trail. Once up in the air, you will soar over Lake Lucerne with stunning views across the alps and Lake Lucerne.
You will slowly paraglide down to the landing point in Stans which is a meadow close to the cantonal hospital.
Hiking
There are quite a few different hiking trails available once you reach the peak of Stanserhorn.
One walk that everyone has to do is the 30-minute hike to the peak and the viewing platform. Along the way, you will have a wildlife ranger to guide you. She or he will point out all the special flowers, and wildlife, and help you name all the lakes and mountain peaks you can see.
If you are lucky, the rangers will also help you spot an eagle or two while you are up there.
For anyone looking for more of a challenge, there are some great hikes that take you back down the mountain to Stans.
You can hike down to the mountain resort of Wirzweli which takes about 2.5 hours and then get the cable car down to Dallenwil, where you can catch a train to Stans.
Or hike down to Wiesenberg and grab the cable car to Dallenwil and then the train, which takes about the same amount of time.
For a super challenging hike, get the cable car down to the middle station of Chälti. You will find a trail marked with red/white. It takes 4.5 hours with an ascent of 1,300 meters and some incredible panoramic views across Lake Lucerne and its mountains.
Dine at the Panoramic Restaurant
Like a lot of the mountain peaks in Switzerland, Stanserhorn has a restaurant at the top called Rondorama.
Rondorama is built in a shape in honor of Stanserhorn, known as the five-star mountain. It is also a revolving restaurant so you get a 360-degree view while you are having lunch or dinner.
The restaurant can seat 200 people but the revolving section only holds 80, so it is wise to book in advance.
If you happen to be going up Stanserhorn on a Friday or Saturday, you can stay for sunset, see the stars, have dinner at the restaurant, and catch the last cable car down at 11 PM.
The food at the restaurant is excellent and you can choose from some great traditional Swiss dishes and lots more.
Visit the Marmot Zoo
I’m not sure you can find a cuter animal than a marmot. You’ll find a marmot enclosure on the top of Stanserhorn that dates back to 1912 where you can get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.
You will have to hike down from the peak towards the middle station to find the Marmot Zoo also called “Murmeli Park” in German. Once there, you’ll meet some wildlife rangers that will teach you all about these beautiful creatures.
It is well worth the short hike and the views along the way are of course incredible.
Stanserhorn Trip Cost
A trip to Stanserhorn can take anywhere from half a day to a full day, depending on what you would like to do up there.
The cost of a trip to Stanserhorn also depends on what you would like to do at the top. The cable car costs CHF 74 for a return journey.
You should plan to spend around CHF 50 per head for lunch or dinner with wine at the revolving restaurant, and extras like paragliding cost CHF 250.
If you are on a budget, you can just pay for the cable car, bring a picnic, go hiking, and see the views and the marmots for just over CHF 85 with your picnic. But, if you want to do it all, around CHF 400 is what you should budget for.
Best Time to Visit Stanserhorn
The best time to visit Stanserhorn is on a clear day so that you get the best views possible from the peak.
Generally speaking, the months of June, July, and August offer the clearest weather. But, you can have clear days at any point of the year.
Make sure you check the weather forecast before you choose which day you go up Stanserhorn so you get the clearest day possible. It is not that pretty when you are surrounded by fog and clouds at the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stanserhorn free with a Swiss Pass?
Yes, you can get to the top of the Stanserhorn for free with the Swiss Travel Pass, or a General Abonnement. With the Half-fare card you also get 50% off.
Is Stanserhorn open in winter?
No, Stanserhorn closes in mid-November for winter and reopens in mid-April.
How to get to Mt Stanserhorn from Lucerne?
You can easily get to Mount Stanserhorn by taking the regional train from Lucerne and then walking to the Stanserhorn gondola from there. It is also easy to reach by car on the A2 highway and takes around 30 minutes.
How high is Mount Stanserhorn?
Mount Stanserhorn stands 1898 meters above sea level and is quite a small mountain by Swiss standards.
