Bürgenstock Cliff Walk and Hammetschwand Lift

The Bürgenstock is a wooded rock that rises sharply from the south shore of Lake Lucerne, crowned by a resort and threaded by a cliff path. The Felsenweg, or rock path, was built in 1905 and runs along the edge of the cliff with views down to the water and across to Pilatus and the Rigi. It leads to the Hammetschwand Lift, an outdoor elevator that carries you up the last stretch of the Hammetschwand rock, a rise of around 150 metres in a glass-and-steel shaft. It is often described as the highest outdoor lift in Europe, and the ride takes less than a minute. At the top you reach a platform above the lake with a panorama of the Alps, the water below and the Rigi on the horizon. The trip is easy to organise from Lucerne, since you take a boat to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock, ride the Bürgenstock funicular up the hill and walk the path to the lift. Guided trips and combined tickets are on sale, and the walk is well signposted.

The route is a pleasure from the first step. Setting out from Lucerne's piers, the boat crosses the lake in about thirty-five to forty minutes, with the mountains rising on every side, and then the funicular climbs the hillside in a few minutes. From the top the Felsenweg heads out along the cliff, mostly level and wide, with railings on the exposed stretches and a series of benches and lookouts.

The walk to the lift takes about forty-five minutes at a relaxed pace, and in places the path is cut into the rock face itself, so you walk beneath overhangs with the lake far below. Children usually love it, though very small ones need holding by the hand near the drops.

The Hammetschwand Lift is a charming piece of engineering. It was built in 1905 and takes visitors up a vertical shaft clinging to the rock, with glass walls so that the view opens as you rise. At the top, a short path leads to the viewing platform, and from here you can see the Lake of Lucerne spread out below, the peaks of the Alps to the south and the Rigi and Pilatus.

There is a small refreshment stop near the lift station. Return the same way or continue along the walk toward the resort hotels, which have their own restaurants and terraces.

Timing and seasons matter. The lift and the walk run in the warmer part of the year, usually from spring through to autumn, and close for the winter, so check the operator's calendar before planning the day around it. The best weather is a clear morning, when the light on the lake is good and there is less haze.

Wear shoes with grip, take water and a light jacket, because it is cooler on the cliff and the wind can be strong, and bring a hat on sunny days. The route has some steps and slopes, so it is not ideal for pushchairs or wheelchairs, though the funicular and parts of the walk are manageable.

If you have only a few days in Lucerne, the Bürgenstock is a good alternative to the bigger mountains on a day when you want views without a big climb or a high price. It fits easily into half a day, and combines well with a lake cruise, since the boat does half the work. For a longer outing, add lunch at the resort or the lakeside and return by an afternoon boat.