Easy walks on Lake Lucerne for families and beginners

Steep mountains rise all around Lake Lucerne. Even so, you will find many easy walks here that work well with children or as a first step into hiking. Lifts often take over the climb. Many paths also follow old railway lines or the lakeshores. Along the way there are so many mountain inns that the next break is usually not far off when the children tire. Here we present eight walks from the region that we are glad to recommend. All of them are genuinely easy: on our scale they are level 1 or 2, plus one gentle level 3 for sporty families. All can be reached by public transport. For each route you will find a link with the exact details.

1. Rigi panorama path: Kaltbad → Scheidegg

~7 km · ~2 h · level (old railway line) · pushchair-friendly in summer

The level path runs like a balcony along the mountain, with the Alps in view the whole way. At both ends there are restaurants and lifts to bring you back. In winter the path is prepared as a winter walking trail, so you can use it almost all year. The route is described in detail in the article Hikes on the Rigi.

2. Hohle Gasse: Immensee → Küssnacht

4.2 km · ~1 h · 129 m of ascent · level 1/5

The path links two lakes and leads in a comfortable hour through the Hohle Gasse, known from the Tell legend. The Tell chapel stands along the way. The pace is so leisurely that five-year-olds keep up easily and pick up a little history on the way. More about the place in the article The Hohle Gasse; the route in detail is on the tour page From Immensee to Küssnacht am Rigi.

3. Stoos plateau and the Fronalpstock viewpoint

flexible · easy · the lifts take over the climb

With the steepest funicular in the world you ride up to the Stoos. Up top you stroll along the paths of the car-free plateau past moorland and small lakes. Then the chairlift takes you to the Fronalpstock, where a panorama round high above the lake awaits you. For a few steps you get a great deal of view here. The ridge walk can wait until the children are older. More about the funicular in the article Stoosbahn: Riding the World's Steepest Funicular, about the ridge walk in the article Stoos Ridge Hike.

4. Mostelbergweg, Sattel

6.5 km · ~2½ h · 407 m of ascent · level 2/5 · revolving gondola up

The Mostelberg is aimed entirely at families. The friendly circuit from the Mostelberg offers a view of the Mythen. On the way you cross a suspension bridge that sways noticeably, and at the end the toboggan run awaits. Children who like to ask «are we nearly there?» have plenty of variety here. The route in detail: A hike on the Mostelberg.

5. Three-cableway tour: Rotenflue → Illgau

7.6 km · ~2½ h · gently downhill overall · level 1/5

We are especially fond of this tour because it alternates walking and riding. Terrace paths link three cableways high above the Muotatal. You have lunch in sunny Illgau. For children the rides alone make up a good part of the pleasure. The route in detail: From the Rotenflue over the Ibergeregg to Illgau.

6. Rotenflue → Schwyz, walk and bus

3.1 km · ~1 h · downhill · level 1/5

This is the shortest «proper mountain walk» we know. The gondola takes you up to the Rotenflue, a viewing balcony in front of the Mythen. Then you walk down for an easy hour through meadows, and at the end of the path the bus takes you home. The tour works well as a very first walk in the Alps or as a half-day outing when it has rained in the morning. The route in detail: From the Rotenflue down to the Ibergeregg.

7. Rigi North: Rigi Kulm → Arth (gentle descent)

6.3 km · ~2 h · downhill · level 3/5 (the easy side)

This route suits families who would like to walk a little more. You ride to the summit of the Rigi and descend the quiet northern side through pastures and forest to Arth. Because it goes almost entirely downhill, children make good progress and still feel they have mastered a big mountain. The station lies at the end. If you like, combine the walk with a visit to the Goldau wildlife park. The route in detail is on the tour page From Rigi Kulm down to Chräbel. Further Rigi walks are presented in the article Hikes on the Rigi, the wildlife park in the article Goldau nature and wildlife park.

8. Lauerzersee shore and Wägitalersee circuit, completely flat

flexible / 9 km · level · with swimming stops

If even an easy mountain path is too much, stay by the water. At the small, warm Lauerzersee, shore paths lead through the reeds. Alternatively you can walk the 9 km circuit of the green-shimmering Wägitalersee. On both walks a picnic blanket in the rucksack is worthwhile. The mountains here form only the backdrop; you do not have to climb. More about the Wägital in the article Bisistal and Wägital.

Practical tips for families

• Use the lifts deliberately: on all the routes above a means of transport brings you to the start or up the mountain. Buy the one-way «hiking tickets» of the mountain railways rather than return tickets you do not need.
• Plenty of inns: the region has a dense network of mountain inns. On none of the routes above are you more than 90 minutes without somewhere to stop.
• Weather: even on easy walks the weather matters. Check our altitude-corrected forecasts, because where there is drizzle in the valley, thick fog may lie higher up. You will find the forecasts on the weather pages.
• Season: routes 1, 2 and 8 can be walked almost all year. The mountain rounds are finest from June to October. More about the right time to travel in the article The best time to visit Central Switzerland.
• The next step up: if these rounds become too small for you, the Alpchäsweg on the Stoos is a good next choice (11 km, level 3), and later perhaps the ridge walk. More on this: A long loop from Stoos and Stoos Ridge Hike.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest walk with the best view near Lucerne? We recommend the Rigi panorama path from Kaltbad to Scheidegg. It runs level, offers a wide view along its whole length and has rail connections at both ends.

Which walks work with a pushchair? The Rigi panorama path in summer, the shore paths and the paths on the Stoos plateau are the best choices. The main path through the Hohle Gasse is also perfectly manageable with a pushchair.

Do I need walking boots? For levels 1 and 2 in dry summer weather, sturdy trainers are enough. On route 7 and after rain, proper walking boots are the better choice.

Are the walks free? The walking itself costs nothing. You only have to allow for the lifts, several of which are included or reduced with a GA travelcard or Swiss Travel Pass. More on this in the article Swiss Travel Pass, GA and half-fare card in the Schwyz region.