Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass
Two cog railways to Lucerne’s mountains, then along the lake past Schwyz and William Tell’s Altdorf, and over the Klausen Pass to Glarus.
- Distance
- 123 km (77 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 42 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Switzerland
- Updated
- July 27, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 123 km (77 mi) with 9 stops, from Lucerne to Glarus. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Switzerland · More road trips from Interlaken
Route description
From Lucerne drive 12 km south to Alpnachstad and ride the Pilatus cog railway, which climbs gradients of up to 48 percent to the top at 2,128 m. It runs from about May to November; in winter use the gondola and cable car from Kriens instead. Swiss motorways need a vignette, now also sold as an e-vignette online, but the lakeside roads around Lucerne are toll-free.
Next day follow the north shore of the lake to Weggis, a quiet resort with a palm-lined promenade. The cable car to Rigi Kaltbad leaves from the village; from there walk or take the train to Rigi Kulm. The Vitznau cog railway, the first mountain railway in Europe, opened in 1871, runs up the other side. Continue by Brunnen to Schwyz, where the Federal Charter Museum keeps the 1291 alliance document.
Drive along the Axenstrasse above the Urnersee to Altdorf, the town of the William Tell legend, with its statue on the main square. From here, road 17 climbs east through the Schächen valley to the Klausen Pass at 1,948 m. The road is narrow in places, with blind bends and waterfalls, and it is closed in winter, usually from about November to May.
East of the pass, the road drops in hairpins to the Urnerboden, a long flat alpine pasture full of cows in summer. It then falls steeply to Linthal and follows the valley to Glarus, about 60 km from Altdorf. Motorhomes can manage the Klausen road with care, but avoid summer weekends when cyclists and motorbikes crowd it. Lake Lucerne is lovely from May to October.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Lucerne
Switzerland - 211 km
Pilatus
ViewsAlpnachstad, SwitzerlandLucerne’s rugged home mountain, 2,128 m, reached by the world’s steepest cog railway from Alpnachstad (May to November) or by gondola and cable car from Kriens. Short paths lead to viewpoints over the lake.
- 319 km
Weggis
Switzerland - 46 km
Rigi Kulm
ViewsWeggis, SwitzerlandThe 1,797 m top of the Rigi, looking over Lake Lucerne and a long line of Alpine peaks. Take the cable car from Weggis or the cog railway from Vitznau or Arth-Goldau; no roads go up.
- 517 km
Schwyz
Switzerland - 620 km
Altdorf
Switzerland - 720 km
Klausen Pass
ViewsUnterschächen, SwitzerlandA 1,948 m pass on road 17 between Uri and Glarus, with waterfalls on the Uri side and big cliffs above. Closed in winter, usually from about November to May; lay-bys at the top.
- 85 km
Urnerboden
NatureSpiringen, SwitzerlandOne of the largest alpine pastures in Switzerland, a flat green valley below limestone walls where hundreds of cows spend the summer. The Klausen road crosses it; small parking areas by the hamlet.
- 927 km
Glarus
Switzerland
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Lucerne → Weggis · 30 km · 0 h 25 minOn the way: Pilatus.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Buochs-Vierwaldstättersee (6 km); Camping Bucheli (17 km).
- Day 2: Weggis → Schwyz · 23 km · 0 h 19 minOn the way: Rigi Kulm.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Bucheli (8 km); Camping Buochs-Vierwaldstättersee (18 km).
- Day 3: Schwyz → Klausen Pass · 40 km · 0 h 33 minOn the way: Altdorf.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Vorauen (19 km); Stellfläche Campingplatz Husky-Lodge (13 km).
- Day 4: Klausen Pass → Glarus · 32 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Urnerboden.Overnight nearby, for example: Camp Stein (5 km); Camping Vorauen (9 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
Themes
FAQs
How long is Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass?
4-day road trip of about 123 km (77 mi) with 9 stops, from Lucerne to Glarus. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass?
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 42 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass start and end?
It starts in Lucerne and ends in Glarus.
Which countries does Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass pass through?
Switzerland.
Where can you camp along Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass?
OpenStreetMap lists 90 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Buochs-Vierwaldstättersee, Camping Seefeld and Camping International Giswil.
When is the best time for Lake Lucerne, Rigi and the Klausen Pass?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
