Mt. Titlis – The Highest Peak in Central Switzerland

My free-handed climb up to the 10,000 foot summit of Mt. Titlis would have impressed even the most skilled mountain climbers!

Had it happened.

As it turned out, it didn’t. We took the direct railway from Lucerne (you can read about Lucerne here), and once we arrived in Engelberg we bought our tickets for the cable cars that would take us up to the summit. I was under a time constraint, what can I say?

It’s true. We had taken the trip from Lucerne to Engelberg the week before, but were told at the ticket counter that due to wind the cable cars were shut down. “No one goes up mountain this day” the woman told us in broken English. So, we decided to go back to Lucerne and wait out the weather. We made an impromptu trip to Interlaken (read about my hanggliding adventure here!) and then came back to Engelberg to take a last shot at Mt. Titlis before having to move on.

This day, we were in luck. We excitedly boarded the cable cars, which are huge and in a constant rotation of going up and coming down the mountain side. So you can come and go at your own leisure, as the lines to board are short and fast paced. Other than my ears popping, it was a completely comfortable ride, if you dismiss the fact that I’m not a fan of heights!

The ride to the top takes maybe thirty minutes, but the views are stunning as you move from green grass, to sheer rock faces, and then over snow and glaciers. The temperature does drop a bit, so be sure to check the weather for the day you’re going and dress appropriately.

The Cliff Walk offers absolutely stunning views! The grated metal beneath your feet allows you to see thousands of feet below you, and proves to be pretty exhilarating. This should come at no surprise, as it’s the tallest suspension bridge in all of Europe.

It’s from the Cliff Walk that you can spot the “Mt, Titlis Buddha” – a smaller peak that (you guessed it) resembles a statue of Buddha. It is said that it brings good luck to any traveler that lays eyes on it.

There are places to sled and a glacier cave to walk through, a chocolate shop and a photo studio. You can easily spend several hours up on the summit. While you’re out frolicking, please be aware of the many marked signs, as there are roped off areas tourists aren’t supposed to go. Crevasses covered by blankets of snow, sheer drop offs, and sharp declines with icy surfaces pose danger even to those familiar with the area.

I won’t say whether or not I walked past that sign to get this shot. But I will say Mt. Titlis provides a plethora of stunning photo-ops. Be sure to check out the official website here for a list of all the attractions at it’s summit, ticket prices and discounts. If you want to stand among the Alps, this is where you need to be.

Have you been here? Headed here? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment in the section below!