Küssnacht to Greppen on the Waldstätter Trail on Lake Luzern

Friday November 28, 2025 -- Today I had to check up on the house in Küssnacht am Rigi, and as the afternoon was turning out to be quite nice, I did a short, 4½-kilometer walk parallel to the lakeshore from Küssnacht to the next village called Greppen. (This trail is part of the regional themed route no.98: "Waldstätterweg", a 115-kilometer trail which circumscribes the entire lake, a trail we have completed in many sections).

It was a beautiful and mild afternoon, with spectacular views of Mt.Pilatus and even the Bernese Alps, which appeared very large (usually due to a Föhn wind effect). Even though a stretch of the trail into Greppen was along the main road, it was still a nice afternoon walk. A quick look into the village church in Greppen, and then I sat down at the boat dock on the lakeshore enjoying the afternoon sunshine before returning to the bus stop for the three-minute ride back to the house.

When I left to return home, the evening sky was turning red, and Mt.Pilatus (Luzern's Mountain) looked like it was right in the backyard!

View from the balcony of my little house to the center of the town of Küssnacht. This part of the Vierwaldstättersee is called Lake Küssnacht.  

From the location of the little house, you get a good view of Mt.Pilatus, which is Luzern's main mountain. 

A look back at "Chalet Mignon" on the way down to the lakeshore. 

A short set of stairs connects my house to the lakeshore. 

This is the lakeshore promenade on the east side of this arm of Lake Luzern .

This was just a short afternoon walk of about one hour, 4½-kilometers from Küssnacht to Greppen along Route no.98: Waldstätterweg. 

The east part of Küssnacht lies right at the foot of Mt. Rigi. The summit above is Rigi Kulm, which is accessed by cogwheel train on the other side, and is a popular tourist destination. 

The lakeside promenade ends at a little loop park with sunny benches and a fantastic view southwards along Lake Luzern. 

View of Mt.Pilatus from the Küssnacht lakeshore. 

A look back at the main part of the town of Küssnacht. (The lakeside Promenade follows this part of the lake through the town and up to the railway station on the west side of the lake). 

View of the Bernese Alps to the south. 

Private properties along the lake from here, so the route goes back to the main road from here. 

A view up to the Rigi Range, and the trail is parallel to both this range and the lakeshore. 

The trail passes through agricultural land

A close-up look at the snow-covered Mount Rigi. The snow is almost all the way down to the main road. 

A view of Mt. Rigi 

More farms and a nice path to walk. 

Lovely private properties along the way. 

Another view of Mt. Pilatus from the main road. There is no lake access here, unfortunately. Right about here is where you cross the Canton border from Schwyz to Luzern. 

A large group of gray geese are enjoying the sunshine here. 

Off the main road now, I enter the village of Greppen. 

Through the village of Greppen. 

The sign shows that this is part of Route no.98. From here it's an hour to Küssnacht. There is also a ship dock here for the ship that travels on this arm of the lake to and from Luzern. 

Heading to the church to have a look inside. (I had been inside this church once before when I ended another hike here in Greppen, coming along the Waltstätter Route from the south --> those photos are HERE). 

Details of the St.Wendelin church in Greppen, a pilgrimage church built 1645-1647. I didn't stay long because there were children around the altar, so after-school event, I guess. 

I could have headed straight to the main road to catch the next bus but the day was so pleasant that I decided on the next bus in 30 minutes, and headed down to the lake. This property here is a sawmill business. 

Down here at the lake is a boat dock for private boats, as well as a public park and beach access.

This view is toward Küssnacht to the north.

Private boat dock here on the lake. 

Another view down Lake Luzern toward Mt.Pilatus. There were several benches in the sun here, so I found a pleasant spot and enjoyed the quiet away from the main road. Unfortunately, the skies now became overcast. 

Heading back toward Greppen at 3 p.m for the 15:08 bus back to Küssnacht, a 3-minute ride. 

This is what my walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps. About half-way between the two towns is a lane down to the lake, and I took a quick detour there. 

Back at the house for final preparations to catch the bus back home. (The house is called "Chalet Mignon", which means "Cute Little Chalet". The house was purchased in the late 1940's by my Grandfather). 

The skies are red as the sun sets behind Mt.Pilatus as I head to the 16:51 bus. 

These are all the hikes we have done around Mount Rigi at this arm of Lake Luzern.