Mittaggüpfi, Mountain summit in Pilatus region, Switzerland

Mittaggüpfi is a 1916.6 m summit on the Pilatus massif, on the border between the cantons of Lucerne and Obwalden. Its north slope shows a stepped sequence of rock layers, from Valanginian limestone thrust over flysch up through Kieselkalk, Drusberg beds, Schrattenkalk and Eocene formations, with the summit built of Hohgantsandstein. The layers dip gently south with slight folding and faults.

The name Mittaggüpfi likely arose in the Eigental area, where the summit marks the midday point and the south. Until 1594 the authorities forbade visiting the Pilatussee and the Mittaggüpfi; the priesthood is thought to have linked the Pontius Pilatus legend to the lake to keep people away. Earlier names were Oberalpgupf and Gnepfenstein, after a rocking stone said to have stood on the summit.

The name Mittaggüpfi arose in the Eigental valley, where the peak marks the midday point: noon, the midday meal and the south. Earlier names were Oberalpgupf and Gnepfenstein, after a rocking stone (pierre branlante) said to have stood on the summit until a lightning bolt split its slab and sent it into the abyss.

The summit is reached from Lütoldsmatt in about 2½ hours, from Stäfeli in 1½ hours and from Eigenthal in roughly 2½ hours. It also forms a central station on the ridge walk from Pilatus Kulm to Stäfeliflue and Risetestock, which stays mostly on the crest and gives repeated views down into the Mittelland and the Alps. In winter the ascent is often combined with a visit to the Widderfeld, starting from Alpnach or Lütoldsmatt.

The summit area is made of Hohgantsandstein, an Eocene sandstone, and the north slope shows a stepped sequence of Valanginian limestone, Kieselkalk, Drusberg layers and Schrattenkalk resting on Flysch. The name may come from the Eigental, where the peak marked the midday point and the south; it was earlier called Oberalpgupf or Gnepfenstein.