Rigi: The Guide to the Queen of the Mountains

The Rigi has been known as the "Queen of the Mountains" for more than 150 years. It owes that name above all to its position. The mountain stands on its own between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug, so from the top you do not look at a rock face but at water on three sides, and beyond it at the whole chain of central Swiss peaks. From Rigi Kulm (1,797 m) the view takes in thirteen lakes, and on clear days reaches as far as Germany and France. The journey up has its own history too, because the first mountain railway in Europe has been running here since 1871. This guide covers the routes up the mountain, the tickets, the main viewpoints and the tips that locals follow themselves.

What makes the Rigi special

Three things set the Rigi apart from other excursion mountains in central Switzerland:

1. A great deal of view for little effort. You do not have to hike for the all-round panorama over lakes and Alps. The railway runs to just below the summit, and from the top station it is only a five-minute walk to the summit cross.
2. The way up. The cog railway of 1871, the paddle steamer on Lake Lucerne and the cable car above the vineyards of Weggis can be combined into a single round trip.
3. Open every day of the year. The trains from Vitznau and Arth-Goldau run all year. In winter the Rigi often lies in the sun above a sea of fog. Then 35 km of winter walking trails and several toboggan runs invite you to stay.

Mark Twain walked up the Rigi in 1878 and turned the effort into one of his best known travel stories. The trail that carries his name today can still be walked; there is more on that below.

Three ways up

1. Cog railway from Vitznau, the classic. Europe's first mountain railway opened in 1871 and climbs from the lakeshore to Rigi Kulm in about 30 minutes. Together with the boat trip from Lucerne, this is the historic route up the mountain.

2. Cog railway from Arth-Goldau, the practical route from the Schwyz and Zurich side. The ride to the summit takes about 45 minutes. Because Arth-Goldau lies on the main Gotthard line, this is the quickest way from Zurich, Zug or Schwyz.

3. Cable car from Weggis, the short cut. In ten minutes you float above the village up to Rigi Kaltbad, and from there it is another ten minutes by train to the summit. The scheduled boat also calls at Weggis.

The tip from the region: turn the outing into a circuit. Take the boat from Lucerne to Vitznau and the railway up from there. Afterwards you descend to Arth-Goldau, or take the cable car down to Weggis and the boat back to Lucerne. That way you get to know the mountain from several sides. With the right ticket the combination costs nothing extra.

Tickets and fares

• Return ticket to Rigi Kulm (from Vitznau, Arth-Goldau or Weggis): the current fare is listed on the Rigi Bahnen website.
• Rigi day pass: valid on all four lines, that is on both cog railways, on the Weggis cable car and on the Kräbel–Rigi Scheidegg railway. For round trips and walks it is the right choice. There are no travel classes on the Rigi railways.
• Swiss Travel Pass / GA travelcard: the Rigi railways are fully included, so you pay nothing extra. That also applies to the scheduled boat from Lucerne to Vitznau or Weggis.
• Half Fare Card: 50%.
• Guest cards from Lucerne, Weggis, Vitznau, Rigi, Greppen and the Schwyz region give a reduction. How large it is can be found on the Rigi Bahnen website.

Fares are adjusted according to the season, so take a quick look at the official Rigi Bahnen fare page before you travel.

What awaits you at the top

• Rigi Kulm (1,797 m). From the top station a short paved path leads to the summit cross and to the well-known panorama boards, on which every peak on the horizon is named. Sunrise and sunset on Kulm have been famous for a long time. As early as the 19th century, guests stayed the night in the summit hotel to see the first light.
• Rigi Kaltbad. In the mountain village halfway up stands the mineral bath designed by the architect Mario Botta. The outdoor pool looks as though it reaches out over the edge of the rock towards the lake.
• Panoramic trails. The path from Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg follows an old railway alignment. It is almost level, offers a wide view along its whole length and suits guests who otherwise rarely walk.
• Winter. In the cold season there are toboggan runs and winter walking trails above the sea of fog. On the sun terraces you will then find many people from Lucerne and Zurich escaping the grey in the valley for a day.

When to go up the Rigi

• June and September are particularly suitable. The air is often clear, the paths are open and there are fewer people than in high summer.
• Winter days with an inversion are unknown to many visitors. When the Swiss plateau lies under a layer of high fog, the Rigi often rises into bright sunshine above a white sea of cloud. Look at the webcams before you set off; the outlook for the summit is shown on the weather page for Rigi Kulm.
• On fine summer weekends most guests are out and about around midday. If you prefer it quieter, go up early in the morning on such days.
• Maintenance closures: the Weggis cable car stands still for servicing in spring and late autumn. The exact dates are on the official Rigi pages. The trains from Vitznau and Arth-Goldau are not affected and run all year.

Local tips

• On the train from Vitznau, sit on the right going up. On that side you have the lake in view during the ride.
• Rigi Scheidegg is the quiet part of the mountain. The view is the same, but there are far fewer people. You get up there with the small railway from Kräbel.
• Combine the trip with the Goldau wildlife park. The nature and wildlife park lies right next to Arth-Goldau station and therefore fits well into a Rigi day, especially with children.
• Stay until sunset. Most day visitors go down in the late afternoon. The evening light on Kulm is therefore mainly experienced by hotel guests and by everyone who has noted the times of the last descents.

FAQ

How high is the Rigi?

The highest point is called Rigi Kulm and lies at 1,797 metres above sea level.

Is the Rigi included in the Swiss Travel Pass and the GA travelcard?

Yes, fully. All railways and cable cars on the Rigi are included, as is the boat from Lucerne.

How long does the ride up take?

From Vitznau you travel about 30 minutes, from Arth-Goldau about 45 minutes. From Weggis, cable car and train together take about 20 minutes.

Is the Rigi open in winter?

Yes. The cog railways run all year. In winter, 35 kilometres of prepared winter walking trails and several toboggan runs are added.

Rigi or Pilatus, which should I choose?

The Pilatus offers the more dramatic rock scenery. The Rigi, on the other hand, has the wide view across the lakes, its long railway history and railways that run all year round. For many guests another point is decisive: with the Swiss Travel Pass or a GA travelcard the Rigi is free, while the Pilatus is only available at a reduced fare.

Can you hike up the Rigi?

Yes. The classic ascent starts in Weggis and follows the Mark Twain trail. You will find the route in detail on the tour page From Weggis on foot up to Rigi Kulm.