Hiking
Rigi
Weggis
Rigi
In a majestic setting where three lakes meet, easily reached by rack-and-pinion railway or aerial cableway, with a panoramic view of the highest Alpine peaks and a varied range of leisure activities - no wonder the Rigi is Switzerland's most popular mountain for excursions.
The Rigi, also known as the Queen of Mountains, towers majestically between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz. It attains its highest point on the Rigi-Kulm (1,797 meters above sea level), where visitors can admire a magnificent panorama over Lake Lucerne and the nearby Alps, and northwards to the Mittelland.
As long ago as the 18th century, the Rigi's unique location made it famous throughout Europe as a destination for travellers. To some extent, it was one of the pioneer mountains of Alpine tourism. No less a person than Queen Victoria was even carried up the peak in a sedan-chair. The 19th century saw spa assembly rooms and fashionable hotels opening one after another in Kaltbad, Rigi Kulm and on the Scheidegg, with later additions above the monastery at Klösterli and on the Staffelhöhe. The modern era of mass tourism dawned in 1871 with the construction of the Vitznau-Rigi Railway, which went down in history as Europe's first mountain railway, and the Arth-Rigi Railway in 1875.
Several trains dating back to the early days still operate today when public nostalgia trips are scheduled on weekends between July and September. On one journey up the mountain, these lovingly restored steam locomotives dating back more than 100 years use up about 500 kg of coal and 2,200 litres of water. Together with the modern panoramic aerial cableway from Weggis, the Rigi railways carry 600,000 passengers up the mountain each year. The range of leisure activities and events in summer as well as winter is constantly being expanded.
Summer
the Rigi is known as a classical paradise for hikers, with over 100 km of hiking paths and 15 km of Nordic walking trails. On the routes between Rigi-Kulm, Staffelhöhe, Kaltbad, Scheidegg and Klösterli, hikers are sure to enjoy spectacular plunging views over the lakes and the Mittelland. The railways can easily cope with major differences in height. Adults and youngsters alike flock to «Rigiland» in Kaltbad where they will find a large children's playground, the Wildmannli or Little Wild Men's Trail, a mini-golf course, picnic area and a natural pool with a Kneipp spa facility. The Rigi steam rail trips can be combined with a steamer voyage on Lake Lucerne for a truly wonderful experience.
Winter
the Rigi is a sunlit isle floating above the sea of mist during winter. At these rarefied heights, visitors can choose from a wide range of winter sports: 4 ski lifts with 9 km of ski and snowboard pistes, an airboard piste, 7 km of sledge runs, a 14 km panoramic ski run from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg along the route of the former narrow-gauge railway, and 35 km of prepared winter hiking paths, snowshoe and Nordic walking trails. Those seeking a more comfortable ride can reserve a horse-drawn sleigh.
As long ago as the 18th century, the Rigi's unique location made it famous throughout Europe as a destination for travellers. To some extent, it was one of the pioneer mountains of Alpine tourism. No less a person than Queen Victoria was even carried up the peak in a sedan-chair. The 19th century saw spa assembly rooms and fashionable hotels opening one after another in Kaltbad, Rigi Kulm and on the Scheidegg, with later additions above the monastery at Klösterli and on the Staffelhöhe. The modern era of mass tourism dawned in 1871 with the construction of the Vitznau-Rigi Railway, which went down in history as Europe's first mountain railway, and the Arth-Rigi Railway in 1875.
Several trains dating back to the early days still operate today when public nostalgia trips are scheduled on weekends between July and September. On one journey up the mountain, these lovingly restored steam locomotives dating back more than 100 years use up about 500 kg of coal and 2,200 litres of water. Together with the modern panoramic aerial cableway from Weggis, the Rigi railways carry 600,000 passengers up the mountain each year. The range of leisure activities and events in summer as well as winter is constantly being expanded.
Summer
the Rigi is known as a classical paradise for hikers, with over 100 km of hiking paths and 15 km of Nordic walking trails. On the routes between Rigi-Kulm, Staffelhöhe, Kaltbad, Scheidegg and Klösterli, hikers are sure to enjoy spectacular plunging views over the lakes and the Mittelland. The railways can easily cope with major differences in height. Adults and youngsters alike flock to «Rigiland» in Kaltbad where they will find a large children's playground, the Wildmannli or Little Wild Men's Trail, a mini-golf course, picnic area and a natural pool with a Kneipp spa facility. The Rigi steam rail trips can be combined with a steamer voyage on Lake Lucerne for a truly wonderful experience.
Winter
the Rigi is a sunlit isle floating above the sea of mist during winter. At these rarefied heights, visitors can choose from a wide range of winter sports: 4 ski lifts with 9 km of ski and snowboard pistes, an airboard piste, 7 km of sledge runs, a 14 km panoramic ski run from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg along the route of the former narrow-gauge railway, and 35 km of prepared winter hiking paths, snowshoe and Nordic walking trails. Those seeking a more comfortable ride can reserve a horse-drawn sleigh.
Highlights
- Unique hiking paradise with magnificent views in summer and winter; ideal access via mountain railways.
- Night-time sledge rides (Rigi Kulm–Staffel) and skiing (Rigi Kaltbad) on illuminated pistes (on Fridays during winter).
- Europe's first rack-and-pinion railway, opened in 1871; nostalgic steam train trips are available from Vitznau.
- Rigi Kaltbad, a car-free resort.
In a majestic setting where three lakes meet, easily reached by rack-and-pinion railway or aerial cableway, with a panoramic view of the highest Alpine peaks and a varied range of leisure activities - no wonder the Rigi is Switzerland's most popular mountain for excursions.
The Rigi, also known as the Queen of Mountains, towers majestically between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz. It attains its highest point on the Rigi-Kulm (1,797 meters above sea level), where visitors can admire a magnificent panorama over Lake Lucerne and the nearby Alps, and northwards to the Mittelland.
As long ago as the 18th century, the Rigi's unique location made it famous throughout Europe as a destination for travellers. To some extent, it was one of the pioneer mountains of Alpine tourism. No less a person than Queen Victoria was even carried up the peak in a sedan-chair. The 19th century saw spa assembly rooms and fashionable hotels opening one after another in Kaltbad, Rigi Kulm and on the Scheidegg, with later additions above the monastery at Klösterli and on the Staffelhöhe. The modern era of mass tourism dawned in 1871 with the construction of the Vitznau-Rigi Railway, which went down in history as Europe's first mountain railway, and the Arth-Rigi Railway in 1875.
Several trains dating back to the early days still operate today when public nostalgia trips are scheduled on weekends between July and September. On one journey up the mountain, these lovingly restored steam locomotives dating back more than 100 years use up about 500 kg of coal and 2,200 litres of water. Together with the modern panoramic aerial cableway from Weggis, the Rigi railways carry 600,000 passengers up the mountain each year. The range of leisure activities and events in summer as well as winter is constantly being expanded.
Summer
the Rigi is known as a classical paradise for hikers, with over 100 km of hiking paths and 15 km of Nordic walking trails. On the routes between Rigi-Kulm, Staffelhöhe, Kaltbad, Scheidegg and Klösterli, hikers are sure to enjoy spectacular plunging views over the lakes and the Mittelland. The railways can easily cope with major differences in height. Adults and youngsters alike flock to «Rigiland» in Kaltbad where they will find a large children's playground, the Wildmannli or Little Wild Men's Trail, a mini-golf course, picnic area and a natural pool with a Kneipp spa facility. The Rigi steam rail trips can be combined with a steamer voyage on Lake Lucerne for a truly wonderful experience.
Winter
the Rigi is a sunlit isle floating above the sea of mist during winter. At these rarefied heights, visitors can choose from a wide range of winter sports: 4 ski lifts with 9 km of ski and snowboard pistes, an airboard piste, 7 km of sledge runs, a 14 km panoramic ski run from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg along the route of the former narrow-gauge railway, and 35 km of prepared winter hiking paths, snowshoe and Nordic walking trails. Those seeking a more comfortable ride can reserve a horse-drawn sleigh.
As long ago as the 18th century, the Rigi's unique location made it famous throughout Europe as a destination for travellers. To some extent, it was one of the pioneer mountains of Alpine tourism. No less a person than Queen Victoria was even carried up the peak in a sedan-chair. The 19th century saw spa assembly rooms and fashionable hotels opening one after another in Kaltbad, Rigi Kulm and on the Scheidegg, with later additions above the monastery at Klösterli and on the Staffelhöhe. The modern era of mass tourism dawned in 1871 with the construction of the Vitznau-Rigi Railway, which went down in history as Europe's first mountain railway, and the Arth-Rigi Railway in 1875.
Several trains dating back to the early days still operate today when public nostalgia trips are scheduled on weekends between July and September. On one journey up the mountain, these lovingly restored steam locomotives dating back more than 100 years use up about 500 kg of coal and 2,200 litres of water. Together with the modern panoramic aerial cableway from Weggis, the Rigi railways carry 600,000 passengers up the mountain each year. The range of leisure activities and events in summer as well as winter is constantly being expanded.
Summer
the Rigi is known as a classical paradise for hikers, with over 100 km of hiking paths and 15 km of Nordic walking trails. On the routes between Rigi-Kulm, Staffelhöhe, Kaltbad, Scheidegg and Klösterli, hikers are sure to enjoy spectacular plunging views over the lakes and the Mittelland. The railways can easily cope with major differences in height. Adults and youngsters alike flock to «Rigiland» in Kaltbad where they will find a large children's playground, the Wildmannli or Little Wild Men's Trail, a mini-golf course, picnic area and a natural pool with a Kneipp spa facility. The Rigi steam rail trips can be combined with a steamer voyage on Lake Lucerne for a truly wonderful experience.
Winter
the Rigi is a sunlit isle floating above the sea of mist during winter. At these rarefied heights, visitors can choose from a wide range of winter sports: 4 ski lifts with 9 km of ski and snowboard pistes, an airboard piste, 7 km of sledge runs, a 14 km panoramic ski run from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg along the route of the former narrow-gauge railway, and 35 km of prepared winter hiking paths, snowshoe and Nordic walking trails. Those seeking a more comfortable ride can reserve a horse-drawn sleigh.
Highlights
- Unique hiking paradise with magnificent views in summer and winter; ideal access via mountain railways.
- Night-time sledge rides (Rigi Kulm–Staffel) and skiing (Rigi Kaltbad) on illuminated pistes (on Fridays during winter).
- Europe's first rack-and-pinion railway, opened in 1871; nostalgic steam train trips are available from Vitznau.
- Rigi Kaltbad, a car-free resort.
Arrival and return Rigi
Adresse
Gäste-Service Rigi
Bahnhofstrasse 7
6410 Vitznau
Tel. +41 (0)41 399 87 87
welcome@rigi.ch
www.rigi.ch
Bahnhofstrasse 7
6410 Vitznau
Tel. +41 (0)41 399 87 87
welcome@rigi.ch
www.rigi.ch
