Sunshine and Magnificent Views above the Fog on Mt. Rigi

Thursday November 11, 2021 -- One final nice autumn day, but only above the fog. Where to go that's not too far from home? 

Directly South of us across Lake Zug is the first of the pre-alpine mountains, Mount Rigi, known far and wide as the Queen of the Mountains because of the spectacular 360-degree views you get up there. It's been a long time since we were up at the summit, and we knew we'd be in the sunshine up there, so we risked the potential crowds who always seem to go up there. As it turns out, it wasn't too bad at all.

We rode the famous cogwheel train from Arth-Goldau station to the summit (Rigi Kulm) where we first enjoyed magnificent views across northern Switzerland, the Schwyzer Alps to the East, the Bernese Alps to the Southwest, and Mt. Pilatus to the West. The only thing missing were the lakes below, which were blanketed by the cottony fog.

After an easy walk down the hill and to the top of Mt.Rotstock (another peak on this massif) we continued down to Rigi Kaltbad and slightly further to catch the other cogwheel train which provides access to this mountain, namely the Vitznau train.

We took it leisurely and enjoyed the sunshine and view. It was only a 2.5-hour hike for us, but we were glad for the opportunity to once again be up here, and on a particularly beautiful day, before the bad weather moved in again. 

A 45-minute ride with the blue cogwheel train from Arth-Goldau train station to Rigi Kulm has rewarded us with this first of many fantastic views. In the center, the snow-covered peaks are the Bernese Alps. After walking up to the Rigi Kulm Summit, we are going to walk over to that green peak on the right. It's called Rigi Rotstock. 

A favourite view and one I have photographed dozens of times: The chapel at Rigi Kulm with Mt. Pilatus in the background (another popular tourist destination)

Most of the people from our train, even the older ones, took the "Steep Trail" to the top, the one for "Athletes". We took the "Comfortable Trail", the one for old people. We got a better view that way!

From the "Old People Trail", we get to look directly into the Muotathal Valley. Down below would be Lake Lauerzersee. At least you can see the Mythen Mountains (the sharp pointed one) and behind it, the fascinating Schwyzer Alps

Panorama view of Mt.Zug on the left, and Mt.Wildspitz in the center, and behind them is Unterägeri, a little town in Canton Zug that avoids a lot of the winter fog!

Now at the very summit of Mt. Rigi, this is the view North. Normally, you would see a fairly large lake down there, Lake Zug! And the city where we live on its North bank. But the fog adds character to the photos!

Leaving the summit, we finished our loop around the Rigi Kulm Hotel to get back to the train station, and continue our walk along the mountain side. Our mid-goal is Mt. Rigi-Rotstock, the little peak in the center. 

Another view of the Schwyzer Alps (Silberen, Vreneli's Garten on the right) and the Schächentaler Windgällen range on the left. A zoomed photo this time. 

The trail below, which goes from the summit to one station down (Rigi Staffel), is one we have done many times, especially in winter, so we are going a different way, more to the left. 

We know this mountain well, and did only a leisurely walk, staying as much as possible in the sunny sections! 8 km and 2.5 hours is an afternoon stroll for us!

Heading down the easy path after some time spent at the summit (Rigi Kulm), admiring the views

No meadow flowers any more for a long time, but the silver thistles are still a welcome sight

Left-over snow from a recent snowfall. This wide road, a detour to get to Rigi Staffel, is (or used to be, not sure) a toboggan run in winter, which I once rode many years ago.

At Rigi Staffel, which is a stop on the way up to the summit from Arth Goldau on the East side of the mountain (blue train, which we came up on), is also the junction for the red Vitznau Train, which goes up to the summit from the South side of the mountain, via Rigi Kaltbad. Right now there is a special "Extra" train making the run to Rigi Kaltbad.

This is the regular Vitznau-Rigi train which does the summit run via Rigi Kaltbad. The Red Train

This is "Locomotive 7", a very special train, and the only steam-powered cog-wheel locomotive with a vertical tank IN THE WORLD still in operation! (It can be chartered for rides up this mountain!). Built in 1873, it spent the past 60 years in the transport museum in Luzern, but was returned to the Queen of the Mountains this year to celebrate 150 years of railway history on Mt.Rigi

VIDEO:

This video was sent to us by a friend who was present at the 150-year celebrations on Mt. Rigi in May 2021 when Locomotive 7 made its way up the mountain! (And yes, there was snow!)

After walking below Rigi Kulm Summit to Rigi Staffel station (where the events tent is), we walked up onto the other peak here called Rigi Rotstock

Having a coffee break at the summit of Rigi Rotstock, enjoying some more fantastic views

From the summit of Rigi Rotstock we look down at Rigi Kaltbad (below left) with its outdoor mineral pool, and the incomparable view of the Central mountains (Bürgenstock, Buochserhorn, Stanserhorn, Pilatus) and the Bernese Alps at the far back. Directly below is Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) totally covered in fog

To the East, another look at the Mythen group and the other ranges of Muotathal region. 

Heading down the mountain now toward Rigi Kaltbad. There are many such fascinating fences up here, which take a lot of effort to build!

A lovely painting on the side of a hotel in Rigi Kaltbad

The outdoor mineral pool at Rigi Kaltbad. You pay a lot to bathe here, because of the view! 

There was a train station at Rigi Kaltbad, but we wanted to walk some more. So we descended parallel to the train line here, to the next station called Romiti/Felsentor

The red Vitznau-Rigi Cogwheel Train heading uphill (the locomotive pushes the wagons here). We're catching it on its way down.

The fog has lifted above the Lake Lucerne, but there is a haze now, so the lake still isn't visible. 

We found a nice spot to enjoy the view and sunshine while waiting to catch the Vitznau-Rigi train on its way down to the lake. 

This is what our hike looked like on Google Satellite maps. All the depressions with lakes were covered in fog when we were up there!

Down at the village of Vitznau we wait for the bus. Behind are the mountains we just descended from. 

Bus stop in Weggis as we watch the boat approach from Vitznau. Most of the people in our train descending from the mountain had boarded this boat for the ride to Luzern. 

There are lots of options for walking here on this local mountain, also lots of winter trails, of which we have done a few. Several cable cars and two cog-wheel trains give access to several parts of the "massif".

THIS is the view we are supposed to have of Lake Zug, looking North from Rigi Kulm, when the lake is not covered in fog!

This is what Mt.Rigi looks like from our home in Zug. It is close by and easily accessible for us. 

Location of Mt.Rigi in Switzerland