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

On the "Jubilee Trail" from Sargans to Flums in the Seez Valley

Sunday November 7, 2021 -- After Saturday's "strenuous" hike in the Calanca Valley (photos here), we were going to do something "easy": A hike in eastern Switzerland in the Seez River Valley near the valley bottom, mostly through the autumn-painted forests along wide forestry roads and certainly without snow. It was one of two options for this day, and having gotten my map information mixed up, this hike, with its many uphill and downhill sections, ended up with almost as much total ascent as the mountain hike we did the day before! Furthermore, the long straight forestry road sections were too monotonous for me, and this hike made me much more tired.

When we were in this area in March this year, we learned about a ca. 13km-long themed trail between Sargans and Flums called the "Jubilee Trail" (Jubiläumsweg), created in 2015 to commemorate 1250 years (!!!) of settlement of the Sargans/Mels/Flums region of the Seez Valley. All along the trail are information placards describing the families, industries, and religion that shaped this region. It turned out to be over four hours of hiking once again, and even though we mostly had sunshine, there was a cold wind blowing, which is always tough for me (too warm in the wind-protected areas, too cold in the open, jacket on / jacket off!). The best part of the hike was at the very end when we got a full view of the always magnificent Churfirsten mountain range, with the St.Georgen's Chapel (ca. 11th Century) prominently perched above a vertical cliff as a foreground for this picturesque scene.

(Photos of our hike to the St.Georgen's Chapel can be viewed HERE)

Always a nice view of the Churfirsten mountains as we make our way along Lake Walensee toward Sargans in the Seez Valley

From the train station in Sargans, we walked toward the old town, which is located below the beautiful castle

Sargans Castle is the dominant landmark in this valley. The tower is the oldest part of the castle and dates from the 11th century. Residence buildings were added in 1240, but these collapsed in an earthquake in 1459, and were rebuilt in 1509.

Protestant church in Sargans, built 1708 (this is the date carved into the lintel over the main door). We did not go in because, being Sunday, there was a service in progress. 

Almost all the buildings (121) in the original old town of Sargans burned to the ground in a fire of 1811, so these "rebuilt" buildings are fairly "young". 

Going up to the castle to get a view before heading out on our hike toward Flums

A painted family crest inside the castle, date on the painting is 1581

View over the old town of Sargans (NW, in the direction we are headed). This area was settled already over 1200 years ago

View down the Seez Valley to the South over the newer and main part of the city of Sargans. The mountains on the left are called the Rätikon, and form the border with Liechtenstein

Heading out to walk the "Jubiläumsweg", created in 2015 to mark the 1250-year Jubilee of the settlement of this area

The Jubilee Trail from Sargans to Flums is about 13 km long. There was a lot of up and down along this trail, so in total we "ascended" over 500m, almost like one of our mountain hikes!

There were a lot of wide forest roads which I find hard to walk uphill on, but one good thing about this hike is that we were able to enjoy possibly the last of the nice autumn colours

Along the way there were many such placards which informed us about the history of the region

A popular trail. We met quite a few people along the way

A nice view of the farmlands of the Seez Valley, and the Churfirsten mountains in the background.

Small uphill sections like this are strangely most difficult for me!

The sections on small trails and over bridges are our favourites

Several bridges through the forest

A pleasant walk through the autumn forest

The trail alternated between forest sections and along pastures

Attractive open pastureland, backed by the Pizol Massif (I think). Side note: We have not yet been on the Pizol massif because there is a popular 5-lake trail there that everyone wants to walk. Too many people for us!

The final section of the Jubilee trail was the most interesting

Coming down the final stretch of the Jubilee Trail. From here one we had the most magnificent backdrop of the Churfirsten moutains. 

A large open pasture area with sheep, horses and donkeys. This was a nice section of the trail. 

Obviously it's not only the goats that like to follow Urs!

Down in the flat valley bottom, a look South at the wonderful snow-capped peaks in the afternoon sunshine!

And ahead of us, the stunning peaks of the Churfirsten mountains. In August we did a two-day hike along the section where the white band is (Pictures are HERE)

Final section walking toward Flums (on the left outside the photo) with the Churfirsten mountains in the background. 

Lots of opportunity to marvel at the St.Georgens' Chapel on its hill. We were up there in June of this year, photos are HERE.

Another different view-point of St.Georgenberg

Crossing the Seez Canal to the train station in Flums

We still had about 20 minutes to wait for the train, so I walked along the canal some more until I got a good look at the ruins of the Gräppling Fortress, which belong to the city of Flums

The Gräppling Fortress was built about 800 years ago for the knights who were in charge of overseeing this region. It is possible to visit these ruins, but we didn't have time for that. Another day!

This is the view of St.Georgen which we usually see when we pass here by train!

On this day we walked about 13 kilometers between Sargans and Flums. This year 2021 we did four hikes in this area, five if you count the 2-day hike from the Palfris Plateau to Walenstadtberg!

The view of the mountains was also magnificent on the way home (along Lake Zurich....)

On the way home we changed trains in Thalwil. The air was so clear and the mountains looked so close! Many people were taking photos of this magnificent view...

The magnificent Glarner Alps as seen from the pedestrian bridge at the Thalwil train station. 

A final look at the mountains beyond Lake Zürich before we head into the tunnel in Horgen on the final stretch home. I'm not 100% sure, but those might be the Churfirsten mountains from their back side...