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Question about mount Rigi

Posted by on

Hello

I am trying to understand how the option for Rigi works (we won't visit Lucern that day). I would love to include the walk from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kalbalt too. Is this how I should organise my day?

  1. Train from Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne (2h 20min)

  2. Scenic boat from Lucerne to Vitznau (1h 10min)

  3. Cogwheel Train from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm (30 min)

  4. Hike to Rigi Kaltbad (1h, mostly downhill???) for scenic views. Better to hike from Kulm to Kaltbad or the other way?

This is where I am confused. What is the best and nicest way to go back to the train station? Is Rigi Kaltbad going back to Arth-Goldau or only to Weggis? =

  1. Cogwheel Train from Rigi Kaltbad to Arth-Goldau (30 min) or the cable car from Rigi Kaltbad to Weggis and then the ferry from Weggis back to Lucerne.

  2. Train from Arth-Goldau to Lucerne (45 min)

  3. Train from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen (2h 20min)

Thanks a million

Posted by
1022 posts

It is downhill from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad. We found it hard on our knees, so we hopped on the train partway down (at Rigi Staffel) to take us the rest of the way to Rigi Kaltbad. But if your knees are okay you won't have any problem.

From Rigi Kaltbad, I think most people take the cable car directly to Weggis--it only takes 10 minutes and the view is amazing--and then take the ferry back to Lucerne. That's what we did.

We did it from Lucerne. It will be a very long day from Lauterbrunnen.

Posted by
128 posts

My knees are bad too :( Yes 5h return trip from Lauterbrunnen :( How long could last such a day be from Lucern, if we hike? 5 or 6h?

Posted by
22185 posts

Your travel time calculation leaves out the connecting time at Interlaken Ost, Luzern station to dock, Vitznau dock to Rigibahn. So it is really a bit over 4 1/2 hours to Rigi Kulm. Give yourself 1 hour and similar return and it is over a 10 hour day. Not too bad as it is a pleasant journey.

Posted by
128 posts

Long day.. Yes you are right.. I might have some extra delays between each train, boat etc.. :( Does your calculation include the hike.

Posted by
1 posts

Thanks Barbara N for you assessment of the hike from Rigi Klum to Rigi Kaltbad. Most of the sites that I have seen list this as any easy walk but I always take into account that the definition of easy varies and appreciate the honest assessment of someone who has done it. I'm in my mid 60s but suffered a knee cap fracture 7 yrs ago which makes me hesitant to tackle any trails that have steep descents or are extremely rocky . I can handle distance though (husband and I walked 6mi per day when we were in London last year). Does anyone have a recommendation of a "nice" hike from Rigi Klum? I'm trying to understand how that various train lines operate on Mt. Rigi. My husband is not a fan of boat rides so if possible we would like to start and stop in Arth Goldau. We're willing to back track some to get to the correct destination.

Posted by
1022 posts

Hi jen.appetta. We were in early 70s and walking 6-10 miles each day of our trip, but had to go slowly down that hill. Fortunately, our knees were ok the next day.

Posted by
331 posts

Took both routes this weekens, lots of hikers getting off/on. Sat. went from Arth Goldau, I'd suggest sitting on right side. We went down to Vitznau, and suggest right side again.

Yesterday went again, but Vitznau to Rigi Kulm, and then back. Vitznau very close to Schiffstation, note the boats are very smooth and stable. From Vitznau, you could take a bus to Brunnen HBF (40 min.), and avoid the boat.

If it's rainy, we see hikers using the railway more.

Posted by
128 posts

Thanks for all there comments. is is less crowded when you start from Arth Goldau?

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