Rigi — Local services in Arth

The Rigi (or Mount Rigi; also known as Queen of the Mountains) is a mountain massif of the Alps, located in Central Switzerland. The whole massif is almost entirely surrounded by the water of three different bodies of water: Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz. The range is in the Schwyzer Alps, and is split between the cantons of Schwyz and Lucerne, although the main summit, named Rigi Kulm, at 1,798 meters above sea level, lies within the canton of Schwyz. The Rigi Kulm Hotel, established in 1816, is located on the summit.3]

The Rigi Kulm and other areas, such as the resort of Rigi Kaltbad, are served by Europe's oldest mountain railways, the Rigi Railways. The whole area offers many activities such as skiing or sledging in the winter, and hiking in the summer.

The name Rigi is from Swiss Old High German *rigî "horizontal stratification, strip, band", from OHG rîhan "gird; pleat, string", cf. OHG rîga "row, stripe, furrow", after the horizontal rock ledges and grass strips surrounding the mountain from west to east.[4 The name is first recorded in 1350 as Riginun.

The name was interpreted as Regina montium "queen of mountains" by Albrecht von Bonstetten (1479), who however gives Rigena as alternative form.[6]

Bonstetten's interpretation as Regina was influential in the 17th century, and was still repeated in 18th-century travelogues. Karl Zay (Goldau und seine Gegend, 1807) criticized this latinization, arguing for mons rigidus instead. Later in the 19th century, many authors repeated either rigidus or regina as the name's supposed origin. The two possibilities were also adduced as explanation the name's grammatical gender alternating between masculine and feminine.[7] Brandstetter (Die Rigi, 1914) finally discredited these interpretations and established the origin in Old High German rîga (whence modern German Reihe, Reigen; cognate with English row).

There are multiple public transport options available to ascend Mt. Rigi:

By rack railway from Arth-Goldau and Vitznau, operated by the Rigi Bahnen. The Vitznau-Rigi-Bahn started operation on May 21, 1871 and was the first mountain railway in Europe. On June 4, 1875 the Arth-Rigi-Bahn was finished, allowing access from the other side of the mountain. They were electrified in 1937 and 1907 respectively, with the Arth-Rigi-Bahn becoming the first electrified standard gauge rack-railway in the world. Both lines go all the way to the summit, Rigi Kulm. By gondola lift from Weggis to Rigi-Kaltbad. By cable-car from the Kräbel station on the Arth-Rigi-Bahn line to...

Here are some popular trails:

Rigi Panorama Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Starting Point: Rigi Kaltbad Ending Point: Rigi Scheidegg Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours This trail offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. The path is relatively flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for most hikers.

Rigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad Difficulty: Easy Starting Point: Rigi Kulm Ending Point: Rigi Kaltbad Duration: 1 hour This downhill trail provides an easy hike with beautiful views. It's a great option for those who take the cogwheel train to the summit and want to enjoy a leisurely walk back to Rigi Kaltbad. The trail passes through alpine meadows and offers stunning vistas.

Rigi Classic Trail (Rigi Kulm to Vitznau) Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Starting Point: Rigi Kulm Ending Point: Vitznau Duration: 3 to 4 hours This classic trail takes you from the summit of Rigi down to the lakeside town of Vitznau. The route involves a significant descent and offers varied scenery, including forests, meadows, and panoramic views of Lake Lucerne. Proper footwear and a good level of fitness are recommended.

Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi First Difficulty: Moderate Starting Point: Rigi Kaltbad Ending Point: Rigi First Duration: 2 hours This trail provides a mix of forested paths and open meadows. It's a pleasant hike with gentle inclines and offers beautiful views along the way. It's suitable for families and those looking for a moderate hike.

Rigi Scheidegg to Rigi Kulm Difficulty: Moderate Starting Point: Rigi Scheidegg Ending Point: Rigi Kulm Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours This trail follows the ridge of the mountain and offers stunning views of both sides of Rigi. The path is well-marked and includes some moderate inclines. It’s a great option for hikers looking for a scenic route...

Amazing!

There are multiple ways you can experience Rigi in all it's glory, but I recommend a way in which you combine all the transportation modes + see all the nice views: go to Arth-Goldau via normal train, visit the beautiful town for a couple of minutes. take the mountain train from Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm. Explore Rigi and hike around. take train back on the other route, to Vitznau (spectacular views on this side!) take the boat from Vitznau to Luzern (again, spectacular views from the boat and great ride). Spend evening in Luzern. all of these are included in the GA or Swiss Pass

I have visited Rigi on 2 occasions. The first time the weather was really bad and the visibility was a few meters ahead; still it was a nice day. The second time the sky was clear and the weather was perfect and, oh boy, it's stunning! In winter it's like a fairytale setting.

Can easily be done as a day trip from Luzern or Zurich or the surrounding. Do not miss it if you have a day and the...