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Intro

This route is very popular with hikers of all ages. From the Rigi Kulm upper station, the gentle descent to Rigi Kaltbad takes just over an hour. This high-altitude hike offers magnificent views over the Swiss Plateau, reaching as far as the Black Forest and the Vosges mountains.

Description

Before setting off on the hike, we recommend that you walk the last few metres from the Rigi Kulm upper station up to the peak. From up here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view – and you’ll learn why the Rigi is considered to be a mountain with one of the most beautiful Alpine panoramas. The view extends across Lake Zug, the two Mythen mountains, Lake Lauerz and other peaks and valleys in Schwyz and Uri, as well as the Titlis glacier and deep into the Bernese Oberland, as far as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – for a simply impressive landscape!

After this awe-inspiring panorama and probably a few new photos, the hike can begin. The classic Rigi hike leads gently downhill – first on the road and later on a pleasant gravel path. You’ll pass the pretty mountain chapel – which incidentally can also be booked as a wedding venue – as well as grazing cows and alpacas. After around 20 minutes, we recommend making a first culinary stop at the Lok 7 restaurant. The hike then continues past the Rotstock, where you can turn off to a beautiful covered barbecue area, and then on to Rigi Staffelhöhe. The Kräuterhotel Edelweiss can also be found here, and is known for its hospitality and excellent natural cuisine. 

The last third of the hike is also impressive. The path now leads across a large meadow and past beautiful benches to the Gratweg barbecue area. Here, or at the latest at the Känzeli viewpoint, it’s worth taking another break – with or without a barbecue. Queen Victoria of England praised the majestic panoramic view when she visited this location back in 1868. 

Now there are just a few metres left before you’ll reach the modern, spacious village square in Rigi Kaltbad and the upper station of the same name. If you like, you can extend your stay with a visit to the famous Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad or even an overnight stay in one of the hotels. At the Hotel Rigi Kaltbad or the Hotel Alpina, for example.

Getting there: For example, with the historic cogwheel railway from Goldau or with state-of-the-art articulated railcars from Vitznau - the first mountain railway in Europe.
Thanks to the invention of engineer Niklaus Riggenbach in 1871, guests can now experience over 150 years of railway history in one day with the Rigi Crossing. All current timetables here.

Tip: Travelling from Vitznau to Lucerne or Brunnen by boat. 

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start Point
Rigi Kulm
Target Point
Rigi Kaltbad
Altitude (meter above sea level)
1749 m
Ascent
18 m
Descent
329 m
Distance
4 km
Duration
1 h
Season
All year
Theme
With panoramic view

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Contact

Rigi Bahnen AG
Bahnhofstrasse 7
6354  Vitznau
Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)41 399 87 87
Mobile phone  +41 (0)41 399 87 87
Fax +41 (0)41 399 87 00
welcome@rigi.ch
rigi.ch

Quick Facts

Route number

Distance

4 km

Duration

1 h

Ascent

18 m

Travel information: Vitznau

Current Offers

  • Vitznau Breakfast picnic on the Rigi

    Enjoy a delicious breakfast picnic with your companion on the Rigi above Lake Lucerne. Regional... from CHF 120
    Offer details


    valid: 01.04.2025 - 12.03.2026

    Learn more about Breakfast picnic on the Rigi
  • Vitznau Sledding Rigi day ticket incl. train ticket

    The day pass gives you unlimited access to the toboggan runs on the Rigi. Bring your own sled or... from CHF 78
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 31.12.2025

    Learn more about Sledding Rigi day ticket incl. train ticket
  • Vitznau Chocolate fondue on the Rigi

    Travel to Mount Rigi with your companion and enjoy a delicious chocolate fondue. While you let the... from CHF 99
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 31.05.2025

    Learn more about Chocolate fondue on the Rigi
  • Vitznau Rigi Ski Day Pass

    Enjoy the ultimate ski fun on the Rigi – the Queen of the Swiss mountains. With this day pass, you... from CHF 78
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 31.12.2025

    Learn more about Rigi Ski Day Pass
  • Vitznau Beer picnic on the Rigi

    Travel to Mount Rigi with your companion and enjoy a delicious beer picnic. The tasting of... from CHF 99
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 31.10.2025

    Learn more about Beer picnic on the Rigi
  • Emmetten Stockhütte Ticket from Emmetten

    The 6-person cable car takes you from Emmetten to the Stockhütte mountain station, overcoming 500... from CHF 24
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 09.09.2025

    Learn more about Stockhütte Ticket from Emmetten
  • Emmetten "Thermal flight" paragliding Lake Lucerne from Emmetten

    Your thermal flight lasts about 20-40 minutes and starts at Kulm Niederbauen at 1575 m above sea... from CHF 240
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 12.03.2026

    Learn more about "Thermal flight" paragliding Lake Lucerne from Emmetten
  • Emmetten Niederbauen-Emmetten Paragliding Tandem

    Experience a tandem paragliding flight from Niederbauen with a magnificent view over Lake Lucerne.... from CHF 185
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 31.12.2025

    Learn more about Niederbauen-Emmetten Paragliding Tandem
  • Arth-Goldau Rigi Paragliding Tandem Flight from Arth-Goldau

    Experience a tandem flight from the Rigi. Experience new dimensions with your pilot and enjoy the... from CHF 225
    Offer details


    valid: 15.03.2025 - 12.03.2026

    Learn more about Rigi Paragliding Tandem Flight from Arth-Goldau