This easy trail starts at the top of Rigi Kulm and hikes partway down the mountain on a wide obstacle-free path. Along the way, you'll enjoy panorama views of Lake Lucerne and surrounding mountains.

At the halfway point, you can optionally visit the Rigi First Cliff Walk. Then walk to the Rigi Kaltbad-First station, where you can ride the mountain train back down to your starting point at Vitznau.

Trail info

The one way trail starts at Rigi Kulm and ends at the Rigi Kaltbad-First station. My trail map includes the Rigi First Cliff Walk, but if you can skip that to make the trail shorter.

Trail: easy • 2 hours • 5.8 km • 50m up, 380m down
See trail map.

Optional viewpoint: After passing the Rigi Staffel station, the panorama trail traverses the mountain to your left. If you don't mind a short climb, we suggest the short detour up to the Rigi Rotstock, a beautiful viewpoint over the cliffs down to Lake Lucerne. Then continue hiking towards First, re-joining the panorama trail right after the picnic area.

For a longer trail, see the Rigi Panorama Trail to Rigi Scheidegg.

How to get there

To reach the trail, you ride the Rigi mountain train from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm. The trail ends at the Rigi Kaltbad-First station, where you ride the mountain train back down to Vitznau.

By boat: From Lucerne, the nicest way to arrive is by boat from Lucerne, the Rigi "Classic Round Trip". Boats leave about every hour from the boat dock directly across from the Lucerne train station. You can buy a combo-ticket that includes both the boat and Rigi mountain train. See boat schedule.

By car: There is a parking garage next to the Rigi mountain train station - Seestrasse 64, 6354 Vitznau. We usually park at the parking garage a couple minutes walk away at Altdorfbachweg 6, 6354 Vitznau.

By public transport: If you are coming from elsewhere in Switzerland, you can take a train to either Küssnacht am Rigi or Arth-Goldau. Then a bus to Vitznau, Station.

Tickets

You'll need a Rigi day pass, which covers the mountain transport for the day.

Note: This excursion is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, Tell Pass, and SBB GA / Day Pass, which cover both the Rigi mountain transport and boat ride from Lucerne if you are doing that. Discount with other Swiss travel cards.

More info

Rigi website: www.rigi.ch

Conditions: Rigi live status • webcams • weather