Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus

Took the boat across Lucerne Lake to Mount Rigi. Hot day and it was already 5 PM at the time so we decided to take the lift most of the way up. We planned on camping on the top or close to it. We bought spaghetti and bad sauce. Made a bowl out of a sprite bottle. The view was incredible. At dusk, we hiked down about 500 feet and pitched camp among the cows grazing in the fields. Free Sleeping! We heard cow bells till we went to sleep and again when we awoke. Continued hiking all the way down but a different way to another town. Caught the next boat and cruised to Mt. Pilatus. Decided to buy the round trip pass which takes the cog railway to the top and gondolas down the other side. Incredible. At the top we shared a weinerschnitzel and got drinks. Took a 40-minute hike on a paved path to another peak. Took a crazy gondola ride halfway down to the luge rides. It was like a toboggan run and then you get pulled back up to the top. Started to rain. Packed up and got on the next lift which was like a ski lift. It took us to another little town just outside of Lucerne. Left by bus back to Lucerne.

The final hike up to the summit of Mount Rigi

Taking the boat across Lucerne Lake to Mount Rigi

Triangulation structure on top of Mount Rigi

Dinner on the summit

Cows on the trail while hiking down Mount Rigi

Sunset from Mount Rigi

Planning our route while waiting for the sun to drop

Hidden camping spot below Mount Rigi summit

Eating at summit of Mount Pilatus

Cog railway up Mount Pilatus with the true summit above the buildings

Hiking the ridge of Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus Cog Railway

View down from Mount Pilatus

Hiking down Mount Rigi

Going up Mount Pilatus

Cog railway going through rock tunnels

Mount Pilatus ridgeline

Coming down the trams on the back side of Pilatus

Finishing the route down Pilatus with a luge ride

Mount Rigi is known as the "Queen of the Mountains." At an elevation of 5,895 feet, it stands beautifully tall above Lake Lucerne. The mountain is easily accessible by public transportation and offers many activities year round. In summer it's mostly hiking on the dozens of trails up and around the mountain. In winter, there is downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice-rinks, horse sleigh rides, etc. Below the summit area, you can enjoy the views while eating at one of several restaurants. To reach the mountain summit, we had to take a lake steamer, a gondola, a cog-railway and a hike!

The mountain is well developed and is basically an extension of the local towns as there are many trams and railways accessing the summit. The steepest cogwheel railway in the world at 48% has been heading up it's slopes since 1889. On top is a small village full of shops, food courts and a hotel. There are many paved tourist trails and a network of dirt trails all around the mountain, including a big toboggan run on the north side. This mountain is much more rugged than Mount Rigi with more spectacular trails and hiking.

Winter Map of Mt. Rigi

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