MT RIGI RAILWAY
Original Scenic Steam Rail Ride on Lake Lucerne
Mt Rigi in central
Switzerland looking over the eastern shore of Lake Lucerne may be one
the world’s first international tourist attractions
of the age of steam. It was the first mountain destination to have a
cog railway, opened in 1871. Mark Twain added to Mt Rigi’s world
reknown when he wrote of his visit in his book “A Tramp Abroad”.
Twain and his book agent could have ridden in the train, but decided
to hike up the mountain. A guide book had reported it was a three hour
hike. 
It took Mark Twain three days – either leading one to take
what one reads in guidebooks – or on a travel guide website – with
a grain of healthy skepticism or begin your hike before 3 in the afternoon
as the author apparently found himself waking up well afternoon everyday.
Twain reported of the beauty of the views of blue lakes, green valleys
and snowy mountains as a “magnificent picture three hundred miles
in circumference”. The Mt Rigi Railway or aerial cable car now
makes the trip much shorter and far less strenuous.
There
are two rail routes to the summit of Mt Rigi. By modern cog wheel train
from Goldau
on the main rail line or the original Mt Rigi bahn
cog railway in operation since the days of Mark Twain. Mt Rigi Railway
called the Queen of the Mountains (Königen der Berge) departs from
the town of Vitznau on the shore of Lake Lucerne where one can arrive
by Lucerne lake steamer (see Cruising Lake Lucerne). The ride in vintage
19th Century “Belle
Epoch” rail cars wind up the steep slope of the mountain, taking
30 minutes to the first resort of Rigi Kaltbad and another 30 minutes
to the Rigi Kulm summit.
In
the summer months, from June to September, and a few months in winter
it is possible to entirely recreate
the experience of the golden age with the car push by the original steam
engine. No. 7. Built in 1873 by the Swiss Locomotive and Engine Works
of Winterthur, No 7 began its service in 1873. Once retired and placed
on display at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne (see Swiss
Transport Museum) the old time unique steam engine has been
refurbished to once again puff up the steep hill. If the steam engine
isn’t running
electric engines push the vintage cars from the Vitznau station turntable
to the top.
Mt Rigi is
a popular spot for day excursions of hiking with 50 miles of trails
and foot paths, in both summer and winter. There is skiing
in the winter at Gratalp in Kigi Kaltbad, with night skiing and sledding,
and toboggans at the Rigi Kulm top station. Mt. Rigi was well known to
international travelers in days past, though perhaps less so today. The
majority of visitors to Mt. Rigi are Swiss, with Vitznau reachable from
Lucerne by boat (see William
Tell Express) or Goldau from Zurich by train
in an hour. There are a number of lodging options for a trip up Mt
Rigi.
The Rigi
Kulm
Hotel at the summit offers 360 degree views and sun terraces. The Rigi
Hostellerie hotel or Edelweiss
Hotel at Rigi Kaltbad are modest cost options. The
Rigi Hostellerie is of modern construction with swimming pools and recreation
opportunities.
If following the footsteps of the American humorist, stop
for a drink in the Mark Twain's Bar. The Mt Rigi aerial cable station
is steps from the hotel, a panoramic cable ride down to the lake at Weggis,
called the Riviera of Lake Lucerne for its mild climate and lakeshore
lifestyle. There are many hotels in Weggis. Stay where Mark Twain once
stayed on Lake Lucerne at the Park
Hotel Weggis, now a 5 star
luxury hotel. If the luxury
Park Hotel is too pricey, in Weggis are a number of lakeshore hotels
(see Post
Hotel Weggis) ranging in price, though more expensive
in the summer high season. In Weggis or Vitznau there is camping, or
you can even sleep
in a farm barn on straw.
Taking Mt Rigi Railway
Tickets to ride the Mt Rigi Railway range from 18 Euro to 40 Euro (29 chf to 60 chf) depending on how far you ride, one way or return. The route is free with a Swiss Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass (see Swiss Pass Value), and half price with a Eurail Pass, Swiss Half Price Card or European Interrail Pass. Those staying overnight at a hotel on Mt Rigi get a 50% discount on the rail or aerial cable. © Bargain Travel Europe
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Mt Rigi Bahn
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may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
SEE
ALSO:
MOUNT PILATUS - STEEPEST COG TRAIN
MT. TITLIS ROTAIR - ROTATING AERIAL CABLE
