Mt. Rigi

Summary: ~1hr from zurich, stroller-friendly, several restaurants at top and along path, short and long hiking options back down the mountain

Fun, close, and easy! Luzern has two main peaks, Pilatus (west side) and Rigi (east side), both accessible by a combination of cogwheel trains and gondolas. We went to Rigi, which is less well-known than Piltus, but still has amazing panoramic views. We picked up the cogwheel train in Vitznau, which took us to the top in about 45 mins. It was a great outing for kids: the train ride was exciting because the climb is so steep and there's plenty of room to run around once you get on the mountain. And there's a cafeteria at the top for snacks. There is a short, easy, paved trail circling the top. You can also walk down to the next train stop or all the way to the bottom. It costs about 32CHF round trip (w/half fare card). It's best to go in the early morning because the top often gets covered with clouds around noon. You can check the conditions on the website with their live webcam. It's a great place to take visitors and pretty with easy with kids too.


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Drive to Vitznau and ride the cogwheel trail to the top. Here we are at Vitznau where the cogwheel train departs. You can also take a gondola from Weggis or a different cogwheel train from Goldnau. But we always take this one.


It's not so much a "trail" at the top, but a paved path to walk around the top lookout area.


There are a couple silly photo opps at the top. I find them irresistible, don't you think?


the view toward Zurich overlooking Zugersee


You can climb up some sort of radio/weather tower and get a bit of a higher view.


Here's the trail down to the next train stop, paved, pretty short, a bit steep in parts.


there are friendly goats and cows along the trail

The restaurant at the top is self-serve and the options are the typical swiss combo of below average and expensive. The kiosk near the train stop has some decent budget options, like hot dogs, bratwurst, and ice cream better for kids. I'd eat there if I were you.


One time we walked from the top down to the Rigi Kaltbad station (about 1hr) and ate at the Alpina restaurant near the station. It was pretty good and very traditional with yummy rösti with fried eggs (shown below). I'd go there again.