Rigi
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Lucerne railway station & On the boat
With this exciting knowledge in our luggage, we set off to explore the Queen of the Mountains - the Rigi. Our day begins in Lucerne at the main railway station, where we first board the boat. Even from the water, the imposing silhouette of the Rigi, which towers high above Lake Lucerne, is impressive. The morning is still cool, but the bright sun promises a warm, pleasant day. Some tourists share our anticipation on board, but they probably don't realise how much technology is behind a cogwheel railway and how essential a small throttle can be.
After a relaxing boat trip, we reach Vitznau. It's only a few steps from the landing stage to the cogwheel railway stop. On the way, we take a curious look into the hall where more trains are parked. Some of them are older models that exude the charm of days gone by. Two of the new carriages are coupled together at the small station, ready to take guests disembarking from the boat to Mount Rigi.
In the cog railway
We hurry because the train is already ready to depart. The interior of the carriage is reminiscent of a classic train: 4 and 6-seater compartments offer space, and there is even an option to take bicycles with you. As soon as the train starts moving, a fantastic panorama opens up: the glistening Lake Lucerne spreads out below us, Lucerne and the majestic Pilatus are clearly visible. The snow-covered peaks of the Alps also catch the eye - a breathtaking sight.
Tradition - the cogwheel railway up the Rigi
The cogwheel railway from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm climbs an impressive 1,235 metres in altitude and is a technical masterpiece with a long history. The engineer Niklaus Riggenbach introduced the first rack-and-pinion system back in 1871, creating the oldest mountain railway in Europe. Originally operated by steam locomotives, the railway mastered the enormous gradients safely and reliably, just as it does today. The secret lies in the specially developed drive: a cogwheel engages precisely with the rack of the railway, enabling precise and controlled movement.
In 2022, the railway received a modern upgrade: new carriages were fitted with innovative throttles from the manufacturer Bächli. These sophisticated systems optimally regulate the drive power and ensure efficiency and longevity, even under the extreme conditions of the steep mountain route. The rack railway thus impressively combines historical engineering with modern technology.
On the Rigi
The journey flies by and we soon arrive at Rigi Kulm. Now it's time to take a deep breath and walk the last few metres to the summit. The effort is rewarded: the view is simply overwhelming! The Alps rise majestically to the south, while the Mittelland extends to the Jura to the north. To the west, Lake Lucerne glistens, and to the east, the view glides over Lake Zug. The summit was busy, but there was a peaceful atmosphere - a mixture of wonder and awe of nature, while in the background you can hear the quiet bustle of the cog railway welcoming new guests. The importance of the railway and its technology becomes even clearer, as this journey would not be possible without the precise engineering.
A hike along the cogwheel tracks
After arriving at the Rigi Kulm, where we were greeted by a breathtaking panorama, we decided to walk part of the route to enjoy the marvellous view even more. The paths were wide and well-maintained, so we were able to hike through the beautiful landscape at a relaxed pace. Meanwhile, some distance away, the cog railway that had previously taken us up the mountain pulled leisurely towards the valley - a fascinating sight.
Our first stop took us to Rigi Staffel, where we took a break for a delicious lunch. From the terrace, we had a marvellous view of the snow-covered Alps, which made the meal a special experience.
After our refreshments, we explored the surrounding area and came across a railway crossing. Here we had the opportunity to take a close look at the rails and the rack and pinion system. It was impressive how precisely this system is designed. Just at that moment, a rack railway approached, smoothly and powerfully ascending the steep hill. The sight was impressive proof of the technical perfection and reliability of the rack and pinion system - a successful combination of the art of engineering and the experience of nature.
From Rigi Staffel to Rigi Staffelhöhe, we hiked along the cogwheel railway. On one side, the railway tracks accompanied us, while on the other side a steep rock face fell away into the depths. The view was simply spectacular.
We reached our personal highlight at Känzeli, a viewpoint that completely enchanted us. From a small platform, we had an unrivalled view of large parts of Lake Lucerne, the city of Lucerne, the imposing Pilatus and the surrounding countryside. We took our time to enjoy the scenery to the full and captured the view in a few photos.
Finally, we hiked on to Rigi Kaltbad-First. By now it was busier, but the atmosphere remained relaxed.
Just as we arrived at the station, a train pulled in from the valley and stopped right in front of us. We discovered an interesting detail: each railway had its own name. We later learnt that these names are dedicated to personalities who were once on Mount Rigi and either shaped or praised the region in particular - a nice piece of history.
Soon after, our cable car arrived, we boarded and looked back one last time at the majestic backdrop of Mount Rigi before the doors closed and the cable car slowly rolled downhill.
Departure and return journey to Lucerne
It is fascinating to watch how the track travels downhill safely and in a controlled manner thanks to the rack and pinion system. The throttles also do a valuable job here by absorbing excess energy and thus ensuring smooth braking. The descent was equally impressive as the track dissipated the excess energy through the throttles, ensuring a steady speed. Thanks to this technology, the descent felt safe and comfortable - a testament to the engineering skill behind this system.
Back in Vitznau, we change to the boat, which takes us comfortably to Lucerne. The sun shines over Lake Lucerne as the Rigi slowly disappears into the background. The combination of nature, modern technology and a seamless public transport system makes the trip to the Rigi a highlight that you won't forget in a hurry.
