Rigi Lake View Walk

From Rigi Kulm, the route leads almost entirely downhill, with sweeping views of Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and the Swiss Plateau. At Känzeli, the view drops steeply to the lake below.

The cogwheel railways from Vitznau and Goldau provide access to the starting point at Rigi Kulm, which is also the highest point on the route at around 1,750 m. From the outset, the panorama extends across the Swiss Plateau to the Vosges, with Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug far below.

The broad hiking trail leads almost continuously downhill across open meadows and pastures. Via Rigi Staffel and Staffelhöhe, it steadily loses elevation without any long uphill sections. Känzeli is reached after a little over an hour. Queen Victoria visited this viewpoint in 1868; today, a barbecue area and seating provide a place to pause above Lake Lucerne.

From Känzeli, the trail continues downhill to Rigi Kaltbad. Shortly before the destination, the rock chapel of St. Michael stands directly beside the route. It became a place of pilgrimage because of a legend and is considered worthy of protection. A little further on, the high-level hike ends at the Rigi Kaltbad-First stop, with connections from here to Vitznau and Weggis.