Rigi in winter

Rigi in winter

Difficulty:
Distance: approx. 8 km
Duration: approx. 2 h
Ascent: 67 m
Descent: 658 m
Highest point: 1’749 m
Stations: Rigi Kulm – Rigi Staffel – Rigi Staffelhöhe – Chänzeli – Rigi Kaltbad – Rigi Klösterli – Rigi Fruttli
Best time to hike: December – March

Rigi was actually our plan B, made up on the spot so that the day didn’t end with just a train ride. First, we went to Unterterzen to see the Churfirsten mountain range in winter. Unfortunately, it turned out on the spot that the wind is so strong that the mountain railways are not running, and an independent climb would take too long. Therefore, there was a quick retreat and a change of plans. The first thing that came to our mind was Rigi with an overground railway.

We had a lot of train rides that day. We also learned a lesson for the future: when checking the weather forecast, pay attention not only to the temperature and possible precipitation, but also to the strength of the wind.

After arriving in Arth-Goldau, carried by strong gusts of wind, we boarded the train and travelled to the final station of Rigi Kulm. Surprisingly, despite the rather unfavourable weather conditions, there was no shortage of people willing to ride and walk.

The route itself is easy, pleasant, with beautiful views and numerous mountain pubs along the way. Many people have certainly experienced Rigi in the summer, but I encourage you to rediscover this place in winter. There is not much snow there at the moment. I think, however, that another 2 weeks at the most and you will be able to make a snowman with your children.

We were in rather special weather conditions. There was a very strong and quite warm, for this time of year, wind, which made the road icy in places. We had to be careful not to fall asleep. And this time the walking sticks came in very handy.

Of course, I don’t encourage you to hike in strong gusts of wind, but the good thing was that the wind blew away the fog and we had a beautiful view of the whole area and the snowy peaks of the Alps.

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