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The Mount Rigi Panorama Trail is one of the easiest ways to enjoy wide-open mountain views in Central Switzerland without committing to a demanding Alpine hike. The trail itself is straightforward, but choosing the right starting point and understanding the mountain trains and cable cars can make planning more confusing than expected.
We hiked the route during our Switzerland trip and loved how relaxed it felt while still delivering almost constant views along the way. It’s a great choice if you want a scenic half-day hike on your itinerary, but the direction you walk and how you plan your return transport can make a noticeable difference to the experience.
Key Highlights
📍Start of trail: Rigi Kulm
🥾Distance: 8.2 km
🕥 Duration: 3 h (6-7 h in total with stops)
⛰️ Elevation gain: 350 m up, 450 m down
⬆️ Maximum elevation: 1798 m
🔥 Difficulty: easy / moderate
⭐️ Trail type: one-way trail
Why We Think This Hike Is Worth It
What we loved most about this hike was how much scenery it delivered without feeling demanding. We could actually slow down, look around, and enjoy the views instead of watching every step or pushing through a steep climb.
The trail follows an easy route with wide-open views over the surrounding mountains and lakes for much of the way.
It’s a hike we’d recommend to people who want to experience the Swiss mountains but are not looking for a serious Alpine challenge.
Mount Rigi Panorama Trail Hiking Map
Good to know: The official Rigi Panorama Trail starts at Rigi Kaltbad. Our route begins at Rigi Kulm, adding the summit, Rigi Rotstock and more downhill lake views before joining the panorama route towards Rigi Scheidegg.
Which Direction Is Best?
We recommend hiking from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Scheidegg. In this direction, most of the route is downhill, with only a few shorter climbs, so the hike feels much more relaxed.
It also works better logistically. You begin at the highest point, enjoy the lake and mountain views almost immediately, and finish directly beside the cable car at Rigi Scheidegg, which takes you back to Kräbel.
Walking in the opposite direction would mean considerably more uphill hiking, including the long climb towards Rigi Kulm.
We’d only choose that direction if you specifically want a more demanding route.
When to hike Mount Rigi Panorama Trail
We’d choose late spring to early autumn, when the trail is more likely to be snow-free and the mountain transport runs on its fuller seasonal timetable.
The route can also be walked in winter when conditions allow, but snow may temporarily close parts of the trail or affect the cable cars, so always check the current operating status before setting off. Cliff Walk is usually closed when there’s snow and ice.
We also recommend starting in the morning. The hike feels much more relaxed when you have enough time to stop for photos and breaks without constantly checking whether you’ll catch the last cable car back down.
Getting to the Trailhead
Although the hike itself starts at Rigi Kulm, the easiest way to complete this route by car (see more about renting a car in Switzerland) is to begin and end your journey in Kräbel.
From here, you take the cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm, hike to Rigi Scheidegg, and return directly to Kräbel by cable car.
Getting There by Public Transport
Take a regular train to Arth-Goldau, then walk a few minutes to the Rigi Bahnen station. From there, take the cogwheel train directly to Rigi Kulm.
After completing the hike, take the cable car from Rigi Scheidegg down to Kräbel and continue by cogwheel train back to Arth-Goldau. This makes the entire route easy to complete without a car.
Parking at Kräbel
We parked beside the Kräbel–Rigi Scheidegg cable car station and had no trouble finding a space. The parking area isn’t huge, but it wasn’t full when we arrived. Officially, several uncovered parking spaces are available beside the cable-car valley station.
You can pay at the parking machine or use the EasyPark app.
If the Kräbel parking area is full, you can park around Arth-Goldau instead. Take the cogwheel train directly to Rigi Kulm, complete the hike, descend from Rigi Scheidegg to Kräbel by cable car, and then take the train back down to Arth-Goldau.
The large Goldau A4 parking area is located directly beside the Rigi railway line, making this a practical backup option.
Timetables
In summer 2026 until October 18, the cogwheel train departs Goldau approximately every hour on x:55 with the first train departing at 7:30 and the last one at 16:55 (or 17:55 from Friday till Sunday).
The train leaves Kräbel at 7:38, and then at x:03 every hour.
The cable car from Rigi Scheidegg to Kräbel operates from 08:05 till 18:05 every 30 minutes, with the first departure at 7:45 in the morning. Additional departures from Friday till Sunday are at 18:35, 19:05 and 19:35. This is valid until December 12, 2026.
The cable car is operated automatically with no one at the bottom station.
Tickets, Passes and Costs
The transport needed for this hike includes a one-way cogwheel train from Kräbel to Rigi Kulm and a one-way cable car from Rigi Scheidegg back to Kräbel.
These are the current prices valid from June 1, 2026:
| Ticket | Adult | With Half Fare Card |
|---|---|---|
| Kräbel to Rigi Kulm cogwheel train | CHF 40 | CHF 20 |
| Rigi Scheidegg to Kräbel cable car | CHF 24 | CHF 12 |
| Total for this hiking route | CHF 64 | CHF 32 |
| Rigi Day Pass | CHF 84 | CHF 42 |
For this exact route, buying individual tickets is cheaper. The Rigi Day Pass only makes better sense if you plan to use additional trains or cable cars during the same day.
The Day Pass gives you unlimited travel for one day on the cogwheel trains from Goldau and Vitznau, as well as the cable cars from Weggis and Kräbel.
The entire route is included with a valid Swiss Travel Pass or GA Travelcard, so you don’t need to purchase an additional Rigi ticket. Children up to and including age 15 also travel free when accompanied by an adult.
Prices can change, so we recommend checking the official Rigi website before your visit.
👉 Check the current Rigi Day Pass options →
Mount Rigi Panorama Trail Description
Distance: 8.2 km
Elevation gain: 350 m up, 450 m down
Duration: 3 hours
From Kräbel, take the cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm. You’ll then hike from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Scheidegg, where the trail ends. From Rigi Scheidegg, take the aerial cable car back down to Kräbel, bringing you conveniently back to your starting point.
This creates a simple circular trip without needing to walk the same route back.
Take the cogwheel train from Kräbel to Rigi Kulm
Our route began at Kräbel, where we boarded the cogwheel train towards Rigi Kulm. Kräbel is an intermediate stop on the Arth-Goldau–Rigi Kulm railway, so make sure you take the train heading uphill towards Rigi Kulm, not back down to Arth-Goldau.
The train ride is a relaxed start to the day, slowly climbing through forests and open mountain scenery before reaching the summit station.
We especially liked this route because the hike later finishes at Rigi Scheidegg, where the cable car takes you directly back to Kräbel. This creates a convenient loop without retracing the trail.
Always check the recent schedule and other info at rigi.ch.
Rigi Kulm to Rigi Rotstock
Rigi Kulm is the highest point, and it’s worth spending a little time here before starting the hike. There’s a viewing platform at the summit, plus a hotel where you can stop for coffee while enjoying the views.
From Rigi Kulm, the trail follows the edge of the mountain downhill towards Rigi Staffel. This was one of the most scenic parts of the route, with wide views over the surrounding lakes almost the entire way.
Although the path runs close to the edge in places, it never felt unsafe thanks to the wooden fence along the trail.
In places this hike reminded us of the much more popular Stoos Ridge Hike. This feels like a way calmer alternative.
Once you reach Rigi Staffel, we recommend taking the short detour up to Rigi Rotstock. It only adds around 10 minutes, and the views over Lake Lucerne make the extra climb completely worth it.
You can also skip this uphill section and continue directly towards Rigi First if you prefer to keep the route easier.
Rigi Rotstock to Rigi First
From Rigi Rotstock, you don’t need to retrace your steps back to Rigi Staffel. The trail continues downhill across open meadows, where you may pass grazing cows, with Rigi Kulm visible behind you in the distance. It joins the lower trail just after a few minutes.
Along the way, there’s a simple wooden shelter with benches and picnic tables. It’s a good place to take a break, have a snack, or escape the sun for a while.
We continued gently downhill until reaching Rigi First. Right beside the trail, Obere First mountain hut serves food and drinks, making it a convenient stop before continuing towards the Cliff Walk.
Cliff Walk
Soon after leaving Rigi First, the route reaches the Felsenweg, also known as the Rock Trail or Cliff Walk. This section follows the mountainside towards Rigi Scheidegg, with the rocky wall on one side and steep drop-offs with open views over Lake Lucerne on the other.
The scenery here feels completely different from the open meadows earlier on the hike, and it was one of the sections where we stopped most often for photos. There are also plenty of benches along the way, so it’s easy to slow down, take a break, and enjoy the views.
Despite its dramatic name, the path felt safe and easy to follow, although the exposed views may be uncomfortable if you’re afraid of heights.
The Cliff Walk is closed during snow, icy conditions, and thunderstorms, so check the current trail status and weather before starting the hike.
Hike to Rigi Scheidegg
From the Cliff Walk, there are two ways to continue towards Rigi Scheidegg. The easier option follows the longer trail around and below Dossen Hill, with a gentler incline and a more relaxed finish.
The second route climbs directly up Dossen Hill. It’s shorter but noticeably steeper, so it adds a bit more effort near the end of the hike.
We’d choose the longer route if you want to keep things easy, while the climb over Dossen makes more sense if you still have energy and don’t mind a final uphill section.
Once you reach Rigi Scheidegg, it’s worth allowing some time before taking the cable car down.
You’ll find a mountain restaurant serving local food, a large children’s playground, free toilets, and the Ark viewpoint with 360-degree mountain views. There’s also a covered shelter with tables and benches where you can rest or have a picnic.
Most of these facilities are within about five minutes of the cable-car station.
Cable car to Kräbel
The hike ends at Rigi Scheidegg, where the cable car takes you back down to Kräbel. After several hours on the trail, we really appreciated being able to finish the route without retracing our steps.
The ride itself is short but scenic, with open views over the surrounding mountains as you descend. We recommend checking the timetable at rigi.ch before starting the hike and keeping an eye on the last departure, especially if you stop often for photos or food along the way.
Realistic Timeline
Although the hiking time is around three hours, we’d allow roughly six to seven hours for the complete trip from Kräbel and back. This gives you enough time to enjoy Rigi Kulm, stop for photos, take breaks, and relax at Rigi Scheidegg without rushing for the last cable car.
| Part of the route | Walking time | Time we recommend allowing |
|---|---|---|
| Cogwheel train: Kräbel to Rigi Kulm | — | Around 30 minutes |
| Rigi Kulm to Rigi Rotstock | Around 45 minutes | 1.5–2 hours |
| Rigi Rotstock to Rigi First | Around 30 minutes | Around 30–45 minutes |
| Rigi First through the Cliff Walk to Unterstetten | Around 30 minutes | Around 1 hour |
| Unterstetten to Rigi Scheidegg | Around 1.5 hours | Around 2.5 hours |
| Cable Car: Rigi Scheidegg to Kräbel | – | 6 minutes |
The first section takes much longer than the walking time suggests because it’s worth exploring the viewing platform at Rigi Kulm, stopping for coffee, and enjoying the views before continuing to Rigi Rotstock.
We’d also allow extra time on the Cliff Walk, where we stopped frequently for photos and sat on the benches along the route.
The cable-car ride from Rigi Scheidegg to Kräbel takes only around six minutes, but you may need to wait for the next departure.
If you prefer hiking without constantly checking the time, start in the morning and treat this as most of a day rather than a quick three-hour walk.
An Example Itinerary
- 8:55 – 9:25 Cogwheel train ride
- 9:25-10:00 spending time at Rigi Kulm
- 10:00 – 11:30 Rigi Kulm to Rigi Rotstock
- 11:30 – 12:00 Rigi Rotstock to Rigi First
- 12:00 – 13:00 lunch time
- 13:00 – 14:00 Cliff Walk
- 14:00 – 16:30 climbing up to Rigi Scheidegg via Dossen
- 16:30 – 17:00 resting at Rigi Scheidegg
- 17:05 – take a cable car down to Kräbel
Facilities on the trail
You’re never too far from food or drinks on this route. There are several hotels, mountain huts, and restaurants along the way, so it’s easy to stop for coffee, lunch, or a quick break without carrying everything with you.
You’ll also find free toilets at the main train stations, which makes the hike much more convenient. We’d still bring enough water and a few snacks, but compared with more remote mountain trails, the facilities here are excellent.
Trail Difficulty
Overall, we’d rate the Mount Rigi Panorama Trail as an easy to moderate hike. Most of the route is downhill, with only a few shorter climbs, and the paths are generally well maintained.
It can also work well for children, as long as they’re comfortable walking for around three hours.
There’s also a useful shorter alternative if you get tired along the way.
Follow the route as far as Rigi Unterstetten, then descend to Rigi Klösterli train station and take the train back to Kräbel. This cuts out roughly 200 metres of uphill climbing and saves around one hour of hiking.
Staying on Mount Rigi
If you have enough time, spending a night on Mount Rigi makes the whole experience feel much more special. We stayed at Berggasthaus Rigi Burggeist, around a 15-minute walk from Rigi Scheidegg, right after finishing the trail.
The rooms are simple and the food is traditional mountain-style, but what made the stay stand out most was the genuinely warm welcome from the manager, Benjamin.
There’s also a large playground designed for children of different ages, which makes it a particularly good option for families.
The views alone make the overnight stay worth considering. Instead of heading straight back down, we could enjoy sunset from the mountain and wake up to sunrise the next morning.
We’d highly recommend it if you want to slow down and experience Mount Rigi beyond a quick day trip. There are a few other options, too.
👉 Check availability and current prices →
FAQs
Individual travelers do not normally need to reserve seats on the Mount Rigi trains or cable cars. You can buy tickets online or at the station, although groups of ten or more are advised to reserve in advance.
In dry weather, comfortable trainers with good grip should be enough because most of the trail is well maintained. We’d choose proper hiking shoes after rain or whenever the path may be wet, muddy, or slippery.
Large parts of the route cross open meadows and exposed mountain slopes, so there isn’t much shade. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and enough water, especially on warm summer days. There are a few shelters, restaurants, and shaded places where you can take a break.
Cows often graze in the meadows around Mount Rigi during the warmer months. Give them plenty of space, avoid walking between cows and calves, and keep dogs under control when passing through grazing areas.
The exact route described in this guide is not stroller-friendly. However, you can create a stroller-friendly alternative by skipping Rigi Rotstock, the Cliff Walk and the steeper Dossen path, and staying on the wider service roads.
Final Thoughts
The Mount Rigi Panorama Trail was exactly the kind of hike we hoped it would be—easy enough to enjoy without rushing, but scenic enough to feel rewarding from start to finish.
We’d definitely recommend hiking from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Scheidegg, as this direction keeps most of the route downhill and makes the transport much simpler.
The lake views, open meadows, Cliff Walk, and frequent places to stop made the whole day feel relaxed.
If you want a scenic Swiss hike without taking on a difficult Alpine route, this is one we’d happily recommend.