The Solo Scale:

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The Alps have plenty of iconic mountains to visit (Mont Blanc, for one), but outside of Lucerne, an easily reached mountain that’s a pleasant excursion is Mount Rigi, dubbed “Queen of the Mountains”. You’ve got a few options to get there.

You could drive up the winding roads with a rental car, but if you want to truly make it an experience and take the cog railway up. It departs Vitznau, which you can access by car, but you can also get there by boat from Lucerne. Sailing on Lake Lucerne in the morning is one of the prettiest and most peaceful excursions you can do.

That said, you can also access the mountain through either the mountain overpass or the tunnel. Make sure you know which one you want to take. Don’t be like my family who went through the tunnel only to realize we’d missed the pass. That meant we had to go all the way back through the tunnel to reach it (the fumes are definitely unforgettable).

If you want more information about the cog railway (definitely the preferred way to access Rigi from Vitznau, visit the website here).

It’s not much of a climb to the summit (270m!). That means you can take your time for that last climb and get a 360-degree view of the Alps from the top of Rigi. There are a few trail options to see the amazing views, but it’s not expansive. Hiking Rigi isn’t going to take you hours. If you’re hungry after hiking, there’s a restaurant at the top for a quick break. You do have some altitude to contend with, but nothing serious.

If you want a local specialty, try the älplermagronen, which is a combination of pasta, potatoes, cream, cheese, onions, and occasionally additional ingredients). It is hearty and rich and will fill you up, but feels appropriate when you’re on Mount Rigi. The restaurant at the top served it during my last visit. However, always check the menu if you really want it to make sure you won’t be disappointed. If you can’t get it during your visit, you should be able to purchase it at a restaurant nearby. My Swiss friend basically talked me into getting it and she wasn’t wrong. It really is amazing, no matter what doubts you might have about the combination of ingredients.

When you’re done with hiking, you can take the cog railway back down. Or if you drove, hop back into your car and head back to your stop! If you’re anything like me, the experience leaves you feeling refreshed from the mountain air, having taken in some fantastic Swiss Alps views, and getting in a little exercise from your hike.

For more information on Rigi and to help plan your visit, you can visit the website here.

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