MOUNT RIGI – Queen of Mountains- Switzerland

Perfection to imperfection

Today we are taking a Day trip to Mount RIGI also Called the “Queen of the Mountains”

“Switzerland has around 8,000 mountains, called the “Alps” and you can ascend each using the many options of trains, ferries, buses, cogwheel, funicular trolleys, rot air, etc.

Today in Lucerne, it’s overcast and  threatening to pour. The ferry station is just opposite to the main train station and the Bus station is overlooking the age-old Chapel Bridge.

Lucerne Skyline Stands in full glory on the lake Lucerne, surrounded by pink blossoms and blue waters  that woes you  .. but we have a ferry to catch to VITZANAU.

With little time in hand, before the ferry enters the bay, the drizzle makes the water of Lake Lucerne wriggle. The skyline with the clock tower, church, and old buildings makes a beautiful sight with the mountains in the backdrop. Oblivious to the downpour, for a change I enjoy getting soaked.

Mountains Back Home – INDIA

Back home in India, Imperfection is the word we are so used to.  Something so perfect is foreign to Indians.

For me in particular, Mountains are my calling. Their vastness fascinates me, the silence around them encompasses me, their volatility scares me and yet my calling are the mountains and INDIA is blessed with the mighty and revered HIMALAYAS and many others.

Hence Switzerland was never on my bucket list. Growing up on Yash Chopraji’s beautiful locations from Bollywood movies like “Dil wale Dulhania Le Jayenge “to many more, where the bright red or yellow saree looks stunning in contrast to the white snow, it’s surely Bollywood who takes the credit for highlighting Switzerland on the touristy list.

“Switzerland is not on my bucket list?

I land  in Zürich in May 2024. As a delayed Etihad flight{yes, flights are nowadays regularly delayed} hovers over the Swiss Alps the cream and Cookie-like mountains with misty clouds on top and red  white drop-like homes in the Alps are just breathtaking.

Back home too, mountains are beautiful but so different from the Swiss Alps, I keep wondering, would it  just be another holiday? I wonder.

With a bit of trepidation and piercing deep through the thick windows of the aircraft I try to see, as much as not sure about my days ahead.

Back home, snow-clad mountains are beautiful, but the roads to reach the base, forget the top are treacherous. A quick run down memory lane when on my LEH trip, we traveled 8 hours to cover 120 km to reach Pangong. The journey was very surreal but though  and we believe in Imperfections.

Back home, winding roads for the mountains often make you feel unsure of the return journey. The towering mountains, deep valleys & narrow winding roads give a feel of heaven just above you, hell just beneath you and we term it as adventurous. But I still say mountains are my calling.

Magical memories at the MOUNT RIGI

While in Switzerland we base ourselves in Lucerne. From here we did the majority of the sightseeing very much accessible through the superb connections of every possible transport.

FEERY Ride to VITZANAU

The THUD of the double-decker ferry, with a red Swiss flag fluttering makes its way into the bay bringing me back to the present. Our Swiss pass is the master key, validating it, we are Cruising through the many stops on the banks of Lake Lucerne.

The ride towards VITZANAU is quite picturesque and as the water laps the ferry, so do my thoughts, while my eyes are gulping in the beauty around.

The ride takes an hour and drops us at  VITZANAU ferry station. From here with a hop skip and jump, we cross over to the Cogwheel station. The cute red coaches are awaiting us, neat, clean, and shining. One can’t believe they are more than a decade old. Though modern coaches are being added the Old charm still lingers.

Rigi Kaltbad Railway

The Rigi Kaltbad railway is the first mountain railway in Europe and  second in the world. It’s first trial was held in 1870.

The journey uphill to reach RIGI KLUM is through many stations on a winding railway path over lake Lucerne. The train journey takes around an hour with the tickets included in our Swiss pass.

Ogling the stunning  blue lakes, rolling meadows and quaint villages, Cute little train stations, the beauty is seamless, the air is crisp and cool, with the bells on the cows resounding the vibe is positive while the soul is humming.

Mount RIGI – Or Queen of Mountains is a mountain massif, surrounded by three lakes Lake Lucerne, Lake ZUG, and Lake Laurez. The word RIGI originating from RIGNEN, is used by the locals to describe the mountain formation as in rocks and layers. It is a sunlight isle, floating above the sea of Mist. Around 200 paths originate from here for varied trails.

Quote un quote: Mark Twain has very rightly said this about “MOUNT RIGI” This is “the charming place” we have ever lived in, for response and restfulness”

Once at the top of “RIGI KLUM” it’s walking ahead to reach the top .Below is the sight you wish to picture and store till eternity. You see many hiking paths as you get a 360-degree panoramic view from the Top. You get lost in the creation of nature and wonder as to,” Is the beauty in the beholders’ eyes or the creation of the universe.

The widest canvas of the painter is strikingly beautiful and wide open in front of you to witness.

I see another cogwheel, this time In a blue color taking the steep hike and that’s the second route you can take to reach to Mount RIGI  from Goldnau.

Perfection to Imperfection

As I write I come back with my thoughts on perfection to Imperfection .Mount RIGI -day Trip was Perfection in terms of reaching the top.

Having all the facilities to reach and access the region & its beauty without any hassle, and every facility for the tourist in place especially the washrooms and cafeterias which makes the country top the list of Tourism.

Back home too  mountains, their beauty, and the terrain are stunning, but we are used to sustaining Imperfection.

In terms of roads, facilities and all that it takes to make the country tourist-friendly.. and so I find many of my fellow countrymen in Switzerland but none of the Swiss or foreign nationals in LADAKH.

It’s time to build on our Infrastructure, to  this  beautiful country “BHARAT” and to woo the tourists to encash on its unbeaten beauty and sustain the livelihoods of the people of this Divine Land.

It’s also time to put some ground rules to make tourism safe, secure, and accepted with humility. The Indian attitude towards Tourism is much different than the world over as far as the civic sense is concerned.

In this Blog, let me share with you some of my Unforgettable moments of the “QUEEN OF MOUNTAINS” also Called Mount RIGI – Switzerland

Ways to travel

 Lucerne to Vitzanau

https://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/your-cruise-experience/timetable-fares/timetable/

Winter Adventure at Mount RIGI-: Winter sports –Ski lifts, Ski & snowboard pistes, tobogganing, Panoramic Ski Run, Groomed winter hiking, Snowshoe trails, Leisure horseshoe sleigh can be experienced 

One Day TOUR ITINERARY

09:12- boat from Lucerne t0 Vitzanau 

10:09-Arrive at Vitzanau 

10:05- Departure by rack railway from Vitzanau.

10:45 arrival at RIGI Kulm (wander around as much as you want)

14:00Pm-Depart by Rack railway from RIGI KLUM. Take the railway back.

14:15pm arrive at RIGI KALTBAD

15:10Pm-Depart for RIGI KALTBAD by cable Car

15:20 PM: arrive at WEGGIS

16:05pm- by boat depart to Lucerne 

16: 50Pm-arrive at Lucerne