Perfect Location on Lake Lucerne

This idyllic village welcomes visitors with a wide range of leisure activities. Sports enthusiasts will find exciting challenges on Mount Rigi and the surrounding mountains. Those seeking relaxation can unwind in tranquil spots, while art lovers can enjoy an interesting programme of cultural events.

Europe’s First Mountain Railway

Since 1871, the cogwheel railway has tirelessly climbed from Vitznau up to Mount Rigi – the Queen of the Mountains.

“I want to lead all the people to the mountains so they can enjoy the splendour of our magnificent country!” exclaimed Riggenbach when he patented his invention in France in 1863: trains driven over steep gradients using cogwheels and rack rails. When mountain railway pioneer Niklaus Riggenbach patented the rack system, no one could have foreseen how quickly this system would spread in the years to come.

In mid-September 1869, construction began on the railway from Vitznau to Rigi. On Riggenbach’s birthday, May 21, 1870, the first test run was successfully completed with Locomotive No. 1, the “City of Lucerne,” on a 300-meter stretch in Vitznau. On May 21, 1871, Europe’s first mountain railway was inaugurated with great celebration. Riggenbach himself led the festive procession up to Rigi Staffelhöhe, the then terminus.

With the launch of Europe’s first cogwheel mountain railway, the Rigi Railways set a milestone and continued to expand their network with additional rack-rail routes. In the first half of the 20th century, the gradual electrification of the cogwheel railways took place.

Today, the Rigi Railways still operate on the rack system installed in 1871. With loving care and elaborate restorations, the rack rails and their technical components are maintained daily. Regular inspections of the network and quality checks guarantee a safe journey and an experience just like in 1871.