Alpenglow on Mount Rigi

Alpenglow on Mount Rigi

Snowshoe tour to the sunset on Rigi Kulm, back by headlamp, with photos of your evening

Duration

½ day

Next Date

Flexible

Prices

fromCHF 130

Snowshoeing across Mount Rigi to catch the sunset on Rigi Kulm: when the Mythen and the Glarus Alps start to glow red, you’ve got a front-row seat. We head back by headlamp with the lights of Lucerne below you, and photos of your evening are included.

Program highlights

  • Alpenglow on Rigi Kulm (1797 m), with views of the Mythen, Glärnisch and Tödi
  • From Rigi Kaltbad via First and Klösterli on quiet winter paths to the summit
  • Descent by headlamp via the Rigi Chänzeli, with the lights of Lucerne below
  • Small group, relaxed pace, zero pressure
  • Professional photos of you in front of glowing mountains included
  • Only about an hour from Zurich, Lucerne and Zug

fromCHF 130

per person

Dates

½ day

December through February

Date of your choice

A Few Words from Me

« There are those few minutes after sunset when the mountains begin to glow and everyone on the summit suddenly falls silent. Those minutes alone are worth the whole journey. »

Falko BurghausenFalko Burghausen

Personal advice

Do you have any questions? I will be happy to advise you on this travel offer.

Falko Burghausen

Falko Burghausen

+41 76 586 67 87hello@beanywhere.ch

Requirements

Fitness
Technique
Distance10 km
Duration5h
Ascent550 m
Descent550 m

No snowshoeing experience needed, fitness for around 4 to 5 hours and 550 metres of ascent.

We meet in the late afternoon at the car park of the Weggis–Rigi Kaltbad cable car. The exact time depends on sunset, and you’ll receive it with your booking confirmation. The cable car whisks us up to Rigi Kaltbad, where we strap on our snowshoes. Anyone trying snowshoes for the first time gets a short introduction.

First we follow the winter panorama trail at an easy pace to Rigi First, with wide views over Lake Lucerne. From there we descend to Rigi Klösterli with its pilgrimage chapel Maria zum Schnee, then on to Unterschwändi. This is where the climb begins: along the sledge run, past the Schochhütte and the Chäserenholz alpine inn, up to Rigi Kulm. Depending on snow conditions, the snowshoes come into their own mainly on these sections, and after fresh snowfall on the whole route.

On Rigi Kulm, we wait for the big moment. The sun sinks in the southwest, and in the east the Mythen and the Glarus Alps begin to glow, first golden, then red. I’ll capture that moment, with you in the foreground and the glowing peaks behind.

By headlamp, we set off on the way back: via Rigi Staffel and the Staffelhöhe down to the Rigi Chänzeli, where Lucerne and the lake lie at your feet as a sea of lights. Back in Rigi Kaltbad, we take the cable car down to Weggis. If you’d rather not walk down, you can take the train from Rigi Kulm to Kaltbad.

Variants

Pure Flex tours don't come with a fixed date, they come with yours. Tell me when you'd like to go, I'll check availability and usually get back to you within a day. If you have wishes for how the days should run, we'll build them in.

Group

4 to 8 participants. For anyone coming solo or as a pair who’d like to share the sunset with good company.

CHF 130

Private

Flat rate for up to four people. For groups of friends, couples and families who’d rather have the alpenglow to themselves.

CHF 520

Options

These are optional extras you can add to your booking.

Snowshoes and poles

Snowshoes and poles, price per person.

CHF 50

Mount Rigi isn’t called the Queen of the Mountains for nothing. It stands on its own between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz, and on clear days the view from the summit stretches from the Black Forest to the Bernese Alps. In winter it’s quieter than you’d think, especially away from Kaltbad. And few places in Central Switzerland are as perfectly placed for alpenglow: to the east, the Mythen and the Glarus Alps stand exactly where they catch the last rays of the sun.

The meeting point is the car park of the Weggis–Rigi Kaltbad cable car. You can reach Weggis by bus from Lucerne or Küssnacht, or by car, with parking right next to the valley station. After the tour, we take the cable car back down to Weggis together. The cable car isn’t included in the price, as many people travel with a Half Fare Card or GA travelcard. Please budget for a return ticket from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad.

Along the way we pass the Chäserenholz alpine inn, where we stop briefly if time allows. Still, pack a small snack and something warm to drink. After the tour, there are several restaurants in Rigi Kaltbad if you’re still hungry.

After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list. The essentials: warm clothing in layers with an extra warm layer for the summit, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, gloves, a hat and a headlamp with fresh batteries. Plus a snack and a warm drink. Bring your own snowshoes and poles, or rent them from me.

  • Travel to and from Weggis
  • Weggis–Rigi Kaltbad cable car, return
  • Train from Rigi Kulm, if you don’t walk down
  • Food, drinks and refreshment stops
  • Rental equipment (optional add-on)

Alpenglow only happens when the sky is clear to the west. If the sky is overcast, we either reschedule the tour or do an atmospheric evening walk by headlamp, whichever you prefer. If I cancel the tour, you’ll get your money back or can rebook free of charge. If the group variant doesn’t reach the minimum of four participants, I’ll let you know at least two days in advance.

Insurance is the responsibility of participants (accident, illness, liability). I recommend a Rega patronage membership and cancellation insurance.

Non-binding request

Your non-binding request will bring you one step closer to your experience. I will get back to you shortly with further information on dates and the exact procedure and discuss the next steps together.

Questions? Answers!

Still have questions about the offer? I have compiled the most important information for you.

Sadly not. For the mountains to glow, the sky needs to be clear to the west, where the sun sets. I keep a close eye on the forecast in the days before. If it looks like solid cloud cover, I’ll get in touch and we’ll either reschedule or do an atmospheric evening walk by headlamp, whichever you prefer.

That depends on sunset. We start about three hours beforehand, so early afternoon in January and later in the afternoon in March. You’ll receive the exact time with your booking confirmation.

The Weggis–Rigi Kaltbad cable car isn’t included in the price, because many people travel with a Half Fare Card or another pass. You’ll find current prices on rigi.ch. With a Half Fare Card, you travel at half price.

Yes. We walk back on well-marked winter paths, most of them groomed, and everyone has a headlamp. I know the route and lead the way. Many people find this part the most beautiful, with Lucerne and the lake glittering below.

It will. After sunset it cools down quickly, and we’ll be standing still while we wait for the glow. So pack an extra warm layer, such as a down jacket, plus warm gloves and a thermos of tea. That turns the wait into a treat.

No problem. From Rigi Kulm, the train runs down to Rigi Kaltbad, you just pay for your own ticket. Let me know beforehand, and we’ll meet up again in Kaltbad and take the cable car down to Weggis together.

Absolutely. Most people sign up solo or as a pair, and that’s exactly what the group variant is for. By the time we’re waiting for the alpenglow, everyone knows each other.

No, but it’s worth it. Portraits in front of glowing mountains are almost impossible with a phone, and that’s exactly what I’ll take for you. If you’d rather stay out of the frame, just let me know at the start.