| Rigi | |
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Rigi behind Lake Lauerz |
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| Elevation | 1,797 m (5,896 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,289 m (4,229 ft) |
| Location | |
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Rigi
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| Range | North-Eastern Swiss Alps |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Train and Cable-car |
Rigi is a mountain in central Switzerland. It is also known as the "Queen of the Mountains." The highest peak is the Rigi-Kulm at 1,797.5 meters, with Rigi-Hochflue, Dossen and Rotstock and Rigi-Scheidegg being slightly less high. The mountain is easily accessible by public transportation. It offers many activities such as skiing or sledging in the winter, and hiking in the summer.
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The name "Rigi" comes from Riginen which is the stratification that is clearly visible on the north-side of the mountain and is one of the identifying characteristics of Mt. Rigi. During the early days of tourism in the Alps, it was said that the name came from the Latin Regina montium-"Queen of the Mountains", this however is not accurate, as the first known use of Riginen dates back to 1384. The oldest known naming of the mountain at all is from 1368: in pede montis riginam ("at the feet of mount Rigina".)
There are multiple public transportation options available to ascend Mt. Rigi:
Mt. Rigi offers an area for recreation and sports measuring approximately 90 square kilometres (35 sq mi) offering a variety of well-maintained walking trails or mountain hikes where visitors can have a panoramic view of 150 km (93 mi) from various marked points. There are also numerous public grilling stations located near the hiking trails.
Mt. Rigi is also a perfect destination for people practicing winter sports and other winter recreation activities. The following equipment can be rented at Sport Center in Rigi Kulm: airboards, toboggans, snowshoes, walking sticks. Gloves, ski caps, socks, ski goggles and more can be purchased at same location.
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Mt. Rigi has been featured in many works of art, including both paintings and literary publications. Perhaps the most famous paintings of the Rigi were by JMW Turner, including "The Blue Rigi, Lake of Lucerne, Sunrise". Mark Twain also visited Rigi during his tour of Central Europe in the late 1870's, and wrote about his travels in his "A Tramp Abroad."
Technically, the Rigi is not a part of the Alps, and belongs instead to the Swiss plateau. It is mostly composed of molasse and other conglomerate, as opposed to the Bündner schist and flysch of the Alps.