Snowshoe tour on the Rigi: Chäserenholz snowshoe trail

What a perfect start to December! It had been clear for a long time that we would spend the first Advent weekend on the Rigi “due to the event”. And as luck would have it, it was precisely at this point in time that Switzerland transformed into a winter fairytale land. The ideal conditions for the first snowshoe hike of the season! And so we seized the opportunity and sprinted down the Chäserenholz snowshoe trail from Rigi Kulm.

Snowshoeing on the summit of Rigi

Our motto for this snowshoe hike: Enjoy the fresh snow and the winter panorama to the fullest. The highest peak of the “Queen of the Mountains” offers the best conditions for this. From Rigi Kulm you can enjoy a spectacular 360° panoramic view of the Central Swiss Alps and the lake landscape. The Chäserenholz snowshoe trail, designed as a circular hike, starts right next to the mountain station of the cog railway.

Magnificent views on the Chäserenholz snowshoe trail

As usual, we were out early and so there were only a few traces of powder snow sparkling in the sunlight. Always a special feeling to take the first step into the fresh snow and trace the trail. At times I sank knee-deep despite the supporting strength of the snowshoes. Quite exhausting! With the wonderful winter panorama, it’s definitely not a bad idea to take a breather or two.

Alpine farm Chäserenholz on the side of the path

The first half of the Chäserenholz Trail leads from the mountain station below the Hotel Rigi Kulm over gently sloping hills down towards Alp Chäserenholz. The local alpine cheese dairy and restaurant is open all year round. A highlight are the Alp products – especially the cheese specialties, which are widely praised. We fortify ourselves here with a glass of Suure Moscht before heading back to Rigi Kulm. The menu (which includes fondue and raclette, among other things) would definitely suggest a longer pit stop. At least when the snow has melted away from the cozy wooden benches in front of the alpine hut.

We’ll keep this in mind for next time and, after a short stop, continue our tour through the untouched snow cover.

Rewarding final climb

The tricky thing about the circular hike on the Chäserenholz Trail is that the first half downhill does not require any particular physical effort. But on the way back I find myself panting quite a bit due to the deep, soft powder snow and the steep slope. The transmission mast on the summit is not only a guide, but also an incentive. With every step he gets closer. Ultimately, the spectacular view of Lake Zug from up there motivates me to make an extra effort. The last 50 meters in altitude can be seen as an “encore”.

Our conclusion: The Chäserenholz snowshoe trail is short, crisp and promising! The perfect snowshoe tour for sunny days with fresh snow.

Key details of the snowshoe hike on the Chäserenholz Trail

You can see the route of the Chäserenholz Trail on the map below. The signage on site does not quite match the route on the SwitzerlandMobility online map. In addition, the signaling of the parallel paths of the snowshoe trail and the winter hiking trail towards Klösterli (Schwändiweg) is sometimes a bit confusing. Otherwise, it is an easy snowshoe tour in terms of distance and terrain. When there is a lot of fresh snow, the 200 meters in altitude from the Chäserenholz alpine farm to the summit of the Rigi can really make a difference in your thighs.

Starting point	Rigi Kulm train station (1,752 m above sea level)
Accessibility	reachable by public transport
Length	2.3 Kilometers
Elevation meters	↗ 200 m ↘ 204 m
Duration	1:00 h (pure running time, without a break)
Destination	Rigi Kulm train station (1,752 m above sea level)
Refreshments available	Alpwirtschaft Chäserenholz and Hotel Rigi-Kulm

Practical tips for your snowshoe hike on the Rigi

• The Rigi cable cars are included in the GA route area. This means: Anyone who has a GA travelcard can travel to the Rigi free of charge from both Arth-Goldau and Vitznau. Children up to and including the age of 15 can also travel to Rigi free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
• There are hourly connections to Rigi Kulm from Arth-Goldau. The ride on the cog railway takes 44 minutes.
• The Chäserenholz Trail is the only snowshoe trail on the Rigi that has the status of a “Switzerland Mobile Route”. There are more tips on the Rigi website for snowshoe hikes on the Queen of the Mountains.
• If you don’t own snowshoes, you can rent them right next to the mountain station in the service center. Cost: 40 CHF (of which 20 CHF deposit fee).
• A snowshoe hike on the Rigi Kulm can also be combined with a sleigh ride to Klösterli. The sledges can also be rented in the service center at the mountain station (sleigh rental 25 CHF, including 20 CHF deposit fee). Further information about snowshoe and sled rental can be found here: Rigi service center Kulm
• Foodies can combine the winter trip to the Rigi with a gourmet evening at the Kräuterhotel Edelweiss near the Rigi Staffelhöhe train station. Impressions of this can be found in this blog post: Excursion destinations around Lucerne
• Alp Chäserenholz offers another special overnight experience. You can not only stop off there, but also enjoy a cozy evening in an alpine hut far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and start the day the next morning with an Alpine breakfast. You can find further information here: Alpwirtschaft Chäserenholz

Other recommended snowshoe hikes in the region

The following are a few alternative ideas for promising snowshoe hikes in Central Switzerland

• The Brüsti-Trail near Attinghausen
• The Jänzi Trail in the Langis area -Glaubenberg
• The Biberegg-Herrenboden-Schneeschuhtrail in Sattel-Hochstuckli area