Lucerne and Mt Rigi
Trip Start
May 12, 2008
1
18
39
Trip End
Jul 03, 2008
Where I stayed
Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lucerne is absolutely gorgeous, sitting on the banks of lake Lucerne with views across the lake to Mt Rigi, Mt Pilatus and many other snow capped peaks. I was very lucky in that when I arrived early to the hostel, instead of just checking my bags in, I was actually able to go ahead and get checked into my room. I had heard mixed stories about this hostel but it actually turned out being just fine. It had such a great view overlooking the river and when you opened the windows, the breeze was fabulous. It was great, even if I did actually use the boys room since the doors weren't so clearly marked. Oops...
It was supposed to actually be cloudy and rain all afternoon but the weather held out for me. I took a little 2 hour boat cruise on Lake Luzern and it actually turned out to be rather sunny. It was kind of nice because that was completely covered on my rail pass. I sure am taking advantage of all the rail pass freebies.
There was a nice little market along the river that I strolled through in the morning before heading over to check out the old covered bridges. The Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) is a 600 hundred year old wooden roofed bridge. In 1993 a large section of it burned, but it has been restored and you can still tell where the old part remains. Both it and the Spreuerbrucke bridge both have these great triangular paintings over each arch.
I also checked out the Lowendenkmal, otherwise known as the Lion Monument. The monument is dedicated to the Swiss guard who defended Marie Antoinette at the cost of their lives in the Tulleries in 1792. It is an amazing piece carved out of the sheer rock wall. I am so glad I saw this. On the way there I also checked out the catholic church. Another beautiful and amazing church.
The highlight of the day was my trip up to the top of Mount Rigi. I decided to do this even though the peak was still in low clouds. I could see wonderfully the entire way up on the steep cog wheel train and back down on the very steep cable car. It was so nice at the top that I actually decided to walk part of the way down to catch the cable car instead of taking the train down to it. It was a perfect moment, cool, calm, rolling hills and forest and cows with their alpine bells jingling. On the summit of Mt Rigi I was at about 6000 ft, I walked from there to about 1453 ft to catch the cable car. Although my orignal pick Mt Pilatus is larger, I am glad I went with Rigi. I think it was overall more scenic as Mt Pilatus is mostly rock.
I really enjoyed Lucerne and the lake area, you could easily spend many days here. I would definitely like to go back here sometime!
