Imagine we're sitting together over coffee and you ask me: "I have a day off – Rigi or Grosser Mythen?" Then I would ask back: "Who are you taking with you, and how fit are you?" Because although the two mountains are only one valley apart and practically wave to each other, they couldn't be more different. The Rigi is the friendly hostess who opens the door to everyone. The Grosser Mythen is the charismatic daredevil who challenges you – and gives back all the more for it.

Here's the honest comparison, without brochure-speak.

The two mountains in 30 seconds

The Rigi (1797 m) thrones as the "Queen of the Mountains" between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, and Lake Lauerz. Rigi Kulm is accessible from Vitznau and Arth-Goldau by cogwheel train; several aerial cableways open up further parts of the extensive mountain area. In 1871, Europe's first mountain railway began operation from Vitznau to Rigi Staffelhöhe. Since 1873, Rigi Kulm has also been accessible by cogwheel train. This is still evident on the mountain today: over 120 kilometers of hiking trails, hotels, restaurants, a spa, and a dense network of railways and cable cars.

The Grosser Mythen (1898 m) is the striking rock pyramid above Schwyz – the canton's landmark and something like the "Matterhorn of hikers". No railway leads to the summit, only a single mountain path with 47 numbered switchbacks, existing since 1864. Whoever stands at the top has earned it.

Rigi Grosser Mythen
Height 1,798 m (Rigi Kulm) 1,898 m
Summit accessible by train Yes (cogwheel train) No – only on foot
Difficulty Depending on the route, barrier-free/T1 to challenging; many easy paths T3, steep and partly exposed
Visitors per year approx. 1 million 30,000–40,000 ascents
Stroller-friendly Yes (several paths) No
Restaurants over a dozen, from bistro to gourmet Holzegg + summit restaurant
Season year-round approx. mid-May to end of October

Families with small children: clear point for the Rigi

On the Rigi, there are several family-friendly paths. Particularly well-known is the approximately seven-kilometer-long Panorama Trail from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg, which follows the route of a former railway and is officially considered barrier-free. The path is predominantly gentle but not completely flat. Important for families: Along the old railway line, there is no active train station; therefore, plan enough time for the entire route or a timely return.

The Mythenweg is a steep, partly exposed T3 mountain trail. Small children should therefore not be on this route. For sure-footed, vertigo-free, and mountain-experienced older children or teenagers, the ascent in the company of experienced adults can be a great experience.

So: Small children → Rigi. Adventurous teenagers → Mythen.

International guests: the Rigi delivers the "Switzerland complete package"

If your overseas friends are in Switzerland for the first time, the Rigi is almost a must-do: steamboat from Lucerne to Vitznau, then up with the red cogwheel train – Europe's first mountain railway – a 360-degree panorama over lakes and the Alpine chain at the top, and since spring 2026, there will even be the historic locomotive 7 from 1873 in a free exhibition to admire on Rigi Kulm. This is pure Swiss tourism – comfortable, historic, photogenic.

The Grosser Mythen, on the other hand, is for guests who want to experience Switzerland instead of just looking at it. It is hardly known internationally – and that is precisely its charm: at the summit, you mainly meet locals, many of them regulars.

Accordingly: First-time visitors and sightseeing → Rigi. Mountain-loving guests looking for "the real thing" → Mythen.

For seniors and people with reduced mobility

For most people looking for a flexible and less strenuous excursion, the Rigi is the better choice. Rigi Kulm is accessible by train, and selected paths are barrier-free or very easy. However, not all paths on the Rigi are flat or obstacle-free; the route and weather should still be checked.
Regardless of age, the Grosser Mythen is only suitable for physically fit, sure-footed, and vertigo-free individuals with mountain experience. The Mythenweg is not a leisurely stroll: it is classified as T3, exposed in places, and requires sure-footedness, a head for heights, good physical condition, and very good footwear. In wet conditions, snow, ice, strong winds, or thunderstorms, the ascent should be avoided. Especially for the descent, sufficient time and concentration are needed.

Recommendation: Rigi. The Mythen only for very fit, mountain-experienced seniors in dry weather.

Restaurants: Quantity and variety versus a single, legendary establishment

On the Rigi, you are spoiled for choice: the Rigi Kulm-Hotel with à la carte restaurant and self-service directly on the summit (Cordon bleu with Rigi Alpine cheese!), the bistro at the mountain station, various mountain inns along the hiking trails, the establishments in Rigi Kaltbad – and with the Gourmet restaurant Regina Montium in the Kräuterhotel Edelweiss, even terroir cuisine with herbs from its own alpine garden. From a morning snack to a multi-course menu, everything is there.

The Grosser Mythen has exactly one summit restaurant – but what a restaurant. The Mythenhaus at 1898 meters is self-service with cult status: The first summit house was built in 1865. Today's Mythenhaus dates from 1991, is protected by a Faraday cage, supplied with electricity by photovoltaics and a wind generator, and has been supplied by helicopter for decades. The Rösti tastes about three times as good after 47 switchbacks as it does in the valley. At Holzegg at the entrance, there is also the mountain guesthouse and the ski hut.

Conclusion: Selection and culinary delights → Rigi, clearly. But the history behind the Mythenhaus beats any gourmet menu.

What shoes do you need?

Rigi: On asphalted or wide gravel paths like Kulm–Staffel–Kaltbad and on the Panorama Trail, sturdy trainers or trail running shoes are sufficient in dry conditions. For marked mountain trails and in wet weather, hiking boots are the better choice.

Grosser Mythen: Sturdy hiking, approach, or comparable shoes with a good grip are required. Smooth everyday sneakers are unsuitable, especially because the steep descent quickly becomes slippery in damp conditions.

How difficult is the Grosser Mythen really?

The Mythenweg is a T3 mountain trail with about 500 meters of ascent from Holzegg. It leads steeply to the summit in 47 numbered switchbacks and is exposed in places or secured with chains. Prerequisites are sure-footedness, a head for heights, good physical condition, and grippy footwear.

Only ascend in dry, snow-free conditions and with a stable weather forecast. In rain, ice, strong winds, or thunderstorms, you should turn back or completely forgo the summit. In addition to the ascent, plan enough time and strength for the steep descent.

A sunrise ascent is only advisable for people who already know the path and are confident in the dark. A reliable headlamp, time reserve, and warm clothing are essential.

Crowds: different magnitudes – and different counting methods

Rigi Bahnen transported around 1.02 million passengers in 2025. This does not equate to one million different mountain visitors: round trips, transfers, and returning guests can appear multiple times in the statistics.

For the Grosser Mythen, approximately 30,000 to 50,000 ascents are reported depending on the year. Here too, these are not necessarily different people. The numbers are therefore not exactly comparable, but they show the order of magnitude: the Rigi is a major tourist destination, while the crowds on the Mythen are concentrated on a single narrow path.
On beautiful weekends, both mountains can therefore be crowded. On the Mythen, noticeable bottlenecks arise due to oncoming traffic on the narrow switchbacks, despite the significantly smaller total number.

Arrival by public transport: both are suitable for day trips

Starting point Rigi Kulm Grosser Mythen via Rotenflue
Zürich HB usually around 1 h 20 to 1 h 35 via Arth-Goldau approximately 1 h 35 to 1 h 50 to Rotenflue, then about 2 h on foot to the summit
Lucerne via Arth-Goldau usually around 1 h 20 to 1 h 40; by boat via Vitznau significantly longer, but scenically more beautiful approximately 1 h 20 to 1 h 40 to Rotenflue, then about 2 h on foot

The exact times depend on the weekday, season, and connections. Check the desired connection immediately before your trip on the SBB timetable and on the operating pages of the mountain railways.

Important for the Mythen: The train only takes you to Rotenflue or by aerial cableway from Brunni to Holzegg – from there, it's always 1.5 to 2 hours on foot to the summit and another good hour down. Alternatively, you can start at the very bottom in Brunni and calculate 3 hours for the ascent with about 800 meters of altitude.

Is a day trip enough? For both mountains: easily. The Rigi can even be a relaxed half-day trip. Combining both mountains on the same day is theoretically possible, but hardly makes for a relaxed or sensible day trip.

Instagram Appeal: Where do the most clicks happen?

Rigi:

  • The Känzeli viewpoint near Rigi Kaltbad – the classic view over Lake Lucerne to Lucerne, often above a sea of fog in autumn.
  • The red cogwheel train in front of the lake panorama, best on the section above Vitznau – probably the most photographed train motif in Central Switzerland.
  • Sunrise on Rigi Kulm with the Alpine chain as a backdrop.

Grosser Mythen:

  • The view from the summit straight down to Schwyz and the valley basin – almost 1400 meters of deep view.
  • The rock pyramid itself, photographed from Holzegg or from the Panorama Trail from Rotenflue: hardly any Swiss mountain has such an iconic shape.
  • The serpentine path with its switchbacks from above – looks like it was drawn into the rock with a ruler.
  • Supreme discipline: sunrise on the summit. Ascend with a headlamp, enjoy the play of colors at the top – a popular ritual among locals.

Two hidden gems

Rigi – the Felsenkapelle St. Michael: Between Rigi Kaltbad and Känzeli, directly on the rock, lies a small chapel. A first chapel was built here as early as the 16th century; the current building dates from 1779. Connected to the place are the legend of the three sisters and a spring, which was formerly attributed healing powers. This very spring gave "Kaltbad" its name and attracted the first spa guests as early as the 16th century – that was wellness, centuries before Mario Botta built today's Mineralbad. Thousands pass by within a few meters every day without ever entering the chapel.

Grosser Mythen – a geological anomaly: The Mythen belong to the so-called Penninic klippen. Their rocks originated south of their current location on the Briançonnais shelf and were transported far north during the Alpine orogeny. Near the summit, reddish marl layers, known as "Couches Rouges," are noticeable. Their color comes from small iron contents in the rock.

Costs and discounts in comparison

Prices depend on which access you choose and whether you have a GA or Half-Fare Card.

Mountain railway, as of 2026 Adult return With Half-Fare Card GA
Rigi day ticket CHF 84.– CHF 42.– fully valid
Rotenfluebahn CHF 46.– CHF 23.– valid
Aerial cableway Brunni–Holzegg CHF 20.– no discount not valid

The ascent of the Grosser Mythen itself costs nothing. Those who shorten the route via Rotenflue or Holzegg only pay for the respective feeder railway. Check the current tariffs before departure, as prices and discounts may change.

Strengths and weaknesses at a glance

Rigi 👑 Grosser Mythen ⛰️
Height 1,798 m, Rigi Kulm 1,898 m
Summit access Cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm No train to the summit; T3 mountain trail from Holzegg
Difficulty depending on the route, barrier-free/T1 to challenging T3, steep and partly exposed
Meters of ascent on foot freely selectable depending on the chosen route approx. 500 m from Holzegg
Walking time to the summit only a few minutes from the train station approx. 1.5–2 h from Holzegg
Stroller on selected paths no
Gastronomy numerous restaurants throughout the area Mythenhaus on the summit as well as establishments at Holzegg
Season year-round; individual paths and railways seasonal normally in snow- and ice-free months
Best choice for families, enjoyment, easy hikes, first-time visitors fit and mountain-experienced summit hikers

Visitor numbers are collected differently and are therefore not directly comparable: for the Rigi, these are primarily passenger numbers of the mountain railways, for the Mythen, estimated or counted ascents.

My final advice

Choose the Rigi if you are traveling with small children, elderly people, or first-time visitors to Switzerland, or if you are looking for a comfortable excursion with trains, restaurants, and easy paths. Choose the Grosser Mythen if you are sure-footed and have a head for heights and want a steep T3 ascent with a real summit experience.

And if you absolutely can't decide: Stand on the summit of one and look over to the other. The two see each other every day – the next excursion will then plan itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are GA and Half-Fare Card valid on the Rigi and Grosser Mythen?

On the Rigi Bahnen, the GA is fully valid; with the Half-Fare Card, you generally pay half price. The Rotenfluebahn also accepts GA and Half-Fare Card. The small aerial cableway Brunni–Holzegg, however, has a separate tariff and does not accept either GA or Half-Fare Card.

Which mountain is better in changeable weather?

The Rigi offers more short routes and weather-independent alternatives, for example, the separately chargeable Mineralbad in Rigi Kaltbad. However, in thunderstorms, storms, or strong winds, the Rigi is also not a suitable summit destination.

The Grosser Mythen should only be climbed in dry, snow-free conditions and with a stable weather forecast. In wet conditions, the steep path becomes significantly more slippery.

Do I need to reserve a mountain railway?

For individual travelers, reservations are usually not necessary for the Rigi Bahnen and the Rotenfluebahn. Groups of ten or more people must register in advance with the Rigi Bahnen.

On the small aerial cableway Brunni–Holzegg, waiting times can occur due to the limited cabin size. Check the current timetable and operating status before your arrival.

How long does the ascent of the Grosser Mythen take?

From Holzegg to the summit, you should allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. From the Rotenflue mountain station, the approach to Holzegg is added; in total, about two hours should be expected. For the descent, you should allow another 1.25 to 1.5 hours, plus a sufficient time reserve.

Is the Grosser Mythen suitable for children?

Not for small children. The summit path is classified as T3, steep, and partly exposed. It is only suitable for sure-footed, vertigo-free, and mountain-experienced older children or teenagers, accompanied by experienced adults and in dry conditions.

Is it allowed to stay overnight on the Grosser Mythen?

No. The Grosser Mythen is located in a federal game reserve; camping and bivouacking are not permitted there. The Mythenhaus also does not offer overnight accommodation.

Official links and current information

Rigi

Grosser Mythen

Last technically reviewed on July 27, 2026. All information without guarantee. Fares, season times, and path closures may change at short notice. Check the official websites of rigi.ch and Grosser Mythen before your trip.