Rigi Burggeist & Zwärgliweg

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Rigi Burggeist and Zwärgliweg hike

The family hike on the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend is an easy hike. The hike along the Zwärgliweg, which is just under 4 kilometers long, takes about 1.5 hours and involves a descent of about 539 meters. It goes mainly downhill. As the name suggests, the Zwärgliweg trail has many garden gnomes with pointed hats and other fairy-tale characters to discover. After the hike, enjoy the view and a piece or two of Gersau cheese cake (not the desert) on the large terrace of the Rigi Burggeist Inn.

Click here for video, directions , dine tip, facts and figures, map,
Description of the hike, experience report, conclusion, and practical information.

Note: This article has been produced in collaboration with the Rigi Burggeist

Rigi Burggeist (1551 m) – Obermatt (1264 m) – Breitebnet (1197 m) – Bergli (1137 m) – Obergschwend (1011 m)

1 h 30

3,9 km

+35m
-539m

Medium

Map

GPX

Yes

5/5

Rigi Burggeist & Zwärgliweg – Hike&Dine Video

Arrival for the hike on the Zwärgliweg Rigi Burggeist

LocationRigi Burggeist, Gersau, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland
Starting point (variant 1)Valley station Gersau Obergschwend, Gersau, Canton Schwyz
Starting point (variant 2)Kräbel Station, Arth, Canton Schwyz
Starting point of the hikeRigi Burggeist
Highest point of the hikeRigi Burggeist (1550m)
End point of the hikeValley station Gersau Obergschwend
Arrival by public transport
(Variant 1)
By boat to “Gersau, boat station“. Either from “Brunnen, See” (approx. 30 min) or from “Luzern, Bahnhofquai” (approx. 1h 30).
Then take the mountain bus 525 to “Gersau, Ober Gschwend” and continue with the Rigi Burggeist Bahn (cable car) to “Burggeist (Rigi Scheidegg)”.
Arrival by public transport (variant 2)From Arth Goldau with the rack railroad to Kräbel and further with the cable car (from Kräbel) to Rigi Scheidegg. From there it is a 10-minute walk to Rigi Burggeist.
How to get there by carStation Kräbel: Travel time from Zurich: approx. 45 min | Travel time from Bern: approx. 2 h
Gersau Obergschwend: Travel time from Zurich: approx. 1 h 10 | Travel time from Bern: approx. 2 h 20
ParkingPaid parking at the valley station of the Rigi Burggeistbahn Gersau, Obergschwend (variant 1) or at the valley station Kräbel (variant 2)
Profilbild von Solène Stucker, Mitbegründerin von Hike&Dine
Solène’s Dine-Tipp

Dine-Tip: Gersau cheesecake on Rigi Burggeist

“At the top station of the Rigi Burggeist is the mountain restaurant of the same name. Order the Gersau cheesecake with a glass of champagne and enjoy the mountain panorama from the restaurant’s own terrace”.

Facts and figures about the Zwärgliweg hike from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend

Walking time1 h 30 min [single stages: 25 min to Obermatt, 10 min to Breitebnet, 40 min to Bergli, 15 min to Obergschwend]
Recommended hiking monthsJune till October
DifficultyMedium (Note: In parts it goes quite steeply downhill. Children should have already done some hiking. On the way there is a ladder with steps and railing).
Type of hikeAdventure hike, theme trail, A to B hike
WaypointsRigi BurggeistObermattBreitebnetBergliObergschwend
TerrainNatural ground, few asphalted sections, ladder | Well marked hiking trail
Altitude meters35 meters of altitude uphill | 539 meters of altitude downhill
RestaurantsMountain Inn Rigi Burggeist
Highlights✅ Theme trail with many different dwarfs
✅ Panoramic view at Rigi Burggeist
✅ Ride on the Rigi Burggeistbahn cable car
Good to knowAdditional experience: arrival by ship (arrival by public transport, variant 1) from Lucerne or Brunnen
Webcam & WeatherThe current weather situation near the station Rigi Burggeist can be seen on this webcam
Solène and Matthias from Hike&Dine on the Zwärgli Trail
Solène and Matthias on the Zwärgli Trail

Free interactive map for the hike on the Zwärgliweg Rigi Burggeist

Here you can see a free map of the hike on the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist. In addition, you can download a GPX file of the hike here, which you can use on your smartphone or smartwatch. Below you will find an interactive map of the hike on the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend .

Mountain Inn Rigi Burggeist
Mountain Inn Rigi Burggeist

Our experience on the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend

We spent a weekend at the Rigi Burggeist mountain inn and during our stay we hiked the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend. Read all about our stay at Rigi Burggeist and our hike on the Zwärgliweg here.

Solène and Matthias on the Zwärgli Trail
Solène and Matthias on the Zwärgli Trail

Our journey to Rigi Burggeist via Gersau – Obergschwend

Rigi Burggeist can be reached from Arth-Goldau – Kräbel – Rigi Scheidegg. But there is an insider tip to avoid the crowds: The journey with the Rigi Burggeist Bahn via Gersau – Obergschwend. No sooner said than done! After a scenic boat ride from Lucerne with a view of the Rigi, we left the steamboat in Gersau. By the way, the Gersau tourist office is located in the boat station, where you can get a brochure and an excellent Kafi. However, we did not have much time. The bus was already waiting for us!

Arrival ship to Gersau
Arrival by boat to Gersau

From Gersau by bus to Obergschwend

We packed our backpacks and boarded the small bus number 535 that took us from Gersau to Obergschwend. The roughly 20-minute drive is an adventure in itself. The road winds up the mountain and offers impressive views of Lake Lucerne and Gersau again and again.

Rigi Burggeist cable car Obergschwend valley station
Rigi Burggeist cable car Obergschwend valley station

Solène concentrated on looking straight ahead, while I couldn’t get enough of the adventurous ride. Something like that awakens the child in me!

Rigi Burggeist Bahn: With the gondola from Obergschwend to Rigi Burggeist

I was pleased to find that the adventuring continued. We entered the blue Rigi Burggeist cable car – a cable car that can accommodate 6 people. Since we were the only guests that day, we pressed the bell and boarded the gondola. The 7-minute ride went by in a flash. And already we were standing at 1551 meters above sea level. M – on the Rigi Burggeist!

Rigi Burggeist Railway
Rigi Burggeist Railway

The panoramic terrace of the Rigi Burggeist Inn

The top station of the Rigi Burggeist gondola is built in such a way that it offers direct access to the terrace of the inn of the same name. The view from Rigi Burggeist is impressive: Rigi Hochflue, the Niederbauen – and on clear days you can even see the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. I wanted to sit down and order a Kafi.

Solène reminded me at that moment that we hadn’t come here just to look at the view. We dropped off our luggage at the inn and set off on today’s hike: the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend.

Rigi Burggeist hiking: The Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend

The start of the Zwärgli Trail is just behind the Rigi Burggeist mountain inn. A yellow trail sign pointed us in the direction of the first dwarf. Excitedly we hiked along the wide gravel path and enjoyed the view of the Niederbauen and the other mountains on the opposite side of the lake. After about 20 minutes of walking we found the first dwarf and took an obligatory dwarf selfie:

Epic views on the hike from Rigi Burgeist – Obergschwend

From here we went downhill. We walked gently downhill on the wide trail leading across a pasture. We enjoyed the epic views of Rigi Hochflue and Niederbauen. From time to time we met families who were looking for dwarves.

Matthias enjoys the view of Niederbauen and Rigi Hochflue from Zwärgliweg
Matthias enjoys the view of Niederbauen and Rigi Hochflue from Zwärgliweg

After about 20 minutes we heard tinkling of cowbells. Solène rejoiced: cows!

Cows on the hiking trail from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend

And there were many! Chilled, they lay on the green and seemed to enjoy the view of the Small and Great Mythen.

Solène meets a cow on the Zwärgliweg and makes friends with her.
Solène meets a cow on the Zwärgliweg and makes friends with her.

Solène immediately took a cow to her heart and gave her some petting. The cow seemed so enchanted by this that she licked my hand in gratitude. We both had to laugh. After the intermezzo with the Rigi cows we continue our hike on the Zwärgliweg.

A forest full of dwarves: on the Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend

After a short passage on an asphalt road and a piece of cross-country greeted us two mini garden gnomes. We entered a forest. And there they were: Dwarves, behind roots and branches. Drinking, working, making music, laughing, petting animals. We knew about the dwarves, but were surprised at how many there were! Find here some impressions of the dwarfs in the Zwärgli forest

The Zwärgliweg is suitable for small and big kin…dwarfs!

Completely unexpectedly, we had a lot of fun at the sight of the dwarfs. We all agreed: The Zwärgliweg from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend is not only suitable for little dwarfs, but also for big ones.

A few steps further on, Solène paused: a stepladder stood in front of us. Carefully we entered the steps of the ladder, holding on tightly to the railing. As long as you concentrate well, you can do this without any problems. Once we reached the bottom, we crossed a small stream.

Solène on the ladder on the Zwärgli trail
Solène on the ladder on the Zwärgli trail

Rigi Burggeist hiking: Farmers haying, sheep grazing, pure idyll!

We left the fairytale Zwärgliwald where a fantastic view of Lake Lucerne and Niederbauen opened up to us. Take a look at this panorama:

Far view on the hike from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend
Far view on the hike from Rigi Burggeist to Obergschwend

On this June day we were lucky: farmers’ wives were making hay. Large bales of straw were rolled downhill. We watched them for a while before following the hiking trail, which is asphalted from here on, towards Obergschwend.

Solène discovers sheep on the Zwärgli Trail
Solène discovers sheep on the Zwärgli Trail

Shortly before Obergschwend we discovered some sheep. However, they were very shy. Despite Solène’s charm, they refused to be stroked. Wow!

At the finish in Obergschwend: off to the Rigi Burggeist cable car!

And then the aerial tramway floated by above our heads. We hurried because we didn’t want to miss the gondola. At the bottom station of the Rigi Burggeist cable car we rang the bell and entered the cabin. We were ready to go.

Here we go again: Rigi Burggeist Bahn, part 2
Here we go again: Rigi Burggeist Bahn, part 2

We enjoyed the peaceful mountain ride back to Rigi Burggeist. During the ride we reviewed the hike on the Zwärgliweg and looked again from above to where we had hiked through before.

View from the Rigi Burggeist cable car
View from the Rigi Burggeist cable car

Gersau cheesecake and a glass of champagne on the terrace of the Rigi Burggeist

Back on the spacious terrace of the Rigi Burggeist Restaurant we settled down. What a view! The menu offered classic Swiss cuisine. We had heard about the legendary Gersau cheesecake that is served here.

Cheesecake Champagne Rigi Castle Spirit
Solène enjoys the Gersau cheesecake with champagne on the Rigi castle spirit

Solène had the great idea to order a glass of champagne to go with it. So we gleefully consumed our cheesecakes with a view of the Urschweizer mountains. It is always cozy on the Rigi Burggeist. Cheers and good luck!

The Rigi Burggeist cheesecake from Gersau with a glass of champagne. Cheers and good luck!
The Rigi Burggeist cheesecake from Gersau with a glass of champagne. Cheers and good luck!

Conclusion of our visit to the Rigi Burggeist and the hike on the Zwärgliweg

We liked it very much on the Rigi Burggeist. We especially remembered the view from the terrace to the Rigi Hochflue, the Niederbauen, the small and big Mythen as well as the far view to the peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It is so cozy here. The access to the Rigi via Gersau – Obergschwend (bus) – Rigi Burggeist (cable car) is still an insider tip. Here you are away from the crowds of visitors and still experience the Rigi in peace. Definitely try it out!

Pure tranquility: a sunrise at Rigi Burggeist
Pure tranquility: a sunrise at Rigi Burggeist

The hike on the Zwärgliweg is especially suitable for families. However, the children should already have some hiking behind them, because it goes relatively steep downhill, albeit on a wide path. However, children’s eyes begin to sparkle at the many dwarfs in the forest. Tip: After the hike go up again to Rigi Burggeist. While the parents enjoy the Gersau cheesecake, the children can play on the in-house playground or have fun with a round of hurry up or mill game in XXL format.

Rigi Burggeist

Rigi Burggeist and Rigi Burggeist Bahn: The insider’s tip for a visit to the Rigi

The journey via Obergschwend with the Rigi Burggeist Bahn is not yet so well known and far away from the tourist crowds. This is how you get to the Rigi in peace: either via boat from Lucerne to Gersau or by bus from Brunnen to Gersau. From Gersau you change to the mountain bus number 535. The terminus of the line is in Obergschwend, where the valley station of the Rigi Burggeist cable car is located. For the cable car ride you have to ring the bell down at the station. After a 7-minute ride you stand on the Rigi. The gondola runs every 30 minutes, every full and half hour.

The mountain guesthouse Rigi Burggeist is located at the top station. It has 25 beds, a playground with igloo for children and a spacious terrace. From there you can indulge in the beautiful view of Niederbauen and the Urschweizer mountains and enjoy the sound of cowbells. The mountain inn offers down-to-earth Swiss cuisine. We recommend the Gersau cheesecake with a glass of champagne.

View into the guesthouse Rigi Burggeist
View into the guesthouse Rigi Burggeist
Zwärgliweg Rigi Burggeist

Rigi Burggeist hiking: The Zwärgliweg is a hiking trail for the whole family

Every year Rosi Küttel from the Gersauer Bergheimet Breitebnet cherishes and maintains the Zwärgliweg. The hiking trail leads from Rigi Burggeist down to Obergschwend. Rosi Küttel sets up the little pointed cap men and mythical creatures along the way There are especially many to see in the forest towards the end of the hike. Hikers can discover over 100 garden branches on the Zwärgliweg.

Rigi Burggeist offers many hiking trails: from Rigi Burggeist you can hike on the Zwärgliweg to Obergschwend, tackle the Rigi Panoramaweg, or countless descents to Lauerz, Brunnen or even Gersau.

Rigi Burggeist hiking: Rigi Burggeist offers a variety of hiking trails
Rigi Burggeist hiking: Rigi Burggeist offers a variety of hiking trails

Activities in Obergschwend near valley station Rigi Burggeist cable car

For those who spend more than one day on the Rigi, there is also a lot to do besides hiking. Whether it’s painting old clothes or fabric bags or even a concrete pouring workshop – check it out:

Solène and Matthias from Hike&Dine with the hosts Eszter and Stefano from Rigi Burggeist
Solène and Matthias from Hike&Dine with the hosts Eszter and Stefano from Rigi Burggeist
Vorbereitung für die Wanderung auf dem Zwärgliweg Rigi Burggeist

Practical information for the hike on the Zwärgliweg Rigi Burggeist


Arrival by public transport (variant 1)

Arrival by boat to “Gersau, boat station“. Either from “Brunnen, See” (boat trip of approx. 30 min.) or from “Luzern, Bahnhofquai” (boat trip of approx. 1h 30 min.). Then take the mountain bus to “Gersau, Ober Gschwend” and continue with the Rigi Burggeist cable car to “Burggeist (Rigi Scheidegg)“.
The journey to “Burggeist (Rigi Scheidegg)” incl. Boat trip via “Luzern, Bahnhofquai” takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes each from Bern and Zurich. The connection for the public transport (incl. ship) you will find in the SBB timetable . You can find the timetable only for the boat trip on the website of Lake Lucerne. Enter the departure point “Luzern” or “Brunnen” in the boat schedule and the destination “Gersau”.

Arrival by public transport (Variant 2)

Arrival by train to Arth Goldau. Then change to the rack railroad and ride to the Kräbel station. From Kräbel take the cable car to Rigi Scheidegg. From Rigi Scheidegg to the mountain restaurant Rigi Burggeist you hike about 10 minutes to reach the starting point of the Zwärgliweg Rigi Burggeist.
The journey to Rigi Scheidegg takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Bern and about 1 hour and 10 minutes each from Zurich and Lucerne. You can find the connection for public transport in the SBB timetable.

How to get there by car

Depending on the variant, travel to Kräbel station or the Rigi Burggeistbahn station in Gersau Obergschwend. There is paid parking at both valley stations. We recommend arriving at the Rigi Burggeistbahn valley station in Gersau, Obergschwend (option 1). Alternatively, you can also drive to the Kräbel valley station.

Restaurants on the hike Rigi Burggeist – Obergschwend
Mountain Inn Rigi Burggeist
6442 Gersau
Thursday to Monday 09:00-17:00 open. Tuesday and Wednesday day off. Information and reservation under +41 41 828 16 86 or +41 76 819 93 16 or info@rigi-burggeist.ch

Burggeist mountain inn is an ideal place for the whole family
Burggeist mountain inn is an ideal place for the whole family

More impressions of our stay at Rigi Burggeist

Find here more impressions of our stay on Rigi Burggeist:

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