Not far from Arth lies a piece of ground with a violent story. In September 1806, after weeks of heavy rain, a huge part of the Rossberg mountain slid down onto the valley below, burying the village of Goldau and killing around four hundred and fifty people. The slide covered a wide area in rubble, and the landscape you see today, with its tumbled boulders and rough, uneven fields, is the scar. Nature has reclaimed much of it, and a wildlife park now stands on the debris, though the scale of the event still shows in the shape of the ground.
From the Rigi foothill viewpoint you can read that history in the landscape. Look across the valley and you see the gap on the Rossberg where the rock tore away, the hummocks spread beneath it, and the lakes of Zug and Lauerz, the latter made smaller by the landslide's displacement of water. It is a quiet reminder that the Alps are not fixed, and that the peaceful pasture below once looked very different.
The riding here is straightforward and pleasant. The road climbs gently from Arth through pasture and orchard, with good views opening and closing between the trees. At around nine hundred metres the air feels fresher, and on a clear day the view stretches across the lake to the Albis hills. Corners are open and the surface is generally smooth, so the ride suits a relaxed pace. Traffic is light on weekdays, and walkers use the verge, so stay aware around blind bends.
For the Rigi itself, the summit is a short walk or rack railway ride from the stations, where the famous sunrise draws visitors in good weather. If you want to go up, leave the bike below and take the train, since the summit has no road. Down in Arth, about three kilometres away, you will find fuel, bakeries and cafés, and Küssnacht and Goldau are alternatives.
Weather changes quickly on the Rigi. The mountain catches cloud, and a clear morning can fill with mist by lunchtime. Carry a layer and check the forecast, and if cloud closes in, wait. It often lifts again in an hour, and the view is worth the patience.