Gornergrat is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Zermatt and one of the easiest ways to see the Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier and a huge sweep of the Swiss Alps without committing to a demanding alpine hike. Reached by the famous Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt, the viewpoint sits at around 3,089m and has been one of Switzerland’s classic mountain excursions since the late 19th century.
For many visitors, Gornergrat is simply a scenic train ride and a panorama platform. But for hikers, it becomes even better. From the top station, you can walk down towards Rotenboden, Riffelsee, Riffelberg or even Riffelalp, linking Matterhorn views, alpine lakes, rocky trails and quieter sections away from the busiest viewpoint areas.
This guide covers how to visit Gornergrat Zermatt, whether the Gornergrat Railway is worth the cost, the best hiking route via Riffelsee, when to go for the best Matterhorn views, and how to plan a half-day or full-day route above Zermatt.
Gornergrat & Riffelsee (Day 5)
Gornergrat Railway & Riffelsee Hike
Gornergrat is one of the most famous mountain viewpoints in Zermatt and one of the easiest ways to experience huge Matterhorn scenery without needing a difficult alpine climb. Sitting high above the village at around 3,089m, Gornergrat gives panoramic views across the Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier, Monte Rosa massif and a skyline filled with 4,000m peaks. The official Gornergrat site describes the viewpoint as offering views of the Matterhorn, the Gorner Glacier and 28 four-thousand-metre peaks, which explains why it is one of the classic excursions in Zermatt.
What makes Gornergrat so appealing is the balance between accessibility and drama. You can reach the top by mountain railway, step out into a high-alpine landscape, then choose whether to simply enjoy the viewpoint or turn the trip into a proper hike. For first-time visitors to Zermatt, it is one of the most reliable ways to get those iconic Matterhorn views without needing technical gear or a huge hiking day.
For hikers, the real magic comes after leaving the top station. The trails around Gornergrat link together classic Zermatt highlights such as Rotenboden, Riffelsee, Riffelberg and Riffelalp, giving you the option to build anything from a short scenic walk to a longer downhill hiking route.
Getting to Gornergrat Top station
The easiest way to reach Gornergrat is by taking the Gornergrat Railway, also known as the Gornergrat Bahn, from Zermatt. The railway climbs from the village up to the Gornergrat viewing platform, making it one of the most accessible high-altitude viewpoints in the Swiss Alps. Zermatt’s official ticket page notes that the Gornergrat Bahn is Switzerland’s first fully electric cog railway and that the viewing platform sits at 3,089m.
The train journey itself is part of the experience. As the railway climbs above Zermatt, the views open up towards the Matterhorn, forests, alpine meadows, rocky slopes and glacier scenery. If the weather is clear, it is worth keeping your camera ready long before reaching the top station. A typical visit for most tourirst and casual hikers works like this:
- Start at Zermatt railway station.
- Board the Gornergrat Bahn.
- Ride up to Gornergrat top station.
- Visit the viewing platform and summit area.
- Hike down towards Rotenboden, Riffelsee and Riffelberg.
- Either take the train back from Riffelberg / Riffelalp or continue hiking lower.
If you want the best chance of clear Matterhorn views, aim for an early train. Morning conditions are often calmer, which also improves your chances of seeing the famous Matterhorn reflection at Riffelsee.
Is Gornergrat Worth It?
Yes, Gornergrat is absolutely worth it, especially if this is your first trip to Zermatt. It is one of the most iconic Matterhorn viewpoints, and the combination of railway access, glacier views and flexible hiking routes makes it one of the easiest high-impact mountain experiences in the area.
That said, Gornergrat is not a hidden gem. It is popular, expensive and very well-known. The official ticket page listed Gornergrat tickets from CHF 96.00 on the searched date, although discounts may apply with passes such as the Half Fare Card, GA, Swiss Travel Pass or other eligible cards.
The best way to make Gornergrat feel more worthwhile is to avoid treating it as a quick viewpoint stop. Instead of riding up, taking a few photos and heading straight back down, use the railway as a gateway into a scenic hiking route. Walking down towards Riffelsee and Riffelberg gives the day more depth and helps you escape the busiest crowds around the top station.
Main Highlights to See at Gornergrat
Gornergrat Viewpoint
The main platform gives sweeping views across the Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier, Monte Rosa and the surrounding 4,000m peaks. It is the classic postcard moment and the main reason most visitors come.
Matterhorn Views
The Matterhorn dominates the skyline throughout the route. From Gornergrat, the mountain appears dramatic and isolated, making this one of the best accessible viewpoints in Zermatt.
Gorner Glacier
The glacier scenery is one of the major differences between Gornergrat and some of the lower Zermatt hikes. From the viewpoint, you get a much stronger sense of the scale of the high Alps.
Riffelsee
Riffelsee is one of the most famous photography spots in Zermatt. On calm days, the lake can reflect the Matterhorn, creating one of the most iconic images in Switzerland.
Riffelberg and Riffelalp
These lower stations are useful finish points if you want to hike part of the way down and return by train. They also give a gentler, more open alpine feel compared with the rockier terrain near Gornergrat.
Overview of Hiking Routes Around Gornergrat
The hiking routes around Gornergrat are one of the best reasons to visit. You can keep the day easy with a short walk to Riffelsee, or extend the descent towards Riffelberg or Riffelalp for a longer and more satisfying hike. The official Gornergrat hiking page lists multiple routes in the area, including the 360° Loop Gornergrat, Riffelseeweg No. 21, Mountain Mind Trail No. 90, and the longer Path of Silence from Gornergrat to Riffelalp.
Short Option: Gornergrat Viewpoint Loop
If you do not want a long hike, you can simply explore around the Gornergrat top station and viewing areas. This is the easiest option and still gives huge Matterhorn and glacier views. This is best for: Non-hikers, Families, Visitors short on time, Bad weather windows and Anyone mainly visiting for the panorama
Classic Option: Gornergrat to Riffelsee and Riffelberg
The best short hiking option is to descend from Gornergrat towards Rotenboden, Riffelsee and Riffelberg. The official Gornergrat hiking page lists Riffelseeweg No. 21 as a moderate 2.9km route taking around 1 hour, making it a very manageable add-on to the railway trip. This route gives you Classic Matterhorn views, the chance to see Riffelsee reflections, a trail experience without a huge time commitment and an easy return by train from Riffelberg or Rotenboden
This is probably the best choice for most first-time visitors.
Longer Option: Gornergrat to Riffelalp
For a more complete hiking day, continue beyond Riffelberg towards Riffelalp. The official Gornergrat hiking page lists the Path of Silence from Gornergrat to Riffelalp as around 7.9km and approximately 3h15, giving a longer descent through a quieter and more varied alpine landscape. [visavio.ca]
This route is best if you want:
- A longer downhill hike
- More time away from the busiest viewpoint areas
- A fuller mountain day
- More variety in terrain and scenery
The main thing to remember is that downhill hiking can still be tiring. Even though you avoid the climb by taking the railway up, the descent can be hard on the knees, especially if you continue all the way to Riffelalp.
Photography Option: Rotenboden to Riffelsee
If your main goal is photography, consider taking the train to Rotenboden and walking to Riffelsee, or hiking down from Gornergrat and timing your stop carefully. Early morning is usually best for calmer water and fewer people.
This is the route to prioritise if you want:
- Matterhorn reflection photos
- A shorter walk
- A flexible half-day plan
- Easy train access
My Recommendation
For hikers wanting a serious challenge or people who want to save money, then why not hike from zermatt town to the Gornergrat top sattsion. This option does over 1600m of ascending up to over 3000m with then a relaxing Railway journey back as a reward. The hiike is a grind up until Rifflealp and then becomes stunnign through the alpine meadows up to riffelsee and then up to the top station.
Gornergrat & Riffelsee Hiking Stats
Zermatt to Gornergrat Hiking Overview
Key route details for the uphill hike from Zermatt town to Gornergrat via Riffelalp and Riffelsee, combining a big climb with classic Matterhorn views.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route Name | Zermatt — Riffelalp — Riffelsee — Gornergrat |
| Route Type | Point-to-point uphill hike, returning by Gornergrat Railway |
| Total Distance | 12.39 km / 7.7 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 1,568 m / 5,144 ft |
| Recorded Time | 3h 36m |
| Starting Point | Zermatt town — around 1,620 m |
| Key Midpoint | Riffelalp and Riffelsee, with classic Matterhorn reflection views in calm weather |
| End Point | Gornergrat — around 3,089 m |
| Difficulty | Hard — sustained uphill hiking with over 1,500 m of ascent |
| Strava Rating | 4 / 5 |
| Best Season | Summer to early autumn, when the trail to Riffelsee and Gornergrat is clear of snow |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning for cooler climbing conditions, clearer Matterhorn views and calmer Riffelsee reflections |
| Best For | Fit hikers wanting to earn Gornergrat on foot rather than taking the railway both ways |
The previous evening’s drinks had translated into a hangover. It was a later start to the Gornergrat hike compared to the other Zermatt hikes. Despite our headaches, we had a brutal hike from the town towards Riffelsee instead of paying for the expensive (Over £110 return) train tickets up the famous Gornergrat Railway. My main gripe with this hike was the large crowds and poor hiking etiquette and manners.
Riffelalp
The hike (AllTrails) started in Zermatt from the Airbnb and walked past the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car station to start our ascent. The start was pleasant along roads up towards Furi, even if plenty of electric taxis passed on the road. Roisin and I turned left up a steep forest trail, zigzagging up fast, which was a little killer.
The day was heating up, and the sun was getting warm as we made our way to Riffelalp Resort for a quick break. The next section was my favourite; after a gravel track, we entered the alpine meadows. We got lovely floral pictures of the Matterhorn and had a quiet trail before a few groups of hikers descended from the middle station.
Riffelsee
We arrived at Riffelberg, which has a Gornergrat station, and the difference in crowds was immediate. The views across to Schwarzsee and the Matterhorn were clear with blue skies above, so the large crowds made sense. We chose a lower path to Riffelsee, which did not take the 1h10 advertised, more like 30 mins for us (warning fast hikers). Briethorn and Klein Matterhorn were looking imposing too as we hiked under Riffelhorn (a climber’s dream training ground – we will be back!). We stopped at the 1st smaller lake to grab pics of the reflections before continuing up to the larger, higher lake; this tactic worked well and meant less waiting for a prime spot.
Gornergrat Station
After a lunch spot over Riffelsee, we continued up through the Alpine Garden and walked away from the crowds along the left of the railway and up the last push to the summit. The top of Gornergrat was as hectic as expected as we weaved our way through the crowds to the observation deck to complete the hike. It wasn’t our longest hike, but with 1568m climbing was steeper than others in Zermatt and harder with the mid-20 degrees heat.
One surprise was that no card machines were working at the ticket office, and they were asking for over 200 euros in cash!! (Which, unsurprisingly, we did not have). After hiking all the way up from Zermatt and giving up on the rude officer, we managed to get onto the train thanks to a useful assistant to enjoy the train down and a much-needed sit-down.
Gornergrat & Riffelsee Planning
Start early: If you’re starting from Zermatt, then aim to be before 9 am to give time not miss the last Gornergrat railway down. The crowds are thinnest before 10 am, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Alps during summer. There is an afternoon railway option for a cheaper ticket with a possibility of a sunset view of the Matterhorn.
Check the weather the night before. Alpine weather can shift fast. A clear morning can turn into a whiteout by lunchtime. Use a reliable mountain weather app or check the official Zermatt forecast. If it’s looking sketchy, it’s okay to postpone — this hike deserves a clear day!
Bring clothes, poles and proper footwear. It might be warm in Zermatt village, but at 3,260 metres the temperature drops significantly, especially if there’s wind. Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm mid-layer, and make sure your base layer wicks moisture away from your skin. Proper broken-in hiking boots, approach shoes or trail running shoes are needed for the technical aspects of the Hornli Ridge. Check out my Hiking Gear List for the best shoes and clothes to bring.
Hydrate and snack. The altitude will make you tire faster than you expect. Carry at least 2 litres of water during summer and pack some high-energy snacks — nuts, bars, fruit. You can refuel properly at the hut even if it’s expensive.
Get a Swiss Half-Fare Card. If you’re in Switzerland for more than a day or two, this is a no-brainer. It costs CHF 120 and gives you 50% off trains, buses, and many cable cars for a month. The Gornergrat railway savings alone will cover a big chunk of that cost.
Zermatt Hiking Essentials
Summary
Gornergrat is expensive, popular and touristy, but it is also one of the best experiences in Zermatt for a reason. The views are genuinely world-class, with the Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier and surrounding 4,000m peaks creating one of the most dramatic mountain panoramas in Switzerland.
The best way to enjoy Gornergrat is not just to ride the train up, take a photo and leave. If weather and trail conditions allow, hike down towards Riffelsee and Riffelberg, or continue further to Riffelalp for a longer mountain day. The official Gornergrat hiking network includes short viewpoint walks as well as longer routes, so you can tailor the experience depending on energy, time and conditions. [gornergrat.ch]
For first-time visitors to Zermatt, I would absolutely recommend Gornergrat. It is one of the most accessible Matterhorn viewpoints, and the railway makes it easy to combine high-altitude scenery with a manageable hike. If you only have one clear-weather day in Zermatt, Gornergrat should be very high on the list.
Overall, Gornergrat is best for travellers who want classic Matterhorn views, photographers chasing Riffelsee reflections, and hikers who want a scenic downhill route rather than a huge ascent from the valley.
FAQs
Is Gornergrat worth visiting?
Yes, Gornergrat is worth visiting if you want one of the best Matterhorn viewpoints in Zermatt. The official Gornergrat site describes the excursion as offering views of the Matterhorn, 28 four-thousanders and the Gorner Glacier.
How do you get to Gornergrat from Zermatt?
The easiest way to get to Gornergrat is by taking the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt. The official Zermatt ticket page describes the Gornergrat Bahn as Switzerland’s first fully electric cog railway and notes that Gornergrat’s viewing platform sits at 3,089m.
Can you hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee?
Yes, you can hike from Gornergrat towards Riffelsee. The official Gornergrat hiking page lists Riffelseeweg No. 21 as a moderate 2.9km hike taking around 1 hour, making it one of the best short hikes from Gornergrat.
What is the best hike from Gornergrat?
The best hike from Gornergrat for most visitors is the route down to Riffelsee and Riffelberg, because it gives Matterhorn views, alpine lake scenery and easy train access at the end. Stronger hikers can continue towards Riffelalp on a longer descent route. The official Gornergrat hiking page also lists the Path of Silence from Gornergrat to Riffelalp as around 7.9km and 3h15.
What is the best time to visit Gornergrat?
The best time to visit Gornergrat is usually early morning on a clear day, especially if you want calmer conditions for Riffelsee reflections and fewer crowds. The official Gornergrat site also promotes afternoon ticket options as quieter and cheaper, so afternoon can be a useful alternative if weather and light are favourable.
