Gornergrat — Local services in Zermatt

An absolutely stunning day of hiking with some of the best views of the Matterhorn! We were incredibly fortunate to have a clear day for it. We stayed in Zermatt for a week, and the summit was almost always covered in clouds, so getting a perfect, unobstructed view is a rare treat you shouldn't take for granted.

We took the Gornergrat railway up and then hiked one-way down, which I highly recommend. The trail is approximately 7.8 miles and involves a significant descent in elevation, taking you past shimmering little lakes like Riffelsee and through fields of beautiful wildflowers. The reflection of the Matterhorn in the clear mountain lake is a sight you will never forget.

The views from Gornergrat are breathtaking. The ancient, vast snowfields of the Steinmännchen are so beautiful they leave you speechless. Stopping for a beer at the little shop in Riffelberg was another great memory.

A crucial tip for the train: Make sure to book your tickets in advance and be punctual. The trains run on a strict schedule and will not wait for you. Be on time to avoid a lecture from the train staff! Overall, this is the ultimate hiking experience in Zermatt.

On another day, we also explored the Gornerschlucht (Gorner Gorge) trail, which was a charming and picturesque walk with a...

If you're in Zermatt, this is a trip worth making. The train station is located in the middle of Zermatt. If you go after noon, you can get a ticket for $69 CHF instead of the full price. Given that the area was still covered in snow (snowing the second day), so I wouldn't be able to take the trail back down or explore much of the area around, and was not skiing/snowboarding, that was plenty of time to ride up, enjoy the views of the glacier, surrounding mountains, and the Matterhorn VR experience, and still get back down before the final rush at the end of the ski day. The first day (Friday), there were very few people at the top, maybe two dozen. The second day (perhaps because it was a weekend), it was definitely more crowded. You can get beautiful photos the entire ride up and, even more so, at the top. I'd suggest riding on the right/platform side of the train as it offers better views (Matterhorn, valleys, and mountains). Also, be aware that the windows in the train pull down from the top, so you can get better photos without light reflection...

The journey to the peak via the Gornergrat Railway is both easy and scenic, starting in Zermatt and passing through picturesque alpine landscapes.

The peak offers incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys. Notable peaks that can be seen from Gornergrat include the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Weisshorn, and Liskamm.

At the summit, there is an astronomical observatory known for its research and observation facilities. The observatory also includes a viewing platform to take in the breathtaking vistas.

Gornergrat serves as a starting point for numerous hiking trails that take you through alpine meadows, lakes, and forests. In winter, it is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding.

A short hike from the peak will take you to Lake Riffelsee, a beautiful alpine lake known for its reflection of the Matterhorn...