About Gornergrat
Available: all year round.
Example travel costs
Half Fare Card & Swiss Travel Pass: 48 Sfr return from Zermatt (rising to 66 Sfr Jul-Aug)
Travel on the Gornergrat cog railway and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains as it climbs 33 minutes to the summit station at 3,089m. Throughout the journey you will see the view constantly change as new sights are opened up during the ascent - you might even spot some mountain wildlife. Once you reach the Gornergrat summit you will be rewarded with a breath-taking panorama of the high Alps and wonderful 'tongues' of glacier ice. From June to September, guided tours are available giving information about the flora and fauna, the mountains, history and glaciers (tickets available locally). The Kulmhotel offers a choice of a traditional stübli or a self service restaurant. Relax and enjoy the pure mountain air.
NEW - NOSTALCHIC CLASS
Experience the Gornergrat in a completely different way! A journey in an exclusive heritage coach with guaranteed window seat and regional culinary highlights through the day make for an unforgettable day. See here for further details.
Get your holiday quotation today
Contact us to book your holiday
Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com
Highlights
Cog railway to the sky
Europe's highest open-air cog railway brings passengers direct from Zermatt station (1,620m) to the summit of the Gornergrat (3,089m), 365 days a year. The ride takes 33 minutes and requires a vertical climb of 1,469m. The line leads over dramatic bridges, through galleries and tunnels, across forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, and past rocky ravines and mountain lakes.
On the ascent, the best seats with a view of the Matterhorn are on the right hand side. You may wish to purchase a Priority Boarding ticket which allows you to board 3 minutes before other passengers and thus pick your seat.
Mountain panorama
The panorama is among the finest in the world. The views take in the Monte Rosa massif with Switzerland's highest peak (Dufourspitze, 4,634m); the second-largest glacier in the Alps, the Gorner Glacier; and a total of 29 mountains above 4,000m, including, of course, the Matterhorn in all its glory.
On arrival at the summit you may like to head to the Golden Spot. Follow the information boards telling the fascinating story of the history of the pioneering Gornergrat railway all the way to one of the original engines from 1898 which has been restored, painted gold, and marks the spot where you can take the perfect Matterhorn photo.
Switzerland's highest hotel
At the summit station on the Gornergrat, visitors can find Switzerland's highest-altitude hotel: the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Facilities include the à la carte Glacier Alpine Kitchen, a cosy restaurant specialising in fondue and the Sky Lounge bar with fantastic views. There are also a couple of boutiques for souvenir shopping. The sun terrace offers amazing views of no less than 29 mountains which soar to over 4,000m, including the Matterhorn.
Starting behind the hotel is a recommended 20 minute panoramic walk.
If you would like to stay overnight at the Kulmhotel, please see here for more details.
Zoom the Matterhorn interactive exhibition
This is a new way to experience the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat. Entry is free with your rail ticket, so do make time to visit and immerse yourself in the view.
There are three elements to the exhibition:
Four seasons - enjoy a light projection show allowing you to visualise the Matterhorn as it changes through the cycle of a year.
Periscopes - amazing views of the Matterhorn itself via special periscopes, enabling you to see close geological details that you wouldn't be able to otherwise experience.
Paragliding flights - relax in a floating hammock chair while your virtual reality headset allows you to glide over the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains - a truly memorable experience.
Walk to Riffelsee and a celebrated Matterhorn view
With just a 10 minute walk from the Rotenboden station, you can already see the world famous sight of the Matterhorn reflected in the water of the Riffelsee below. On certain dates, there is an early train from Zermatt, allowing you to see a magical sunrise over the Matterhorn and its reflection.
You'll also find an alpine garden at the Rotenboden station. Wander the trail and wonder at how these delicate flowers thrive at such an altitude. The season is short - July-mid August - but beautiful while it lasts.
You can continue on the trail for another hour to the Riffelberg, with fantastic views of the Matterhorn along the way. There are many other trails on the Gornergrat, some for experienced hikers and other easier ones for visitors looking for an easier, scenic walk.
Meet the sheep!
During the summer months, you may see the flock of black-nosed sheep, grazing on the alpine grass of the Gornergrat. They are famously cute with their black faces and white woolly coats! The sheep wear GPS collars which you can track on your phone 10am-4pm every day except Tuesday. The shepherd will advise you on how to approach the sheep and give you plenty of information about them.
Head for Riffelberg station and please be sure to wear sturdy shoes for your mountain adventure - the sheep move around and there may be a steep path to find them.
During the winter you can meet the sheep in their valley home, on the outskirts of Zermatt village.
Valais Blacknose sheep are perfectly adapted to life in the high Alps: undemanding and true climbing experts – even steep, rocky slopes pose no challenge for them. With their spiral horns, striking black markings, and exceptionally soft, curly fleece, they’re not only hardy but also charming to look at. Their nature is gentle and friendly. They live in family groups and are sensitive to noise and sudden movements.
Directions
The base station of the Gornergrat train is on the Bahnhofplatz in the centre of Zermatt and direct trains run frequently (every hour or so in winter, every 24 minutes in summer). It takes 33 minutes to reach the summit, and rom this vantage point, one of the most beautiful mountain panoramas in the world opens up - with a view of the Matterhorn.
No service 3-11 November 2025. Please check before travel for other maintenance closures.
Request your holiday quotation
Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com