About Gornergrat
Available: all year round.
Costs
Half Fare Card & Swiss Travel Pass: 38 Sfr Nov-Mar, 49 Sfr May-Jun, Sep-Oct & 57 Sfr Jul-Aug - prices are from Zermatt
Travel on the Gornergrat cog railway and enjoy the beautiful views of Zermatt as it climbs 33 minutes to the top. 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 Gornegrat you will be rewarded with a breathtaking 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 7 Sfrs from all Gornergrat Bahn stations). The Hotel Kulm offers a choice of a traditional stübli or a self service restaurant. Relax and enjoy the pure mountain air.
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, 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.
Europe’s highest hotel
At the summit station on the Gornergrat, visitors find Europe’s highest-altitude hotel: the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Facilities include a restaurant, astronomical observatory and attractive shops. Spending the night here is a wonderful experience.
Hiking to Lake Riffelsee
After just 10 minutes' walk from the Rotenboden station, you can already see the world famous sight of the Matterhorn reflected in the water of the Riffelsee. You can continue on the trail for another hour to the Riffelberg, with fantastic views of the Matterhorn along the way.
There are also hiking/walking opportunities from the Gornergrat back down to Zermatt.
Directions
The base station of the Gornergrat train is on the Bahnhofplatz in the centre of Zermatt and direct trains run frequently to the top in 33 minutes. From this vantage point, one of the most beautiful mountain panoramas in the world opens up - with a view of the Matterhorn.