The hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee is a spectacular tour near Zermatt. The panoramic hike offers breathtaking views of the majestic Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. The trail leads through picturesque landscapes and allows encounters with alpine wildlife. An unforgettable experience for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.
Gornergrat – Rotenboden – Riffelsee – Riffelalp hike
The hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee via Rotenboden and Riffelalp is an impressive adventure in the Zermatt mountains. The trail leads along the famous Gornergrat, which offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding glaciers.
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The descent to Rotenboden immerses you in a picturesque alpine landscape, followed by an idyllic stop at Lake Riffel, where the Matterhorn is majestically reflected in the clear water. The last section leads through alpine meadows and finally ends in Riffelalp. This hike is a perfect combination of breathtaking views, untouched nature and alpine atmosphere that will fascinate every hiker.
Hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee (Part 1)
The hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee is an unforgettable experience that will delight hiking lovers in the Zermatt region. Gornergrat, one of the most famous viewpoints in the Swiss Alps, offers breathtaking views of the majestic Matterhorn and the surrounding glaciers. From here, the hike begins, leading via Rotenboden to the idyllic Riffelsee.
The starting point of the hike is Gornergrat, which can be comfortably reached by the Gornergrat Railway. The train ride alone is a highlight, as it takes you through spectacular scenery. Once at the top, a panorama opens up that leaves hikers in awe. The trail first leads along the ridge ridge and offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, the glacier world and the surrounding 4000-meter peaks.
After some time, you reach the intermediate stop Rotenboden, where there is a cozy mountain station with a café. Here you can take a short break and enjoy the surrounding nature before continuing on your way to Riffelsee. The descent leads through alpine landscapes with lush meadows, colorful alpine flowers and crystal clear mountain streams.
Finally, you reach Riffelsee, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the region. Here, the Matterhorn is reflected in all its glory in the clear water. It is a picturesque place that invites you to linger and relax. With a view of the majestic Matterhorn, you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature to the fullest.
The hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee is overall a moderately difficult hike that requires a certain level of physical fitness. The path is well marked and leads mainly downhill. Depending on individual pace and breaks, the hike takes about one and a half hours and is classified as easy to moderate. Afterwards, you can continue hiking via the Riffelweg trail to Riffelalp.
The trail is also suitable for children as young as four or five years old, as long as you keep an eye on them. Furthermore, the hike should be easily doable for every hiker, however, a bit of fitness, as well as appropriate footwear does not hurt.
The hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee is an unforgettable way to experience the impressive beauty of the Zermatt mountains. From the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn to the picturesque Riffelsee, this hike offers a variety of highlights and will delight nature and hiking enthusiasts alike.
| Distance | 2 km (1.25 miles) |
| Duration | 40 minutes |
| Elevation Change | 11 m ascent / 284 m descent |
| Difficulty | Easy / Moderate |
| Official Trail Name/No | Viewing Trail – Zermatt Hike 15 |
| Start & End Of the Trail | Gornergrat to Rodenboden (one-way, downhill hike) |
| Season | July to October |
| Possible With Kids From Age | Approx. 4-5 years old |
Riffelsee trail (part 2)
The Riffelsee Trail is a wonderful hike in the Zermatt region that will delight nature and hiking enthusiasts alike. The trail leads along the idyllic Riffelsee lake and offers spectacular views of the majestic Matterhorn as well as the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
The hike begins at Riffelsee and descends to Riffelalp. The trail leads downhill along meadows, past fragrant alpine flowers and rushing mountain streams. This route is marked as an easy hike suitable for most hikers.
The Riffelsee trail offers a variety of wonderful photo opportunities. Lake Riffel itself is known for its crystal clear water that perfectly reflects the Matterhorn. The sight of the Matterhorn takes every visitor’s breath away and is definitely worth the effort of the hike.
Along the trail there are also several viewpoints from which you can admire the surrounding mountain scenery. It is an ideal place to experience the silence of nature and simply enjoy the present moment.
The Riffelsee trail is also suitable for families, as it is very flat and easy to walk. Children can explore nature and observe wildlife. It is a place where the whole family can escape from the stress of everyday life and relax amidst the impressive mountain scenery.
The duration of the hike depends on speed and the breaks, but the trail can usually be completed in about an hour. It is also possible to combine the hike with other hikes in the area and spend a whole day in nature.
The Riffelsee trail is a wonderful place to experience the beauty of the Valais Alps and enjoy the view of the majestic Matterhorn. With its easy accessibility and spectacular views, this trail is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers from all over the world. Whether you are traveling alone, with family or with friends, the Riffelsee Trail offers a great hiking experience amidst breathtaking natural scenery.
The trail leads all the way to Riffelalp, a charming mountain resort. At this place, you have the option to take a rest or take the Gornergratbahn back to Zermatt.
| Distance | 3 km (1.86 miles) |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Elevation Change | 53m ascent / 289 descent |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Official Trail Name/No | Riffelsee Trail – Zermatt Hike 21 |
| Start & End Of the Trail | Rotenboden to Riffelberg (one-way, downhill) |
| Season | July to October |
| Possible With Kids From Age | Approx. 4 years old |
From Riffelalp to Zermatt
The trail from Riffelalp to Zermatt also promises great views of the surrounding mountains and the idyllic valley. The route begins on Riffelalp, the beautiful high plateau above Zermatt, and leads along a well-marked path down into the valley.
The path is relatively easy to master. To overcome the last section of the hike, it takes just under an hour and a half. This part should also be doable for everyone, as it is almost continuously slightly downhill. This route is also well suited for families with smaller children.
The trail from Riffelalp to Zermatt is a great way to enjoy nature while getting to the charming town.
Opposite direction (Riffelalp to Riffelsee)
The hike from Riffelalp to Riffelsee differs in some aspects from the reverse direction. While the trail from Riffelsee to Riffelalp is more of a pleasant downhill stretch, the trail from Riffelalp to Riffelsee is uphill and can therefore be a bit more challenging.
However, both directions offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountain landscape and the majestic Matterhorn. The hike from Riffelalp to Riffelsee is ideal if you want a little more effort and workout on the way to the picturesque mountain lake. Said direction is rather less suitable for families with small children and is the perfect tour for experienced hikers.
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Good to know
On the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelalp, it is advisable to start early to avoid the midday heat and arrive in time at the destination of the hike. It is important to wear appropriate hiking shoes and weatherproof clothing. Drinking water and snacks should be taken along. With so many beautiful photo opportunities, a camera should not be missing, of course.
Final thoughts about the Gornergrat – Riffelsee hike
The hike from Gornergrat via Rotenboden and Riffelsee to Riffelalp is an unforgettable experience in the Zermatt mountains. The breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding landscape are impressive. The diversity and beauty of the route, from the peaks to the lakes to the alpine meadows, makes it an incomparable hike for families, adventurers and nature lovers.
