Gornergrat — Panorama par excellence★★★
The Gornergrat (3,089 m) offers perhaps the most impressive mountain panorama in Switzerland — and is easily accessible by cogwheel train.
★★★ Gornergrat Railway
The highest open-air cogwheel railway in Europe has been running since 1898 in 33 minutes from Zermatt (1,620 m) to the Gornergrat (3,089 m). The route is breathtaking: through larch forests, over daring bridges, past glaciers — and the Matterhorn moves from left to right through the window during the journey. Sit on the right side!
★★★ Gornergrat Panorama
At the summit: a 360° panorama over the Gorner Glacier (second largest in the Alps), Monte Rosa (4,634 m, highest Swiss peak), the Dufourspitze, the Matterhorn, and a total of 29 four-thousanders. The Kulmhotel Gornergrat (the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps, from 300 CHF) has rooms with Matterhorn views — sunrise from the bed.
Gornergrat Railway: 96 CHF return (from Zermatt). With Swiss Travel Pass 50% = 48 CHF. Half-fare 48 CHF. Frequency: every 24 minutes. First ride 7:00 a.m. (Sunrise Ticket for photographers!).
★★ Riffelsee
The most famous Matterhorn reflection in the world: Get off at Rotenboden station (one stop below the summit), then walk 10 minutes to Riffelsee. In the stillness of the morning, the Matterhorn reflects perfectly in the turquoise water. THE photo motif of Switzerland. Works best in the morning (7:30–9:00 a.m.) or late afternoon.
💡 Tipp
Take the first train at 7:00 a.m. (Sunrise Ticket same price!) — you'll have the summit almost to yourself, and the morning light on the Matterhorn is worth its weight in gold. Hike from Rotenboden to Riffelsee (10 min.), photograph the reflection, then continue on foot to Gornergrat (45 min., easy). The crowds arrive from 10 a.m.
