The highlight of our visit to Zermatt was a train trip up to the top of the Gornergrat. The Gornergrat is a rocky ridge that sits at an altitude of 3,089 m in the Pennine Alps, Switzerland. The rim can be reached from Zermatt by the Gornergrat railway, the highest open-air railway in Europe.
A trip to the to of Gornergrat is one of the best things to do in Zermatt. From up there you can enjoy the stunning views of almost 30 peaks, including the famous Matterhorn. If seeing the Matterhorn is a once in a lifetime experience, admiring the sleepy giant from different angles and altitudes is even more fascinating.
Table of Contents
What to Expect on the Train Ride from Zermatt to Gornergrat
The cogwheel train ride from Zermatt to the viewing platform on the Gornergrat is an experience in itself. The train leaves from a yellow building (station) just across the main train station in Zermatt.
The ride takes a little over half an hour, but it’s really beautiful. As you leave the station, the track climbs around the back side of Zermatt leaving the village behind in the deep valley.
While the train continues to climb going through small wooden tunnels and wiggling through the curves, you may see cute marmots, mountain sheep, or goats and enjoy some of the best views of the Matterhorn.
The scenery changes continually, taking you first through beautiful woods and meadows with lots of wild flowers, then passing by ski slops and snow covered mountain peaks.
There are five stops along the way and your ticket allows you to get off at any of them and then re-join the train, if you decide to stop for photos or just to walk for a while.
Things to Do Atop the Gornergrat
Once the train arrives at its final destination atop the Gornergrat, you can walk up the short, snowy path that leads first to a little chapel, then to the hotel/restaurant and the observatory whose domes are visible for miles.
Further up there are some more steps that lead to a wider viewing platform where you get a 360-degree view of the entire Monte Rosa range of mountains, including the iconic Matterhorn.
READ NEXT: 10 Days in Switzerland – The Perfect Scenic Train Itinerary
Hiking Down to Zermatt from Gornergrat
After admiring the stunning panoramic views from the top of the Gornergrat, you can then take the train back to Zermatt, or you may choose to come down on foot.
We took the cogwheel half way and then hiked all the way down to our hotel in Zermatt. The hiking was not difficult, but it took longer than we expected. What was estimated to be a 4 hour hike ended up being about 6 hours, even though we walked pretty fast.
Hiking down to Zermatt was the best part of the trip. The road goes parallel with the railway for a while, but then it turns to the left and goes through the woods.
Interested in riding a train in Switzerland? Read about our experience riding the cogwheel train to the top of Jungfraujoch.
Tips for Riding the Train from Zermatt to Gornergrat
To fully enjoy this trip, consider these tips:
- Take the earliest train to Gornergrat
- On the way up the mountain sit on the right side in the direction of the train. This is where you’ll have the best, unobstructed views to the valley without having to look over the other passengers’ heads.
- Sit in the last car of the train if you want to take pictures of the train during the curves. The train windows can be opened, so you’ll come home with some fantastic pictures.
- Dress warmly as it’s windy and sometimes quite cold at the top of the Gornergrat. Also wear good hiking boots because you’ll have to hike a little to reach the viewing platform.
- Luggage space is limited on the train, but there are luggage lockers in Zermatt to store you large luggage.
- If you have a Swiss Rail Pass you get a 50% discount on the cogwheel tickets, but they are still expensive.
In summer, as the snow melts revealing a lush scenery with beautiful lakes and mountain springs. Unless the weather is bad, I would encourage you to walk from the Gornergrat all the way down to Zermatt. It’s the best part of the trip!
If you found this post useful, please pin it for later:
Avon Old Farms Hotel, an Unexpected Twist of Elegance / Luxury Travel
Jennifer Melroy
I really want to climb to the top of the Matterhorn. It would be an amazing climb plus it seems like fun. I love getting to hike in the Alps. They are so much fun to explore.
Christina
This definitely looks like a memorable experience. I like how the train has different stops along the way. This day trip is being added to my bucket list.
Beth | Adventuring the Great Wide Somewhere
These photos are gorgeous! The first one looks like it could be the setting for a James Bond movie, and the scenery just gets prettier and prettier! Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
mark wyld
Looks fantastic and let us be honest what is not expensive in Switzerland. It’s funny I read this story today just yesterday I posted a picture of the restaurant and view on my facebook page lol. maybe it is trying to tell me something. Great pictures i enjoyed them very much.
Anda Galffy
So, you’ve been on the Gornergrat too, Mark? Isn’t that a gorgeous view of the Matterhorn?
Connie Reed
The Gornergrat looks like an awesome experience. I love that you can get off and back on instead just passing by everything on the ride. Beautiful photos and great tips.
Ibazela | Love Traveling
Anda, lovely! Your photos and stories are always great!
I really like your advice in no. 2 (about the right seat in the train). I really hate not being on the right place in a train / plane / bus and hearing “Woooow! Look at this!!! Amaaaaazing!” from the people sitting on the other side of the aisle. It’s frustrating 😉
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Isabella. Hope you’ll get to see the Gornergrat.
Lyn@thetravellinglindfields
You seem to be having a wonderful time exploring one mountain top after another.
Ruth
The idea of taking the cogwheel to see the mountain from a different angle is great. It feels that you can touch it (that is how close it looks). I like the idea of hiking down to the hotel. It is a good opportunity to be in contact with beautiful nature.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
This is absolutely stunning and how I would have pictured sightseeing along the Swiss Alps. We’re hoping to go to Switzerland next summer and this will definitely be added to the list. Beautiful photos!
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Mary. I’d love to go back there again too.
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe
Anda, your wonderful posts keep me adding to my ever growing list of places to visit when we are in Europe in December. Looking at your wonderful photos I can see it is going to be a wonderful trip.
Anda Galffy
The Gornergrat is great to visit at any time of year, Lyn, so you can add it to your list.