11 Top Things to Do in Gornergrat (Zermatt, Switzerland) +Our Tips

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No trip to Zermatt in Switzerland would be complete without visiting Gornergrat and riding the famous Gornergrat Railway. But what exactly can you see and do at Gornergrat, and what’s the best way to visit? This guide will give you a good idea of what to expect and how to plan your time.

Gornergrat is a mountain ridge near Zermatt, with an altitude of 3,089 meters (10,132 ft) above sea level. From various viewing platforms at the top, you can see the Gorner Glacier, 29 mountain peaks above 4,000 meters, including the famous Matterhorn, and countless other mountains – too many to count.

Gornergrat is one of the most popular mountain destinations in Switzerland, together with places like the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Jungfraujoch, Mt Titlis, Schilthorn James Bond World, Glacier 3000, or Mt Pilatus. Most visitors come to Zermatt just to ride on the famous Gornergrat Railway and, of course, for the views and the Matterhorn.

However, there is more to do at Gornergrat than just riding the train and taking some pictures from the viewing platform at the top station. In this article, we share the best things to do and experience at Gornergrat. We also include a recommended itinerary and our firsthand tips to get the most out of your visit.

 

When to go: You can visit Gornergrat in any season, though occasional maintenance closures for a week or two in the off-season are possible.

If you are somewhat flexible, try to visit Gornergrat on a sunny day. While some clouds will make the scenery even more interesting, you won’t be able to see much when it’s really cloudy. Sometimes, you may get lucky on an overcast day as well and find that the top is above the clouds – this can be a unique experience as well.

Tickets and passes: The simplest way to visit is with a return train ticket to Gornergrat from Zermatt. It lets you stop at intermediate stations along the way, but you can only travel each section once in each direction.

If you are visiting multiple mountain peaks in Zermatt on the same day or if you are in Zermatt for more than two days, consider a Peak Pass, which includes unlimited rides in the entire region.

If you want to see both Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in one day, then it’s best to get a Peak2Peak Ticket. This ticket is only available during the seasonal operating dates of the Riffelberg Express.

PRO TIP: If you’re traveling around Switzerland by public transport, consider the Swiss Travel Pass. It covers most trains, buses, and boats, and gives you discounts on many mountain railways and gondolas, including the above-mentioned passes in Zermatt. Traveling by car? Consider the Swiss Half-Fare Card instead.

Here are the best things to do at Gornergrat:

1. Gornergrat Railway (= best way to get to Gornergrat)

Built in 1898, the Gornergrat Railway (Gornergrat Bahn) is the highest open-air cog railway in Europe. The 9.4 km line connects Zermatt town (1,620m) to Gornergrat (3,089 m). The train ride takes 33 minutes and the steep climb is one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world.

Along the way, you can see some of the most beautiful mountain panoramas in the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn is by your side during almost the entire ride as well, offering picture-perfect photo opportunities behind every corner.

The journey on the Gornergrat Railway is spectacular in itself. But this is also the best way to reach Gornergrat ridge and some really nice places along the way – Riffelsee Lake, Riffelberg, and more.

Good to know: Gornergrat Railway is one of the most popular excursions in Switzerland. Many people come here for a day, so it can get quite busy. For the best experience and fewer crowds, we recommend staying in Zermatt for at least two nights and taking one of the first trains to Gornergrat in the morning (in summer, trains start running at 7 AM). Here you can get a day ticket for the railway.

If you are really short on time, you can also visit Gornergrat (+ Zermatt and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) with a tour from some of the bigger cities in Switzerland. You can find some of the best tour options here. Keep in mind that most tours include transportation, a guide during the drive, and some tickets in Zermatt, but you explore on your own.

TIP: Try to get a seat on the right side of the train (when going up, or on the left when going down). This is the side of the Matterhorn and has the best views. Or take one side on your way up and another side on your way down. Also, see if the windows next to your seat can be opened – it will be easier to take pictures.

Good to know: If you are visiting during busy times and want to get the best seat, it’s now possible to pre-book priority boarding. See here for more info. But if you start your day very early and take one of the first trains, this shouldn’t be necessary.

Coming for a day? See our suggested 1-day Zermatt itinerary.

2. Gorner Glacier

There are several different viewpoints at Gornergrat and if the weather is nice, we recommend that you do all of them – more info below.

The first and the easiest to visit is the viewing platform right at the railway station. You leave the train and immediately have the jaw-dropping view of the Gorner Glacier right in front of you. It looks like a giant frozen river trapped between the mountains. And because you are standing so high, you even look down at the glacier – it’s a really unique experience.

The first glimpse of the Gorner Glacier after you leave the train is immediately a real WOW moment! Afterwards, you get ‘used’ to this amazing view, but this first glimpse gave us goosebumps.

After so many years of travel and so many amazing destinations visited, these WOW moments are becoming quite scarce and it’s usually difficult to get really impressed by something. But this view here at Gornergrat was one of those moments that I won’t quickly forget. Absolutely dazzling!

3. Gornergrat Viewpoints

After visiting this viewing platform, walk in the direction of the 3100 Kulmhotel and take a winding walkway up. Soon, you’ll have another viewpoint at the back of the hotel, looking in the other direction. Here, you can also see a small lake just below the hotel – Ruinsee.

Continuing further up, you’ll eventually reach the highest viewing platform at Gornergrat at 3,131 meters. Here, you have panoramic views with the most stunning scenery in all directions. It’s truly breathtaking – one of the very best views in the Swiss Alps!

Most people turn around afterward and go back the same way they came, but don’t rush back just yet – see below why!

4. 360° Scenic Loop at Gornergrat

At the far end of the highest viewing platform (with the glacier to your right and the hotel behind you), you’ll see a rather narrow hiking path. If you turn here, you quickly see the signs indicating a short Scenic Loop hike. The signs differ a bit along the way, some say ‘Gornergrat 360’, some – ‘Rundwanderweg’, and others ‘Hiking Loop’. But it’s quite self-explanatory and you can’t go wrong.

The whole 360° Scenic Loop at Gornergrat is just about 0.5 km long and takes about 20 minutes. But since you are already at the viewing platform when you start ‘the hike’, you are actually about halfway through the loop. So instead of walking back the same way you came, simply complete this circular loop.

At first, you take a short steep trail a bit downwards and then very quickly, the trail splits in two. The Scenic Trail loops back to the left in the direction of the hotel.

Here, you are walking on the other side of the peak and get other angles and somewhat different views than at the viewing platforms before. And before you know it, you are back at the Gornergrat Hotel where you started.

This is really such a short walk that you can’t even call it a hike. It’s absolutely worth a few extra minutes of your time. Yet, surprisingly enough, not many people seem to do it. Maybe because the indications aren’t very clear and people don’t realize that this walk is really short…

But now that you know that you can connect to this loop hike from the highest viewing platform, just locate the path at the far end of it and you can’t really go wrong from there.

5. Matterhorn Photo Point

At the Gornergrat Railway Station, behind the building and to the right, you can find the Matterhorn Photo Point. This is a place with a good view of the Matterhorn, a red ‘frame’, and a camera where you can take free pictures of yourself with the iconic Matterhorn mountain.

You can, of course, just use your own camera as well. But you can also scan your ticket at the photo point camera and have it take a picture of your entire family or group for you. You can afterwards download the pictures for free on the internet.

It’s all really straightforward and explained there too. Just don’t forget to keep your ticket because you’ll need the ticket number in order to find your pictures. We simply took a picture of our tickets with the smartphone so that we couldn’t forget it and we only downloaded the pictures long after we were back home.

The pictures aren’t of the best quality and have some publicity watermarks on them, but it’s a nice (and free) souvenir from your visit to Gornergrat.

Good to know: You’ll find several more of these photo points in Zermatt (e.g. with the ZERMATT sign at Schwarzsee) and you can take as many pictures as you want. We did this at a few different locations in Zermatt, but not at Gornergrat because it was quite busy at the photo point. So you might have to wait a bit as well.

6. Zooom the Matterhorn

Zooom the Matterhorn is a fun attraction at Gornergrat. It’s located in a small building on the hill behind the railway station and to the left of the hotel – you can’t really miss it. Admission is included in railway tickets.

The most interesting attraction at Zooom the Matterhorn is the virtual reality ‘flying’ experience where you are gliding over the mountains around Gornergrat. You can choose from two different experiences – the scenic ride or the more thrilling ride, and it feels as if you are paragliding indeed. This is such a wonderful concept and it gives you such a unique opportunity to see the amazing scenery in a way that only very few people experience in real life.

However, when we visited, there were just 4 chairs with these VR glasses. So on a busy day, you might have to wait for a while. Furthermore, two out of the four VR glasses weren’t functioning well when we visited, which is really a pity because it’s such a wonderful experience. This was their first year, so maybe things weren’t yet functioning as they should. I really hope that they get the technical issues sorted and maybe even install more chairs so that more visitors can enjoy this unique experience.

In addition, there’s also a short movie inside, a mini-version of the Matterhorn for the kids to climb on, and a few other cool features. It’s well worth a short visit!

Our boys loved it so much that we had to go twice and try both rides. Of course, they liked the thrilling ride more than the scenic one.: 🙂

7. Gornergrat Chapel

Between the Gornergrat Hotel and the Zooom the Matterhorn experience stands a small chapel.

It’s officially called Bernhard van Aosta Chapel. It was built in 1950 and was originally dark grey. Its rather simple exterior didn’t attract much attention and most people seemed to just walk by without even noticing it. Maybe that’s why the chapel is now painted in white so that it’s more noticeable.

Apart from its unique location, the chapel itself is not really that special. But since you are here anyway, why not take a quick look inside or even light a candle.

Good to know: The chapel belongs to the municipality of Zermatt, is always open, and there’s no entrance fee.

8. Hiking

Many hiking trails start at Gornergrat and if you have the time, it’s well worth considering some of them.

However, if you are like most visitors, you’ll likely not have half a day or a full day for some of the longer hikes in the area. The good news is that even with limited time, you can explore the area on foot a bit more – the views are stunning everywhere you go.

TIP: If you have an hour to spare and want to do some hiking at Gornergrat, we highly recommend the Gornergrat Scenic Trail – hike nr. 15 to Riffelsee and Rotenboden. Together with the 360°Scenic Loop mentioned earlier, this hike is one of the best ways to enjoy the phenomenal views around Gornergrat.

READ ALSO: Best Hikes in Zermatt

9. Meet the Sheep

Another fun thing to do when visiting Zermatt in summer is to meet the famous Valais Blacknose Sheep on the Gornergrat.

Meeting the sheep is such a fun thing to do when visiting Gornergrat with children! When we visited, the sheep could be tracked by GPS and our kids were so fascinated by this that they studied the website while we were on the train (there’s free Wi-Fi on Gornergrat Railway), read everything about them, and eagerly looked through the windows trying to spot them. When we finally found a couple of sheep, the kids were over the moon!

During the summer season, you can check the sheep’s location and visiting information on the official Meet the Sheep page. Nowadays, visits take place during set hours with a shepherd present.

Good to know: The sheep are usually in the Gornergrat area from late June into September. Exact dates and visiting hours vary, so check the official page before planning your visit.

10. 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat: Shopping & Dining

If you want to have unique access to the most spectacular views and other activities at Gornergrat, you can opt to spend a night at the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat.

Staying at the hotel, you’ll have early and late access to the most phenomenal scenery and will also be able to walk to the nearby Riffelsee for sunrise or sunset. And in winter, in addition to the views, you’ll have the best ski slopes right at your feet!

For day visitors, there is shopping and dining.

There are several places to eat and drink at the top, including Glacier Alpine Kitchen for regional dishes and saycheese! for Swiss cheese specialties. Check the hotel’s restaurant page for current options and opening hours.

Gornergrat prides itself on being home to Europe’s highest shopping mall. It’s located on the ground floor of the hotel and is open daily throughout the year except in November.

Now, I wouldn’t really call this a shopping mall, rather a few shops. But they do have all the typical Swiss shops that you usually find at all the tourist destinations in Switzerland. Swiss knives (you can get them engraved here too), watches, chocolates – you can find it all here. In addition, there’s a shop selling gin from the Matterhorn Distillers – something you won’t easily find elsewhere in Switzerland.

11. Stellarium & Star Gazing

At 3,100 meters altitude, Gornergrat is an incredible place for stargazing at night! It feels as if you can touch the Milky Way!

Stellarium Gornergrat is a research observatory and is not normally open for casual visits. However, you can visit through selected stargazing events or arrange a guided group tour. Check the hotel’s Stellarium page for current options and dates.

But while you can’t easily go inside, you can see the round dome of the observatory from the outside. And if you stay at the hotel, you can go stargazing at Gornergrat as much as you like – just step outside.

How to Plan Your Time: Gornergrat Itinerary

It’s really easy to visit Gornergrat – you can just take a train to the top, walk around, and take the train back to Zermatt (or hike down to Rotenboden or Rffelberg and take a train from there). But we recommend that you plan your time a bit differently and explore more of the area.

The itinerary below might not look like the most logical way to do things, but if you want to see the reflections at Riffelsee or try to spot marmots, we recommend doing it this way.

Here’s our suggested itinerary for Gornergrat (summer only):

In the morning, take a train from Zermatt to Gornergrat and disembark at Rotenboden, one before the last station.

Just near Rotenboden lies a tiny mountain lake – Riffelsee. When the conditions are right, you can see the most beautiful reflections of the Matterhorn here.

The earlier in the morning you visit, the better your chances of seeing the reflections. Therefore, we recommend taking one of the first trains in the morning – at 7 AM or at the latest at 8 AM.

LEARN MORE: Riffelsee Lake

If you feel like hiking, you could take a short hike from Riffelsee to Riffelberg. On your way, you’ll pass another, even smaller lake with equally stunning reflections. Also, hiking here early in the morning, you have a good chance of seeing marmots.

This hike takes about 1 hour and brings you back to the same train line, between Gornergrat and Zermatt. However, in this case, you’ll travel the Riffelberg–Rotenboden section uphill by train twice, which requires an additional ticket for that section or a pass covering unlimited travel. With a standard return ticket, just visit Riffelsee and walk back to Rotenboden station to continue to Gornergrat by train.

LEARN MORE: Rotenboden – Riffelberg Hike

Once at the top, visit all the attractions at Gornergrat as described above: the viewpoints, the 360° Loop, the Zooom the Matterhorn experience, and the hotel with shops and restaurants.

Once you are ready to go down, hike from Gornergrat to Rotenboden (trail nr. 15). As already mentioned, this is one of the best hikes in Zermatt, and the views are absolutely worth a small effort. It takes about 40 minutes.

LEARN MORE: Gornergrat – Rotenboden Hike (Zermatt Trail nr. 15)

From Rotenboden, you can take the train down to Zermatt and explore the town. You can also disembark at one of the other stations along the way and explore the area more or do some more hiking.

In the summer season, you could also take a cable car from Riffelberg to Furi, from where you can easily visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on the same day. However, if you do have time, we recommend planning a separate day for this area. Zermatt is worth more than a day!

Short on time? Take a look at our detailed itinerary for one day in Zermatt, which explains the best way to see all the top sights in a day.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Zermatt

Practical Tips

At 3,089m, it’s usually quite chilly at Gornergrat. Even in summer, be sure to pack a warm sweater and a windproof rain jacket.

Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, even if you are only visiting the viewpoints at the Gornergrat itself. Hiking shoes are a must if you plan to do any hiking.

Gornergrat with Kids

Gornergrat is a wonderful destination for families – you can reach the top by train and the best views are easily accessible. If your kids can walk for 10-15 minutes at a time, you can see all the best viewpoints at Gornergrat with them and also visit Riffelsee Lake.

If your kids are at least 4-5 years old and good hikers, you could do the short hikes between Gornergrat and Rotenboden (a somewhat steeper hike) and/or from Rotenboden to Riffelberg (this one is easier).

In summer, you could even visit Gornergrat with a stroller – the viewing platform and the pathways to the upper viewpoints at Gornergrat should be doable. However, you won’t be able to do much else, such as visit Riffelsee Lake, for example. So I’d recommend leaving a stroller at the hotel and packing a baby-carrier instead.

These are our kids’ favorite things to do at Gornergrat: the train ride, the viewpoints and 360° loop at the top, Zooom the Matterhorn, and cuddling the blacknose sheep. They also enjoyed Riffelsee Lake and the hike to Riffelberg, mostly because we saw marmots along the way.

Good to know: Children under 6 can travel on the Gornergrat Railway free of charge. Also kids between 6 and 16 (and when traveling with parents who have an adult ticket) are free with a Junior Travelcard. Swiss Travel Pass and Half-fare Card also give big discounts for the entire family.

LEARN MORE: Swiss Travel Pass: What’s Included & Is It Worth It

Is Gornergrat Worth It?

Yes, Gornergrat is absolutely worth visiting, and you don’t need perfectly clear skies to enjoy it. The Matterhorn and glacier views make it even better, but the scenic railway ride is an attraction in itself.

In summer, the mountain lakes, short hikes, and Valais Blacknose sheep give you plenty of reasons to visit. Our kids loved looking for the sheep, and we enjoyed exploring the area beyond the main viewpoints. Even with some clouds, there can still be plenty to see along the way.

Of course, if the entire mountain is covered in thick clouds, we would try to visit another day, especially considering the ticket price. But don’t write off Gornergrat just because the forecast isn’t perfect. You can also combine your visit with time in Zermatt and, if you have more time, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Gornergrat in Winter

If you are visiting Gornergrat in winter, when the lakes are covered in snow and hiking trails have turned into ski slopes, your experience will obviously be very different. But it’s still worth it and the views on a clear day are amazing!

In winter, you can go skiing here and there are some snowshoeing trails as well.

Gornergrat Railway runs the whole year round and the hotel and restaurant at the top are also open. So yes, you can visit Gornergrat in winter as well.

FAQ

TIP: If you like hiking and want to explore the stunning scenery around Zermatt more, consider the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. It takes you to the foot of the Matterhorn and near a retreating glacier, and is one of the best hikes in Zermatt! Highly recommended if visiting in summer. For more information, see our detailed guide via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Matterhorn Glacier Trail

So, this is our guide to visiting Gornergrat. I hope that this gives you a better idea of what to expect and how to plan your time.

Have a great time in Zermatt!

More inspiration for your trip to Switzerland:

• Best of Zermatt
• Best of Lucerne
• Best of Geneva
• Best of Bern
• Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
• Mt Titlis
• Lucerne Day Trips
• Mt Pilatus from Lucerne
• Grindelwald-First
• Interlaken Day Trip
• Schynige Platte (a hidden gem!)

Summer hikes:

• Oeschinensee Lake (near Interlaken)
• 5 Lakes Hike in Zermatt
• Stoos Ridge Hike (near Lucerne)
• Bachalpsee Lake (in Grindelwald)
• Longest Suspension Bridge in the Alps (near Zermatt)

Winter travel:

• Jungfrau Region in Winter
• Skiing in Wengen
• Skiing in Engelberg
• Affordable Skiing in Switzerland

TIP: Save this guide for later, share it with your friends, or pin it to Pinterest so you can easily come back to it when planning your trip.