Gornergrat, 33 minutes by train to face the Matterhorn head-on.

If you only make one ascent from Zermatt, make it this one: the train doesn't depend on the wind the way cable cars do, and the view of the Matterhorn is the most complete.

What you see at the top

The Gornergrat Bahn, a cogwheel railway that opened in 1898, climbs from Zermatt to the Gornergrat ridge at 3,089 m. Up here you get a 360-degree view: the Matterhorn straight ahead and, according to the railway company, another 28 peaks above 4,000 metres, among them the Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa, the highest point in Switzerland, and the Dom. The Gorner Glacier flows at your feet.

On the summit you will find the Kulmhotel Gornergrat, with a restaurant, and the interactive exhibition "ZOOOM the Matterhorn", a good plan if the clouds roll in. At The Golden Spot you can have your photo taken in front of the golden locomotive 3003, with the Matterhorn behind. Because you go up by train and the viewing area is spacious, it also suits anyone who gets dizzy or doesn't walk much.

Getting to the station

The Gornergrat Bahn station is about 50 m from Zermatt railway station. Zermatt does not allow petrol or diesel cars: if you come by car, leave it in Täsch and take the shuttle train, which drops you at the same station. The journey to the top takes 33 minutes, with stops at Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden.

Prices and discounts

The company's 2026-2027 prices distinguish two seasons. From Zermatt to the Gornergrat, a return ticket costs CHF 132 from May to October and CHF 102 from November to April; a single costs CHF 66 and CHF 51. If you plan to walk down, the ticket to Rotenboden costs CHF 114 return in summer and CHF 96 in winter.

With a Half Fare Card, GA travelcard or Swiss Travel Pass you pay half. Children also pay half, and with the Swiss rail Junior Card they travel free from 6 to 15 years old. For the high season, the company sells priority boarding.

How much time to allow

Allow half a day: an hour of train between the ascent and the descent, an hour or more at the top, and another hour if you walk down to the Riffelsee. If you have lunch at the summit or take the route to Riffelberg at a leisurely pace, count on the whole morning.

When to go

It runs all year. Clear mornings are the best: the Matterhorn tends to disappear behind cloud as the day goes on, especially in summer. In early November the line usually stops for a few days for maintenance; check the timetable on the Gornergrat Bahn website before you go. In winter the path to the Riffelsee becomes a snow route between Rotenboden and Riffelberg, and at Rotenboden there is an igloo village with fondue.

With children and with a dog

This is the easiest high-altitude outing from Zermatt with children: there are no cable cars to frighten them, and there is room to move around at the top. Remember that at 3,089 m it is cold and you notice the altitude; if anyone feels dizzy, go back down. Small children enjoy the short walk to the Riffelsee more than the summit.