Synopsis
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The original hope was to take the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing cable car between two peaks, traveling from Switzerland to Italy and back. Alas, the crossing is closed until October for annual maintenance. An equal substitute should be the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise where you ride the cablecar to the Swiss peak of the Matterhorn.
It’s our last night in Zermatt, so likely further explore the city, get a nice meal, and pack for our next day’s train travel.
Commentary
After yesterday’s shitty weather and low-hanging clouds that completely obscured the Matterhorn for most of the day – skies cleared briefly mid- to late-afternoon, long after we had left Gornergrat – we decided try again today. Yesterday’s weather report seem to promise clear skies and, miraculously, we awoke to our first clear, sunny day of our entire trip.
Matterhorn Sunrise
The Kirchbrücke in Zermatt is the recommended place to get some gorgeous views of the sun rising on the Matterhorn. Very convenient as our hotel abuts the bridge, so I quickly threw on whatever clothes were at hand, went outside, and found at least 150 people of similar ilk.
The clear views of the Matterhorn overcame any discomfort from the freezing temperatures, and I spent twenty minutes taking pictures as the sun rose, alternating shots with my phone and DSLR. Absolutely gorgeous.
Ascent #2
After a lovely brunch at Petit Royale, we again made our way to the Gornergrat station. The train was just pulling out as we arrived, so we waited for the 1200/12 noon train. When the train arrived, we duly found seats on the right side – better views during the ascent – and waited for the train to depart.
Today’s views from the train were far superior than yesterday’s failed attempt. Yesterday no one opened the windows to avoid the rain, snow and cold: today that was not a concern. Everyone was opening the windows for better picture-taking, getting views of the Matterhorn and neighboring peaks.
Arrival #2
The train arrived at the Gornergrat Station punctually at 12:33pm and everyone disembarked.
At the top, there’s more to do than just take pictures. Zoom the Matterhorn interactive, multimedia experience. Tiger Grill snack bar. The outdoor patio of The Sky Lounge with gorgeous views. Glacier Alpine Kitchen. The obligatory gift shop. Even a hotel if you want to spend the night! It’s all about enjoying your time and spending your money.
But let’s not kid ourselves: most are here for enjoying the panoramic views, getting as close to the Matterhorn without being a mountaineer, and pictures and selfies. And today’s clear skies and comfortable temperatures made this trip to Gornergrat everything we had hoped for yesterday. Well worth the cost/hassle of purchasing a second ticket.
Riffelsee
Multiple sources recommended taking a picture of the Matterhorn reflected in Riffelsee, especially at sunrise, so we took the train down one stop to Rotenboden to check it out.
The “walk” from the station to Riffelsee is estimated at ten minutes. What isn’t mentioned is the walk’s difficulty as you walk down uneven, step stone steps which devolves into a manageable muddy path. The reality is you’re now hiking in the alps. Some random person suggested continuing past Riffelsee to a different, less visited body of water. I went another 10-15 minutes before deciding to cut my losses: an upcoming gorge might otherwise have been appealing, but it appeared even farther off. Enough.
My wife, intelligently, understood the degree of difficulty and decided to stay near the top. When I returned to the bench where she was waiting, I had taken off my coat and sweatshirt and was sweating. Tired, I sat on the bench for ten minutes, drank water, and rested.
However, I will now claim to have hiked the Alps.
Gornergrat Learnings
- The ticket and priority reservations are separate. Rather than make a meaningless trip on Day 1 @ 10am because of the reservation, we should have just waited and used the ticket on Day 2. Instead, we purchased new tickets for our second attempt.
- The best views from the train are on the right side when ascending. Do not hesitate to open windows for better pictures (though depends on carriage, some have panoramic windows that don’t open).
- Check the current weather before traveling and expect colder temps than in Zermatt. Walking at Gornergrat was somewhat treacherous as the previous day’s snow had refrozen. I saw people sliding down the pathway up to the highest viewpoint (which we didn’t attempt for that very reason).
- Though I regularly exercise, my heart rate quickly elevated at Gornergrat just walking around. No problems at Rotenboden, just what I would consider a normal increase as I hiked back up to the station.
Image Credits
- Synopsis picture courtesy of Matterhorn Paradise Information.
- All other photos © 2025 Scott C Sosna, all rights reserved
