When you mention hiking the Swiss Alps, it can make some people nervous. No fear. There are easy hikes around Zermatt, Switzerland that anyone in good walking condition can handle. As a bonus, they offer breath-taking views of the Matterhorn all the way. I will detail a couple of hikes that only take a few hours.
Gornergrat to Riffelalp in less than 2 hours
If you only do one hike in your time at Zermatt, make it this one!
The Gornergrat train station is in the heart of Zermatt and whisks you through magnificent scenery up to the Gornergrat at 3089m (10,132ft) in just 30 minutes. There are a couple of trains per hour, and being Switzerland, you can set your watch by their timeliness.
Spend some time at Gornergrat, with its 360-degree views from various viewing platforms. It also features a self-service restaurant with outdoor terrace filled with sun-seekers just soaking in the fresh mountain air.
Now for the good news. We begin our hike here, all downhill, with several opportunities to rejoin the train at its various stops on the mountain. The first of those stops is Rotenboden (2815m), and the tiny Riffelsee is just 5 minutes away. We are there around midday and the best photo opportunity for a Matterhorn reflection in the water is priceless.
The next stop is Riffelberg (2582m), an easy 30-minute walk from Riffelsee on wide, pretty smooth paths.
Let’s keep going! Riffelalp (2211m) is about an hour down the mountain from Riffelberg. We are always facing the Matterhorn, and sometimes even encounter some man-made structures (we call them rockmen). Still above the tree-line, we have walked about 900 meters down in elevation in less than 2 hours. We decide to join the train back to Zermatt at this point.
The more adventurous can continue hiking down the mountain. Zermatt is about another hour and 20 minutes away. We make it by train in 15 minutes, enjoying an après-hike drink sooner that way.
Sunnegga to Moosijee and back in less than 3 hours
Near the western edge of Zermatt lies the funicular to Sunnegga (2288m). After a 5-minute underground journey we emerge into another hiking wonderland.
We slowly pry ourselves off the sun terrace at Restaurant Sunnegga, adjacent to the funicular, to begin our hike.
Close by is Leisee (2232m), a small lake that has too many ripples for Matterhorn reflections on this day.
We continue to follow a maze of narrow paths gradually uphill. Despite the lack of trail signage, you really can’t get very lost, as you are walking away from the Matterhorn (and later back toward it). Unlike the Gornergrat hike, this scenery is within the tree line, offering a different experience. As we continue, we encounter fewer people, as well.
Part of what is known as the Five-Lakes hike, we descend down to a turquoise green reservoir called Moosjisee (2140m). Its color is derived from meltwater from the Findel Glacier. It is a quiet spot for a trail mix and water break before retracing our steps back to Sunnegga.
We are here in October, but in summer and winter a cable car can take you from Sunnegga up to Rothorn (3103m) for more hiking fun.
We take the funicular back down to Zermatt, noting that some people choose to add this to their hike (about another 2 hours). Others rent mountain bikes for a thrill ride with a 600m drop in elevation. Not today.
What you should know
There are dozens of hikes around Zermatt, made accessible to beginners thanks to the network of cable cars and lifts that handle to steep inclines for you. Tourist Information or your hotel should have plenty of local maps that are indispensable for these experiences. Note that this network is seasonal. Check for openings, timetables, and prices.
The hikes we explore in this article are pretty easy. We wear exercise shoes in lieu of hiking boots without any problems. We encounter kids and grandmothers along the way. Despite the relatively easy trails, it pays to always carry bottles of water. Hydration at this altitude is critical.
Do you have any favorite hikes around Zermatt? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.
What’s upscale?
Stay in a nice hotel within the village, such as Hotel Dufour, and start each day with an excellent homemade breakfast. If you arrive needing to be outfitted, Zermatt has plenty of high-end shops, such as Mammut and Moncler. We love our dinner at China Garden and the Swiss specialties, including scrumptious fondue, at Stockhorn.
What’s budget?
Trains and cable cars are not cheap, but they take you up to instant hiking, which is free. No guide needed.
