Path of Silence (Nr. 24)
This walk leads through the quieter region of the Gornergrat, into its little-known hinterland. Along the way it passes the Kellensee lake, used in winter as a storage reservoir for artificial snowmaking along the pistes. There are fewer and fewer people to be seen – and so an increasing likelihood of spotting chamois. The path crosses stubbly pastures of alpine grass before reaching the lower part of the Ritzigrat ridge and a landscape scattered with rocks and boulders. Freeriders may well remember the scene, from having traced sweeping turns across the pristine snow here in winter.
- Swimming in the Grünsee lake (no dedicated facilities)
- Chance to see wildlife
- Interesting alpine flora with edelweiss
Author’s recommendation

Rest Stop
3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - "VIS-Ã-VIS"Mountain Lodge Ze Seewjinu
Safety information
- Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
- Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
- Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
- Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Gornergrat - Kelle - Grünsee (variant Grünsee - Findeln - Sunnegga approx. 1h 30, or variant to Riffelalp along the Naturweg trail approx. 40 min)
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 35)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Weg der Stille”.
Note
Public transport
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).
Getting there
Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.
Parking
Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.Onward travel: see “Getting there”.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
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