Riffelsee Lake Trail (Nr. 21)
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/ Riffelsee lake with reflection of the MatterhornPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Kurt Müller -
/ Startin point on Rotenboden with the Riffelhorn and the Matterhorn in the backgroundPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Zermatt Tourismus
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/ With luck, ibex can be seen along the trail around GagenhauptPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Leander Wenger
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/ End of the hike at Riffelberg stationPhoto: Zermatt Matterhorn
This path leads to a photographic site in a class of its own: the Riffelsee with reflection of the Matterhorn, a small rock in the little lake, pristine nature all around. The ultimate idyll!
easy
3 km
1:00 h
53 m
289 m
The surface of the Riffelsee lake is usually still, and so ideal for taking photos. This pristine alpine landscape promises visitors a complete break from daily reality at lower altitudes. The play of light and shadow among the clouds in the sky, the vast horizon, the views of the highest mountains in the Alps: all have an inspiring effect on visitors. “I’m coming back,” they say. “For sure.”
- Riffelsee lake: the most beautiful of photographic subjects, with reflection of the Matterhorn
- Appropriate for children from age 4
- On the Riffelhorn: climbing routes for experts
- Wealth of alpine flora
- Depending on season, wild animals can be seen (ibex in the Gaggenhaupt region)
Author’s recommendation
Consider first riding all the way up to the Gornergrat on the 111-year-old Gornergrat Bahn cog railway. The view from the observation platform: a breathtaking panorama of glaciers and mountains, including 29 peaks above 4,000 m. Then ride back to Rotenboden.
Author
Zermatt Tourismus
Updated: February 19, 2020
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,814 m
Lowest point
2,566 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rest Stop
Buffet & Bar RiffelbergRiffelhaus 1853
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.
Caution! In spring the path may not be passable because of snow.
Start
Rotenboden (2,815 m) (2,813 m)
Coordinates:
DD
45.984433, 7.765319
DMS
45°59'04.0"N 7°45'55.1"E
UTM
32T 404369 5093059
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Destination
Riffelberg (2,582 m)
Turn-by-turn directions
Rotenboden - Riffelsee - Riffelberg (extension possible via Mark Twain Weg or Swiss Topwalk trails)
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 15)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Riffelseeweg”.
Note
all notes on protected areas
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
DD
45.984433, 7.765319
DMS
45°59'04.0"N 7°45'55.1"E
UTM
32T 404369 5093059
w3w
///undertone.ownership.prickly
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
"Bergblumenwelt von Zermatt – Alpine Flowers around Zermatt", Hanspeter Steindle, edition punktuell, CH-9101 Herisau, 2009, zweisprachige Ausgabe Deutsch und Englisch. ISBN 978-3-905724-15-8
Author’s map recommendations
A walking map (1:25,000) is available from Zermatt Tourism’s guest information centre, along with brochures containing tips and recommendations.
Equipment
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
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