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Mountain trail recommended route

Sun Trail (Nr. 22)

Mountain trail · Switzerland
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 Zermatt - Matterhorn Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Gornergrat Bahn cog railway with the Matterhorn (4,478 m) in the background
    Gornergrat Bahn cog railway with the Matterhorn (4,478 m) in the background
    Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Thomas Andematten
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m 3300 3200 3100 3000 2900 2800 2700 2600 2500 2400 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5 km Riffelhaus 1853 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - Panoramaself Bergbahnstation Riffelberg Bergbahnstation Rotenboden Buffet & Bar Riffelberg
Here, the spirit finds space, freedom and relaxation. The view of the distant horizons, with the panorama of peaks including the Matterhorn, is sure to linger long in the memory.
moderate
Distance 3.1 km
1:05 h
1 m
508 m
3,090 m
2,582 m

This trail through a pristine alpine landscape offers the ultimate contrast to daily routine at lower altitudes. The play of light and shadow among the clouds in the sky, the distant horizons and the view of the highest mountains in the Alps invariably inspire visitors. “I’m coming back,” they say. “One day. For sure.” This is a pleasant and relaxing path, and does not require a good head for heights.

  • On the Riffelhorn: climbing routes for experts
  • View of the Matterhorn
  • Wealth of alpine flora

Author’s recommendation

With a bit of luck, you can see marmots whistling while they fill themselves full for the coming winter.

A little above Riffelberg is also the venue where the famous Eagle Cup Golf Tournament takes place.

Profile picture of Zermatt Tourismus
Author
Zermatt Tourismus
Update: December 03, 2020
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
3,090 m
Lowest point
2,582 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 0.78%Dirt road 9.32%Nature trail 41.66%Path 48.22%
Asphalt
0 km
Dirt road
0.3 km
Nature trail
1.3 km
Path
1.5 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Buffet & Bar Riffelberg
3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - Panoramaself
Riffelhaus 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

Gornergrat (3,089 m) (3,089 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'626'634E 1'092'466N
DD
45.983240, 7.782318
DMS
45°58'59.7"N 7°46'56.3"E
UTM
32T 405683 5092906
w3w 
///dissolve.shipyards.trading
Show on Map

Destination

Riffelberg (2,582 m)

Turn-by-turn directions

Gornergrat - Rotenboden - Riffelberg

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 35)

This hike is marked on the signposts as “Sonnenweg”.

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

SwissGrid
2'626'634E 1'092'466N
DD
45.983240, 7.782318
DMS
45°58'59.7"N 7°46'56.3"E
UTM
32T 405683 5092906
w3w 
///dissolve.shipyards.trading
Show on Map
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)

Questions and answers

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Rating

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Photos from others

Difficulty
moderate
Distance
3.1 km
Duration
1:05 h
Ascent
1 m
Descent
508 m
Highest point
3,090 m
Lowest point
2,582 m
Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Botanical highlights Cableway ascent/descent Flora and fauna Linear route

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  • 7 Waypoints
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