recommended route
360° Loop Gornergrat (Nr. 16)
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/ Impressive scenic panorama around the GornergratPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Pascal Gertschen -
/ Journey with the Gornergrat Railway to the starting pointPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Toni Mohr
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/ In the background the Monte Rosa massif with Switzerland’s highest mountain (Dufourspitze, 4,634 m),Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Gaudenz Danuser
The view from the 360° Loop Gornergrat is extremely memorable: before you lie the Monte Rosa massif with Switzerland’s highest mountain (Dufourspitze, 4,634 m), the second highest glacier in the Alps (Gorner glacier) and a panorama with 29 mountains over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, all close enough to touch.
The short high-altitude hiking trail starts and ends at the Gornergrat viewing platform and runs behind the Gornergrat peak. With a little luck you will see wild ibex.
- accessible for prams and buggies
- accessible for accompanied wheelchairs only
- 33-minute ride from Zermatt to the Gornergrat with the Gornergrat railway
- beneath the viewing platform: 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat (highest hotel in the Swiss Alps)
Author’s recommendation
There are free Viscopes available on the viewing platform, which is where the high-altitude hiking trail starts and ends. These are viewing telescopes which display information, such as the names of mountains, villages and trails, in the user’s field of vision. Enjoy exploring the Gornergrat!
Rest Stop
3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - "VIS-Ã-VIS"3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - Panoramaself
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.
Tips and hints
Ticket for the trip to the GornergratStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
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
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
Photos from others