Swiss Quality Hikers Trust and Love – Instagrammable Toblerone Peak and Monte Rosa Massif above Zermatt

Don’t miss this panoramic hike from Zermatt to Gornergrat over to Riffel Lake with the famous reflection of the Matterhorn. Switzerland offers so much for nature lovers and hikers who look for thrilling and soul-healing views and can’t wait to once again reconnect with nature. More than anything, it provides variety, almost too much for indecisive and “on the fence” backpackers who are planning on their next trip. Let us help you with the planning part, as here we will give you all the information you need about one fantastic medium-difficulty route.

One of the most magnificent backdrops in the Alps and the best spotlight on Switzerland’s landmark are combined with relatively little effort on this tour. The unmistakable view of the “Toblerone peak” combined with its reflection in one of the lakes is undoubtedly the most famous panorama in Switzerland. 

Despite the fame of this location and the easy accessibility with the Gornergratbahn, this hike is relatively quiet in parts and impresses with the path above the glaciers of the Monte Rosa massif. The tour described can be shortened or extended as desired (e.g. ascent/descent to Zermatt). 

Directions for the panoramic hike at Gornergrat to Riffel Lake with the famous Reflection on the Matterhorn

From the Rotenboden station (2815m) about 50 meters downhill in the direction of Lake RIffel (Riffelsee). Here you pass the lake shore (see photo tip). From Riffelsee take the well-maintained hiking trail in the direction of the (New) Monte Rosa Hut. 

The path leads along the massive glacier tongue of the Gorner glacier for a few hundred meters. After about 2km at the junction (2694m) turn left uphill towards Gornergrat or Hohtälli.

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – eastern flank of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif

For many, the most beautiful photo motif is the eastern flank of the Matterhorn and its reflection in the Riffelsee. The Gornergratbahn and the walk around the Riffelsee are often crowded. It is worth taking the very first train in the morning to Rotenboden station, if possible, or staying in the area after the train closes. 

From the ridge to Hohtälli, our view sweeps south over the Monte Rosa massif and monumental ice walls and glacier formations. Impressive shots can be taken with both wide-angle and telephoto lenses. 

An equally beautiful alternative to Gornergrat/Riffelsee is the Sunnegga/Blauherd summit station with a short and easy hike (about 1km) to Stellisee.

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

More information about your Matterhorn – Zermatt hiking adventure (Gornergrat – Riffelsee – photo spot)

How to get there by public transport: By train via Visp to Täsch and further by train to the center of Zermatt.

How to get by car: From Visp road to Täsch, park here and change to train or cab. Zermatt is car-free.

Start/finish: Station Rotenboden (coordinates: geogr. 45.983143, 7.782913, UTM 32T 405729 5092894)

Distance: 9.1km

Duration: 4h

Ascent/descent: 680m/680m

Highest point/lowest point: 3273m/2635m

Hike difficulty level: medium

Special features: Alternative route via Sunnega cable car (5-lake hike)

Meals: Hohtälli, Gornergrat, Rotenboden

Further tips: If the Gornergrat cable car is fully booked, the tour can alternatively be started and finished with the Furi-Riffelberg cable car from Riffelberg (2565m). Another alternative is the 5-lake web from Blauherd.

Contact:

www.zermatt.ch

www.gornergratbahn.ch

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.

Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information. ie schönsten Orte und Fotogelegenheiten in den Bergen zusammengefasst. 30 Wanderungen mit 95 Fotospots sind so ausgewählt und beschrieben, dass auch du diese wunderbaren Landschaften selbst erleben kannst – inkl. GPS Tracks und Wanderkarte und allen weiteren Infos.

You can take a closer look at the ebook here– – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and photograph these places with!

Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. After registering, you will also receive the GPS track, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.