Zermatt, Matterhorn, and Gornergrat

That day, after exploring Blausee lake, I went to Zermatt. It was May 5^th 2017, and I was on my 15^th day out of 21 days in Europe. I took IC Train from Interlaken Ost to Zermatt with a stop at Spiez. I wanted to spend a day around Gornegrat to enjoy Matterhorn from afar and spend the night at Zermatt.

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Zermatt

I was quite surprise to find how crowded Zermatt was, compared to cities I had went so far then. I had gone to Geneva, Montreux, Lausanne, Interlaken, and other cities in Switzerland. However, Zermatt was quite touristy and hype. While it such a nice change, I love Interlaken better.

I stayed on an Airbnb, and I did not read the description very well. That was why when I arrived I was quite surprised to find that i had to share a small room with the owner. The only thing that separated my bed with the owner’s was a partition. I did not expect this at all. However, his house was located on a hill, with perfect view of Zermatt village and Matterhorn as a background. The view made the experience was worthwhile. If it not the Airbnb, I wouldn’t know such view exist, since I did not plan to search any viewing point in Zermatt

The view of Zermatt from the Airbnb’s lobby

Matterhorn and Gornegrat

There are ways to enjoy Matterhorn. In Zermatt, you can get a view of Matterhorn, the famous mountain portrayed in Toblerone Chocolate Packaging. The sole reason why I visited Zermatt is Matterhorn. However, finding spot to enjoy the mountain is quite tricky.

From my research, I found several point of view, they are Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gornegrat, Hike to Lake Stellisee and Lake Riffelsee, and you can even ride the Glacier express train. I fell in love with the view of Matterhorn those taken from Lake Stellisee and Riffelsee.

How to get to Lake Stellisee

To get to Lake Stellisee, simply hop on a funicular in Zermatt to Sunnega, and then from Sunnega take another funicular to Blauherd. From there, you can walk to Stellisse. The funicular ride costs CHF 27 from Zermatt to Blauherd, and CHF 43,5 for the return ticket. The schedule and price of the funicular can be checked here.

At that time, the snow was still thick and the hiking was not open to public. So, after arriving at Blauherd, I simply went back to Sunnega. Rather than just visiting Lake Stellisee, the more scenic hike is the five-lake hike. It covers 5 lakes that includes Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grunsee, Mosjesee, and Leisee. I guess I save that hike for some other time.

How to get to Lake Riffelsee

To get to Riffelsee lake, you need to take funicular from Zermatt GBB to Gornegrat, and stop at Rotenboden. Riffelsee is just 10 minutes’ walk from Rotenboden station. The funicular price from Zermatt to Rotenboden cost CHF 39 one way and CHF 78 for return from November to April. During the summer, it costs CHF 55 one way and CHF 110 return. In other word, it’s cheaper in the winter than in the summer, although I still consider it pricey. Unluckily for me, both Riffelsee and Stellise were inaccessible due to thick snow covering the ground. However, I did not accept coming all the way to Zermatt for Nothing, so I continue making my way to Gornegrat.

So, the biggest lesson learned that I get so far from visiting Switzerland, is to really go there in the summer when the ice has melt, unless you’re skiing.

Gornegrat

From Rotenboden, I continued my journey to Gornegrat. The journey took 6 minutes, or you can choose to hike/walk when possible for 35 minutes. Just a few steps away from stepping my foot on Gornegrat, the majestic Matterhorn appeared before me. Though the area/park where we can see matterhorn still covered by snow, it is accessible and we can still enjoy it. No words can describe how mesmerizing is Matterhorn.