Summer variety with Gornergrat Railway

Few experiences in the world are as magical as sunrise on the Gornergrat. The journey begins early in the morning at the valley station in Zermatt. The train lights are switched off in the darkness to allow guests to experience the mountain landscape awakening in all its glory.

A short walk takes visitors to the picturesque Riffelsee Lake, where the Matterhorn is reflected in the calm water. When the first rays of sunlight reach the Matterhorn, it turns pink, and a spectacular sequence of colours follows. Sunrise at the Riffelsee is a unique experience and a memory that will remain in your heart and mind forever.

As an additional culinary treat, guests can book a breakfast buffet in the restaurant on the Gornergrat and start the day in delicious style. The trip is available every Sunday in July, August and September.

Meet the Sheep

The famous Valais Blacknose sheep: their spiral horns, black faces and ears, and white woolly coats make them a special breed. From the end of June to the beginning of September, around 120 native Blacknose sheep graze on the Gornergrat. A shepherd protects and guides the herd through the wild mountain landscape.

Visitors can easily find the sheep in their natural habitat, as some of them wear collars with GPS trackers. Just click on the map at https://www.gornergrat.ch/en/. Once the signal is confirmed, guests can follow it and meet the cute Blacknose sheep. The best time to visit is between 10am and 4pm.

Alpine Garden

Directly opposite Rotenboden station, guests can visit the highest Alpine garden in Europe, which offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers. Visitors will be enchanted by plants and flowers in countless colours and shapes. The flora is unique because the Rotenboden area offers special geological and climatic conditions. Summers are short high up in the Alps.

The fact that over 100 different species grow here is record-breaking at this altitude. Many plants even seem to thrive here although the plant world at 2,800 metres above sea level is harsh and fragile. Various paths lead past the unique Alpine flowers, with colourful butterflies flitting among the blossoming buds. Numerous signs with QR codes provide further information.

Hiking – Matterhorn View Trail

The Gornergrat invites guests to be active and experience the beauty of the Alps in a unique way. From short walks that lead to the most beautiful viewpoints to longer and more strenuous hikes: the Matterhorn View Trail leads from the Gornergrat down to Riffelberg.

Guests can choose a section or walk the entire route from the rocky landscape down to the Alpine meadows. There are 11 stations with QR codes dotted along this scenic hiking trail: scanning these provides more information about the surrounding Alps and the native plants and animals.