recommended route
The Riffelsee lake trail from Rotenboden to the Riffelberg
Hiking Route
· Valais
-
Wanderwegweiser Richtung Riffelsee und GornergratPhoto: CC BY-ND, Gornergrat Bahn
The Riffelsee lake is a must-see place in Zermatt. Combine the visit with a one-hour hike from Rotenboden to the Riffelberg.
moderate
Distance 3.1 km
1:00 h
42 m
276 m
2,816 m
2,563 m
The Gornergrat Railway takes you from Zermatt to Rotenboden, but it’s worth taking the train right to the top of the Gornergrat first. At 3,100 m altitude you get a splendid view of twenty-nine, 4,000 metre-high peaks from the viewing platform. The hike itself begins at Rotenboden station where you can already see the lake on the left of the rail track (looking towards the valley). The famous lake is a great subject for photos, especially on windless days in the early morning or at dusk. The smooth surface of the water will perfectly reflect the Matterhorn. If you walk just a little further there is a second, smaller lake which is also very photogenic. There are then several routes leading to the Riffelberg. We choose the route via Gagenhaupt to the west as it is the least frequented. Shortly before the end of the trail you reach the Brother Klaus chapel on the Riffelberg. The shape of the chapel is based on the silhouette of the Weisshorn mountain in the background.
Author’s recommendation
Behind the Riffelsee lake is a second, smaller lake which is also very photogenic and here there are normally fewer people here.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Rotenboden, 2,816 m
Lowest point
Riffelberg, 2,563 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Nature trail
0.1 km
Path
3 km
Safety information
- Carry a map with you. Download the full trail description with a large scale map by clicking on "Print" at the top right of the page.
- Use only marked trails and follow all signs and instructions - for your own safety, to protect grazing animals and in respect of wildlife.
- Close gates after passing through.
- Be considerate of other trail users, plants and animals.
- Carry additional sun protection. UV rays at high altitudes can be very strong, even in overcast weather.
- Plan your trek carefully: take into account the required fitness level of all participants, weather forecasts and seasonality.
- Weather conditions in the mountains can change very quickly and without warning. Appropriate clothing and sufficient provisions (food and drink) are very important. If the weather is unstable, it is better to turn back early.
Tips and hints
Are you travelling to Zermatt by public transport? If you are actively travelling for several days, it is worth using the Adventure Card. This gives you free travel on a large network of trains and post buses for 2-5 days, as well as discounts on mountain railways.
Further information here:
Start
Rotenboden Station (2815m) (2,815 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'625'315E 1'092'589N
DD
45.984395, 7.765307
DMS
45°59'03.8"N 7°45'55.1"E
UTM
32T 404368 5093054
w3w
///influence.gliding.admiringly
Destination
Riffelberg Station (2563m)
Turn-by-turn directions
Start at Rotenboden station where you will see the trail on the left of the station (looking towards the valley). The Riffelsee lake is actually visible from the station and you can just walk there. Beyond the Riffelsee lake is a second, smaller lake. At the next two crossroads you take the left-hand path each time which take you on a less frequented path towards Gagenhaupt. At the last crossroads you take the right-hand path that will lead you to the Brother Klaus chapel and then to Riffelberg station.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
With the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway from Visp to Zermatt. In Zermatt with the Gornergrat Railway to Rotenboden station. After the hike, the return journey on the Gornergrat Railway takes you from the Riffelberg station (2563m) to Zermatt.Getting there
Zermatt is car-free. We recommend travelling to Zermatt by public transport via Visp.Parking
Zermatt is car-free. The Matterhorn Terminal Täsch in Täsch is a covered multi-storey car park - under one roof with the Täsch railway station, where you can change directly to the Zermatt Shuttles. We generally recommend travelling by public transport via Visp.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'625'315E 1'092'589N
DD
45.984395, 7.765307
DMS
45°59'03.8"N 7°45'55.1"E
UTM
32T 404368 5093054
w3w
///influence.gliding.admiringly
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Zermatt provides information and brochures about the region.
Author’s map recommendations
Swisstopo maps 1:25'000: Zermatt – Gornergrat
Book recommendations for this region:
Show more
Recommended maps for this region:
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Equipment
We recommend:- Good footwear and snowshoes of suitable size.
- Weatherproof and warm clothing
- Headgear
- Sun protection
- Water bottle
- Picnic
- Camera
- Binoculars (optional)
- Walking sticks (optional)
- Printout of the route (click "Print" to download)
Related Offers
Organized hiking
· Zermatt
Meet the sheep - guided walk to the flock (every Wednesday and Saturday)
from CHF30.00
4 Hours
Available until September 10, 2022
Who hasn’t seen them before, the famous, black-nosed sheep from Zermatt? During the guided hike to the flock you will learn more about the woolly ...
Provider:
Gornergrat Bahn
|
Source:
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
Train Journey
· Valais
Good afternoon Ticket Gornergrat
from CHF40.00
4 Hours
Available until October 31, 2022
Who doesn’t recognise them - the famous Zermatt black nose sheep? During a guided hike to meet the flock you will learn a lot about these woolly ...
Provider:
Gornergrat Bahn
|
Source:
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
Train Journey
· Wallis
The Aletsch glacier meets the Matterhorn (2 for 1)
from CHF79.50
3 Days
Available until October 23, 2022
This ticket is a combined mountain transport and rail ticket. You can visit the Aletsch glacier and the Gornergrat for 3 days.
Provider:
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
|
Source:
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
3.1 km
Duration
1:00 h
Ascent
42 m
Descent
276 m
Highest point
2,816 m
Lowest point
2,563 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- Waypoints
- Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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