This post covers the best and most beautiful hikes in Zermatt, Switzerland which you absolutely need to add to your bucket list.
Are you planning an active, hiking holiday to Zermatt, Switzerland, and wonder what are the best hikes to do in the area? Then you have come to the right place! 😉
In this post, I’m going to show you the 7 best hikes to do in Zermatt, which not only have the most incredible views but are also quite accessible to the average tourist.
Always wanted to hike around the majestic Matterhorn mountain, and get so close you can almost touch it? Then you are going to love the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. Want to snap some incredible lake reflection pictures? Then the famous Zermatt 5 Lakes hike or the Gornergrat to Riffelberg hike are the ones for you!
You won’t need to be an experienced mountaineer to enjoy these spectacular hikes. All you’ll need are good hiking boots.
7 Best Hikes In Zermatt
Switzerland is an unbelievable hiking paradise and Zermatt in particular offers some of the most stunning hikes you could ever do.
PRO TIP: the best time to do these hikes is in summer – July, and August. This is when all the trails are open and there is barely any snow left on the paths. Check out this post for some more fun activities to do in Zermatt in summer.
Here are the must-do hikes in the Matterhorn area:
Matterhorn Glacier Trail
DISTANCE: 6,6km (4 miles)
DURATION: 2-3 hours
DIFFICULTY: moderate
The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is probably the most unique and impressive hike in Zermatt (and quite possibly, Switzerland).
We’ve been hiking quite a lot in Switzerland this year and I can honestly say this has been one of the most stunning and varied hikes we did around the Matterhorn. It is definitely a must-do.
You will get up close to the famous Toblerone mountain, through a landscape carved in stone by a former glacier, and get to admire the ice-cold rivers streaming down the mountain.
If you prefer to hike down, start this hike at Trockener Steg (at almost 3.000m altitude), which you can reach via the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car from Zermatt. From here follow the yellow signs to Schwarzsee Lake.
Hiking at a comfortable pace, stopping for lunch and pictures, we completed this hike in 3 hours.
The tail is a combination of rock sections and dirt paths so good hiking books are essential.
READ NEXT: Best Hikes You Need To Do In Switzerland
Gornergrat Loop Trail
DISTANCE: 0,5km (0,3 miles)
DURATION: 20 minutes
DIFFICULTY: easy
This is truly my favorite place in the whole world!
The 360 panoramic views you will see on this trail are something out of a dream. You are surrounded by 29 peaks over 4.000m high with the beautiful Matterhorn or Monte Rosa among them.
You will also get to admire up close the second-highest glacier in the Alps – the Gorner Glacier.
To reach this trail, take the Gornergrat Bahn (train) from Zermatt village all the way to the last stop. From the station, walk up to the viewing platform.
It’s a short and easy walk, so nothing too challenging.
I highly recommend you do this trail regardless of the weather (as long as it doesn’t rain too heavily of course). We have been here several times and had both clear skies and cloudy weather and it was gorgeous every time. So definitely a must-do hike when you are in Zermatt.
READ NEXT: 10 Epic Things To Do in Zermatt
Gornergrat to Riffelalp Hike, Zermatt
DURATION: 3 hours (1.5h to Riffelberg + 1,5h to Riffelalp)
DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate
The Gornergrat to Riffelalp hike has one of the most spectacular mountain views in Switzerland, starting at the Gorner Glacier.
Take the Gornergrat Train from Zermatt all the way to the last stop. From here, you will hike down with the majestic Matterhorn in front of you for mostly the entire time.
Make sure to stop at Riffelsee and admire the stunning reflections of the mountain in this beautiful Alpine lake.
This is one of the most famous (and super Instagrammable) photo spots of the Matterhorn. I’d recommend coming here as early in the morning as possible, as during the summer season it gets very busy.
The hike is easy to moderate in difficulty and takes about 1 -1.30 h to complete depending on your pace.
You can stop at Riffelberg and take the cable car or train down to Zermatt. Or, if you are feeling up for it, continue down to Riffelalp for new scenery and impressive views of the Zermatt village in the valley.
I highly recommend you do it, it’s so worth it!
The Marmot Trail (Blauherd-Stellisee-Sunnega)
DISTANCE: 3,8km (2,5 miles)
DURATION: 1h 10 minutes -1h 30 minutes
DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate
A great hike for families with kids (from age 4), this trail takes you from Blauherd, via Stellisee Lake all the way to Sunnega. You will have the chance to see (or at least hear) cute, little marmots along the way and their whistles.
It is an easy hike, mostly on a dust road, with just a few sections with slightly steeper slopes.
The views of the Matterhorn are absolutely stunning! This is definitely one of my favorite hikes to do in Zermatt and I highly recommend it!
READ NEXT: Matterhorn FOCUS Hotel Review – Best View in Zermatt
The 5 Lakes Hike Zermatt
DISTANCE: 9,8km (6 miles)
DURATION: 2h 30 minutes – 3h
DIFFICULTY: moderate
This is probably one of the most talked about hikes in Zermatt and a good one to add to your list if you are looking for a longer hike.
The trail takes you around several Alpine lakes such as Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee.
We did not complete The 5 Lakes Hike in its entire length, only parts of it (Stellisee).
I think there are more beautiful hikes worth doing in Zermatt, like the Riffelberg hike or the Matterhorn Glacier trail.
Plus, the Marmot trail will give you similar views and you get to spot the lakes from above. So if you have limited time in Zermatt, this isn’t a hike I would prioritize.
Yet if you are looking to take beautiful lake reflection photos of the Matterhorn then this is definitely the hike for you.
Start at Blauherd and follow the yellow sign showing “5 Seenweg”.
Furi Suspension Bridge Hike
DISTANCE: 2,9km (1,8 miles)
DURATION: 1 hour
DIFFICULTY: easy
Stepping on the Furi Suspension bridge is a fun adventure to have while you’re in Zermatt.
The hike there is pretty cool too. A beautiful trail takes you through forests and even on a wooden path over a stream. 🙂
The bridge is 100m long and completely safe to cross. I have a slight fear of heights but didn’t have any problems crossing it. You will feel it moving as you step on it but it is perfectly safe.
The bridge offers impressive views of the valley and mountains – if you manage to take your eyes off your feet and admire them haha.
The direction of the trail: Furi- Suspension Bridge -glacier garden – Furi. Follow the signs “Hängebrückenweg Furi”.
The Gorner Gorge to Zermatt Hike
The Gorner Gorge is a natural masterpiece and something not to miss during your trip to Zermatt.
You will walk on wooden bridges, hanging by the side of the cliffs, and admire the beauty and strength of the water carving its way through the mountain since the last ice age.
While this was a great adventure in itself, the part I enjoyed most was the hike back to Zermatt.
Once we got out of the gorge we continued the trail toward the village through a beautiful forest trail.
And as we were approaching Zermatt, we passed by wonderful wooden cottages and chalets, all with stunning views of the Matterhorn.
Gorner Gorge
Ticket price: 5 CHF adult / 2,5 CHF children
Opening times: 9.15 -17.45
Best Hikes in Zermatt
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best hikes in Zermatt. For more gorgeous hikes and extra ideas check out zermatt.ch.
If you want to find out more about traveling in Switzerland check out these posts with the best travel tips and itineraries:
ZERMATT TRAVEL TIPS:
Zermatt in Summer: 6 Amazing Activities And Tips First-Timers Should Know
10 Best Things To Do in Zermatt That Will Make Your Trip Unforgettable
Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel Review – The Best View In Zermatt
SWITZERLAND TRAVEL:
The Best 10 Days Switzerland Itinerary & Travel Tips
10+ Best Hikes In Switzerland | Ultimate Hiking Guide For Beginners
Best 21 Unique Places To Visit In SWITZERLAND
Discover Schilthorn, Switzerland: Thrill Walk & Other Amazing Things To Do
The Best Guide to MÜRREN Switzerland: 7 Exciting Activities & Itinerary
Leave a Reply