Gornergrat and Riffelsee Lake

The Gornergrat rack railway (Gornergrat Bahn) has been running since 1898 and was the first electric rack railway in Switzerland; the line from Zermatt is 9,339 metres long. From the summit at 3,089 metres, visitors are treated to views of the Matterhorn, numerous Alpine peaks exceeding 4,000 metres, and the Gorner Glacier. In summer, a walking trail from Rotenboden station leads gently downhill for around 10 minutes to Riffelsee lake, where the Matterhorn is reflected on the surface in calm conditions. In winter, when conditions permit, a gentle trail runs from Rotenboden to Riffelberg — approximately 2.5 km long and about an hour's walk — and is perfectly enjoyable even for non-skiers.