Private Guided Day Hike in Zermatt

Experience the Swiss Alps in all their glory. Ride up to Gornergrat summit and hike around the famous Riffelsee

Tour Overview

From $350 | Private Guided Day Hike | All Year Round

Our Zermatt Private Guided Day Hike has been designed to let you experience amazing views of the Matterhorn and the Alps in combination with an exciting cogwheel train ride. Explore the Swiss Alps with a knowledgeable local guide at your own pace. 

On this guided Zermatt Private Guided Day Hike, you’ll enjoy the magnificent nature of the Wallis Alps around Zermatt. Your private guide will lead you on an easy-to-moderate hike to Riffelalp or Rotenboden. Enjoy your scenic ride with the Gornergrat cogwheel train and admire the world’s best view of the iconic Matterhorn. Stay safe, thanks to the assistance of a knowledgeable guide, and soak up the stunning alpine views.

Highlights

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Zermatt Private Guided Day Hike Itinerary

This Zermatt Private Guided Day Hike has been designed to let you experience the best of Zermatt in one day. Make the best of your Gornergrat trip and hike around the famous Riffel Lake, Monte Rosa hut, or other trails, depending on your preference. 

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brief history of gornergrat railway
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Your guide will pick you up at 8:30 at your hotel in Zermatt. If you’re not staying in Zermatt, you will meet them at Gornergrat Train station.

Begin your Zermatt Private Guided Day Hike with the 33 minute ride up to the Gornergrat summit station. It’s Europe’s second highest railway and the highest open-air railway of the continent. Opened in 1898, Gornergrat cog wheel train climbs up to the 10,134 ft / 3089 meters above sea level offering incredible views of the Matterhorn along the way.

The Gornergrat is a starting point for many hikes since it is surrounded by 29 Alpine peaks rising above 4,000 m (13,123 ft).

Take a slow climb up to an open air 360-degree viewing platform where you see many of the highest peaks in the Alps including the Monte Rosa peaks and glaciers, the highest place in Switzerland.

Once you have taken in all the magnificent Alpine scenery and as many memorable photos as you want, stop for refreshments and relaxation on the outdoor sun terrace of the Kulm Hotel, the highest hotel in Europe, or browse in the special Gornergrat souvenir shops.

The tour continues with a short descent on the Gornergrat cogwheel train to the next station down. Here you can enjoy a fabulous panorama of the Matterhorn. Begin your hike on signposted paths and trails through a nature reserve area.

Along the way, notice the geology of the area and the amazing variety of tiny Alpine wild flowers. Stop at a beautiful small lake where you can take iconic photos of the Matterhorn reflected in the still waters, or amazing selfies with the Matterhorn in the background.

You might also see people climbing up or down on the nearby Riffelhorn mountain (2927 m / 10,000 ft) which is where the local Zermatt mountain guides take their clients on a check-hike first before allowing them on the Matterhorn itself.

Continue your hike staring directly at the Matterhorn and the imposing peaks surrounding it. Stop for refreshments on the sun terrace of the historic Restaurant Riffelberg where Mark Twain stayed on his travels to Zermatt, and enjoy more spectacular Matterhorn views.

Depending on your hiking enthusiasm and energy level, you and your guide can determine how much more hiking you want to do before boarding the Gornergrat train downhill back to Zermatt.

You will be back in Zermatt around 4 pm. 

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Details and pricing

The price of the trip depends on the number of participants and starts at $350. 

Price reductions for children, teens, and Swiss Travel Pass holders may apply.

  • All transportation mentioned in the itinerary (second class)
  • English-speaking local Guide
  • Taxes & fees
  • Lunch
  • Items of personal use

See our Cancellation Policy for more details.

Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard are commonly accepted in Switzerland. American Express is not so popular and many businesses don’t accept it. The country is becoming more and more cashless with contactless and mobile payments (Google and Apple Pay). Still, it’s useful to have some cash on you while travelling. All banks provide currency exchange services at a favorable rate.

  • Refillable bottle of water
  • Sunscreen and sunhat
  • Warm layered windproof clothing – it can get chilly up top
  • Footwear with sturdy soles that grip the ground; ankle-high boots are recommended
  • Hiking poles are recommended
  • Headache medication, candy/sweets and a bottle of Coke are recommended in case of problems with altitude
  1. Click on any of the “Book now” buttons on the page.
  2. You will be redirected to our dedicated booking platform.
  3. Choose a desired date for your trip and add number of participants. Select departure time, if applicable.
  4. Fill out the form with all travellers’ details and click “Confirm booking”.
  5. Once we receive your booking request you will be sent an email with payment instructions from our partner Flywire.
  6. Follow the instructions in the email.
  7. Once the payment is processed, your booking is confirmed.
  8.  

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