Hiking in Zermatt: what to know first
Hiking season in Zermatt runs from June to October. The 5 Lakes Walk is usually walked from June to September. Right now, in autumn 2026, the lifts to Sunnegga and the Rothorn are closed from 12 October to 27 November, and the Gornergrat Railway does not run at all from 2 to 14 November. Winter operation then starts on 28 November, which is skiing and snow-walking season.
That is why the prices below are for summer 2027, the season the lift price lists now cover (1 May to 31 October 2027). Where only an older figure exists, it is marked as summer 2026. The ten trails are listed in the table and described in the sections after it. Times are without breaks, and where sources disagree you see a range.
The 10 best Zermatt hikes compared
Distances and times as published by the Zermatt tourist office and the mountain railways. Grades follow the Swiss scale: T2 is a mountain trail, T3 a demanding mountain trail.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Up / down | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 5 Lakes Walk, Blauherd to Sunnegga | 10–11 km | 3 to 3.5 h | 265–380 m / 542–660 m | T2 |
| 2. Gornergrat to Riffelberg via the Riffelsee | 4.7 km | 1 h 25 min | 71 m / 578 m | T2 |
| 3. Riffelseeweg, Rotenboden to Riffelberg | 2.9–3.1 km | 1 h | 13–42 m / 267–276 m | T2 |
| 4. Matterhorn Glacier Trail | 6.6 km | 2 h | 363 m | Medium |
| 5. Edelweissweg to Höhbalmen | 20.1 km | 7 h 40 min | 1,190 m | T2, demanding |
| 6. Z’Muttweg to Zmutt | 4.3 km | 1 h 35 min | 339 m | Easy |
| 7. Findlerweg via Findeln | 3.9 km | 1 h 10 min | – | Medium |
| 8. Stellisee and Crystal route | 5.3 km | 1 h 45 min | – | T2 |
| 9. Hörnliweg to the Hörnli hut | 4.3 km | 2 h 15 min | 693 m | T3 |
| 10. Charles Kuonen suspension bridge | – | about 2 h from Randa | – | T3 (Europaweg) |
Our picks: guided hikes
Two guided days and a Riffelsee ticket with the hike back.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Glacier Paradise and Schwarzsee hike
A guided day combining the Glacier Paradise with a hike to the Schwarzsee. Check what is included on the tour page.
Check availability →Full-day guided hike
A full day on the trails around Zermatt with a guide. Check the route and whether lift tickets are included on the tour page.
Check availability →
Riffelsee ticket with hike back to Zermatt
A ticket up to the Riffelsee area with a walk back down to Zermatt. Check on the tour page what is included and when it runs.
Check availability →Hiking tours and guided days in Zermatt
Guided hikes, mountain railway tickets and day trips to the Matterhorn region, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
1. 5 Lakes Walk (trail 11): Blauherd to Sunnegga
The best-known hike in Zermatt, and the one with the most Matterhorn reflections.
The 5 Lakes Walk (Fünf-Seen-Weg, marked as trail 11) starts at Blauherd at 2,571 metres and ends at Sunnegga at 2,288 metres. It passes the Stellisee (2,537 m), Grindjisee (2,324 m), Grünsee (2,300 m), Moosjisee (2,139 m, a reservoir) and Leisee (2,232 m). The Matterhorn mirrors in three of them: Stellisee, Grindjisee and Leisee.
Sources do not agree on the numbers. The Zermatt tourist office gives 11.3 km and 3 hours 30 minutes, SchweizMobil 11 km and 3 hours 15 minutes, the mountain railways 9.8 km and 2 hours 30 minutes. Plan for roughly 10 to 11 km and 3 to 3.5 hours. The walk is rated T2 and the tourist office recommends it for children from 6 years.
The usual season is June to September, and some sources say to mid-October, depending on the weather. You reach the start by the Sunnegga funicular (just under four minutes) and a six-seater gondola to Blauherd. A combination ticket Zermatt to Blauherd and Sunnegga back to Zermatt costs CHF 52 in summer 2027.
At the Leisee there is a playground, barbecue sites and a picnic area. Swimming is allowed only in the Leisee and the Grünsee unless a sign says otherwise. From Findeln it is about 40 minutes on foot to Zermatt, if you do not want the funicular down.
More on the lifts and the lake area: Sunnegga and Rothorn.
Trails 2 to 10
From a one-hour stroll above the Riffelsee to the climb to the foot of the Matterhorn.
2. Gornergrat to Riffelberg via the Riffelsee
4.7 km, 1 hour 25 minutes, 71 m up and 578 m down, T2, July to October. You ride the Gornergrat Railway up and walk down past Rotenboden and the Riffelsee to Riffelberg. The Gornergrat summer 2027 fare is not published yet. In summer 2026 the return from Zermatt cost CHF 132.
Gornergrat guide →3. Riffelseeweg (trail 21): Rotenboden to Riffelberg
2.9 km (the railway says 3.1 km), 1 hour, 13 to 42 m up, 267 to 276 m down, T2. The shortest way to the Riffelsee: about 10 minutes from Rotenboden station to the lake, then on to Riffelberg. Summer 2026 return to Rotenboden was CHF 114.
Riffelsee guide →4. Matterhorn Glacier Trail
Trockener Steg to Schwarzsee via Hirli, 6.6 km, 2 hours, 363 m of height difference, medium, June to September. 23 stations explain the Furggletscher. A combination ticket covers Zermatt to Trockener Steg and Schwarzsee back to Zermatt. In winter the trail is open only with a mountain guide.
Schwarzsee guide →5. Edelweissweg (trail 30) to Höhbalmen
A loop from and back to Zermatt: 20.1 km, 7 hours 40 minutes, 1,190 m up, T2 and demanding. It runs between 1,605 and 2,745 metres and gives views of the Matterhorn north face and the Zmutt ridge. No lift is needed.
6. Z’Muttweg (trail 2) to Zmutt
From Zermatt station to Zmutt: 4.3 km, 1 hour 35 minutes, 339 m up, easy, between 1,620 and 1,945 metres. A summer trail from the village with no lift ticket. The winter trails 10 and 120 are different routes.
7. Findlerweg (trail 49) via Findeln
Sunnegga, Leisee, Findeln and Winkelmatten: 3.9 km, 1 hour 10 minutes, medium. Findeln is known as a food stop on the mountain. The Sunnegga single ticket costs CHF 18 in summer 2027, and you walk down.
8. Stellisee and Crystal route (trail 7)
Rothorn, Fluhalp, Stellisee and Blauherd: 5.3 km, 1 hour 45 minutes, T2, between 2,530 and 3,101 metres. From Blauherd you can add Grindjisee, Grünsee and Moosjisee as a four-lake tour (T2). The Rothorn single ticket is CHF 48 in summer 2027.
9. Hörnliweg (trail 27) to the Hörnli hut
Schwarzsee to the Hörnli hut at 3,260 metres: 4.3 km, 2 hours 15 minutes uphill, 693 m up, T3. Only for sure-footed hikers with good fitness and a head for heights. Best time is July and August. Opening dates of the hut for 2026/27 are not confirmed, so do not plan a stay without checking. The Schwarzsee return costs CHF 70 in summer 2027.
Schwarzsee guide →10. Charles Kuonen suspension bridge near Randa
The bridge on the Europaweg is 494 metres long, up to 85 metres above the ground and 65 centimetres wide, described as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps. From Randa it takes about 2 hours. The Europaweg is partly open again since 26 June 2026, with the section Springelboden to Eggenstadel closed and a detour via Attermenzen. Check the status before you go.
Lifts and tickets for hikers
Prices are adults, summer 2027 unless marked. They can change, so confirm before you travel.
| Lift | Single | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Zermatt to Sunnegga (summer 2027) | CHF 18 | CHF 36 |
| Zermatt to Rothorn (summer 2027) | CHF 48 | CHF 96 |
| Zermatt to Schwarzsee (summer 2027) | CHF 35 | CHF 70 |
| Zermatt to Glacier Paradise (summer 2027) | CHF 69 | CHF 138 |
| Zermatt to Gornergrat (summer 2026, last season) | CHF 66 | CHF 132 |
Half Fare Card, GA and Swiss Travel Pass give 50 % off single lift tickets. If you plan several lifts, the Peak Pass costs CHF 246 for one day in summer 2027, with only 25 % off for Half Fare Card and Swiss Travel Pass holders. Afternoon tickets are cheaper but cannot be combined with discount cards.
For emergencies in the mountains, mountain rescue is +41 27 966 01 44 and Air Zermatt is 144. Check weather and wind with the lift operator in the morning.
Hiking in Zermatt: frequently asked questions
Which Zermatt hike is best for a first visit?
The 5 Lakes Walk if you have half a day and want the Matterhorn reflections. If you have an hour, the Riffelseeweg from Rotenboden to Riffelberg is short and mostly downhill (13 to 42 m up, 267 to 276 m down).
How long is the 5 Lakes Walk?
Plan for about 10 to 11 km and 3 to 3.5 hours without breaks. Published figures range from 9.8 to 11.3 km and from 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.
Can I hike in Zermatt in November?
Not on the lake trails. The lifts to Sunnegga and the Rothorn are closed from 12 October to 27 November 2026 and the Gornergrat Railway is closed from 2 to 14 November. Winter walking trails are a different matter and are covered in Zermatt in winter.
Is the Hörnli hut path difficult?
Yes. It is rated T3 with 693 metres of ascent in 4.3 km and is meant for sure-footed hikers with a head for heights.