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Where is the Gornergrat?
The Gornergrat is a stone ridge that rises about 3 kilometers east of the legendary mountain resort of Zermatt. Zermatt and the Gornergrat are located in the south of Switzerland not far from the border with Italy. Gornergrat is located in the Swiss Alps in the district of Visp in the canton Valais. The municipality of Zermatt covers an area of 242.67 km2 and has 5,759 inhabitants. Zermatt is surrounded by mighty mountains, the most famous being the Matterhorn, which is considered the landmark of Switzerland. Gornergrat permits impressive views of the mountain panorama; a first taste comes from our live webcam at the mountain station of the Riffelbergexpress.
How high is the Gornergrat?
The Gornergrat reaches an altitude of 3,135 meters, the mountain ridge is located between the Gornergletscher and the Findelgletscher. From the top station of the Gornergrat Bahn, where one of our live webcams is located, witness the sensational view of 29 four-thousand-meter peaks, including the Dufourspitze in the Monte Rosa massif, the Matterhorn, the Rothorn and the Liskamm. Did you know that Dufourspitze is the highest mountain in Switzerland at 4,634 meters above sea level? Click on our live webcam and see for yourself the impressive height! The mountains in the canton of Valais break numerous records, the Matterhorn with 4,478 meters is one of the highest mountains in the Alps, the Monte Rosa massif surpasses even the Mont Blanc massif with its mass and the Aletsch glacier, in the Bernese Alps belonging to Valais, is the largest and longest glacier in the Alps. The Aletsch covers an area of more than 80 square kilometers with a glacier tongue of almost 23 kilometers of length. The mountain village of Zermatt is located at 1,620 meters above sea level and is the starting point of the Gornergrat Bahn, it leads over the 2,222 meters high Riffelalp and the 2,600 meters high Riffelberg to the top station on the Gornergrat. At the southwestern tip of Gornergrat is the famous Kulmhotel, which is the highest hotel in Switzerland.
What is the weather like on the Gornergrat near Zermatt?
The climate in the Swiss Alps is harsh and the weather is unstable. Due to the altitude and the cold there are numerous glaciers around the town of Zermatt. Summers in the high valley near Zermatt are mild, but it can get cold at night. Precipitation is partially shielded by the mountains around, but the weather can change rapidly on the mountains.
On the Gornergrat, winter weather prevails all year round, and it can snow abundantly even in summer on the Matterhorn. Our live webcam at the top station of the Gornergrat cable car provides you with the current weather on the Gornergrat. For a high altitude tour on the Gorner Glacier, the weather must be ideal. In order to plan your days perfectly, our live webcams provide you with reliable weather forecasts. Our live webcam at the mountain station of Riffelberg gives you a wonderful view of the panorama of the Valais Mountains. Are you planning a vacation in Zermatt? Our live webcams will help you find the best hotels and accommodations in the region of the Matterhorn. Book directly with our webcams and get going! Are you interested in the current snow level in the ski resort Zermatt - Matterhorn Paradise? Our live webcams get you all the info on your smartphone and into your living room.
What does the ski resort Zermatt at Gornergrat offer in winter?
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest-lying ski resort in Switzerland. The mountain lifts in the ski resort Zermatt - Matterhorn Paradise take you up to almost 4,000 meters above sea level, a total of 54 lifts and cable cars enable access to the mountains. In Zermatt, it's time to strap on your skis and explore the Matterhorn mountain world on 358 kilometers of piste. The hub of the ski area is the mountain station Trockener Steg of the cable car "Furi - Trockener Steg", from here you may continue to Sunnegga, Rothorn, Testa Grigia and many other famous ski mountains. On the Theodul glacier you can also ski during summer. Families with children are in good hands in the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, there are suitable slopes and special attractions for children everywhere in the ski area. Excellent mountain guides in cooperation with Air Zermatt even offer heli-skiing. The Gornergrat ski area is connected to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area by the gondola lift that runs from Furi to Riffelberg.
Countless restaurants, huts, ski bars and hotels complete the winter offer. Take a look at our live webcam at Riffelberg, it shows you the ski hut Buffet & Bar Riffelberg and makes you want to stop by. And then there is the restaurant Riffelhaus next door for the big appetite. At the end of a wonderful day of skiing, another superlative awaits the sportsmen and sportswomen, the longest ski slope in the world - 15.3 kilometers without ski paths. Those who wedel down the slope "Klein Matterhorn" in beautiful turns, will have skied a distance of about 20 kilometers, overcoming some 2,300 meters of altitude until they arrive in Zermatt.
How many kilometers of winter hiking trails are there in Zermatt?
The huge ski resort of Zermatt - Matterhorn Paradise is the heart of winter sports in the region, but this does not mean that there is nothing to do here without skis. Zermatt and the neighboring communities of Täsch and Randa offer a total of 65 kilometers of well-maintained winter hiking trails and 14 kilometers of marked snowshoe trails. Get in touch with nature and the mountains without having to ski on these winter hiking trails. You can choose between 20 different hiking trails during winter, there are easy routes for families with children and medium tours for those who want to exert themselves a little more. An easy 2.4 kilometer short hike starts at Rotenboden, from where it takes you towards Riffelhorn and further up a small hill. Soft curves descend about 250 meters to the Riffelberg, children can simply be pulled along on a sled on this winter hike. The Zermatt circular trail is a winter hiking trail with a length of 6.5 kilometers and 248 meters of ascent and descent. On the route you pass a picturesque chapel, a beautiful bridge and a snowy forest. The Zermatt circular trail is an option even in less-than-ideal weather because it's in the valley, not high on the mountain. 24 kilometers of cross-country ski trails round out the winter offerings; cross-country skiing with a view of the Matterhorn is fabulous.
How long does the trip from Visp to Zermatt take?
The village of Zermatt has been car-free since 1931. The 30-kilometer drive by car from Visp to Täsch takes half an hour, from Täsch to Zermatt you have to change to the train. There is a large parking lot for more than 1,000 spaces for guests' private cars in Täsch. If the train ride is too inconvenient for you, you can alternatively continue your journey to Zermatt by cab, limousine service or helicopter. You would like to know what a car-free place looks like? No problem! Just click on our live webcam in Zermatt to get an idea.
How do I get to the Gornergrat?
You can climb the Gornergrat on foot on a mountain tour of several hours or even several days, or with the legendary Gornergrat Bahn. After the Jungfrau Railway, which is also in Switzerland, it is the highest mountain railroad in Europe. The ride on this train, the Gornergrat Bahn that is running since 1898, lasts 33 minutes and provides a fabulous view of the Valais mountains and glaciers. In 1909 it was extended by 310 meters, since then the top station is even closer to the summit. In former times, for safety reasons, the railroad was operated only in summer, but since 1928 it runs 365 days a year in all weather conditions. There are luxurious hotels at the Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Gornergrat stops, the highest being the Kulmhotel. The highest shopping mall in Europe is also located on the Gornergrat, shopping at airy heights is an extraordinary experience - a great idea in case of bad weather!
What to do in Zermatt in summer?
Year after year Zermatt attracts millions of tourists, the adventurous story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn on July 14, 1865 helped create a myth around the village. In the summer months, the mountain world is a true paradise for hikers, mountaineers, mountain bikers and climbers. There are easy hikes for families, children and seniors, medium-difficulty routes for a sporty day and, of course, very difficult high-altitude tours for professionals. There are also easy hikes at the highest altitudes at 4,000 meters above sea level, the Gornergrat cable car takes you comfortably to the mountain station with the viewing platform, and from here you can walk along the ridge on signposted paths. Another highlight for the whole family is the Sunnegga, in summer you can swim there at the lake Leisee, sunbathe on the jetty and barbecue on the meadows. When the day draws to a close, one looks forward to returning to the hotel, these offer numerous wellness options and ensure a successful end of the day. Every year in summer the music festival "Zermatt Unplugged" takes place at the village square, only acoustic instruments are played, the atmosphere is overwhelming.