Gornergrat/Klein Matterhorn in 1 day: which order?
Yulius1970 is planning a trip on May 7 to visit both Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn in one day. They want advice on the best itinerary, especially regarding the order to visit these sites, considering they won't be hiking. The focus is on maximizing their experience and time without missing any scenic views.
- Check the weather forecast before you go to plan your day effectively.
- Start with Gornergrat to enjoy the Matterhorn views in good sunlight for photos.
- The Swiss Travel Pass can be beneficial for traveling between these locations easily.
- Allow enough time for both mountains, with roughly 6 hours total for the visits.
AI-generated summary-
Hi, All I need an advice for my visit in 7 May 2022
I plan to buy Peak2peak ticket so I can visit Gornergrat and Klein Matternhorn in 1 day,
I need advice if I plan to visit Klein Matternhorn , Gornergrat, Rifflesee Lake.
-What route or itinerary should I plan ? – In early morning I have to go Klein Matterhorn or to Gornergrat first ?M
-Maybe need more ride cable car/gondola like Rotenboden, Riffelberg for not wasting time ? because I’m not Hiking.
Thankyou,
-
Hi Yulius1970,
The exact order doesn’t matter that much. I’d check weather forecasts (http://www.myswissalps.com/weather/forecast) shortly before leaving and plan Klein Matterhorn for the part of the day that looks best. It’s high up in the mountains and there are more chances of clouds there.
If there doesn’t seem to be a major difference weather-wise, I’d first visit Gornergrat and then Klein Matterhorn. That way you’ll take better use of the sunlight when taking pictures of the Matterhorn, if that’s important for you.
You just go up one mountain first, then get down and go to the other mountain. You could link both visits by hiking between mid-stations, but since you won’t be hiking you’ll just be having two separate rides up and down. In July and August there’s the Riffelberg Express linking Furi (halfway up to Klein Matterhorn) and Riffelberg (halfway up to Gornergrat), but that won’t be of use to you as you’ll travel in May.
Please find details at https://www.myswissalps.com/kleinmatterhorn/gettingthere and https://www.myswissalps.com/gornergrat/gettingthere. You can plan your trips using the advanced Swiss timetable at https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
I think visiting both mountains in 1 day is more than enough for a satisfying day trip. Take your time and enjoy the views!
Hi Yulius1970,
I visited both in one day. In no particular order, I just happened to go to Kleine Matterhorn first. I set out from my hotel just a little bit after noon. I saw the things/sights there are to see up there, enjoyed my “summit beer”, and then made my back to town. I grabbed a bite to eat on my way to the Gornergrat Bahn (which is located directly across from the main train station). This was in September, and there was no Riffelberg Express available (to which Annika was referring) then either. I rode the Gornergrat Bahn train up and basically wondered around, taking photos, making my up to the top and just taking in the scenery of the surrounding peaks, the glaciers and, of course, the Matterhorn itself. Stunning scenery up there. At one point I realized the sun was going to bee setting soon, and I decided a stay up there for that was warranted. Well worth it, as the sun went down just behind the Matterhorn. I don’t know where the arc of the sun will be in May, but I’m sure the sunset will be beautiful. That was just my experience, but as Annika said, it really doesn’t matter which one you see first. It may be worth it for you to get off at Rotenboden and walk to Riffelsee to take some photos. It doesn’t look like a terribly long walk. Perhaps some others can chime in who have walked that particular route.
I hope you enjoy your trip and the weather is good for you.
Danielsan
Hi Annika and Danielsan
So I will arrange to see weather forecast first, if okay my plan :
08.00 From Zermat GGB to St.Rotenboden ( visit Riffelsee lake ) – up to Gornergrat ( explore arround Gornergrat)
12.00 Downhill hike from Gornergrat to St.Rotenboden, then down to Zermatt GGB , and ride Gondola to Klein Matternhorn
Its my plan okay ?
thankyou
regards,
Yulius
It is best to do the Gornergrat side first. As it is a rack railway, despite the recent introduction of more new trains that run at a higher speed than in the ‘old days’ it is still a ‘steady’, smooth run up to altitude, which is better for your body – a gradual ascent improves the acclimatisation. As has been said already, it also is better for sun angle on the Matterhorn.
Hi Yulius1970,
Sounds like a good plan.
Danielsan
Daniel San, and was it ok to go back down after sun down? Is it lighten enough?
Hi Tatiane,
Based on my experience, it’s definitely possible to go up and down both Gonergrat and Klein Matterhorn in one day. But be sure to check the operating times of the cogwheel train to Gornergrat and the cable cars to Klein Matterhorn and plan your trip carefully. The cogwheel train usually operates until much later in the day than the cable cars. And in late spring and summer (between May and September), the days are longer and the nights shorter so sundown is pretty late (like 9pm).
Regards,
Anna
Hi Taty Okazaki,
Yes, when I was there in mid September, it was still light enough. The sunset was in the vicinity 2000 hrs, but being as it doesn’t get dark right away, there is enough light to get on to the train with no problem. Just be careful if you are hiking not to stray so far. Not sure when you may be planning to go, but I believe the GBH will ascend/descend after dark, but check the schedules to make sure.
Regards,
Danielsan
GGB has not published its timetable after April yet. Days are already long in May so sunset might be after the last train down
As I’ll be travelling to Switzerland by early of May, I’ve done several researches on the operation time of the mountain railway. It seems like the cogwheel train/cable car for Gornergrat & Trockener Steg – Matterhorn glacier paradise will be closed during the period .
Am i correct in this case?
I’m not sure how to plan the day trip at Zermatt after seeing the on-going maintenance work during May.
Hi 1960man,
I could have sworn that the GGB allowed for later ascents/descents when I was there in Sept. 2018. Could it have changed somewhat due to the pandemic? Or has it always been like that?
Danielsan
Hi jinlee3151 and welcome to MySwissAlps!
Thanks for your question. May I ask you to repost your question as a new thread? Please see the forum rules at http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/rules.
Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,
Ildiko
The last timetable published ‘nationally’ was for 2020, devised pre pandemic and the latest train was 20.07 from Gornergrat, but the last train down was much earlier outside high summer
Hi Ildiko,
I’m sorry about messing up the thread! I’ll go through the rules and repost as a new thread.
Thank you for informing.
Regards,
Jin
Hi Jin, I appreciate your cooperation. If you need technical help with the starting a new thread let me know. Thank you! Ildiko
Danielsan (or anyone else that could shed a light)
We will do the peak2peak ticket thing, where we do both mountains in the same day.
How much time do we need for it usually? We will be with a child of 5 years old.
Leaving from Zermatt and going back to Zermatt
Also, do you know how the Wolli card works?
http://www.zermatt.ch/en/wollicard/Lokale-Partner/Wolli-Card-benefits
Thank you!
You’ve asked how the Wolli card works but the link you have given took me straight to a page where it is explained quite clearly, so I can’t see what else there is to say.
I assume from the wording that the ‘holder of the Wolli card’ is the child. So for example in a hotel you would pay no extra fee for the child bed in your room (but I imagine that would be the case anyway at many hotels?)
Approx 30 minutes travel time each way on the GGB railway, plus minimum of 45 mins – 1 hour at Gornergrat
Rough total for Gornergrat: 2 hours (this would not include any other stops eg at Riffelberg)
Matterhorn side:
Allow 1 hour for uphill run and return journey, min 1 hour at summit
LInking between the two: allow at least 45 mins to get from Zermatt railway station to the departure point of the Matterhorn Express / Klein Matterhorn cable cars station at the south end of the village
Rough total for Matterhorn side: 4 hours
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