Sunrise at Riffelsee lake on Gornergrat above Zermatt in summer

Sunrise trips at Riffelsee and Gornergrat

The magic of first light on the Matterhorn

When the sky slowly brightens and the first rays of sunlight touch the Matterhorn, a moment of exceptional calm and beauty unfolds. The gentle morning light, the soft colours, and the unique stillness of the early hour create a nature experience one simply doesn’t forget.

Early ride to the Riffelsee

At the valley station in Zermatt, a guide will be waiting for you and will accompany you throughout the journey. It is still dark when you set off together on the Gornergrat Railway. As you make your way toward the station at Rotenboden, dawn begins to break and the outlines of the surrounding mountains slowly become visible.

To enhance your experience of the changing light, the train’s interior lighting is deliberately kept off. Throughout the journey, your guide shares fascinating insights into the region, delightful anecdotes, and highlights details of the mountains and the surrounding landscape — all without a fixed programme, leaving plenty of time to relax, observe, and enjoy the moment in peaceful tranquillity.

Observing the morning light

After a short descent, you reach the Riffelsee lake. Here, the atmosphere of the light takes centre stage: the sky brightens, and the first rays of sunlight illuminate the Matterhorn and the surrounding peaks. In calm weather, the Matterhorn is reflected in the lake, intensifying the scene even further.

The guide carries binoculars from Swarovski, which you can borrow to observe details in the landscape more closely. The location also provides enough tranquillity for photography and an unobstructed view of the early-morning atmosphere.

Unmatched views on the Gornergrat

The train then continues to the Gornergrat ridge. From there, you have a far-reaching view of 29 four-thousand-metre peaks and the Gornergletscher. In the late morning, soft light often settles over the mountain landscape, creating a calm and clear atmosphere.

If you wish, you can add breakfast at Saycheese! restaurant to round off the morning in a relaxed way. With this — or if you choose not to book breakfast — the guided part of the experience comes to an end. You can then explore the Gornergrat on your own, for example by visiting the viewing platform or taking a short walk, before returning to Zermatt at a time of your choice.

Dates

Every Sunday from 5 July to 27 September 2026

Price

From CHF 66.00

Duration

Approx. 3 hours

Included

Train ticket, guide, optional breakfast