The Riffelsee lake trail from Rotenboden to the Riffelberg

The Gornergrat  Railway takes you from Zermatt  to Rotenboden, but it’s worth taking the train right to the top of the Gornergrat first.  At 3,100 m altitude you get a splendid view of twenty-nine, 4,000 metre-high peaks from the viewing platform.  The hike itself begins at Rotenboden station where you can already see the lake on the left of the rail track (looking towards the valley).  The famous lake is a great subject for photos, especially on windless days in the early morning or at dusk. The smooth surface of the water will perfectly reflect the Matterhorn.  If you walk just a little further there is a second, smaller lake which is also very photogenic.  There are then several routes leading to the Riffelberg.  We choose the route via Gagenhaupt to the west as it is the least frequented.  Shortly before the end of the trail you reach the Brother Klaus chapel on the Riffelberg.  The shape of the chapel is based on the silhouette of the Weisshorn mountain in the background.

Check if the trail is open before starting your hike.