Gornergrat

Gornergrat is a prominent rocky ridge in the Pennine Alps, overlooking the village of Zermatt in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The ridge extends northeast to southwest from the Gorner Glacier toward the Mattertal and forms part of the Monte Rosa massif’s southern foothills. Its highest point is the Gornergrat summit, at about 3,089 metres above sea level.

The ridge is best known for the Gornergrat Bahn, a mountain cog railway that runs from Zermatt to the summit. The line, opened in 1898, climbs steadily over the surrounding terrain and provides panoramic views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding peaks. The train journey takes roughly half an hour, depending on stops. The route passes near the Riffelsee, an alpine lake valued for reflections of the Matterhorn on calm days.

At the summit, facilities such as the Kulm Hotel Gornergrat and various viewpoints offer accommodations, a terrace for visitors, and other services. The area is popular for hiking in summer and for skiing and snowshoeing in winter, with networks of trails and routes that access the surrounding high-alpine scenery.

The ridge offers extensive views of the Monte Rosa massif, including the Dufourspitze, as well as the broader Alpine landscape. Etymology of the name derives from German, with “grat” meaning ridge and “Gorner” referring to the nearby Gorner Glacier, naming the feature after its geographic context.