Riffelsee is the lake in the most famous Matterhorn photograph. It lies at 2,757 metres above Zermatt, and on a calm, clear morning its surface holds a near-perfect mirror image of the pyramid above it. The tourist board describes it as the ultimate in mountain tranquillity, and its surface often reflects the Matterhorn. The route is straightforward: take the Gornergrat cogwheel railway from Zermatt to Rotenboden station, then follow the Riffelseeweg, path number 21, on a trail that slopes gently downhill for about ten minutes. The lake is not visible from the station, so the first view comes as a small reward at the end of the path. Early morning or evening is best, when there is no wind and the water is completely still. Just before the lake, climbers leave the path for routes on the south face of the Riffelhorn, which rises to 2,927 metres, and the surrounding slopes hold rare alpine flowers in season. The lake itself is free to visit; the railway fare is the cost of reaching it.
What makes Riffelsee special is the combination of ease and payoff. There is no technical walking, no big climb and no long approach, yet you stand at the water edge with the Matterhorn rising directly across the lake. Photographers return again and again because the reflection depends on light and wind, and every visit is different. Midday often brings ripples and crowds of walkers, so the hours near sunrise or later in the afternoon and evening are the ones to aim for if a mirror image is the goal.
The logistics revolve around the Gornergrat railway, which climbs from about 1,600 to 3,090 metres in roughly half an hour and stops at Rotenboden on the way. Alight there, walk down the signed path for about ten minutes and you arrive at the lake. On the way back, you can walk up again to the station, or continue down the hill on foot toward Riffelberg and Riffelalp for a longer descent, using the railway for whichever stretch you prefer.
The tourist board also promotes early sunrise trips to the Riffelsee and the Gornergrat, so ask about the earliest departures if you want the first light.
Dress for the altitude
It is cooler and windier here than in the village, and sunglasses and sun protection matter even on cool days. In seasons with snow cover the path and the lake edge can be icy or buried, so check conditions and keep to cleared routes unless you are equipped for it. The reflection is never guaranteed, because cloud can hide the mountain and wind can break the mirror, so treat the walk as a pleasant outing in its own right and make the Gornergrat summit, the Five Lakes Walk or a stop at Schwarzsee your back-up on days when the view is shy.
What to expect
The experience
A short, gently downhill walk from Rotenboden station on the Gornergrat line to a small mountain lake with a Matterhorn reflection.
Best time
Early morning or evening on a calm, clear day, when the water is still.
How long
About ten minutes each way on the path, so one to two hours with time at the water.
Tips
Take an early train for still water, wear layers and sunglasses, and check snow and ice on the path in colder seasons.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers and first-time visitors who want the classic Matterhorn reflection without a big hike.
- Families
- Easy for children, with a gentle path of about ten minutes from the station.
- Couples
- A quiet, romantic spot for sunrise or evening light.
- Pair with
- The Gornergrat summit and the Golden Spot locomotive on the same trip.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
How high is Riffelsee?+
The lake lies at 2,757 metres above sea level, below the Riffelhorn, which reaches 2,927 metres.
How do I get to Riffelsee?+
Take the Gornergrat railway to Rotenboden station, then follow the Riffelseeweg, path number 21, downhill for about ten minutes. The lake is not visible from the station.
When is the best time for the reflection?+
Early morning or evening, when there is no wind and the water is completely still. Cloud or wind can spoil the mirror at any time.
Is it free?+
The lake costs nothing to visit. The Gornergrat railway fare is the cost of getting there.
Can I walk back down?+
Yes. Many visitors walk on toward Riffelberg and Riffelalp and use the railway for part of the descent. Check the trail and snow conditions first.
