Riffelsee: the best Matterhorn viewpoint in Switzerland
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 17
The Matterhorn is Switzerland's most famous mountain and is instantly recognizable from the Toblerone chocolate packaging. Standing 4,478 meters (14,692 ft) high on the border between Switzerland and Italy, it's one of the country's most iconic landmarks. While experienced mountaineers regularly climb the Matterhorn, it's a challenging and potentially dangerous ascent. Fortunately, you don't have to climb it to enjoy its beauty. Most visitors admire the mountain from a distance, either from the charming village of Zermatt or one of the many viewpoints nearby. In our opinion, however, Riffelsee offers the most spectacular view of the Matterhorn.
Zermatt
Zermatt is a picturesque Swiss mountain village located at the foot of the Matterhorn. It's a wonderful place to stay and already offers fantastic views of the famous peak. If you're traveling through Switzerland by car, it's important to know that Zermatt is completely car-free. Instead, you'll need to drive to the nearby village of Täsch, where you can park your car before taking the train to Zermatt. There are plenty of parking spaces available in Täsch, and the train journey to Zermatt takes just 12 minutes.
Riffelsee
Another incredible place to admire the Matterhorn is Riffelsee, a beautiful alpine lake situated at an elevation of 2,757 meters (9,045 ft). This small mountain lake is famous for its breathtaking reflection of the Matterhorn, especially during the early morning when the water is perfectly still. It's one of the most photographed locations in Switzerland—and once you see it for yourself, it's easy to understand why.
One of the best things about Riffelsee is that it's incredibly easy to reach. You don't have to complete a long or difficult hike to enjoy this amazing viewpoint.
How to get to Riffelsee
From Zermatt, take the Gornergrat Railway towards Gornergrat. You have two options: stay on the train until the final stop at Gornergrat, then hike downhill for about 40 minutes to Riffelsee or get off one stop earlier at Roterboden Station, from where it's only a 10-minute walk to the lake. Simply follow the well-marked Riffelsee Trail from the station to the lake.
Best time to visit Riffelsee
Riffelsee can be visited throughout the year, but if you want to experience the lake at its very best, plan your visit early in the morning. Not only is the light softer and the scenery even more beautiful, but the lake is usually calm enough to create the famous mirror-like reflection of the Matterhorn.
Why Riffelsee is so special
The views over Riffelsee alone make the trip worthwhile, but there are even more beautiful spots nearby that are easy to combine with your visit. After taking in the views at the lake, continue walking along the trail towards Riffelberg. Throughout the hike, you'll continue to enjoy stunning views of the Matterhorn from different angles.
A little farther along the trail, just beyond Riffelsee, you'll also come across a viewpoint overlooking the impressive Gorner Glacier. Located just behind the lake, it's another spectacular sight that's definitely worth adding to your walk.
