Our wonderful train ride up the mountain on the Gornergrat Bahn, followed by a relaxing afternoon tea with the most spectacular views from the sun-drenched terrace, was memorable enough (see here and here for previous posts). However the icing on the cake was the breathtaking views that greeted us from the summit viewing platform a little further up the hill from the Kulm Hotel.
The signs tell you in great detail what the various landmarks are, though it was a bit difficult to work out which mountain was which – snow capped peaks in all directions, blue skies and hardly a cloud in sight. As well as the Matterhorn, you gaze out towards Italy and the Dufourspitze (the Swiss side of Monte Rosa, the 2nd highest peak in the Alps after Mont Blanc), look across to the Weisshorn that towers above Randa and see the Gorner Glacier at close quarters.
Gornergrat Viewing Platform
The viewing area was quite crowded when we first got up there but it gradually cleared and for a while we had the place to ourselves. The air is so crisp and pure up here – it truly was a surreal experience.
We stopped to look at the pretty little chapel on the way back down to the station – no doubt used by intrepid climbers saying a last prayer before setting out to conquer another mountain!
Chapel – Gornergrat
Another option from Zermatt is to take the series of cable cars that transport you up to the Klein Matterhorn (at 3883 metres the highest cable car station in Europe). From here all sorts of adventurous options await – the area is dubbed the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. With Monsieur being no fan of cable cars and Mlle not feeling too well up at altitude, this wasn’t an option for us. The trip on the Gornergrat train though is highly recommended especially on a clear day!
Gornergrat – Summit Station
Copyright © 2017 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved
Le Chic En Rose 
Such spectacular views, Rosemary. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re very welcome Ruth – it was hard to work out which photos to leave out I took so many!
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Great pictures! Glad it was so clear – we were there a couple weeks ago and the Matterhorn was covered up.
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Thanks! Very sorry it was so cloudy when you visited. We were so lucky that day with the weather but I have been up mountains before where you could barely see anything.
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Ooh, beautiful! I think I’d like the cable car option too.
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The cable car looks spectacular Anabel and you’ve even higher than at Gornergrat!
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It is so spectacular Rosemary, the blue sky and those snowy peaks make for the most perfect photos. Shame you didn’t get to go on the cable car but that train journey sounds wonderful and is most definitely one to go on my list!!
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Yes I would have been going up the cable car by myself Joy! It would be an amazing experience – you’re getting up towards 4000 metres at the top of the ride to Klein Matterhorn! Fortunately there was plenty of spectacular scenery to enjoy on the Gornergrat train and at the mountain station! 🙂
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On top of the world is right, Rosemay! Fabulous views 🙂 🙂
Thinking of you in these hard times.
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Thanks so much Jo! The views were amazing and we had such glorious weather that day! Thanks for your kind wishes too – still on hold and trying to work out best options. The tyranny of distance even in these days of quick air travel! Will be along shortly sorry it is rather late for a Monday walk I know!
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It doesn’t matter at all when you get here, Rosemay. You have far greater priorities, and I know you’ll visit when you can. 🙂
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Loved the Whitby post Jo – such special family memories for me! Thinking of you as well – beautiful tribute for your dad 😃
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Your fantastic photos just make me remember when I was there, back when I still lived in Switzerland!
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The scenery is stunning round Gornergrat and indeed anywhere in the Alps! How lovely you had the opportunity to live in Switzerland it is such a beautiful place! 😃
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