Switzerland: Zermatt - Stockhorn, Gornergrat, Riffelsee, Rothorn
Most recent: July 2015

Stockhorn

Monte Rosa and the Gornergletscher 1991.

Liskamm

Stockhorn is reached by a little electric train to Gornergrat then onward via cable car. At 3534m it has spectacular views of the mountains.

Liskamm 1991

Monte Rosa, Liskamm and me, 1991.

Weisshorn in August, 1991.

On Stockhorn 1991.

Pollux and the ridge of Breithorn.

Monte Rosa August 1991.

Castor, Pollux, Breithorn and in the foreground the ridged surface of the Gornergletscher. 1991

Me and my trusty Bronica.

The scenery is, of course, quite different in winter and summer. I prefer it all covered with snow but in summer the structure of the glaciers is much easier to see.

1991

Brummies on the move.

When we were here in April 1991 we came across a great bunch of skiers/climbers from Birmingham who were on their way to Saas Fee having come from Chamonix - very impressive!

Gornergrat

Gornergrat, August 1991.

The Gornergrat Railway 1991

This used to be our favourite location in Zermatt for  lunch, but it had changed in 2015. The view is still incredible but there used to be a narrow terrace in the sun with the most fantastic landscape spread in front of you, a glass of wine and the prospect of food - bliss! That has gone and there is a bigger area for eating.

Gornergletscher, Monte Rosa, Grenzgletscher and Liskamm from Gornergrat, July 2015.

Monte Rosa Glacier July 2015.
Nordend 4612 & Dufourspitze 4638m.

Grenzgletscher, Liskamm, Zwillingsgletscher, Castor and Pollux, Schwärzegletscher. The huge black rock in the middle is Schwärze. July 2015.

On the walk down to Zermatt April 1991.

Castor and Pollux, Schwärzegletscher, Breithorngletscher. The highest peak, to the right, is Breithorn. On the extreme right is Klein Matterhorn. July, 2015.

Klein Matterhorn 3883m, the highest peak on the left, and Theodulgletscher, July 2015.

In April 1991 we took the train down as far as Findelbach with the intention of walking back to Zermatt. We were very soon defeated by the snow, however. We must have missed the start of the track. Andrew got talking to a railway man and he escorted us over a huge railway bridge (closed to pedestrians!) to the start of the walk proper. We eventually reached Findeln, accompanied by magnificent views of the Matterhorn, to a welcome beer.

Hotel Riffelberg between Gornergrat and Zermatt, 1991.

In July 2015 we were back again!

Weisshorn 4512m & Mettelhorn, July 2015.

Rimpfischhorn 4202m. 3410m, July 2015.

Castor 4230m and Pollux 4094m, July 2015.

Riffelsee

Riffelsee 1991

Riffelsee 2015

In August 1991 we had no trouble with snow fields and, going back down from Gornergrat, we left the train at Rotenboden and made the detour to Riffelsee before walking on down. Though smothered in sun screen we both got burnt.

In July 2015 we again passed by Riffelsee and again the cloud just refused to clear the top of the Matterhorn.

Klein Matterhorngletscher, August 1991.

Gornergletscher, Monte Rosa, Grenzgletscher, Liskamm on the walk near Riffelsee, 1991.

Rothorn

Findelgletscher from Rothorn.

Lunch at Sunnegga, 2015.

In June 2008 we came back to Zermatt and visited some places we'd not been to before. Rothorn is reached by a great little rack railway in a steep tunnel to Sunnegga and then cable car. We'd planned on a walk but there was still far too much snow around!

Monte Rosa, Liskamm, Castor, Pollux and Breithorn - slightly obscured by cloud; ridge of Stockhorn and Gornergrat in foreground. From Rothorn.
In 2015 we went back in July and had lunch at Sunnegga.

Guides used: Michelin Guide to Switzerland; Lonely Planet Guide to Switzerland
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