Walking in Zermatt: Five Lakes Trail and Hamlets

October 20, 2026

Zermatt walking splits neatly into village strolls, valley paths and lift-assisted mountain trails. The higher trails are open in summer, from roughly mid-June to early October, and the lifts that serve them stop running in the shoulder weeks. Costs are in Swiss francs (CHF). Pack layers, water and sunscreen, keep to waymarked paths and set off early, since afternoon storms are common.

Zmutt and the Zmutt valley

The hamlet of Zmutt, at about 1,936 m, has more than 500 years of history and about 20 dark timber houses. Look for the small baroque chapel of St Catherine of Alexandria, and for a house dated 1595. Official hike 121 covers 2.7 km and climbs about 330 m, and it takes around 1 hour 20 minutes each way from the village. Carry your own water and a snack, as you should not count on a café on the way. The tourism office has a page on the chapel and hamlet .

The Five Lakes trail

Starting at Blauherd and finishing at Sunnegga, the 5-Seenweg passes Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. Allow about 3 hours for roughly 10 km, mostly downhill. The Swiss route listing gives 11 km with 380 m up and 660 m down, and rates it as medium. Three of the lakes, Stellisee, Grindjisee and Grünsee, give the best Matterhorn reflections on still days. Moosjisee is a snow-making reservoir, and Leisee has a bathing beach. The Sunnegga lifts do not run between the end of summer in mid-October and late November, so the trail is a summer-only plan. A combined lift ticket costs about CHF 47 to 52 in summer, so check the current price. The route is described on MySwitzerland . You can also compare guided options on Viator .

Downhill from Gornergrat

Ride the cog train to Gornergrat at 3,089 m, then take it back down as far as Rotenboden. From there walk about 10 minutes to the Riffelsee, at 2,757 m, then follow the path to Riffelberg and rejoin the train. It is gentle and mostly downhill, but you start in thin air, so move slowly.

Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee

The hut at 3,260 m is the base for Matterhorn climbers. The approach from Schwarzsee gains about 680 m and is graded T3 to T4, a demanding mountain trail that needs sure feet and good weather. It is open from roughly mid-June to mid-September. A guided hike, graded T4, takes 5 to 6 hours including the gondola, and children must be at least 10. Do not attempt it in snow or ice. The hut is not a restaurant stop, and beds must be booked in advance. The guided hike page lists the details.

A walk through the village

A free circuit starts at the station and follows Bahnhofstrasse to the Kirchplatz and the parish church of St. Mauritius. Behind the church is the Mountaineers’ Cemetery, the resting place of climbers killed in the surrounding mountains. It is a place of sorrow and respect, so go through quietly and leave the graves undisturbed. Afterwards cross the Kirchbrücke and finish in Hinterdorf, where old larch barns and granaries stand on stone supports. The loop is level and short.

Lift tickets and safety

Zermatt Bergbahnen sells walking tickets and gives out a hiking map free of charge, which you can find at the hiking tickets page . Stay off glaciers unless you are with a certified mountain guide. The alpine rescue number is 144.