Hikes

5-lake route (No. 11)

Zermatt

-2/5°

The 5-lake route is the hiking trail of superlatives in the Zermatt mountain world: The Matterhorn is reflected in three of these mountain lakes. The view of the many mountain giants is unique and the hiking route highly varied.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

9.76 km

Duration

2:30 h

Grindjisee ebenfalls mit Matterhornspiegelung

Der Grünsee hat zurecht seinen Namen, mit seinem grünen Schimmer

Der Leisee mit Bademöglichkeit, Picknickgelegenheit und Kinderspielplatz

Description

The path leads to the lakes Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. These are all mountain lakes that are not easily forgotten. Different in shape, color, character and size, there is something completely different to discover at each lake. At Leisee it is about swimming, for the children's fun. At Grünsee the landscape shows its barren side, where larches hold their ground despite rubble and sand. Rare flowers grow at Grindjisee. And so on. Who will discover more?

Suitable for children from 6 years
Matterhorn reflection in Stellisee, Grindjisee and Leisee
Findel glacier moraine
Swimming opportunities at Leisee and Grünsee
Picnic facilities and children's playground at Leisee

Turn-by-turn directions

Blauherd - Stellisee - Grindjisee - Grünsee - Moosjisee - Leisee - Sunnegga

(Approximate hiking time for the opposite direction 2 h 50)

Attention: Please note that although the status may appear as open, the mountain railways are partially not operating or only up to Sunnegga. It is recommended to check the timetables of the mountain railways before each hike: Zermatt Mountain Railways: Prices, Timetables & Operating Times

Start

Blauherd (2,571 m) (2577m)

Destination

Sunnegga (2,288 m) (2288m)

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Author's recommendation

Family meeting: Is the visit to one of the mountain restaurants planned or does the majority prefer to picnic?

In addition, in three of the lakes, the Matterhorn reflection can be admired in good weather.

Technical information

Altitude

2584m

2130m

Ascent

+165m

Descent

-454m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

By train to Matterhorn village: 3½ hrs from Zurich Airport or 4 hrs from Geneva Airport. Visp is the transfer point to the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. From Visp, the railway line leads through the Nikolai valley, past small, idyllic villages to Zermatt.

Zermatt is also the starting or ending point of the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train trip (St. Moritz / Davos – Zermatt).

Approach

Zermatt is car-free. Access for private traffic is only permitted up to Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The road from Täsch to Zermatt is closed to public traffic.

Further travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi provider or shuttle trains. The trains run every 20 minutes. After about 12 minutes, the journey ends at the station square in Zermatt.

Parking

In Täsch there are parking garages with covered and uncovered spaces available, such as at the Matterhorn Terminal or with private providers.

Further travel: see directions.