Hikes

5 Lakes Walk (Nr. 11)

Zermatt

8/11°

The 5 Lakes Walk is in a class of its own among hikes in the Zermatt mountains. The views of the mountain lakes are superb (with the Matterhorn reflected in three of them), and the trail is full of variety.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

9.76 km

Duration

2:30 h

Grindjisee ebenfalls mit Matterhornspiegelung

Leisee mit Bademöglichkeit, Picknickgelegenheit und Kinderspielplatz

Description

The path leads past the lakes of the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. Each of these mountain lakes is very different in terms of shape, colour, character and size, and has its own special attraction. The Leisee is good for swimming: children love it. The Grünsee looks out over a rather more rugged landscape, where Swiss stone pines nevertheless manage to grow among the scree and sand. The shores of the Grindjisee are home to rare flowers. And so on – each one promises a unique experience.

Appropriate for children from age 6
Reflection of Matterhorn in Stellisee, Grindjisee and Leisee lakes
Findeln Glacier moraine
Swimming in the Leisee and Grünsee lakes
Children’s playground at Leisee, good picnic site

Turn-by-turn directions

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

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 50)

This hike is marked on the signposts as “5-Seenweg”.

Attention: Please note that although the status may be shown as open, some of the mountain railways are not operating or are only operating as far as Sunnegga. It is recommended to check the mountain railway timetables before each hike: Zermatt Lifts: Information on Tickets, Timetables & Prices

Note: Due to renovation work, the trail has to be rerouted near the lake Grindjisee. The diversions are signposted on site

Start

Blauherd (2'571 m) (2577m)

Destination

Sunnegga (2'288 m) (2288m)

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Author's recommendation

Hold a family consultation: plan a stop at a mountain restaurant, or would the majority rather have a picnic?

In addition, three of the lakes offer an amazing mirror view of the Matterhorn 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 the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.

Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).

Approach

Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.

Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.

Parking

Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.

Onward travel: see “Getting there”.