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| Monte Rosa, Liskamm, Castor & Pollux |
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| The classic image of Matterhorn & Riffelsee |
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| Breithorn and Rotenboden |
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| A deserted Riffelsee |
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| Obergabelhorn from Riffelhorn |
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| Another one |
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| Matterhorn |
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| Liskamm & Breithorn |
A day off before my next Haute Route trek begins. Zermatt has so many stunning walks to choose from, it's hard to decide where to go if you only have one day. I've not been up to the Riffelsee for some time. This very popular spot is one of those classic postcard images of the Matterhorn reflected in a small lake. It invariably gets crowded with people, all tustling for that perfect image! So an early start was required if I was to find peace amongst the mountains. There are many trails from Zermatt up to this beautiful alp, or you can ride the Gornergrat railway and jump off at the Rotenboden stop. So I cheated and got an early train up, only to beat the crowds and the cloud of course! After 20,000 photos here I headed on the fabulous, easy trail that runs below the Gornergrat. Stunning and spectacular views here of the entire Monte Rosa range of 4000m peaks. Monte Rosa, Liskamm, Castor, Pollux and Breithorn all strung out in a line to marvel at from a stroll along a good path. Too easy really! You can find your own peace of hill somewhere up here. Mine was a wander up to Riffelberg, the big chunk of rock overlooking Riffelsee. There is rock climbing if you intend getting to the top of it. This miniature mountain used to be the Zermatt guides test ground for their clients in preparation for a Matterhorn guided ascent.
The cloud increased as the day wore on and the Matterhorn got its usual plume of cloud first, obscuring the summit and spoiling many folk who got to Riffelsee too late in the day. I felt guilty at getting my photos so easily that I walked back down the hill into town.
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