Riding the series of lifts to Rothorn is one of the best things to do in Zermatt.
Rothorn is one of the highest viewpoints in Zermatt, and from here you get a spectacular view of the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains. On the journey to Rothorn, you will pass through two stations, Sunnegga and Blauherd, both offering more great views and fun things to do.
A visit to Rothorn, Blauherd, and Sunnegga can be quick, where you simply enjoy the views and then move on to something else in Zermatt. Or you can make the most of the big ticket price to ride the lifts, and go hiking to scenic lakes, ride a mountain cart down the mountain, or even dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
In this guide, we cover the best things to do on the trip up to Rothorn and how to plan your time.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: This cable car route closes for maintenance twice a year, from mid-April to mid-May and again during the month of November. If your visit will be near these two windows of time, I recommend checking the official website for the exact dates. Also be aware that the cable car from Blauherd to Rothorn is only open for a few months of the summer, from June 29 to October 6, 2024 (it is also open from early December through mid-April). Here is the 2024 summer timetable.
Table of Contents
Sunnegga, Blauherd & Rothorn Route
To travel from Zermatt to Rothorn, you will ride a series of three separate lifts: a funicular, a gondola, and then a cable car. Below is a map of the stations and things to do at each one.
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the hiking routes). You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Zermatt to Sunnegga
The bottom station in Zermatt is labeled as the Sunnegga Blauherd Rothorn Funicular on Google Maps. It is located on Vispastrasse, a 6-minute walk from the Zermatt train station.
Starting at the bottom station, you will walk through a long tunnel to get to the funicular. Use your ticket to pass through the turnstile and then walk up the stairs on either side of the track to board the funicular.
It takes about 5 minutes for the funicular to travel from Zermatt to Sunnegga and the funicular is in a tunnel for the entire duration of the ride.
Sunnegga to Blauherd
Once you exit the funicular, follow signs to Blauherd. You will board a gondola and ride this to Blauherd.
Blauherd to Rothorn
A large cable car connects Blauherd and Rothorn. Once you exit the cable car, you will be standing on Unterrothorn, one of the highest viewpoints in Zermatt that is accessible by a lift.
Blauherd to Rothorn cable car
Things to Do at Sunnegga
Enjoy views of the Matterhorn. At Sunnegga, there are various viewpoints to view the Matterhorn: right as you exit the railway station, from the restaurant, or from the hiking trails that weave their way through this area.
Have a bite to eat at the Sunnegga restaurant.
Walk down to Leisee. Kids will love the playground and pulling themselves across the lake on the wooden raft.
Mountain bike to Zermatt or ride kickbikes down the mountain.
Walk to Gourmet Trail to Findeln and have lunch. Several of the best restaurants in Zermatt are located in this quaint hamlet. On the list are Adler Hitta, Findlerhof, Enzian, and Chez Vrony, a Michelin-starred restaurant. From Findeln, it is a moderately-difficult 1 mile walk back up to the Sunnegga station or a steep downhill walk through the woods to Zermatt that takes about 1 hour.
Gourmet Trail to Findeln
The view from Sunnegga
Things to Do at Blauherd
Enjoy another great view of the Matterhorn.
Hike the Five Lakes Trail (the 5-Seenweg). This 10 km (6 mile) walk takes you to five alpine lakes. It’s one of the most popular hikes to do in Zermatt but we weren’t impressed (there are many better hikes to do in Zermatt in our opinion). However, I think it is worth it to hike to Stellisee, the first lake on the Five Lakes Walk (and the closest lake to Blauherd).
Walk to Stellisee and capture the reflection of the Matterhorn on the lake. This hike is 3 km (2 miles) out-and-back and takes about an hour.
Ride a mountain cart to Sunnegga. Rent a mountain cart at the Blauherd station and ride it on a gravel path to Sunnegga. It’s tons of fun and one of our favorite experiences on Sunnegga – Blauherd – Rothorn.
Have a drink or bite to eat at the Blue Lounge. Have a drink with a view at this outdoor restaurant and bar.
View of the Matterhorn from Blauherd.
Tim on a mountain cart.
Blue Lounge
Things to Do at Rothorn
Enjoy more views of the Matterhorn. From here, you can also see Breithorn, Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise), and Findeln Glacier.
The Peak Collection. A short walking trail makes a loop around the Rothorn restaurant. There are metal signs labeling the long list of mountains that you can see from Rothorn.
Dine at the Rothorn restaurant.
Hike to Oberrothorn. This challenging hike is 5.8 km (3.6 miles) round trip with 445 meters (1,500 feet) of total ascent that takes 3 hours. It takes you to one of the highest peaks in the area.
Hike the Kristallweg Trail to Blauherd. This downhill hike is 5.4 km (3.4 miles) one-way with 560 meters of descent. Along the way, you will pass through Fluhalp and Stellisee, ending in Blauherd.
Peak Collection Trail
Peak Collection Sign
Oberrothorn is the peak of the brown, rounded mountain in the photo above.
Trail sign on Rothorn
Findelgletscher
Itinerary: One Day at Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn
As you can see, there is a lot to do along this cable car route. On two separate trips to Zermatt, we spent several days exploring this area and put together an itinerary that includes the top experiences and how to plan your time.
This itinerary is for the summer months (end of June through September), when the hiking and mountain biking trails are open.
9:00 am: Travel to Rothorn
The funicular from Zermatt to Sunnegga starts running at 8 am. You can start right at 8 am if you like. We started our day at 9 am and that worked just fine. Crowds were still very low and we had plenty of time to have breakfast before getting started.
Ride the series of lifts all of the way to Rothorn (funicular Zermatt to Sunnegga, gondola Sunnegga to Blauherd, cable car Blauherd to Rothorn). Then, over the course of the day, you will work your way down the mountain.
9:45 am: Enjoy the view from Rothorn
Rothorn will be a quick visit for most people, unless you want to add on the challenging hike to Oberrothorn (if so, get started at 8 am). Walk the trail along the Peak Collection signs and enjoy 360° views of the surrounding mountains.
One of many viewpoints of the Matterhorn from Rothorn.
10:30 am: Ride the Cable Car to Blauherd, Visit Stellisee
Once in Blauherd, walk the Stellisee. This is the first lake, and the prettiest lake, on the Five Lakes Trail. If you walk around the far end of the lake, you can take the iconic photo of the Matterhorn’s reflection in the lake (as long as it is not a breezy day). Unfortunately, we did this on a cloudy, windy day, but if you are here during better conditions, this is one of the loveliest places to visit while in Zermatt.
The walk to Stellisee takes 20 minutes from the Blauherd station. The entire walk is 3 km (2 miles) out-and-back and takes about an hour, allowing time for photos.
Stellisee
11:30 am: Drinks at the Blue Lounge
Have a coffee, beer, juice, or a snack at the Blue Lounge and enjoy more great views of the Matterhorn.
Irish coffees at the Blue Lounge.
12:00 pm: Mountain Carts to Sunnegga
At the Blauherd station, rent a mountain cart and ride the gravel roads to Sunnegga. This quick activity is tons of fun for all ages and a thrilling ride down the mountain.
If you really liked doing this, you can purchase a package of multiple rides. You will ride back up to Blauherd on the gondola with the mountain cart and ride the number of times you purchased.
12:30 pm: Gourmet Trail to Findeln
Findeln is a small hamlet that is located 2 km (just over one mile) from Sunnegga. To get here, it is a downhill walk (follow trail signs for Findeln).
Before doing this, be aware that you will have to walk back up this hill to get to the Sunnegga station. On average, this walk takes about 30 minutes and it is moderately strenuous. Alternatively, you can continue the walk downhill to Zermatt. The trail is steep and a constant downhill and mostly in the forest, so don’t expect to have good views of the Matterhorn or Zermatt on this walk. From Findeln, it is a one hour downhill walk to Zermatt.
We did both: the uphill walk to Sunnegga and the downhill walk to Zermatt. From Adler Hitta, since it is closer to the Sunnegga station, I think it’s best to walk uphill to the station and return to Zermatt via the funicular. From the restaurants in the hamlet (Chez Vrony, Findlerhof, and Enzian), I think it is better to walk downhill to Zermatt (from these restaurants, it is a longer walk uphill to Sunnegga), even though it is a steep downhill walk.
Adler Hitta
As you walk downhill towards Findeln, you have the option to take the trail to the right to go to Adler Hitta.
If you want to do the shortest amount of walking from Sunnegga, it is a 1 km (0.6 mile) walk to this restaurant (Adler Hitta is the closest restaurant to Sunnegga).
Adler Hitta is the larger building at the bottom of this photo. This photo was taken on the walk from Sunnegga to Adler Hitta.
Adler Hitta
We have been here twice and both times the restaurant was very empty (most people continue farther down the hill to Findeln). The views from Adler Hitta are great, they have music playing and the food is very good. We recommend the lavender spritz and chocolate brownie.
Blueberry cake at Adler Hitta
Chez Vrony, Enzian, and Findlerhof
Not far below Sunnegga, the trail splits. You will go right to go to Adler Hitta. You will go left to go to Chez Vrony, Enzian, and Findlerhof (Findlen Eggen).
As you follow signs to Findeln, Chez Vrony will be the first restaurant that you come to. This restaurant in a Michelin-starred restaurant with wonderful views of the Matterhorn. This was the most crowded restaurant we visited in this area and I recommend making a reservation in advance.
Chez Vrony
Chez Vrony
If you continue down the hill, you will reach two more highly rated restaurants: Enzian and Findlerhof.
Findeln
Findlerhof
You can choose one and have lunch here or spend the afternoon hopping from one restaurant to the next.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Before you go, check the official websites for opening times. These restaurants are not open 7 days a week (Enzian was closed during our visit on a Monday) so I recommend checking their hours before you go. Also note the closing time of the Sunnegga funicular (in the summer, the last descent is 6:00 pm but double check this before you go).
As stated earlier, from Findeln, you can either hike up to Sunnegga or walk down the trail to Zermatt. From these restaurants, it is a one hour walk downhill to Zermatt or a 45-minute uphill walk to Sunnegga.
This is the view back up to Sunnegga from Adler Hitta. It doesn’t look too bad in this photo but there are some steep, tiring sections.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Sunnegga, Blauherd & Rothorn?
For a return ticket to Rothorn (Zermatt to Rothorn to Zermatt), tickets cost 81 CHF during peak season (July 1 through August 31). Tickets are slightly cheaper outside of peak season.
If you ride the series of lifts from Zermatt to Rothorn (53 CHF) and the cable car from Rothorn to Blauherd (18 CHF), your total cost is 71 CHF during peak season. If you follow our itinerary above, you will ride a mountain cart to Sunnegga and then you can hike to Zermatt from Findeln, saving you a little bit of money.
On the Matterhorn Paradise website, you can see pricing for all of the various lifts between Zermatt, Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn and use this to get prices for your day.
Hours of the Lifts to Rothorn
The funicular between Zermatt and Sunnegga starts running at 8:00 am.
The final descent from Rothorn is at 4:50 pm. The final descent from Blauherd is at 5:10 pm. And the final descent from Sunnegga is at 6:00 pm. Before you go, double check the times here.
One more view from Sunnegga. During the summer months, it is not uncommon for the clouds to build around the Matterhorn midday and in the afternoon. Your best chance for a cloud-free view of the Matterhorn is from sunrise through 10 am.
If you have any questions about how to visit Rothorn, Sunnegga, or Blauherd, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Switzerland
ZERMATT: In Zermatt, don’t miss the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg, the hike to Hörnlihütte, and the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. For more ideas on what to do, read our article Best Things to Do in Zermatt and the best hikes in Zermatt. For more alpine views, learn how to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (and find out if it is worth it).
ZERMATT: One of the most adventurous things to do in Zermatt is to climb to the summit of Breithorn.
JUNGFRAU REGION: What exactly is the Jungfrau region? Find out in our Guide to the Jungfrau Region, which includes maps and important travel planning information. We also have articles about the best things to do in the Jungfrau region as well as the top hikes in the Jungfrau region. The Eiger Trail and Schynige Platt to First are our favorite hikes. A visit to Jungfraujoch is one of the most popular experiences in the Jungfrau region, but is it worth it?
SWITZERLAND ITINERARY: If your visit to Zermatt is part of a bigger trip to Switzerland, check out our Switzerland Itinerary,which has suggestions on what to do if you have 7 days, 14 days, or even longer.
LAUSANNE: For information about Lausanne, read our article about the Best Things to Do in Lausanne. We also have a guide to the best day trips from Lausanne.
ZÜRICH: For things to do on a quick visit, check out our article One Day in Zürich.
We have TONS more information about Switzerland in our Switzerland Travel Guide, including Zürich, Lucerne, the Bernese Oberland, Zermatt, Lugano, and Lausanne.
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Comments 25
Hi Julie. This is wonderful and I would love to print this out and take it with me while visiting Zermatt. Do you have a printer friendly version?
Author
We don’t have a printer friendly version. You can save/print it from your browser by pressing CTRL+P to bring up the printer dialog box. However, our website is not optimized for printing so it unfortunately will be a lot of pages. Have a great time in Zermatt! Cheers, Julie