Episode 147: Visiting Zermatt? 5 Reasons to Add the Five Lakes Hike to Your Swiss Alps Travel Adventure
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Dreaming of panoramic views and sparkling alpine lakes on your Swiss Alps travel adventure? If alpine hiking, charming mountain villages, and unforgettable mountain excursions are on your wishlist, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I’m joined by Claudia Wyss from Zermatt Cableways as we explore one of Switzerland’s most scenic walks, the famous Five Lakes Hike.
Starting from Blauherd and making our way to the stunning Stellisee, Claudia shares her best tips for hiking in Switzerland, from choosing the right gear to finding the best photo spots for that perfect Matterhorn reflection.
You’ll hear about other must-do adventures in Zermatt, including riding the Gornergrat railway, taking in the views from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and heading up to Rothorn for sweeping mountain panoramas.
We also chat about family-friendly adventure activities like mountain carts, kickbikes, and playgrounds by alpine lakes.
Claudia’s insider knowledge is your must-have Switzerland travel guide, with suggestions for timing your hikes, enjoying local cuisine, and making the most of seasonal offers like sunrise tours.
Whether you’re looking for your first taste of alpine hiking or you’ve explored Switzerland before and want to discover more hidden gems, this episode will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to lace up your hiking boots.
Tune in now to discover the five reasons the Five Lakes Hike should be on your Switzerland travel itinerary.
Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn about:
- The Five Lakes Hike, a popular walking trail from Blauherd to Sunnegga, above Zermatt
- Zermatt’s most popular mountain excursions
- What to pack for your Alpine hike
- Different ticket options and discounts available to Swiss Travel Pass holders
Our Guest
Claudia Wyss was fortunate to grow up in the stunning mountain town of Zermatt, right in the heart of the Swiss Alps. From a young age, she was hopping on cableways to go skiing, biking, hiking or climbing – depending on the season!
Claudia is happiest outside, soaking up the mountain air and making the most of the great outdoors. She also loves meeting visitors from all over the world and sharing her passion for Zermatt, including its incredible cableway network and all the exciting activities her hometown has to offer.
5 reasons to do the Five Lakes Hike
- The starting point is close to Zermatt – it takes just 30 minutes to reach Blauherd by funicular and cable car.
- The Five Lakes Hike is regarded as an easy hike, suitable for anyone who can walk on uneven ground.
- The panoramic views of the surrounding Alpine peaks, including the Matterhorn, are breathtaking.
- You may get lucky and see the Matterhorn reflected in Stellisee
- Black nose sheep graze on the mountain so you might see them on your hike.
Topics mentioned in this episode
>> Blauherd – this mountain station above Zermatt offerS stunning views of the Matterhorn and easy access to alpine hiking trails. In summer, it’s a popular starting point for the Five Lakes Hike. Blauherd is reached by a funicular and gondola ride from Zermatt.
>> Rothorn – rising high above Zermatt, Rothorn offers some of the most spectacular Matterhorn views in the region. In summer, it’s a paradise for hikers and photographers, while in winter it serves as a top ski area with long, scenic runs. Visitors can rent
>> The Five Lakes Hike – this picturesque walking trail above Zermatt passes by five crystal-clear mountain lakes – Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Mossjisee and Leisee. The hike starts at Blauherd and ends in Sunnegga, with constant panoramic views.
>> Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Europe’s highest cable car station at 3,883 metres is located at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of 38 4,000 metre-high peaks and 14 glaciers, explore an ice cave, and even ski in summer.
>> Gornergrat – a mountain ridge accessible by a historic cogwheel railway from Zermatt, Gornergrat is a popular excursion destination. It boasts a 360-degree panorama of the Alps, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Gorner Glacier.
>> Sunrise rides – every Saturday during the summer (approx. June to October), visitors can book a breakfast and sunrise package to Stellisee. The package includes travel by funicular and cable on the first service of the day to Blauherd, the chance to watch the sunrise and see Matterhorn reflections in Stellisee and breakfast at Fluhalp restaurant.
>> Findeln – known as the ‘gourmet corner of Zermatt’, Findeln is a small hamlet that is home to numerous excellent restaurants including Paradies and Restaurant Findlerhof.
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.
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Useful resources
💻 See our Zermatt Travel Guide for information about the many things to see and do in Zermatt, best hotels in Zermatt, how to get from Zurich to Zermatt, and more.
Plan your visit with the helpful resources on the Zermatt Cableways website and Zermatt Tourism website.
🎙️ Listen to more of our podcast episodes about Zermatt:
- Episode 9: Visiting Zermatt
- Episode 51: Magnificent Mountain Excursions from Zermatt
- Episode 80: Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
- Episode 106: How to Plan Your Perfect Trip to Zermatt
✅ Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass and browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.
👉 Free Switzerland Travel Planning Kit and Guide
> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.
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