I am planning to visit Zermatt on a day trip on 11th May 10, during my 9 days trip to Switzerland. I am reaching Zermatt at 9.52 in the morning and have around 5.30 hours there, before I catch a train back to Torgon.
I am planning to head straight for Gornergrat 10.24 to 10.57.
Can the Switzerland experts suggest a small walk and plan the day's itinerary.

I would love to see Riffelsee which I think is a walk of about 10 minutes from the Rotenboden station (below the Gornergrat).
Can I walk back from Gornergrat to Rotenboden and Riffelsee and further to Riffelberg and Riffelalp?
How much time would each station take?
If yes, is it very steep or difficult> We are not into hiking or a lot of walking and prefer easy walks.

Will the Igloo Village be still functional on 11th May 10?

please help....

Topping

I doubt the Igloo Village will be in function in May anymore.

I once did the hike from Gornergrat top down to Zermatt - all the way. Very long, exhausting and not recommended. But I would definitely recommend the hike from Gornergrat via Riffelsee lake/hotel to Riffelalp stop - this one would be doable and not too steep/exhausting. HOWEVER - there's a problem. I am certain that there will be snow on the ground on May 11 and you will absolutely NOT be able to walk down from Gornergrat top. You wouldn't see Riffelsee under all the snow!

Sorry, but for May 11 I have absolutely no idea what to do in Zermatt except taking the Gornergrat cog-train. Maybe walk around the town a bit, see the cemetery, church and old part with the wooden barns.

Hi Paragkash -

This is what we did from the Gornergrat last April - it was a full day and good use of the train ticket to get there.

We walked to the Gornergrat station, and purchased return tickets (34.50 CHF each).

http://www.gornergrat.ch/home/

We boarded the cog train, then detrained at Riffelalp and took the 10 minute walk to the Riffelalp Resort, which sits in an enviable position at an elevation of 7,290 feet, directly facing the Matterhorn. www.riffelalp.com/

We returned to the station, and caught the train to Rotenboden, where we rented sleds (8 CHF each for ½ day). There's a sled run/path that goes down from Rotenboden to Riffelberg. I doubt you can sled in May, but I think you can walk this path.

In Riffelberg we dropped off our sleds, and hopped on the train to Gornergrat, going all the way to the top this time. We explored all the overlooks, took a gazillion snaps of the Matterhorn, and had a glass of wine at the restaurant as we soaked up the gorgeous scenery.

We left Gornergrat, taking the train down to Rotenboden one last time, and walked the groomed wanderweg back down to Riffelberg. I loved this walk. (Total walk time just under an hour, 1.75 miles).

From Riffelberg we caught the train back to Zermatt, ending a very full day in the spectacular Swiss Alps.

I've not walked to the Riffelsee, but from what I understand it's accessible from Riffelseeweg, is about three km and is only accessible from July and October.

Here's some info on hiking trails in the areas:

http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/ex...ivities/hiking

Forgot to mention - we stayed in Zermatt - the excursion above was a pretty full day.

We once visited Zermatt as a day trip from Interlaken - never again - between the long train rides to get there and back, we had very little time to DO anything.

Here's the Gornergrat timetable for when you'll be there.

May is low season - you'll most likely encounter snow and/or lots of slush and mud on the trails at higher elevation. Some hiking trails will be closed, so you'd do well to check specifics before you go. Zermatt will be quiet (which is a good thing), and you may run into some closures in town as well.

http://www.gornergrat.ch/timetablepr...-2june2010.php

We were up there on July 1 a couple of years ago. We hiked up from Zermatt to Riffelalp and beyond to Riffelberg, and then caught the train. Up around Gornergrat it was very forbidding---lots of snow around, and bare rock. It looked like it would be possible to lose one's way if it became at all foggy. I would not have wanted to be hiking that part then---and we are experienced hikers.

I suggest you ride up to Gornergrat and look around, and then decide if it looks like something you want to walk. You could always ride the train back down to Rotenboden and walk down from there, as Melnq8 did.

Thanks everyone for the reply.
Melnq, I have your trip report printed and Icarry it with me everywhere, so that I can read it again and again> Great report>
Thanks again

Thanks Paragkash. Enjoy Switzerland.

Riffealp to zermatt in september. How much time does it take?

Twenty minutes.

http://www.riffelalp.com/how_to_get_to_riffelalp.html

We intend to park our rental car for around 5-6 hours at Tasch. Any idea about the cheapest parking lot? We do not mind open air parking. Something for 5 CHF would be great!

No idea. Suggest you google, like I did.

http://www.matterhornterminal.ch/par...carparking.php

http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/ze...rn/arrival/car