After days of sunshine in Lauterbrunnen, we woke to steady rain and traded sweeping alpine views for a cozy travel day on one of Switzerland’s most scenic rail routes. The ride from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt wound through misty valleys, rushing rivers, and mountain passes that felt straight out of a storybook – proof that even in the rain, Switzerland knows how to put on a show. Once in Zermatt, we settled into Hotel Parnass along the river and set out to explore the Gorner Gorge, where wooden walkways cling to the cliffs above roaring turquoise water that’s even more dramatic after rainfall. From there, the trail continued through the fairytale hamlet of Blatten, filled with centuries-old mazots and alpine chapels, before looping back toward town along the fragrant Ricola Herb Garden path. We ended the day warm and dry, savoring fondue at Saycheese!, surrounded by alpine charm and the promise of clearer skies ahead.

🗓️ Itinerary

This plan came from our August 28, 2025 visit (Day 9), based in Zermatt.

🚆 Scenic Train to Zermatt

• 🚆 9:31 AM – Transit: Lauterbrunnen → Zermatt (~3h)
  • 🚆 9:31 AM – Train: Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken Ost (22m, every 30m at xx:02/:37, last departure 8:32 PM)
    • 🚌 Lauterbrunnen → Zweilütschinen train was replaced with a bus due to damage along the route
    • 🚆 9:41 AM – Train: Zweilütschinen → Interlaken Ost (12m)
  • 🚆 9:59 AM – Train: Interlaken Ost → Spiez (22m, every 30m at xx:07/:29/:59, last departure 8:59 PM)
  • 🚆 10:38 AM – Train: Spiez → Visp (25m, every 30m at xx:05/:38, last departure 10:05 PM)
  • 🚆 11:11 AM – Train: Visp → Zermatt (65m, every 30m at xx:11/:37, last departure 10:37 PM, 💡Sit right side for Mattertal valley, mountain, waterfall, and Vispa River views)
• 🚶‍ 12:17 PM – Walk (8m) to Hotel Parnass to drop bags
• 🍽️ Lunch at Golden India
• 🏔️ Zermatt Exploration
  • 🛍️ Walk along Bahnhofstrasse, Hinterdorfstrasse, and Kirchstrasse streets, lined with boutique shops, cafés, chalets, and stadels that capture the village’s charming, car-free alpine atmosphere.
  • 🏔️ Stroll along the Matter Vispa River to the Kirchbrücke bridge for Matterhorn views.
• 🏨 2:00 PM – Check in to Hotel Parnass

🌊 Gorner Gorge and Blatten

• 🥾 3:00 PM – Hike: Zermatt → Gorner Gorge → Blatten Loop (1-1.5h)
  • 🥾 Walk to Gorner Gorge from hotel (~25m)
  • 🌊 Explore Gorner Gorge (~30m, 🎟️ CHF 5.5 entry from 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM in summer)
    • Dramatic wooden walkway through the dramatic ravine
    • Crystal-clear glacier water, deep turquoise pools, and sheer rock walls
  • 🥾 Exit gorge and continue to Blatten (~15m)
    • Charming hamlets, alpine chapels, and rustic barns
  • 🪴 Continue through Ricola herb garden back to Zermatt (15m)

• 🍽️ 8:30 PM – Dinner @ Saycheese! (🎟️ RESERVE, Traditional Swiss restaurant inside Grand Hotel Zermatterhof with GF fondue and raclette)

💡 Tips

• 🌦️ Weather – Check MeteoSwiss app and Zermatt.ch webcams before finalizing plans for your Zermatt stay. We shortened our Gorner Gorge hike and postponed the Furi suspension bridge due to rain, opting instead to wander through Zermatt’s charming village streets and browse its boutique shops until the weather cleared.
• 🚆 Check transit schedules and plan ahead – Verify routes in the SBB app before heading out. Temporary detours, like the Lauterbrunnen ↔ Zweilütschinen bus replacement, can add time or crowds, so pad your transfers.
• 🎒 Pack snacks + water before leaving Lauterbrunnen since train changes are quick and food options – especially GF – are limited until Zermatt.
• 🧣 Evening tip – Even in August, temps drop quickly – bring a light jacket for post-dinner strolls along the river.

🚆 Scenic Train to Zermatt

The train ride from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt is among Switzerland’s most scenic routes, winding through the Bernese Alps past valleys, waterfalls, and alpine villages before climbing the Mattertal Valley. Sit on the right side from Visp for the best views of the Vispa River, which surged alongside the tracks in a powerful rush of glacial meltwater made even more dramatic by the rain. Though clouds veiled the peaks, the misty landscape felt peaceful and cinematic, with waterfalls cascading from the cliffs and the river roaring below. Arriving in Zermatt felt like stepping into a tranquil, car-free alpine haven where cobblestone streets and crisp mountain air marked the start of a new adventure.

🥾 Loop Hike to Gorner Gorge + Blatten

From Zermatt, the hike follows a gentle path along the river or village toward the Gorner Gorge (Gornerschlucht) entrance, where admission grants access to this short but spectacular sight. Continuing onward leads through the storybook hamlets of Blatten, dotted with stadels (rustic barns), before looping back via the Ricola Herb Garden. It’s an ideal low-effort afternoon hike or cloudy-weather activity, since the dramatic cliffs and glowing blue water still shine without sun, and the rapids become even more powerful after rain.

📈 Hiking Stats

Time: 54:20 moving, 1:22 elapsed to allow photo stops
Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km), 1.7 miles on official trail (excluding walk from hotel)
Max Elevation: 5,688 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 568 ft
Cumulative Descent: 482 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: The Gorner Gorge hike is best done in a scenic loop that passes through some of Zermatt’s most charming hamlets. From the village, follow the path toward the gorge entrance (CHF 5.50 cash only, open 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM), where wooden walkways wind through the gorge with views of the rushing cascades. Continue past the exit to Blatten, a postcard-perfect hamlet filled with stadels, chalets, and small chapels. From there, return to town via the Ricola Herb Garden, a peaceful, aromatic path showcasing the Swiss herbs used in Ricola drops – a far more scenic route than the busier direct road. Starting mid-afternoon works beautifully if skies clear. If time permits, you can continue on to the Zum See hamlet from Blatten and then loop back.
Additional Resources: Garmin Data, All Trails
Earthtrekkers route: Our original plan, adapted due to poor weather, went from Furi to Zermatt, with planned stops at the Furi Suspension Bridge, Zum See, Blatten, and Gorner Gorge.

🌊 Gorner Gorge

Just beyond the village, the Gorner Gorge offers a striking contrast to Zermatt’s open mountain views, with a narrow ravine carved by glacier meltwater over millennia. Wooden walkways cling to steep rock walls above rushing cascades, creating an immersive natural spectacle.

Other Videos: YouTube Short

🔁 360 Photo

🏡 Blatten

Tucked just above Zermatt, Blatten feels like a step back in time with its cluster of dark, weathered stadels – traditional wooden barns raised on stone stilts to protect grain and cheese from mice and moisture. Their sun-blackened timber and moss-covered roofs create a striking contrast against the green meadows and alpine backdrop. Wandering through this tiny hamlet offers a glimpse into centuries-old mountain life, where each stilted structure tells a story of Swiss craftsmanship and high-alpine tradition.

🔁 360 Photo