4 lakes hike from Sunnegga (2,288m) to Riffelalp (2,211m)

Riffelalp

We start this interesting walk at Sunnegga station going towards the Matterhorn. After a short climb up the path forks towards the east and the Leisee lake. You pass the lake on your left. The there is a short descent to the next signpost and the path turns right and forks upwards towards Blauherd/Stellisee. Now the path climbs with sharp bends towards Flurstrasse. We cross this track and in a short time we reach the Stellisee lake. The climb from Sunnegga up to now will have taken about one hour and 15 minutes. And the toughest part of the walk is finished. We recommend a walk around the Stellisee (about another 15 minutes) and the reward for the extra steps is the reflection of the Matterhorn in the water. A further 10-minute climb brings us to the Fluhalp mountain restaurant. Leaving the Stellisee lake we walk back to the Flurstrasse track and follow it in wide curves to the glacier moraine towards the Grindjisee lake. It’s well worth leaving the Flurstrasse track on the right somewhat above the lake – at the grosser Findling – (a large boulder) and to take the small path. Not long after you get a wonderful view of the Grindjisee lake and a multitude of bright, alpine flowers beside a small mountain stream; this takes around 30 minutes. Following the left bank of the lake to the end of the lake we branch to the left and use a small wooden stairway taking us back to the Flurstrasse track. Beside the glacier moraine we walk down the track and cross the Findelbach stream so that we are now walking again towards the Matterhorn and around 30 minutes from the Grindjisee lake we come to the Grünsee lake. After the Grünsee we follow the signposts towards Riffelalp, passing the Ze Sewjinu Mountan Lodge (possibility to stop for refreshments here) and walk through the larch and arven-pine forest with its ancient trees. About 45 minutes later we reach Riffelalp station and the Gornergrat railway and enjoy our return journey to Zermatt by train.