recommended route
5 Lakes Walk (Nr. 11)
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/ Stellisee lake with reflection of the MatterhornPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Pascal Gertschen -
/ Grindjisee lake also with reflection of the MatterhornPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann
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/ Lake GrünseePhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Pascal Gertschen
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/ Lake Moosjisee with autumnal backdropPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Thomas Aebischer
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/ Leisee mit Bademöglichkeit, Picknickgelegenheit und KinderspielplatzPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Pascal Gertschen
The 5 Lakes Walk is in a class of its own among hikes in the Zermatt mountains. The views of the mountain lakes are superb (with the Matterhorn reflected in three of them), and the trail is full of variety.
moderate
Distance 9.8 km
2:30 h
165 m
454 m
2,584 m
2,130 m
The path leads past the lakes of the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. Each of these mountain lakes is very different in terms of shape, colour, character and size, and has its own special attraction. The Leisee is good for swimming: children love it. The Grünsee looks out over a rather more rugged landscape, where Swiss stone pines nevertheless manage to grow among the scree and sand. The shores of the Grindjisee are home to rare flowers. And so on – each one promises a unique experience.
- Appropriate for children from age 6
- Reflection of Matterhorn in Stellisee, Grindjisee and Leisee lakes
- Findeln Glacier moraine
- Swimming in the Leisee and Grünsee lakes
- Children’s playground at Leisee, good picnic site
Author’s recommendation
Hold a family consultation: plan a stop at a mountain restaurant, or would the majority rather have a picnic?
In addition, three of the lakes offer an amazing mirror view of the Matterhorn in good weather.
Author
Zermatt Tourismus
Update: December 04, 2020
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,584 m
Lowest point
2,130 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rest Stop
Mountain Lodge Ze SeewjinuBuffet Bar Sunnegga
@Paradise
Safety information
- Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
- Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
- Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
- Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.
Tips and hints
Buy your ticket now directly onlineStart
Blauherd (2'571 m) (2,577 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'626'934E 1'096'207N
DD
46.016880, 7.786405
DMS
46°01'00.8"N 7°47'11.1"E
UTM
32T 406057 5096638
w3w
///rhino.intruded.bachelor
Destination
Sunnegga (2'288 m)
Turn-by-turn directions
Blauherd - Stellisee - Grindjisee - Grünsee - Moosjisee - Leisee - Sunnegga
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 50)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “5-Seenweg”.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).
Getting there
Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.
Parking
Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.Onward travel: see “Getting there”.
Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'626'934E 1'096'207N
DD
46.016880, 7.786405
DMS
46°01'00.8"N 7°47'11.1"E
UTM
32T 406057 5096638
w3w
///rhino.intruded.bachelor
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
"Bergblumenwelt von Zermatt – Alpine Flowers around Zermatt“, Hanspeter Steindle, edition punktuell, CH-9101 Herisau, 2009, zweisprachige Ausgabe Deutsch und Englisch. ISBN 978-3-905724-15-8.
Author’s map recommendations
A walking map (1:25,000) is available from Zermatt Tourism’s guest information centre, along with brochures containing tips and recommendations.
Equipment
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
- Optionally swimming things (swimming facilities in the Leisee and Grünsee)
- Optionally picnic
Basic Equipment for Nature Trails
- Sturdy, comfortable and preferably waterproof footwear
- Comfortable clothing
- Rucksack (with rain cover)
- Protection against sun, rain and wind (hat, sunscreen, water- and windproof jacket)
- Sunglasses
- Hiking poles
- Ample supply of drinking water and snacks
- Cell phone
- Cash
- Umbrella
- The 'basic' and 'technical' equipment lists are generated based on the selected activity. They are not exhaustive and only serve as suggestions for what you should consider packing.
- For your safety, you should carefully read all instructions on how to properly use and maintain your equipment.
- Please ensure that the equipment you bring complies with local laws and does not include restricted items.
Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
9.8 km
Duration
2:30 h
Ascent
165 m
Descent
454 m
Highest point
2,584 m
Lowest point
2,130 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others