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.
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.
Rest Stop
Mountain Lodge Ze SeewjinuBuffet Bar Sunnegga
Paradies
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.
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
Tips, hints and links
Start
Destination
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
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”.
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Questions & answers
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Reviews
Photos of others
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Marek Benes
Maxence Lombard
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