Winter hiking

Rotenboden-Riffelberg (Nr. 113)

The winter views here are some of the finest in the Zermatt region. The trail leads below the shady Riffelhorn and back into dazzling sunshine, revealing a breathtaking vista culminating in the Gornergrat. A fairy-tale adventure with views that seem to go on for ever.

Winter hiking from Roteboden to Riffelberg
  • Type Winter hiking
  • Difficulty easy
  • Duration 1,00 h
  • Distance 2,3 km
  • Ascent 7 m
  • Descent 240 m
  • Lowest point 2576 m
  • Highest point 2816 m

Description

This particular fairy tale begins at Rotenboden, where the winter hiking trail leads off to the left. The loop towards the Riffelhorn is particularly special - depending on the time of day, the Riffelhorn casts cold blue shadows in winter and walkers can see and feel for a moment just how much the sun warms the landscape, and how cold it can be in the shade.

The trail then heads up a small incline, where effort is rewarded with stunning views of the Matterhorn, before winding gently down to Riffelberg; children will love being pulled down this stretch on a sledge.

  • Suitable for children aged 4 upwards
  • Magnificent Alpine views of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and other four-thousanders

Rotenboden - Riffelsee - Riffelberg

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 30)

We recommend:

  • Good footwear
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Warm winter clothing appropriate for the weather

Take a ride right up to the top on the Gornergrat Bahn, where you can marvel at the view of 29 four-thousanders and a breathtaking panorama of glaciers and mountains before heading back to Rotenboden.


  • 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.
  • It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes.
  • Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.

Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.

Map and arrival

detailed map