Karl Le Gros
2021 - Gornergrat summital station in the early morning
The Gornergrat, at an altitude of 3,089 m, has been one of Switzerland’s most sought after destinations since 1898 when it was made accessible to the public for the first time through the railway. The Gornergrat Bahn was the world’s first fully electrified cog railway. Today it is a modern, eco-friendly railway, equipped with an efficient regenerative braking system that generates electricity during the descent: the energy for one to two uphill mountain drives is won by three downhill drives.
Europe’s highest open-air cog railway moves passengers directly from Zermatt station (1'620 m) to the ridge of the Gornergrat during the whole year. The ride takes 33 minutes and represents a vertical climb of 1'469 meters. The 9,4 kilometres railway passes over dramatic bridges, through galleries and tunnels, across forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, and past rocky ravines and mountain lakes. Very impressive.
The panorama visitors can see is among the finest in the world. The view spread large: the Monte Rosa massif with Switzerland’s highest peak (Dufourspitze, 4'634 m); the second-largest glacier in the Alps, the Gorner Glacier; and a total of 29 mountains above 4,000 m, including, of course, the Matterhorn in its customary glory.
At the Gornergrat's summit station one can find Europe’s highest-altitude hotel: the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Facilities include a restaurant, an astronomical observatory and shops. Awaking in the morning above 3'000 meters is a wonderful experience.
2021 - Gornergrat summital station in the early morning
The Gornergrat, at an altitude of 3,089 m, has been one of Switzerland’s most sought after destinations since 1898 when it was made accessible to the public for the first time through the railway. The Gornergrat Bahn was the world’s first fully electrified cog railway. Today it is a modern, eco-friendly railway, equipped with an efficient regenerative braking system that generates electricity during the descent: the energy for one to two uphill mountain drives is won by three downhill drives.
Europe’s highest open-air cog railway moves passengers directly from Zermatt station (1'620 m) to the ridge of the Gornergrat during the whole year. The ride takes 33 minutes and represents a vertical climb of 1'469 meters. The 9,4 kilometres railway passes over dramatic bridges, through galleries and tunnels, across forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, and past rocky ravines and mountain lakes. Very impressive.
The panorama visitors can see is among the finest in the world. The view spread large: the Monte Rosa massif with Switzerland’s highest peak (Dufourspitze, 4'634 m); the second-largest glacier in the Alps, the Gorner Glacier; and a total of 29 mountains above 4,000 m, including, of course, the Matterhorn in its customary glory.
At the Gornergrat's summit station one can find Europe’s highest-altitude hotel: the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Facilities include a restaurant, an astronomical observatory and shops. Awaking in the morning above 3'000 meters is a wonderful experience.