Whereas researching one of the best hikes in Zermatt, the 5 Lakes Path (5-Seenweg) saved popping up on the high of the listing. Superb Matterhorn views, 5 attractive lakes, a largely downhill stroll…it sounded excellent! So, we added it to our to-do listing.
Throughout our go to to Zermatt, the cable automotive to Rothorn was closed for upkeep. As we stood on the Blauherd station, we had a option to make: hike as much as Rothorn for the view (which I hear is spectacular) or stroll the beautiful 5 Lakes Path.
Effectively, the 5 Lakes Path received. And truthfully, I feel we made a nasty choice.
I do know that different weblog posts and articles give rave critiques in regards to the 5 Lakes Path. In our opinion, this hike is boring and monotonous.
Sure, the views of the Matterhorn are very good. And sure, the primary lake, Stellisee, really is attractive.
However as soon as we reached the second lake, we couldn’t await this hike to be over.
For many of this hike, you might be broad, gravel roads and strolling by way of the woods, not probably the most thrilling expertise. And the opposite 4 lakes…after Stellisee, they’re a let-down.
On this publish, I’ll provide the full particulars in regards to the hike, so you possibly can determine whether or not or not you wish to do it whereas in Zermatt. Plus, I’ll give a shorter variation of this hike (that’s price your time) and a second, spectacular hike with views of the Matterhorn that can blow your thoughts.
Mountain climbing the 5 Lakes Path (5-Seenweg)
5 Lakes Path Mountain climbing Stats
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation Achieve: 165 meters
Elevation Loss: 454 meters
Issue: Straightforward to average
Size of Time: 3 hours
Beginning Level: Blauherd station
Ending Level: Sunnegga station
When to Go: June by way of September
This hike is a largely downhill stroll should you begin on the Blauherd station and finish on the Sunnegga station.
This hike will get its title from the 5 lakes you’ll hike previous: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee. On path indicators, it’s labeled as 5-Seenweg.
Please apply the seven ideas of Depart No Hint: plan forward, keep on the path, pack out what you deliver to the mountaineering path, correctly eliminate waste, depart areas as you discovered them, be thoughtful of different hikers, and don’t method or feed wildlife.
Attending to Blauherd
The path begins at Blauherd. To get right here, take the funicular to Sunnegga and the gondola to Blauherd.
Within the city of Zermatt, the Sunnegga funicular station is positioned subsequent to the Vispa River. On Google Maps, it’s referred to as Zermatt (Talstation Sunnegga). Trip the funicular to the Sunnegga station (about 8 minutes).
It’s price going to the perspective of the Matterhorn. That is an unimaginable view.
When you’re completed, trip the gondola as much as Blauherd.
Click on right here for the timetables and pricing for the funicular and gondola to Blauherd.
Blauherd to Stellisee
When you exit the gondola, search for indicators directing you to the 5 Lakes Path. On path indicators, it’s labeled 5-Seenweg. It’s also possible to search for indicators directing you to the subsequent lake.
That is the 5 Lakes Path signal. This signal might be posted at every lake together with the yellow path signal you see beneath.
The stroll to Stellisee is attractive. From right here, you get a spectacular view of the Matterhorn. It’s a simple, most downhill stroll to Stellisee.
That is the view of the Matterhorn from the path. For those who look intently, you possibly can see the 5 Lakes Path on the hillside within the distance.
As soon as at Stellisee, stroll across the far facet of the lake for one of the best view of the Matterhorn. On a peaceful day, it’s doable to seize the reflection of the Matterhorn on the lake (I used to be not so fortunate).
PRO TRAVEL TIP: You simply hiked one of the best a part of the 5 Lakes Path. My suggestion is to hike again to Blauherd and proceed as much as Rothorn on the cable automotive. On the 5 Lakes Path, when you hike previous Stellisee, the path is boring and the view from the opposite lakes doesn’t examine to what you simply noticed.
Stellisee to Sunnegga
Now the path modifications into a large, gravel highway. It’s a largely downhill stroll to Grindjisee.
This small lake is surrounded by bushes. Right here is the view from Grindjisee.
Grindjisee
Proceed alongside the gravel highway till you get to Grünsee. That is once we regretted our choice to hike this path. Now that we had been tucked away within the bushes, we had been solely getting occasional glimpses of the tip of the Matterhorn. The views do open up once more, later within the hike, however this a part of the 5 Lakes Path is probably the most boring.
Grünsee
To hike from Grünsee to Moosjisee, you’ll hike down a collection of switchbacks within the woods. Moosjisee is a lake that sits subsequent to a hydro-power station. It has a singular, aquamarine shade.
Moosjisee
The hike to Leisee is the hardest a part of the hike. It’s a brief however steep stroll as much as the lake.
View from the path earlier than you get to Leisee.
Leisee
From right here, you possibly can stroll uphill to Sunnegga station or trip the elevator.
What to Do As a substitute of the 5 Lakes Path
The 5 Lakes Path is a pleasant hike. I’m not saying that you simply shouldn’t do it. I simply don’t assume it deserves the entire hype that it will get.
With the best expectations, it is a worthwhile expertise. Nonetheless, listed here are options for what I like to recommend you do as a substitute of the 5 Lakes Path.
Hike Spherical Journey to Stellisee
The part from Blauherd to Stellisee is one of the best a part of the 5 Lakes Path. It’s brief, it’s candy, and you might be handled to superb Matterhorn views and a go to to a really fairly lake.
For those who hike from Blauherd to Stellisee and return to Blauherd, it’s only 3 km (2 miles) spherical journey and takes about an hour of your time.
Hike Gornergrat to Riffelberg
For those who do one factor whereas in Zermatt, it must be this.
This brief hike is solely superb. The hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg is full of jaw-dropping views of the Matterhorn.
The factor that makes this hike so particular is that you’re at all times strolling in the direction of the Matterhorn. It’s proper there in entrance of you, and since Gornergrat is nearer to the Matterhorn than the 5 Lakes Path, it virtually appears to be like like you possibly can attain out and contact it.
On this hike, you get to go to two alpine lakes. This hike is 5 km (3 miles) lengthy and largely downhill.
LEARN MORE: The best way to Go to Gornergrat and Hike to Riffelberg
In Conclusion
In case you are searching for a brief, straightforward hike with spectacular views of the Matterhorn, skip the 5 Lakes Path and hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg as a substitute. You’ll have a great deal of superb pictures of the Matterhorn.
The 5 Lakes Path is price it in case you have quite a lot of time in Zermatt (3 days or longer) and are searching for one other scenic hike to do. In any other case, save your time, and your steps, and simply hike to Stellisee as a substitute. You’ll get superior views of the Matterhorn and nonetheless have loads of time and vitality left over to do one thing else.
When you have another questions on mountaineering the 5 Lakes Path, or if you wish to share your expertise, tell us within the remark part beneath.
Extra Locations to Go in Switzerland:
ZERMATT: In Zermatt, don’t miss the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. For extra concepts on what to do, learn our article Greatest Issues to Do in Zermatt. For extra alpine views, learn to go to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (and discover out whether it is price it).
JUNGFRAU REGION: What precisely is the Jungfrau area? Discover out in our Information to the Jungfrau Area, which incorporates maps and vital journey planning data. We even have articles about one of the best issues to do within the Jungfrau area in addition to the highest hikes within the Jungfrau area. The Eiger Path and Schynige Platt to First are our favourite hikes. A go to to Jungfraujoch is without doubt one of the hottest experiences within the Jungfrau area, however is it price it?
SWITZERLAND ITINERARY: In case your go to to Zermatt is a part of an even bigger journey to Switzerland, take a look at our Switzerland Itinerary, which has options on what to do in case you have 7 days, 14 days, and even longer.
LUCERNE: Learn to spend one excellent day in Lucerne with a visit to Mt. Pilatus.
LAUSANNE: Lausanne is one other lovely Swiss metropolis with plenty of nice issues to do and it additionally is a good house base for day journeys within the space, comparable to Gruyères and Chateau de Chillon.
Learn all of our articles about Switzerland in our Switzerland Journey Information.
