Matterhorn

Nightphotographers naturally follow the moon phases and the Milky way, though the light pollution in Zermatt is now quite large. For a shot of the Milky way behind the Matterhorn with a reflection in the Stellisee a bit of luck is required, but you will be rewarded with an unforgettable photo. But the full moon also has its charm, which makes the white mountains visible in the night.

Those seeking for a photograph in Autumn with the Matterhorn and the golden trees a stay in September / October is recommended. Tip: Check the mountain inn Fluhalp in advance to find out by which date the accommodation is open – with the last possible appointment you will usually make a good deal.

During Winter the 3rd week of January has been the best experience so far. In 2016 and 2017, we each had seven steel-blue days with little tourists and a good selection of free and cheap hotels / apartments. The temperatures were very low (-5 to -15 ° C in the village) but you are in the mountains after all! Although Zermatt is worth a visit all year, the months May and November are less recommended. For hiking and skiing it is either too early or too late. Most lodges / mountain hotels only open in June and close again at the beginning of October.

MATTERHORN REFLECTION AT THE STELLISEE

The most beautiful Matterhorn reflection can be found at the Stellisee. As a photographer you should be at sunrise before the mountain and the purple-colored sky is reflected in the lake. The east side of the Matterhorn is beautifully illuminated by the first sunrays. But the sunset is also worthwhile depending on the month, when the sun disappears just next to the Matterhorn.
During Winter, the Stellisee is frozen and covered with snow, which is why only the snow-free months (May / June – September / October) are recommended.

During Summer you can camp at the lake (no official campsite). The mountain inn Fluhalp is situated at an altitude of 2620m, where you can spend the night from June to September / October. A reservation is, of course, required, although at times I have been able to get a room on short notice. The fastest way to Stellisee is by foot via Blauherd (via Sunnegga). The journey from Zermatt to Blauherd takes about 20 min. After another 20 min. on the wide and well marked hiking trail you reach the Stellisee. The first train leaves at 08.00 a.m. and 08.30 a.m. in the off-season from Zermatt.

THE PERFECT AUTUMN PICTURE AT GRINDJISEE

The small and beautiful Grindjisee offers the perfect Matterhorn foreground. Especially during Autumn, when the golden yellow firs shine in the warm light. With a bit of luck you will also have a few veil clouds on the photo. The Grindjisee can be reached through a short hike from Stellisee, a tent or the mountain inn Fluhalp are recommended as accommodation. Usually it is also snow-covered during Winter. If you want to visit the spot during Winter, use the marked winter hiking path or the ski slope, which is very close to the lake.

BARNS AND STORES IN FINDELN

The mountain restaurants at Findeln are world-famous, accessible by footpath or direct from the ski pistes. The authentic barns and stores built of larch timber blackened by the sun are idyllic subjects for photographs. Particularly good photos are possible during Spring, when the flowers bloom or during Winter, when the landscape and the houses are covered with snow. If you prefer a slightly elevated perspective, you can use the chairlift during Winter.

TUFTEREN

In Tufteren a stop is worthwhile not only because of the good apres-ski-restaurant, but also because of the view! The easiest way to reach Tufteren is with skis from Sunnegga or by bike or on foot during Summer. The hamlet of Tufteren (2,215 m) seems to belong to a long-gone age, with its small wooden barns and stores. For an authentic photo featuring old wooden houses, a flower-filled meadow and the Matterhorn, this is the perfect spot.

VIEW FROM THE VILLAGE OF ZERMATT

There are many cheap hotels with beautiful views of the Matterhorn and a photographer should consider a free Matterhorn view in the accommodation search as a „must“ criterion. Thus, the accommodation does not have to be left to photograph the Matterhorn. A popular viewpoint in the village is the church bridge (Kirchbrücke) – from hardly any other perspective the Matterhorn was photographed more often. This spot is especially recommended for sunrise and sunset. The brook and the Matterhorn are very good together in one photo. A beautiful view can also be found at the Matterhorn Express station. If you follow the small road from the station a few hundred meters uphill, you will be rewarded with a free Matterhorn view.

RIFFELSEE & GORNERGRAT

The view from Riffelsee is also worth a photo, but the viewpoint on the Matterhorn from the Stellisee is definitely more photogenic. If you have enough time or you’re staying at the Gornergrat anyway, you should visit this small lake. The Riffelsee is much smaller than the Stellisee, so the chances of a perfect reflection without disturbing waves are greater.
The best way to reach Riffelsee is the historic Gornergrat cogwheel railway (Stop at Rotenboden). Accommodation is available at the Gornergrat or on the Riffelalp. On the Gornergrat (3089m), there is a 360° panoramic view, including the Monte Rosa massif, so a visit to this summit should also be part of every visit to Zermatt.

AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE – THE HÖRNLIHÜTTE (BASE CAMP MATTERHORN)

Mountaineers mount the Matterhorn, but for hikers there is the Hörnlihütte. In this hut you can touch the Matterhorn so to speak. It is situated at an altitude of 3260m and was rebuilt in 2015, reducing the number of beds from 170 to 130. The Matterhorn climbers stay here just like the hikers. An overnight stay in the Hörnlihütte is a special experience, not only because of the photogenic perspective on the mountain. The mountaineers leave at 4 am and it is worthwhile to be there when the first groups leave the hut and start the ascent to the summit. You can not be closer to the action! An early reservation for a sleeping place is mandatory (check the website for more details, booking rules are changing from time to time as well as the prices).
The fastest way to Hörnlihütte is via the Matterhorn Express. From the Stop Schwarzsee (2583m) there is a well-developed hiking trail to the Hörnlihütte (hiking time approx. 2 1/4h). If you want to do it without the mountain railway, you can reach the hut from Zermatt after a long day’s hike.