See the Matterhorn in person, postcards come to life!

To get a close look at the legendary Matterhorn, I came to the Swiss town of Zermatt. This town has no cars, it’s very quiet, and the air is especially fresh. I booked tickets online in advance for the Gornergrat mountain train, which is the most convenient way to reach the viewing platform.

Early in the morning, I boarded the little red train. The train zigzags up the steep slope, and the view outside the window becomes more and more expansive. The green hillside is dotted with small wooden cabins, and snow-capped peaks stretch into the distance. About half an hour later, I arrived at the final stop—the Gornergrat viewing platform.

As soon as I got off the train, the crisp air hit me, but the sunshine was great. Stepping out of the station, the majestic Matterhorn stood unobstructed right before my eyes! Its shape is so iconic, like a huge pyramid with sharp edges, covered in ice and snow, looking especially stern and proud under the blue sky. It’s exactly like the postcards, even more stunning. I quickly took out my phone and kept snapping photos; no matter the angle, it’s absolutely the star of the show.

The viewing platform offers a 360-degree panorama. Besides the Matterhorn, you can see the surrounding continuous Alpine snow mountains and the huge Gorner Glacier below, whose surface is gray-blue and winding. There were quite a few tourists, but everyone was pretty quiet, probably all captivated by the scenery. The wind at the summit was strong, and even with the sunshine, standing for a long time felt cold. Luckily, I wore a thick jacket.

After a round on the viewing platform, I decided to walk down a bit along the hiking trail. The trail is well maintained and easy to walk. As I walked and looked around, the Matterhorn showed different postures from different angles. I met some hikers along the way, and we nodded and smiled at each other. The fresh air was invigorating. When I reached a small lake (Riffelsee), I was lucky—the lake surface was calm like a mirror, clearly reflecting the Matterhorn. This was the most classic scene and the best photo of the trip.

After walking for a little over an hour, I felt a bit hungry, so I took the train down at a small station. Back in Zermatt, I found an outdoor café, sat down, and ordered a hot chocolate. Watching hikers in their jackets pass by on the street, with the sharp peak of the Matterhorn clearly visible in the distance, I felt very satisfied. The town’s wooden houses are very distinctive, and the shop windows are filled with mountaineering gear and souvenirs.

This trip to the Matterhorn was short but incredibly impressive. No need for any difficult climbing—just take the train to easily reach an excellent viewpoint, see the true face of the “King of the Mountains,” and feel the grandeur of the Alps. That pure mountain beauty is truly unforgettable. If I come again, I really want to spend more time walking the hiking trails.

Post by MichaelMcNeil28 | Aug 12, 2025