Date: Thursday 7th August 2014
Route: Gornergrat to Riffelalp
Distance: 4.5 miles
Another way of walking down the hillside from Gornergrat station, but with a slightly different (and more interesting) route than our similar walk on Tuesday.
Rather than hanging around taking photos at Gornergrat, we started the walk immediately - and because we did, we encountered far fewer people en route, which meant we had more time and space to enjoy the views and the walk.
We began by following the Aussichtsweg path, but rather than diverting to Rotenboden station we picked up the Riffelseeweg path all the way down to Riffelberg. This slightly meandering path takes in a few tarns/ small lakes and is not only more picturesque, it has better views across the imposing mountains and glaciers to the left.
After a refuelling stop for tea and cake at the Riffelberg cafe, we carried on past the Riffelberg Hotel to pick up the Mark Twain Weg, immortalised by the American author in a booklet mocking the fashion for Alpine expeditions. This easy, winding walk descends through the grassy hillsides, complete with multiple species of flowers and the real danger of treading on one of the many butterflies that flutter alongside the path.
If you only do one walk from Gornergrat, I would recommend this one.
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