Riffelsee, Mountain lake in Zermatt, Switzerland
Riffelsee is a small mountain lake sitting at about 9,080 feet (2,770 meters) above sea level, surrounded by rocky peaks and green alpine meadows, where the calm water creates perfect mirror reflections of the Matterhorn on still mornings and evenings.
The lake has long been a stopping point for mountaineers heading toward the surrounding peaks, and it gained popularity among photographers and travelers in the 20th century when the Gornergrat Railway made access to this high altitude easier for visitors.
Visitors come here in the early morning or at sunset to witness the Matterhorn reflected on the lake's surface, a scene that has become a favorite subject for photographers and a symbol of the Swiss alpine experience, celebrated in countless postcards and images.
You can reach Riffelsee with a short 10-minute walk downhill from Rotenboden station on the Gornergrat Railway, which departs from Zermatt and takes about 28 minutes, making the lake accessible even for travelers not planning a full-day hike.
The lake sits within a protected nature reserve where camping and swimming are not allowed, helping preserve its quiet, unspoiled atmosphere and ensuring that the water remains calm enough to capture those perfect reflections of the famous mountain towering above.
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