Gornergrat railway, Swiss rack railway, from Zermatt to the summit of the Gornergrat
The Gornergrat railway is a rack railway in Zermatt that climbs from the town to high altitude. The line ascends about 5,400 feet (1,600 meters) and passes through changing terrain as it rises toward the mountain.
The railway opened in 1898 and became one of the earliest rack railways built in the Alps. It has connected Zermatt to higher elevations on the mountain for over a century.
The journey takes about 40 minutes to reach the upper station. It is wise to bring weather-appropriate clothing since conditions can shift quickly at higher elevations.
The railway passes through one of Switzerland's largest connected ski areas and provides access to slopes and walking paths nearby. In winter especially, travelers use the route to reach higher terrain quickly for sports and recreation.
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