The Gornergrat Bahn was the world's first fully electrified cog railway. Today it is a modern, eco-friendly railway, equipped with a regenerative braking system that generates electricity on the descent and so saves energy. Thus the energy for one to two new mountain drives is won by three downhill drives.

The cogwheel train in Zermatt is the world-famous Gornergrat Bahn (GGB). It is Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, taking passengers from the village of Zermatt (1,605m) to the summit of the Gornergrat (3,089m) in about 33 minutes. The "cogwheel" (rack-and-pinion) system allows the train to climb incredibly steep gradients that would be impossible for a standard train. For 2026 travelers, the ride is iconic for providing the best panoramic views of the Matterhorn and 28 other peaks above 4,000 meters. The trains are eco-friendly, using a regenerative braking system that converts the energy from the descent back into electricity for the ascent. The railway operates year-round, and your ticket allows you to "hop off" at intermediate stations like Riffelalp or Riffelberg to enjoy hiking trails or mountain restaurants. It is an essential Swiss experience, combining 19th-century engineering with the stunning, high-alpine beauty of the Valais Alps.

Excellent question! The “cogwheel train” in Zermatt is almost certainly a reference to the Gornergrat Railway (Gornergratbahn - GGB). It is one of the most famous and spectacular mountain railways in the world.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it is and why it’s so significant:

What is it?

• A Cogwheel / Rack Railway: Unlike regular trains that run on flat tracks, this train uses a cog-and-rack system. A special gear under the train engages with a toothed rack rail in the center of the track, allowing it to climb extremely steep gradients safely. The Gornergratbahn has an average gradient of 20%!
• The Route: It travels from Zermatt station (1,604 m / 5,262 ft) up to the summit station at the Gornergrat (3,089 m / 10,135 ft).
• Electric & Eco-Friendly: It was the first fully electric cog railway in Switzerland (opened in 1898) and is still powered by hydroelectricity, making it a sustainable way to access the high Alps.

Key Highlights & Why It’s Famous:

1. Breathtaking Views of the Matterhorn: This is the #1 reason. The train journey offers continuously changing, stunning panoramic views. The south face of the Matterhorn is visible for almost the entire trip, providing a completely different perspective than from Zermatt village.
2. Access to a High-Alpine Panorama: The Gornergrat summit offers a 360-degree view of one of the most impressive alpine panoramas, featuring 29 peaks over 4,000 meters (including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Liskamm, and the Gorner Glacier).
3. Year-Round Operation: It runs every day of the year, providing access to hiking in summer and skiing/snowshoeing in winter.
4. Intermediate Stops: You can hop on and off at stations like Riffelalp, Riffelberg, and Rotenboden (for the hike to the Riffelsee lake with the iconic Matterhorn reflection).
5. Connection to Hiking & Skiing: It’s the starting point for the famous “5-Seenweg” (5 Lakes Walk)