Better Than Disneyland – October 2019
Susan experienced the Matterhorn Disneyland ride quite frequently during her childhood. Her grandparents lived just 10 minutes from the Magic Kingdom and took her plus her two siblings to Disneyland each summer. The Mickey Mouse version of the Swiss mountain looked quite impressive at the time. But seeing the actual 4,478 meter high mountain in Switzerland is no comparison! Wow!!
Our full-day Matterhorn adventure began in the village of Gimel on the northwest end of Lake Geneva. Traveling on a bus and multiple trains plus gaining about 1,000 meters in elevation, we arrived in Zermatt 4 1/2 hours later. Zermatt is a town of 5,800 people, most of whom speak German. Other than very small-scale electric buses and trucks, it is a car-free zone and serves as popular base for hiking, mountaineering, and skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Almost every chalet displayed beautiful flower boxes. 
Perfect postcard picture of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps.
We rode 35 minutes on the expensive, but oh-so-worth-it cog railway to travel from Zermatt at 1,608 meters elevation up steep tracks to Gornergrat at 3,089 meters. We had beautiful views of the Alpine town and surrounding mountains during our ascent!
Swiss trains run on time as indicated on station clocks. 
Train beginning its 1450 meter descent over 35 minutes.
A few hotels, restaurants, shops, a chapel, plus two observatories add a bit of variety to the Gornergrat railway station, the highest point on the cog railway line that operates 365 days a year.
Gornergrat rail station 
Bernhard von Acosta Chapel 
Yes, it was chilly and a bit windy!
3100 Kulmhotel
The pyramid-shaped, 4,478 meter high Matterhorn Mountain is the most recognized mountain in the Swiss Alps. In addition to its familiarity because of Disneyland, the mountain has also become a symbol for Switzerland.
Gormergletscher 
Breithorn on the left, Little Matterhorn on the right
While visiting Gornergrat we completed the short loop trail, which meant we had more incredible views of the Gornergrat Glacier, as well as Breithorn and Little Matterhorn Mountains. Despite the cold temperature and bit of wind, we had a great time on the mountain top on a sunny, autumn day.
The first part of the loop trail was dirt and gravel. 
We walked up through a bit of snow on the 2nd half of the loop trail. 
Great spot to contemplate the praise-filled Psalm on the plaque and the superb view!