Which railway reaches the highest open-air railway station in Europe at Gornergrat?

The Gornergrat Railway reaches Europe’s highest open-air railway station at Gornergrat.

The Swiss rack railway runs from Zermatt to Gornergrat in the canton of Valais. Its summit station stands at about 3,089 metres above sea level, giving passengers views of the Matterhorn and numerous surrounding Alpine peaks. The line opened in 1898 and was Switzerland’s first electrically operated rack railway.

Unlike the Jungfrau Railway, which reaches a higher altitude inside a tunnel, the Gornergrat Railway’s distinction concerns an open-air station. That distinction is an important source of confusion in comparisons between Europe’s mountain railways.

The railway uses a rack system to manage steep gradients and operates throughout much of the year. Gornergrat is both a transport link and a major visitor destination, with hiking, skiing, and viewing facilities near the summit. Weather and seasonal conditions can affect individual services.