Zermatt Photography Workshop: Golden Larch Trees, a Lake, & the Matterhorn

In the middle of October something happens in Zermatt that is in no brochure. The cable cars to Sunnegga close for maintenance, the mountain restaurants shut one after another, and exactly then the most beautiful weeks of the year begin. The larch trees above Findeln turn deep gold, the peaks carry the first snow, and anyone who wants to reach the lakes has to walk. At the Grindjisee you will not find thirty tripods at this time of year, but at most two.

That is where this photo hike goes. It starts in the early afternoon, when the guided groups are heading back down to the valley, and it ends when it gets dark. In between lies the best light of the year.

How the afternoon runs

We meet at 12.30 at Zermatt train station. The ascent leads through Winkelmatten and up through the larch forest to the hamlet of Findeln at just over 2,000 metres. Steady but unhurried, because we photograph along the way. Even here we work on the things that make the difference later at the lake: how paths and lines lead into a picture, why a tree in the foreground often matters more than the mountain behind it, and what backlight does to golden needles.

In Findeln we take our first proper photographs: dark Valais granaries, the small chapel, larch trees in front and the Matterhorn behind. Then we continue along the high path to the Grindjisee, the heart of the afternoon. A small lake behind a moraine, framed by larch trees, with Switzerland's most famous mountain sitting exactly in the gap. We stay there for a long time, because the light changes more in those hours than in the whole rest of the day.

We take the return route through Findeln again, this time with the low sun shining sideways through the larches. For many this is the most beautiful hour of the day, and it is precisely the hour when most guided programmes have long since ended. We descend to Zermatt in the blue hour, with headlamps, on a wide and well marked path.

Who this is for

For anyone who enjoys photography and has no appetite for a competitive atmosphere. No previous knowledge is needed and no particular camera. Smartphone, mirrorless or DSLR are equally welcome, because this is about composition rather than camera menus. Coming on your own is perfectly normal; most people do.

Every participant receives five to eight edited photographs of themselves in front of the Matterhorn, delivered digitally within ten working days.

Requirements

Fitness moderate, technique easy. Around 11 kilometres, about 750 metres of ascent and descent, marked mountain path of grade T2, six to seven hours including photo stops. If you manage a normal day hike, you will manage this afternoon. We walk slowly, because we stop to photograph.

The descent into the village takes place at dusk. This is part of the concept, the path is wide and well marked, and a headlamp belongs in your backpack.

What to bring

Hiking boots with a good sole, warm layers including hat and gloves, wind and rain jacket, headlamp, a thermos and food, your camera or smartphone with a charged battery. The mountain restaurants are already closed at this time of year. After frosty nights, spikes or light crampons are useful and available in any sports shop in Zermatt. A tripod is expressly not a requirement.

Dates, price and booking

Friday 16 October 2026, Saturday 17 October 2026 and Sunday 18 October 2026, each from 12.30 until around 19.00. Saturday is confirmed and still has places available.

Minimum 3, maximum 6 participants. Course languages German and English. As no cable car operates at this time of year, there are no lift costs.

The hike is led by Falko Burghausen, mountain hiking guide in training and a multiple award winning international landscape photographer, at home in the Upper Valais.

Booking and full details at beanywhere.ch