Its (former) tributaries are (clockwise on this map) the Gorner Glacier (after which the whole system is named, although the upper part is now disconnected from the lower part), Monte Rosa Glacier, Grenzgletscher (nowadays by far its main tributary, now disconnected from the Gorner Glacier proper[3]), Zwillingsgletscher, Schwärzegletscher, Breithorngletscher, Triftjigletscher, and Unterer Theodulgletscher (the last three now disconnected).

The glacier is the source of the river Gornera [de], which flows down through Zermatt itself.

This water then ends up in the Lac des Dix, the main reservoir of Grande Dixence.

Since its last major expansion (in the modern era, after the last glacial period) in 1859, it had lost more than 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) in distance.

Now the prominent flow visible from Gornergrat is properly called the Grenzgletscher and can no longer be considered part of the Gorner Glacier.