Summary
High in the Valais Alps, the village of Zermatt rests beneath the majestic and iconic Matterhorn. This renowned peak provides an inspiring and timeless view. Surrounding Zermatt are numerous vantage points for capturing photographs and sites where visitors can learn about the climbers who have conquered the mountain or met their fate in the attempt.
The Matterhorn is merely one of 29 peaks soaring above 4,000 meters in the Upper Valais region. Within this Alpine playground, various activities take place that may seem unimaginable, such as traversing a glacier, skiing in the heart of summer, and ascending one of Europe’s loftiest mountains. This is made possible through impressive infrastructure, from aerial tramways to funiculars, all showcasing human innovation in this challenging environment.
Let us delve into the top experiences in Zermatt:
1. The Matterhorn
This iconic, jagged peak is etched in the global consciousness akin to Mount Fuji.
However, unless you are a seasoned mountaineer, an ascent of the Matterhorn is not advisable.
This perilous peak was first conquered in 1865, resulting in the tragic loss of four lives among the seven climbers in the party.
Merely observing the base camp, located at Hürnli Hut, precariously positioned on the slopes, conveys the challenges faced by those early adventurers.
The distinctive pyramid-shaped peak is a landmark to appreciate from afar, with various accessible vantage points detailed in this guide.
2. Klein Matterhorn
The next peak adjacent to the Matterhorn is the Klein Matterhorn (Little Matterhorn), which is termed “little” only in relative terms. This peak rises to 3,883 meters and can exceptionally be reached via an aerial tramway.
It represents the highest point in Europe accessible by this mode of transport.
Upon arrival, you will reach the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where a tunnel provides access to the Breithorn Plateau, an expansive glacier on the peak’s southern side.
Temperatures here consistently remain below zero, at Europe’s highest summer ski area, so ensure you are adequately attired.
Do not miss the opportunity to explore the Glacier Grotto, sculpted from ice and adorned with frozen art.
3. Breithorn
If you wish to impress your friends by stating that you have scaled a 4,000-meter mountain, then the Breithorn is a worthy choice.
Interestingly, this peak is regarded as the most accessible among the 4,000-meter summits.
You will require a qualified mountain guide, but the expedition begins after riding the aerial tramway to the Klein Matterhorn.
Subsequently, it is a three-hour round trip to reach the summit of the Breithorn.
Although the hike is manageable, the glaciated slopes present their share of challenges, compounded by the thinner air at this altitude.
4. Gornergrat
Among the numerous unforgettable excursions in Zermatt is the highest open-air rack railway in Europe.
The Gornergrat Bahn transports visitors to the observation platform at Gornergrat, situated just over 3,000 meters above sea level, passing through a mountain wilderness where no less than 29 peaks surpass 4,000 meters.
Remarkably, this railway was inaugurated in 1896 as the world’s first fully electrified rack railway.
The journey lasts 33 minutes and the train elegantly traverses ravines and stone pine and larch forests.
Upon arrival at the platform, nestled within a small tourist complex, the scenery is almost beyond description.
While the Matterhorn captures the attention, you will also witness Dufourspitze, Switzerland’s highest peak at 4,634 meters, and the Gorner Glacier, the second-largest in the Alps.
5. Skiing
Situated under the shadow of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is the ultimate destination for a ski vacation.
This location functions as a hub for a network of 54 funiculars, lifts, and cable cars, encompassing over 360 kilometers of slopes.
As observed on the Breithorn plateau, skiing is possible even during the height of summer due to the glaciers and low temperatures at such elevations.
Lower slopes are often covered in snow as early as November and as late as April, extending the skiing season.
Adventurous skiers may choose to hire a mountain guide who is intimately familiar with the terrain to explore off-piste excursions.
Additionally, numerous restaurants are located in unexpected high-altitude locations, and a vibrant après-ski scene exists in the center of Zermatt and at spots like Sunnegga.
6. Rothorn
Select a clear day for another unforgettable mountain journey.
In Zermatt, you will board a funicular that ascends through the heart of the mountain to Sunnegga.
From there, a gondola transports you over picturesque Alpine pastures to Blauherd.
Lastly, from Blauherd, a state-of-the-art cable car, accommodating up to 100 passengers per cabin, provides an exceptional ride to the summit of Unterrothorn.
At the summit, a restaurant offers dining options, and the views of the Matterhorn, glaciers, and Monte Rosa massif are nothing short of extraordinary on clear days.
Moreover, Unterrothorn serves as a hub for mountain activities.
During summer, hikers embark on challenging treks from this point or utilize the slopes for paragliding activities.
During winter, the slopes begin right next to the upper station.
7. Zermatt Village
With so many attractions in the vicinity, one might overlook the charm of Zermatt’s pedestrian-only lanes.
A significant portion of the village’s history is tied to early tourism and alpinism, exemplified by The Monte Rosa Hotel, the oldest hotel in Zermatt, which opened its doors in 1855 to Edmund Whymper and his expedition team before their ascent.
The “Old Village” offers an experience akin to an open-air museum, featuring approximately 30 traditional “Walser” houses.
Additionally, during July and August, children will enjoy witnessing the herd of shaggy Valais Blackneck goats passing through the village at 09:00 and 17:00.
8. Zermatlantis Matterhorn Museum
The Matterhorn evokes awe and apprehension in equal measure, and the Zermatt museum provides insights into the mountain’s history.
The museum is organized like a traditional Alpine village, with galleries housed in 14 authentic buildings that were carefully disassembled and reconstructed within this subterranean setting.
Each building showcases different facets of the mountain’s natural history and its storied past.
In the “Mountain Guide’s House,” particular emphasis is placed on the ascent made by Edward Whymper and his team in 1865. The somber highlight here is the “broken rope” that snapped, leading to the deaths of four climbers.
9. Mountaineers’ Cemetery
A sobering fact about the Matterhorn is its reputation as one of the most hazardous peaks, having claimed the lives of approximately 500 climbers since its first successful ascent in 1865. Annually, around 3,000 individuals attempt this ascent, with fatalities persisting even today.
Typically, these incidents are attributed to avalanches and the swift weather changes for which the mountain is known.
Many deceased climbers are interred in the cemetery adjoining the church, including three of the four climbers who lost their lives in 1865. Visitors are encouraged to take their time reading the gravestones, which detail the climbers’ ages and their places of demise.
Some gravestones are even adorned with their mountaineering equipment such as ropes and ice axes.
10. Gorner Gorge
Approximately 15 minutes by foot from Zermatt lies a marvelous geological formation that descends rather than ascends.
Since the last ice age, the glacial river, Gornervispe, has carved through ancient green-hued serpentine rock to form a ravine that continues to expand.
In the 1880s, the gorge was made traversable on foot, and wooden footbridges provide stunning views of the rugged rock formations and the clear waters below.
A fascinating natural phenomenon occurs around 15:00-16:00 on certain days in September, when the distinctive light gives the water a hypnotic turquoise glow.
11. Sunnegga
Reaching the upper station on the Zermatt-Sunnegga funicular only takes 4.5 minutes.
Sunnegga serves as a sun-bathed natural terrace, providing yet another stunning perspective of the Matterhorn.
Additionally, Sunnegga offers a chance to witness Alpine wildlife in the Marmots’ Playground, a trail guiding visitors past burrows where these creatures may be spotted with a bit of patience.
Another summer pastime includes swimming in Leisee, surrounded by meadows with its pristine reflective waters.
During winter, Sunnegga transforms into a hub for snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skiing, aptly named the “Sunnegga Paradise,” while also granting access to Gornergrat slopes.
12. Village of Findeln
From Sunnegga, you can board a four-seater chairlift leading to the quaint cluster of farmhouses that make up the village of Findeln.
Surprisingly, until as recently as 1954, rye and barley were cultivated on these slopes, despite the altitude of 2,100 meters.
Findeln served as a summer grazing point rather than being occupied throughout the year; villagers would undertake a challenging cattle drive to reach this location at the start of summer.
During the season, they engaged in grain cultivation, cheese production, and transporting milk back down the valley for sale.
The original barns and farmhouses remain intact, as does a chapel dating from the 17th century.
13. Schwarzsee
Translating to “Black Lake” in English, this body of water exhibits a dark surface, reflecting the somber surrounding rocks.
The lake is accessible via a gondola, which transports visitors from Zermatt in just 12 minutes and has been operating since 1954. At Schwarzsee, you will find an ideal vantage point for the Hörnligrat ridge on the Matterhorn, renowned in mountaineering history.
If equipped with the necessary gear and training, you may venture on foot towards that far-off ridge from this location.
Adjacent to the water is a small chapel dedicated to Mary of the Snows, where climbers continue to come to express gratitude following their descent from the Matterhorn.
14. Forest Fun Park
For those seeking adrenaline and physical activity in a secure environment, this tree-top adventure park located just down the valley from the village offers excitement.
Children can enjoy a thrilling experience navigating obstacles between platforms high above the ground on Switzerland’s longest kids’ adventure course.
They will be safely harnessed and helmeted, adhering to the highest safety standards.
Adults may also partake by testing their strength, bravery, and balance across five courses featuring climbing nets, traversing various bridges suspended by ropes, and zooming down zip-lines.
15. Spas
Engaging in mountaineering at high altitudes, trekking across glaciers in challenging conditions, or spending days gliding down ski slopes can push even the most physically fit individuals to their limits.
Therefore, seeking some rejuvenation is completely justifiable.
Fortunately, nearly all hotels in and around Zermatt feature first-rate spa and wellness facilities.
Most of these facilities are accessible to non-residents, either by prior reservation or at various hotels such as Spa Hotel Perren, Spa Hotel Hemizeus, Spa Hotel Europe, and Spa Hotel Bella Vista, allowing walk-in visits.
All such establishments offer saunas, steam rooms, heated pools, outdoor jacuzzis, and an extensive array of treatments for optimal relaxation.
