Our tip: Visit the family paradise of Sunnegga at 2,288 m. In summer, the Leisee lake beckons for a leisurely swim. The Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station is just a 10-minute walk from Zermatt railroad station.
Zermatt: The Car-Free Paradise at the Foot of the Majestic Matterhorn
Nestled in the canton of Valais, within the Swiss Alps Zermatt is a village without cars sitting at an elevation of 1,608 meters above sea level and home to around 6,000 residents. The majestic Matterhorn stands tall at 4,478 meters casting its presence over this tourist destination. Zermatt is famous worldwide for the awe inspiring beauty of the Matterhorn drawing tourists, from all corners of the globe year round.
During summer visitors come to enjoy hiking and mountaineering adventures while winter welcomes skiing snowboarding and snowshoeing enthusiasts. To reach this car haven travelers can drive to Täsch. Then embark on a scenic train journey covering the final 5 kilometers to Zermatt for an unforgettable alpine retreat.
Zermatt: mountain experience of superlatives
Zermatt in Summer
During the summer you can explore, than 400 kilometers of hiking trails that wind through the Mattertal region. Some of these paths have a history with mule tracks dating to the 13th century a few of which have been modernized and paved.
One of Europes highest summer ski areas is the “Matterhorn glacier paradise.” It attracts ski teams for training during the snowless months elsewhere. Additionally activities like climbing, high altitude mountain tours and biking are popular, during the seasons.
Zermatt in Winter
Zermatt in Winter
In winter, you can ski on 360 kilometers of slopes. There are 54 lifts that take tourists up to all altitudes. The snow-sure ski area is divided into three varied ski regions: Sunnegga-Rothorn, Gornergrat-Stockhorn and Schwarzsee / Matterhorn glacier paradise.
Snowboarders and freestylers, who are Olympic contenders, also practice in the Zermatt Snowpark. The Italian ski areas of Breuil-Vervinia and Valtournenche can be reached via the Matterhorn glacier paradise / Theodul Pass. With experienced mountain guides, you can also go paragliding and heliskiing outside the groomed pistes.
Mountains around Zermatt for excursions
The excursion mountains around Zermatt offer a mountain experience of absolute superlatives: the Matterhorn (4,478 m), the Gornergrat (3,089 m), the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 m), the Rothorn (3,103 m) and the Sunnegga mountain (2,288 m).
Matterhorn
Matterhorn
The 4,478-metre-high Matterhorn is the most famous sight in Zermatt and Switzerland and a must-see for every visitor. It is one of the highest mountains in the Alps and a symbol and landmark for Switzerland. The Matterhorn is one of the most famous mountains in the world due to its striking shape and history of ascents. The first ascent took place on July 14, 1865 by Edward Whymper in a 7-man rope team. Today, the Matterhorn is the most photographed mountain in the world.
Matterhorn Gornergrad train station
Gornergrat
The Gornergrat at 3,089 meters can be reached by cogwheel railroad from Zermatt. From the Gornergrat you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa massif and the glaciers. The ridge itself lies at an altitude of 3,135 meters and is around three kilometers from Zermatt. It is located between the Gorner Glacier and the Findel Glacier. The view of more than 20 four-thousand-meter peaks is breathtakingly beautiful.
Gornergrat: Europe’s highest mountain hotel
Europe’s highest mountain hotel
The Kulmhotel, which is the highest mountain hotel in Europe, is located on the Gornergrat. The Kulmhotel serves as an ideal base camp for mountain tours. Guests can expect pure high mountains with a gigantic panorama, surrounded by several four-thousand-meter peaks. The views of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif from every room at the Kulmhotel are incomparable.
Klein Matterhorn
The Klein Matterhorn mountain station is located at 3,820 meters. A tunnel leads from there to the glacier plateau and ski area to the south, which is called “Matterhorn Glacier Paradise”.
In the middle of the tunnel is a staircase and a passenger lift that lead to the actual summit at 3,883 meters.
Klein Matterhorn
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest viewing platform and mountain railway station in Europe. Guests are guaranteed a 360-degree panoramic view of the largest glaciers and 38 Swiss, Italian and French Alpine giants. The world’s highest tricable gondola lift has been running up the mountain since 2018. The four “Crystal ride” cabins with Swarovski crystals are the highlight of the modern lift.
Schwarzsee
Schwarzsee with Matterhorn
The Schwarzsee lies to the north of the Matterhorn at an altitude of 2,583 meters. It can be reached by taking the Schwarzsee mountain railroad from Zermatt.
The lake is fed by glaciers. The Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa massif, the Weisshorn, the Dent Blanche and the Mischabel group lie in its viewing area. The small mountain lake has an area of 0.1 km² and the “Maria zum Schnee” chapel is located right next to it. The small church is reflected in the clear, dark lake when there is no wind. The place where the sun reaches the Zermatt ski area first thing in the morning is known as Schwarzsee Paradise.
There is even a beach area where you can swim and sunbathe.
Riffelsee
Riffelsee
The Riffelsee (Riffel Lake) at an altitude of 2770 m is a must-see for every visitor to Zermatt. When there is no wind, the Matterhorn is reflected on the surface of this picturesque mountain lake, which has already inspired numerous background images on smartphones. The most beautiful photo moments are created especially at dusk, when the wind dies down and the reflection of the Matterhorn becomes clearer. Morning and evening hours offer the best conditions for unforgettable shots.
Der Bergsee liegt etwas unterhalb der Station „Rotenboden“ der Gornergratbahn.
Hörnlihütte
Hörnli hut at the foot of the Matterhorn
Hiking trails lead from Schwarzsee to the famous Hörnlihütte. The popular Hörnlihütte can be reached in around two hours. It is located at 3,260 meters and is an alpine refuge at the foot of the Matterhorn. Most mountaineers start their ascent of the Matterhorn from here.
Rothorn
From the Rothorn at 3,103 meters, you have a unique view of the Matterhorn and the highest mountains in the Valais Alps. The cable car takes you up to the Rothorn and the Unterrothorn.
In summer, challenging hikes and climbing tours start here. Sunrise trips are also popular. In winter, the many well-groomed and sunny ski slopes with restaurants are a real attraction. The moonlight descents of the Zermatt mountain railroads are always very popular.
You can get to know the Zermatt mountains and their most famous peaks in the “Peak Collection” sculpture exhibition. Information boards in four languages provide details about the types of rock on the peaks, altitudes of the mountains, first ascents, etc.
Sunnegga Berg
The Sunnegga mountain at 2,288 m is considered a family paradise in Zermatt. In summer, the Leisee lake is a great place to swim. In winter, young and old can make their first attempts at skiing in the Wolli beginners’ park. The Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station is just a 10-minute walk from Zermatt railroad station. The funicular ride to Sunnegga takes just 4.5 minutes. It takes you through the rock tunnel inside the mountain up to the panoramic sun terrace. The view of the Matterhorn is incomparable.
Sights in Zermatt village
Frequently visited sights in the vacation village of Zermatt include the mountaineers’ cemetery, the Zermatt Matterhorn Museum, St. Mauritius Church and the Hinterdorf.
Vacation village Zermatt
Mountaineers’ cemetery
The “Tomb of the Unknown Mountaineer” at the mountaineering cemetery in Zermatt commemorates the more than 500 deaths that have occurred on the Matterhorn since 1865. It also commemorates the missing and the dead who cannot be recovered or cannot be fully recovered after the fall.
Matterhorn Museum
The Matterhorn Museum “Zermatlantis” shows the development of Zermatt from a mountain farming village to a world-famous tourist destination as well as the history of the first ascent of the Matterhorn on July 14, 1865.
Church St. Mauritius
St. Mauritius Church offers a majestic view of the Matterhorn.
Built in 1913, the church is not only worth seeing from the outside, but also from the inside and features numerous works of art.
Hinterdorf
Around Hinterdorfstrasse and the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, there are around 30 antique buildings that showcase the traditional building culture of the Walser people. The barns and granaries, some up to 500 years old, provide an insight into the life of Zermatt’s mountain farmers.
In addition to the many beautiful hotels and chalets, the Hotel Monte Rosa and the Bahnhofstrasse, with its bars, restaurants and stores, are particularly worth a visit.
Video BEST of Zermatt, Matterhorn, Gornergrat, Sunnegga, Rothorn
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Video Zermatt and Matterhorn in Switzerland
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Video Zermatt: Magical alpine village in Switzerland
Zermatt is a magical alpine village in Switzerland. In this Zermatt travel guide, we reveal our top things to see and do when visiting Zermatt. We also offer helpful information on getting around Zermatt, discounts on train travel and half-price access to attractions. We also share some of the history of Zermatt as we walk through the alpine village and enjoy the scenery and Swiss chalets! It really is an enchanting place to visit and we hope you’ll get a lot out of our guide to Zermatt.
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Video Zermatt, Switzerland in the heart of the Alps
We’re heading for Zermatt, Switzerland one of the most beautiful towns in the Alps, surrounded by mountain peaks up to 15,000 feet high. Most famous for the dramatic Matterhorn, there are many other majestic sites to enjoy in this remote mountain area. So remote that you can’t drive or fly there, the Alpine resort village of Zermatt is surrounded by some of Europe’s highest mountains that shelter it from the outside world. Like mythical Shangri-La in the Himalayas, this is a magical wonderland. The quaint little village of Zermatt is situated in the midst of woods and pastures, in a mountain-girded valley, nearly 5,500 feet above the level of the sea.
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