Zermatt Things to Do

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Enjoy fantastic panoramic views from Rothorn Paradise (3103m). You can see the Matterhorn from its most beautiful side, and a view on 38 summits higher than 4000m surrounding Zermatt.

On the way to Rothorn is "Sunnegga Paradise" (2288m). It is a ski area that forms part of the Zermatt ski resort. The Sunnegga area catches a large amount of sun due to its unique topography, often despite the rest of Zermatt being submerged in cloud.

VIDEO of my visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POOnBYUtg5E

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Gornegrat (3089 m) offers a spectacular mountain panorama, surrounded by 29 peaks rising to above 4000m and second longest glacier in the Alps.

The Gornergrat can be reached by the Gornergratbahn rack railway from Zermatt, a 29 minute ride to the Gornergrat peak, via Riffelalp, Rotenboden and Riffelberg, (with limited stops at Findelbach and Landtunnel just above the town).

The Gornergratbahn was the first electrical cog railway in Switzerland (1898) and is the highest open-air cog railway in Europe (3,089 m).

At the summit there is a hotel, restaurant and (small) shopping center. It is a popular skiing area. The Matterhorn is visible on a clear day.

The towers of the Kulmhotel hosts the Kölner Observatorium für SubMillimeter Astronomie KOSMA.

The Gornergrat is a ridge of the Pennine Alps, overlooking the Gorner Glacier to the south (the second longest glacier in the Alps.

VIDEO of my visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gDOmJIKu_8

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Enjoy spectacular panoramic views from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest mountain station of the Alps. It is situated on the summit of Klein Matterhorn.

The peak is at 3883m with the cable car terminal at 3820m, the highest cable car end point in Europe.

It is the highest point in the Zermatt ski area, where you can ski even during summer time.

On the highest panoramaplatform of Europe you get an all around panorama from the swiss alps, including a close view of the Matterhorn.

VIDEO of my visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4FaM_1QCVU

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Zermatt (1620m) lies at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world, about 10 km from the border with Italy.

The climate is of an excellent quality: with 300 sunny days a year, there is less rainfall than anywhere else in Switzerland.

The air in Zermatt is clear, dry and clean, because, since 1947, only electric cars without a combustion engine are allowed to operate in the village.

There are several viewpoints in the village from which you can enjoy a view of the Matterhorn: the bridge by the church (Kirchbrücke), and the bridges leading to Steg, Schluhmatten or Zen Stecken.

Almost one-third of the 4,000-metre mountains in the Alps are grouped around this word-famous mountaineering and ski resort.

VIDEO of my visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVg3NIdSJVU

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This is a pleasant walk to get your hiking juices flowing, especially if you arrived in the afternoon and want to enjoy a couple of hours on the trails. Walk towards the Matterhorn and follow the signs to small hamlet of Z'mutt. Walking time is 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your level of fitness and how often you stop to take pictures. (Note: If you're not used to hiking, or if you aren't used to the altitude yet, there are some moderately steep uphill climbs. Don't be ashamed to turn back.)

Z'mutt itself is just a collection of farmhouses, really. There are two restaurants that open sporadically for lunch and/or dinner, and I think there are a few basic rooms available for tourists during the summer. In this case, one can say that it is about the trip, not the destination.

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OK, here's my hike! Before I begin, PLEASE NOTE that this is a moderate to strenuous hike, and takes 4 to 5 hours. As always, be sure you have a map, and check with the tourist office to get advice on the latest trail conditions.

If the weather's clear, get an early breakfast and head for the GornergratBahn. Purchase a 1-way ticket to Riffelalp (CHF 18, 50% discount with Swisspass or Swiss Card). At Riffelalp station, cross the tracks and exit in the direction your train is going. Then follow the trail and the signs to "Grünsee." After about 45 minutes, you'll find yourself at a house (the Berggasthaus Grünsee) and a lake. From Grünsee, continue on the trail, following the signs to Stellisee. After about 90 minutes, you should be at the Stellisee. If conditions are right, you'll get the "Money Shot"!

If you still have energy, continue on and follow the signs to the Unterer Rothorn. After about 90 minutes to 2 hours, you'll arrive at a restaurant. Enjoy the view, have lunch, and take the gondola/alpine subway combination back to Zermatt.

If you're tired, follow the signs to Blauherd. From there, you either can take the gondola to up to the Rothorn, or down to Zermatt.

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Th sumer Zermatt is beautiful and generous. Matterhorn towers up gracefully in the blue sky. The mountain visitors are tempted to breath deeply and stand motionless with a sigh of admiration for the greatness and beauty of the nature.

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The best thing to do on a visit to Zermatt is to get up into the mountains, and the ultimate place to do this is at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. At 3,883 metres above sea level, this is the highest sightseeing point in Europe which is accessible by cableway.

One of the best things for me was the journey to get up there. It started with a trip in a 6/8 seat cable car from the base station in Zermatt. The car dipped up, above the town and the alpine meadows. Before long we arrived at Furi station, where we jumped onto a large cable car for the next leg up to Trockener Steg. Then we boarded the "highest cableway in Europe" which goes up, up, up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (MGP). This whole journey takes about 30-40 minutes.

Once you reach MGP, you can then catch a lift - that has been built into the rock - which takes you up to the "highest sightseeing platform in Europe". Well, there are a few steps to climb up to it, and make sure you take it slow as at this high altitude you may feel a bit dizzy and breathless.

The views from the viewing platform are spectacular. Even in summer you are surrounded by snow and ice and glaciers, and can enjoy views of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. It is cold up here though, so you might want to pack your gloves.

At MGP there is also the Glacier Palace which is built into the permanent ice and is home to ice sculptures and wine tasting.

On our way back down we stopped at Trockener Steg and spent some time relaxing on the sunny restaurant terrace, drinking in the views of the Matterhorn along with a warming cup of tea.