Last updated on April 8th, 2025
Matterhorn, Visit Zermatt Swiss Village
Visit Zermatt – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn) is the highest ski lift station in Europe at 3,883 m. The Glacier Grotto is located right beside the tram station at the top. The longest ski run is 13 km which takes you all the way back to Zermatt. Ski into the Mount Cervinia bowl and you are actually in Italy. To start your trip, you can walk from the Zermatt train station to the first cable car at Furi. Or take the yellow-green electric bus. The next cable car takes you to Trockener Steg, which has a restaurant. The final cable car takes you to the Glacier Paradise, which is on the small or Klein Matterhorn. A Swiss Travel Card will save you about 40% on the fare up the mountain.
Klein Matterhorn Glacier Paradise viewing platform
Visit Zermatt – Gornergrat Cog Train
The Gornergrat cog train takes passengers 9 km from the terminal beside the train station in Zermatt to 3,089 m at Gornergrat. You will get some great views of the Mattterhorn from on the train ride and at the top. The Gornergrat Bahn has several stops where you can get out and hike. The most popular stop is the Rotenboden station where it’s a short hike to the classic Matterhorn reflection pool called the Riffelsee. You can continue your hike to Riffelberg, where you have the option to get back on the Gornergrat cog train or take a gondola down to Furi and then Zermatt. The cog train runs about every half hour in the height of the summer tourist season. A Swiss Travel Card will save you about 50% on the fare up the mountain.
Gornergrat Cog Train, Matterhorn, © Can Stock. / emicristea
Sunnegga – Blauherd – Rothorn & 5 Lakes Trail
Take the underground Zermatt–Sunnegga Funicular from its start near the Zermatt train station to Sunnegga. Then switch to the chairlift to reach Blauherd. Follow the 5 Seenweg trail markers on a 3 hour hike back down to the Sunnegga funicular. You will pass 5 lakes: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Mosjesee and the Leisee. Divert slightly to visit the the Fluhalp restaurant near the Stellisee or the @Paradise or Chez Vrony restaurants near the Leisee.
If you aren’t up to the hike, continue your trip by gondola from Blauherd up to the Rothorn for the best classic view of the Matterhorn. In winter you find additional gondolas and chairlifts for skiing in this area. You can also hike down from the Sunnegga funicular / chairlift station along the Findeln Trail, which gives you easy access to the @Paradise or Chez Vrony restaurants on what is also sometimes called the Gourmet Trail.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Gondola above Zermatt
Visit Zermatt – Hotels
- Christiania Hotels and Spa – has spacious suites with a fabulous Matterhorn view. Chrisiania Hotels provides their own electric shuttle service to the train station. An amazing breakfast is included and the restaurant provides views of the mountain while you dine.
- More spas and luxury also at the Beau-Rivage and the Hotel Sonne.
Christiania Hotel
Zermatt 5 Star Accommodation
- Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
- Mont Cervin Palace
- Omnia
- Coeur des Alpes
- Kulmhotel Gornergrat – highest elevation accommodation in the Alps; in Gornergrat at 3,089m.
Zermatt village view from gondola
Hotels in Täsch
Hotels in Täsch are much less expensive, but you must take a short train ride to Zermatt. Also consider staying in Visp or Brig.
Traditional Wood Houses, Visit Zermatt Swiss Village
Visit Zermatt – Swiss Village Town Site
- Mountaineers’ Cemetery at St Peter’s (the English Church) and St Mauritius (the Catholic Church).
- Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis.
- View the Matterhorn from downtown Zermatt on several of its bridges as your wander this pedestrian only Swiss village town site.
Stellissee, Matterhorn
Visit Zermatt – See More Sights
- Zermatt Festival – in early September each year enjoy a variety of music performances at the Riffelalp Chapel on the mountain side. Access is by train from Zermatt.
- Take a helicopter ride around the Matterhorn.
The Glacier Express
Ride the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz. The trip takes over 7 hours and has 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. This is the world’s slowest express train. The Oberalp Pass is east of Zermatt. The Rhine Gorge is east of Zermatt as the train approaches Chur. The Landwasser Viaduct is located between St Moritz and Chur. Check out the Switzerland Train Trip for more information.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Visit Zermatt – Skiing
Zermatt Skiing is consistently rated one of the world’s top 3 ski destinations and many rate it #1. Enjoy Moonlight Paradise night on Rothorn, Gornergrat or Klein Matterhorn. In winter, take a sunset cable ride to one of these ski centers for Swiss dining, including fondue. Then ski down the slopes under the moonlight. Lifts and cable cars interconnect ski areas to provide Zermatt with over 300 km of trails and 69 lifts.
Furi Hike and Gorner Gorge
Take the gondola from Zermatt to Furi and hike back down to Zermatt. Along the way, keep your eyes open for the entrance sign to the Gornerschluct (Gorner Gorge). A small cash fee will allow you to walk on the wooden boardwalks along this short but impressive little gorge. Don’t confuse the Gorner Gorge hike with the Gornergrat cog train glacier excursion.
Matterhorn viewed from 12,000 feet, Visit Zermatt
Savor the Tastes of Zermatt
- Have lunch at Chez Vrony in the Rothorn Paradise.
- Enjoy drinks and meals at Elsie’s Wine & Champagne Bar, Walliserkanne, Swiss Chalet or Walliserhof in the village.
- Enjoy a cured meat buffet breakfast at most hotels.
- Lunch on rye bread (roggenbrot), nut loaf (nusstorte), fondue, raclette and chocolate. The Matterhorn is the logo for Toblerone Chocolate.
Mont Blanc from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Get to Zermatt
You can reach Zermatt by train from Visp via the narrow-gauge Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. Travel times are: Zurich – 3 hours, Basel – 3 hours, Bern – 2 hours. You can also get to Zermatt on the Glacier Express from Chur and St Moritz, but these trains will also go through Visp. Motor vehicles have been banned from Zermatt for decades, so local transportation is by battery powered taxi, electric shuttle buses or horse drawn carriages. Cars must stop in Täsch on the route south from Visp. There are thousands of parking spots in Täsch where you can leave your car and take a short train ride to visit Zermatt.
Matterhorn viewed from Zermatt Swiss village
Zermatt Weather
Zermatt is known for its skiing and that means wintery weather. You can expect December to January average highs on the valley floor to be around 36 F (2 C). The average low temperature in winter is about 25 F (-4 C). Zermatt isn’t all about skiing though. Over 3,000 climbers reach the summit of the Matterhorn each summer. Expect July and August average highs of 68 F (20 F) and lows of 50 F (10 C). There is no pronounced season for rain or snowfall in Zermatt. With elevations up to 12,000 feet, summer temperatures in the mountains are never much more than comfortable or cool.
Gorner Glacier, Zermatt
Matterhorn from Gornergrat
Visit Zermatt – Background
Zermatt isn’t as easily accessible as other areas of Europe, but the popularity of the Matterhorn still brings more than 2 million tourists to this small Swiss village each year. About 6,000 people live in Zermatt on a year round basis. Only locals can buy real estate here. The economy is driven by tourism and there are numerous lodging options. The Swiss village of Zermatt is a blend of traditional rural Switzerland and modern jet setters. This is the most expensive accommodation in Switzerland, which is itself one of the most expensive countries in Europe.
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