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Zermatt is one of the most famous mountain resorts in Switzerland. Located in the German-speaking part of Valais its most popular sight is the iconic Matterhorn peak, probably Switzerland's most famous mountain. It comes at no surprise then that the town of Zermatt caters mostly towards skiing, hiking and mountaineering. Though its fame has also a downside, the town is busier and much more expensive than other destinations in the region.

The Matterhorn in winter as seen from Zermatt A view of Zermatt from the funicular towards Trockener Steg

Zermatt is surrounded by a range of fabulous mountains, including the highest of Switzerland, Monte Rosa. However the most famous of them is Matterhorn. It was one of the last alpine mountains to be conquered (in 1865), and the first expedition that reached the top ended dramatically (only 3 of the 7 climbers survived).

If you've never experienced a car-free city of any size then Zermatt could be a bit of a surprise: during the high season nearly there are 20,000 people living in a town with only 5 or 6 streets and more significantly almost no internal combustion vehicles except very occasional outside delivery and specialist services. This means that you can leave a noisy bar or party, and a few minutes later on foot find yourself in utter tranquillity. You can sit on the hotel balcony and listen to dozens of varieties of songbirds while watching the sun set on one of the most striking mountains in the western world. Wake up with the sun in a four or five-star room or a canvas tent to the sound of the aforementioned birds, crickets, church bells, and children's laughter.

Almost all vehicles in Zermatt are battery driven and almost completely silent. Taxi drivers have a habit of assuming that pedestrians have eyes in the backs of their heads, with occasional alarming though seldom injurious consequences. Horse-drawn vehicles are equipped with bells and many startled pedestrians might well wish taxis were similarly provided.

You can cycle or stroll in complete safety.

Incidentally there is a version of the standard Zermatt ski map/summer walking map in English although for some reason the lift stations only seem to hand out the German/French versions with tickets. The map is free - you can generally find it on one of the stands in the lift stations or in the Tourist Information centre.

The name "Zermatt" is a contraction of the local dialect words "zer", which means "to", and "matta", which means "field" or "meadow". Therefore: "to the field", although many of the fields have since had hotels of apartment houses built on them.

Zermatt and the surrounding area is full of things to do. For sporty people, there are many activities such as hiking, skiing and mountain biking for you to enjoy. For the more laid-back tourist, there are many easy walks, spas, scenic train and cable car trips, a museum and much more to enjoy. For social people, there are also pubs and clubs in the village centre.

For more information on activities, a good place to visit is the Visitor Information Center near the main train station.

The Matterhorn

Breithorn The "Breithorn" (4150 m) is the easiest 4000er of the Alps. Using the lifts "Furri" (1700 m), "Trockener Steg"(2800 m), "kleines Matterhorn" (3883 m) you reach the top of the little Matterhorn. Go down to the "Theodul-Gletscher" and follow the trail to left on the Breithorn. The top of the Breithorn can be reached after two hours of walking (no climbing!). A rope is necessary and a mountain guide is recommended. You should not start the tour from the little Matterhorn after 10:00 in the morning, because the snow gets too weak and you will not reach the last lift down to Zermatt in time. The Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn) ski area is at 3850m (3899m when the additional summer season drag lift is open).
Matterhorn The "Matterhorn" (4478 m) can be climbed by experienced mountaineers. The usual pattern of ascent is to take the Schwarzsee cable car up from Zermatt, hike up to the Hörnli Hut elev. 3,260 m (10,700 ft), a large stone building at the base of the main ridge, and spend the night. The next day, climbers rise at 03:30 to reach the summit and descend before the regular afternoon clouds and storms come in. The cost is approx. Fr. 1200 with a mountain guide from Zermatt
Monte Rosa "Monte Rosa" (Dufourspitze) (4634 m) is the culminating point of Switzerland. The starting point is Monte Rosa hut at 2795m. The climb requires excellent physical condition, experience in climbing with crampons and prior acclimatisation to the altitude. The cost is approx. Fr. 700 with a guide from Zermatt

Breithorn The "Breithorn" (4150 m) is the easiest 4000er of the Alps. Using the lifts "Furri" (1700 m), "Trockener Steg"(2800 m), "kleines Matterhorn" (3883 m) you reach the top of the little Matterhorn. Go down to the "Theodul-Gletscher" and follow the trail to left on the Breithorn. The top of the Breithorn can be reached after two hours of walking (no climbing!). A rope is necessary and a mountain guide is recommended. You should not start the tour from the little Matterhorn after 10:00 in the morning, because the snow gets too weak and you will not reach the last lift down to Zermatt in time. The Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn) ski area is at 3850m (3899m when the additional summer season drag lift is open).

Matterhorn The "[[Matterhorn]]" (4478 m) can be climbed by experienced mountaineers. The usual pattern of ascent is to take the Schwarzsee cable car up from Zermatt, hike up to the Hörnli Hut elev. 3,260 m (10,700 ft), a large stone building at the base of the main ridge, and spend the night. The next day, climbers rise at 03:30 to reach the summit and descend before the regular afternoon clouds and storms come in. The cost is approx. Fr. 1200 with a mountain guide from Zermatt

Monte Rosa "Monte Rosa" (Dufourspitze) (4634 m) is the culminating point of Switzerland. The starting point is Monte Rosa hut at 2795m. The climb requires excellent physical condition, experience in climbing with crampons and prior acclimatisation to the altitude. The cost is approx. Fr. 700 with a guide from Zermatt

Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt ski area. Zermatt has a huge ski area, which connects to the Italian ski resort of Cervinia. A part of the ski area is on the Theodul glacier and the highest point is at the Klein Matterhorn at 3880 metres altitude. There are two cablecars, a funicular as well as the Gornergrat railway which give access to the ski area: Day pass Fr. 79/40 for Zermatt only, Fr. 92/46 including Italy in winter, Fr. 66/33 in spring and Fr. 84/42 in summer.
- Klein Matterhorn area.. This is the access to the biggest part of the ski area. There are two parallel cable cars leading up to Furi from where you can pick your onward destination. If you want to access the Italian area, the fastest way goes by this route.
- A rack railway leads up to the Gornergrat area., another rather small skiing area.
- The Sunnega-Rothorn area. is an almost totally separated area which can be accessed via a funicular.

Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt ski area. Zermatt has a huge ski area, which connects to the Italian ski resort of Cervinia. A part of the ski area is on the Theodul glacier and the highest point is at the Klein Matterhorn at 3880 metres altitude. There are two cablecars, a funicular as well as the Gornergrat railway which give access to the ski area: Day pass Fr. 79/40 for Zermatt only, Fr. 92/46 including Italy in winter, Fr. 66/33 in spring and Fr. 84/42 in summer.

Klein Matterhorn area.. This is the access to the biggest part of the ski area. There are two parallel cable cars leading up to Furi from where you can pick your onward destination. If you want to access the Italian area, the fastest way goes by this route.
A rack railway leads up to the Gornergrat area., another rather small skiing area.
The Sunnega-Rothorn area. is an almost totally separated area which can be accessed via a funicular.

Klein Matterhorn area.. This is the access to the biggest part of the ski area. There are two parallel cable cars leading up to Furi from where you can pick your onward destination. If you want to access the Italian area, the fastest way goes by this route.
A rack railway leads up to the Gornergrat area., another rather small skiing area.
The Sunnega-Rothorn area. is an almost totally separated area which can be accessed via a funicular.

Klein Matterhorn area.. This is the access to the biggest part of the ski area. There are two parallel cable cars leading up to Furi from where you can pick your onward destination. If you want to access the Italian area, the fastest way goes by this route.
A rack railway leads up to the Gornergrat area., another rather small skiing area.
The Sunnega-Rothorn area. is an almost totally separated area which can be accessed via a funicular.

Klein Matterhorn area.. This is the access to the biggest part of the ski area. There are two parallel cable cars leading up to Furi from where you can pick your onward destination. If you want to access the Italian area, the fastest way goes by this route.
A rack railway leads up to the Gornergrat area., another rather small skiing area.
The Sunnega-Rothorn area. is an almost totally separated area which can be accessed via a funicular.

Zermatt is a great place to mountain bike although it doesn't appear to have really become popular there yet. Bikes can be hired from several shops around Zermatt from about Fr. 38 for a hard tail and Fr. 50 for a full suspension per day. Downhill rigs are Fr. 100 per day and helmets are included.

For bike hire search for Bayardzermatt or Salom sport, Bayards is closer to the train station but you can get a mountain bike guide from salom sport for Fr. 180 in the afternoon or Fr. 240 in the morning and Fr. 350 for a full day.

Mountain Bike route and much more can be found at . The routes on this website can also be download to GPS or printed.

There is also the Bike school Zermatt, which is eager to give all interested bikers the best possible experience in the alpine environment around Zermatt. All ages and levels will find adapted programs, which will make your stay unforgettable, from playful skill training schemes for kids to epic freeride tours in alpine surroundings. See more infos at www.bikeschulezermatt.ch.

If you plan on cycling through town, take note that the main street (Bahnhofstrasse) is closed to bicycles(unless pushed) from the train station to the church for most of the afternoon, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does so anyway.

View of the Matterhorn from town during the summer Mountain bikes may be carried on most of the ski lifts that are open in the summer although you will be charged extra. Lift passes that are valid for more than 3 days appear to include bike transport as standard although you can pay for individual journeys if you wish. Note that the Gornegrat train is not included in some summer lift passes.

You can also buy area passes on a daily basis that include the lifts on one particular peak (either Rothorn or Schwarzsee). These passes are available in mountain bike versions for not much extra.

The following lifts should allow your bikes:

Zermatt - Sunnegga (funicular)
- You can wheel your bike through the tunnel to the bottom of the funicular and then place it in the bottom compartment on the train. You will have to carry it up about 8 steps at this stage. At the top of the mountain don't follow the crowd up the steps to the exit - there is a lower exit that you can wheel your bike straight out of and onto a slightly lower path. Alternatively get in the elevator lift located here and it will take you up the 15 metres (50 ft) or so to the top exit.
Sunnegga - Blauherd (cable car)
- When you arrive at the ticket barrier the attendant should notice you and take your bike around the barrier. Since they don't fit in the cabins your bike(s) will be carried in an open cargo cable car. You will have to wait for it to appear on the cable but this shouldn't take more than a few minutes. The attendant then loads your bikes in and fastens them down whilst you get in a standard cabin. They then radio the top station who unload them for you on arrival.
Blauherd - Rothorn (Telecabin)
- The top stage of the Rothorn route is one of the huge telecabins that carry 150 people at a time. In summer you can just wheel your bikes in and out again at the top.
Gornergrat (Mountain railway)
- Bikes can be carried on the Gornergrat railway right to the summit. There are special cars where you can hang up your bike vertically.
Schwarzsee lifts
- A biking lift pass is available and a number of routes are marked down the mountain from this area.

The tourist information centre next to the Zermatt train station sell a mountain biking map for Fr. 2 which includes a number of routes down from the various peaks. The map states that Zermatt's cycling policy is that any track wider than 2 metres (6.5 ft) is a valid cycling route. There are numerous roads that run down and around the mountains in the summer that carry cyclists in safety. Remember that Zermatt is generally car free so you will only rarely see a powered vehicle.

The Rothorn area is particularly good and suitable for all cyclists regardless of fitness or skill level. It is possible to cycle down from the summit following a wide but occasionally steep and rocky path down the back of the mountain that brings you back to the Blauhard lift station. From there you can follow the quiet mountain road routes all the way down to Zermatt. There are some excellent cross mountain routes that present you with stunning views and take you over to Gournergrat near Rifflealp. Unfortunately there is no cycling route down on the official map from that point so you can either get on the Gournergrat train or turn around and come back down to a lower point on the Rothorn.

The restaurant at Fluhalp is a pleasant first ride from the Blauhard lift station and a good way of familiarising yourself with a hire bike.

Make sure that you take some good quality cycling gloves since you can expect significant vibration from cycling along rocky tracks!

Zermatt - Sunnegga (funicular)

You can wheel your bike through the tunnel to the bottom of the funicular and then place it in the bottom compartment on the train. You will have to carry it up about 8 steps at this stage. At the top of the mountain don't follow the crowd up the steps to the exit - there is a lower exit that you can wheel your bike straight out of and onto a slightly lower path. Alternatively get in the elevator lift located here and it will take you up the 15 metres (50 ft) or so to the top exit.

Sunnegga - Blauherd (cable car)

When you arrive at the ticket barrier the attendant should notice you and take your bike around the barrier. Since they don't fit in the cabins your bike(s) will be carried in an open cargo cable car. You will have to wait for it to appear on the cable but this shouldn't take more than a few minutes. The attendant then loads your bikes in and fastens them down whilst you get in a standard cabin. They then radio the top station who unload them for you on arrival.

Blauherd - Rothorn (Telecabin)

The top stage of the Rothorn route is one of the huge telecabins that carry 150 people at a time. In summer you can just wheel your bikes in and out again at the top.

Gornergrat (Mountain railway)

Bikes can be carried on the Gornergrat railway right to the summit. There are special cars where you can hang up your bike vertically.

Schwarzsee lifts

A biking lift pass is available and a number of routes are marked down the mountain from this area.

Restaurant du pont, Oberdorfstrasse 7 (near the Zermatterhof, +41 27 967 4343. Restaurant which offers very good traditional Swiss dishes like fondue or raclette. Does not accept debit or credit cards.

Restaurant du pont, Oberdorfstrasse 7 (near the Zermatterhof, +41 27 967 4343. Restaurant which offers very good traditional Swiss dishes like fondue or raclette. Does not accept debit or credit cards.

Täsch. a village down the valley from Zermatt. Whether you arrive by train or car, you'll have passed through here. This is also where the car terminal for Zermatt lies. Shuttle trains from Zermatt leave every 20 minutes throughout the day and the trip takes 10 minutes for Fr. 8.40.

Täsch offers beautiful cross-country skiing trails from difficult to easy. If you don't have your own cross-country skis, there is a shop in the village right by the train terminal that rents equipment. A day pass is quite cheap costing only Fr. 6. which can be purchased at the train terminal (window 1) or in the ski-rental shop.

Go to nearby Saas-Fee for a quieter alternative of Zermatt: Similar panorama and ski offer, car-free as well, but with half the people.
Visit the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO world heritage site with the majestic Aletsch glacier.
Take the train to Brig, to visit the closest thing to a city nearby.
Take the Glacier Express to Andermatt, or if you don't mind sitting on the train for a whole day, all the way to St. Moritz.
Travel on to Italy and visit Domodossola, the closest town after the border.