Zermatt is a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, known for its spectacular scenery and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. It offers over 360 km of ski runs for all levels of skiers, as well as freeride and snowboarding areas. The town itself is picturesque and pedestrianised, with many restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. Zermatt is also a popular starting point for mountain hikes in the summer, offering stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and snow-capped peaks. Finally, the town is known for its tradition of hospitality and high quality service.
The Matterhorn is Switzerland’s most famous mountain. The Matterhorn, which rises to 4,478 metres on the Italian border. The Matterhorn, has several names in different languages, the most common names are Matterhorn (German), Monte Cervino (Italian) and several local names for, notably “Horu” in Valais dialect and “Il Cervino” in Valle d’Aosta dialect. In early March, the American manufacturer of the Toblerone chocolate bar, which plans to relocate part of its production to Slovakia, will have to remove the Matterhorn from the product’s packaging under a Swiss law dating from 2017.
Read also: There Is Still A Well-Kept Swiss Secret, The Cervo Mountain Resort In Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free village. Park your car in Täsch and take one of the shuttle trains that take you to Zermatt every 20 minutes. Once there, walk across the forecourt of Zermatt station to the Gornergrat station.
Zermatt is a car-free village. Park your car in Täsch and take one of the shuttle trains that take you to Zermatt every 20 minutes. Once there, walk across the forecourt of Zermatt station to the Gornergrat station.
The Gornergrat train, a ride to the seventh heaven
The Gornergrat Bahn was the world’s first rack railway. Today, this modern train is powered by a feedback mechanism that recovers energy, ensuring energy-efficient journeys. Thanks to this method, the energy for one or two new ascents is gained by three descents. The only problem with this idyllic picture is that the price is too high for non-skiers!
Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel train carries passengers 365 days a year from Zermatt station (1,620 m) to the Gornergrat summit. The 33-minute journey covers an altitude difference of 1,469 metres. The 9.4 km long line passes impressive bridges, tunnels, larch and arolla forests, gorges and mountain lakes and offers a view of the magnificent resort of Zermatt from above.
The panorama is among the most beautiful in the world. You can see the Monte Rosa massif with the highest mountain in Switzerland (Dufour peak, 4,634 metres), the second largest glacier in the Alps, the Gorner glacier, as well as 29 peaks over 4,000 metres.
And to top it all off, the famous Italian design studio Pininfarina has designed the interior and exterior of the five new trains, which will start operating in 2022.
The highest hotel in Europe
When you arrive at the Gornergrat, you can stay at Europe’s highest hotel, the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. It offers restaurants, an observatory and a shopping centre. Spending the night here is an unforgettable adventure. Astronomers and scientists have been flocking to the Gornergrat for over 100 years. The Gornergrat Observatory, which houses a scientific research centre, can be visited at certain times of the year.
Lakes as far as the eye can see on the 5-Lake Trail
The 5-Lake Trail is the superlative hike in the Zermatt Alpine world: the Matterhorn is reflected in three of the mountain lakes. The view of the numerous peaks is breathtaking, the hiking trail is rich in diversity.
The path leads to the lakes Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. All are mountain lakes that are hard to forget. Each one is different in shape, colour, character and size, and offers a wealth of diversity.
Zermatt Unplugged 2023, the festival
The Zermatt Unplugged festival is back. Get ready for a week of musical highlights and extraordinary experiences from 11 to 15 April. The 14th edition will feature the sounds of Swiss musical heritage with Patent Ochsner, German rock with Peter Maffay, international stars such as Passenger and Of Monsters and Men, streaming millionaires such as England’s Calum Scott, and numerous emerging talents and discoveries from around the world. The emphasis will be on pure acoustic music as well as intimate concerts in small and medium-sized village and mountain venues.
Eating a burger at Vrony
The restaurant, located at 2,130 metres above sea level, is one of the last restaurants to serve its own organic products from cattle fed only on alpine grass. At Vrony’s, we love the dried meat, the homemade sausage and the alpine cheese. In addition to its menu, the restaurant offers a living history of a Zermatt family over the past 100 years. The team offers a fresh, authentic and natural cuisine with traditional and typical dishes, enriched with international influences.
Eating a pancake at Café Sérac
I like the Italian atmosphere, the smiling service and the unpretentiousness of this place, where you can enjoy good sweet or savoury crepes. A nice little terrace in the sun completes this nice offer.
