ZERMATT THE CRADLE OF MATTERHORN
Zermatt is certainly an unmissable destination on our journey through the Alps. The most famous mountain in the world, the Matterhorn, which has become a symbol of mountaineering history, towers above the valley with its unmistakable pyramid shape and marks the border between Switzerland and Italy.
It was precisely the birth of mountaineering, with the conquest of the Matterhorn peak (the German name for the Matterhorn), that changed the destiny of the village of Zermatt forever, until now a small community of a few hundred people employed in sheep farming and difficult mountain farming.
Zermatt has managed to maintain a certain character, thanks to a center that is still well preserved, with the presence of many original wooden buildings, but above all because of the lack of cars.
It is not possible to reach Zermatt with vehicles, which have to be left at the parking lot in Tasch, where you have to take the train and reach the center of Zermatt with some excitement. At the station, the taxis are still horse-drawn carriages or electric minibusses, like all service vehicles in the country.
"The excitement already assails you at the gates of Cervinia or Zermatt, before you even reach the station. The summit of the Matterhorn Cervino is always there overlooking the valley.
After the first experience with skis in winter, we returned to Zermatt in summer as tourists, we allowed ourselves a long walk to the Hornli Hut, a destination for all mountaineers who want to climb the Matterhorn ridge.
Zermatt also has a lively evening life. Here you can breathe international mountaineering in all places. Climbers, mountain bikers and hikers gather in the pubs of the Walser chalets to tell each other the adventures of the day. We only breathed the same climate in Chamonix, but Zermatt, being without a car, has a slow charm of yesteryear. "
Fabio e Paolo
In the center, we find historic hotels, the church with its pointed bell tower and the Matterhorn Museum, which tells the history of mountaineering on this summit and the evolution of the village of Zermatt. Crossing the station square, you can board the Zermatt-Gornergrat train, a historic cogwheel railway built at the end of the 19th century, which reaches the wonderful terrace of the observatory at an altitude of 3089m and the access path to the great Gorner ice, offering a wonderful panorama of the entire Alpine chain from the Matterhorn to Monte Rosa.
The Cervino-Matterhorn Ski Paradise is one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, which today offers 355km of slopes divided between the Swiss side of Zermatt and the Italian side of Cervinia. The two areas are connected by cable cars to the Klein Matterhorn and Plateau Rosa, accessible with a single international ski pass.
The Klein Matterhorn is home to the Glacier Palace (at 3883m), a museum of art installations, built directly in the ice of the mountain. The arrival of the cable car also offers a panoramic restaurant, opposite the severe east face of the Matterhorn.
In summer the Zermatt Valley offers numerous alpine routes, hiking trails to discover the mountain pastures and glaciers and mountain bike trails that can also be reached by train and cable car.
Lovers of panoramic photography should not miss the famous Lake Stellisee, where the Matterhorn is perfectly reflected. The approach to the lake is possible on foot or with the Sunnegga cable car.
Zermatt is also the departure or arrival point of the famous Glacier Express, the train route from Zermatt in Canton Valais to St. Moritz in Canton Graubünden, through the villages and landscapes of the Swiss Alps.
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WHAT TO DO IN ZERMATT AND IN THE NEARBY REGION
IN ZERMATT
1. Stroll through the historic village of Zermatt and visit the Matterhorn Museum.
2. Take the cable car to the Klein Matterhorn and visit the Glacier Palace.
3. Endless fun on the slopes of the Matterhorn ski Paradise.
4. Treat yourself to a panoramic trip on the Zermatt-Gornergrat train.
5. Climb the Hornli Ridge or the Lion's Ridge and reach the summit of the Matterhorn.
6. Reach the huts in the Zermatt Valley along the great glaciers of the Alps.
7. Stroll through the historic huts and barns of the Zermatt alpine pastures.
8. Don't miss a hike to the famous Lake Stellisee.
9. Hiking and mountain biking along the scenic routes in the Zermatt valley.
10. Take a breathtaking helicopter flight across the epic north face of the Matterhorn.
IN THE NEARBY REGION
1. Glacier Express a trip not to be missed between Zermatt, Andermatt, and St. Moritz.
2. Mountaineering among the peaks and ridges of Monte Rosa.
3. Discover the Roman remains and the modern art museum in Martigny.
4. Reach the medieval castle of Sion.
5. Relax on the waters of the great Lake Geneva.
6. Taste the wines of Canton Valais and discover its history at the Aigle Castle Museum.
7. Mont Blanc mountaineering, nature, and history on the border between Italy, France, and Switzerland.
8. Aletsch, the largest glacier in the Alps, can be reached by cable car to the fantastic Fiescheralp viewpoint.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN ZERMATT - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS
The tourist villages of Zermatt offer numerous holiday solutions, with high-level excellence, other solutions are available in the other villages of the two valleys.
Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Zermatt and book the best solution for You, using this links:
BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN ZERMATT
HOW TO GET TO ZERMATT
Zermatt can only be reached by train, via the train that connects it to Visp. By car, you can reach the village of Tasch (large parking spaces available) and then continue for about 30min by train.
Attention Zermatt and Cervinia are not directly connected only through the ski routes, in fact only in the winter period, with the purchase of the international ski pass, you can move from one side to the other and reach the 2 resorts with the ski lifts and the connecting ski slopes.
FLIGHT CONNECTIONS:
Zermatt, check here for your flight on:
ZHR - Zurich airport 3,30h
BSL - Basel airport 3,30h
GVA - Geneve airport 2,30h
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