In Zermatt’s old village, around 30 historic buildings showcase traditional Walser architecture; at 3,883 metres, the viewing platform at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise opens up views of 38 four-thousand-metre peaks and 14 glaciers in three countries. This range of options can help you plan your trip: focus on local history and cultural trails, take a train to a viewpoint, or choose walks and nature experiences.
Getting here and getting around
Zermatt has been car-free since 1961. You can reach the village by train; from Täsch, continue by shuttle train or taxi. The Gornergrat Railway’s valley station is 50 metres from Zermatt station. The train runs from Zermatt to Gornergrat at 3,089 metres. For your planning, getting to Zermatt and then travelling to a mountain destination are two separate steps; timetables may vary, so it’s a good idea to check the current schedule.
Riffelsee is also accessible by the Gornergrat Railway. A short walk leads there from Rotenboden station. The Gornergrat viewing platform offers views of 29 four-thousand-metre peaks and several glaciers. At Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the platform is at 3,883 metres; from there, you can see 38 four-thousand-metre peaks and 14 glaciers in three countries. The different elevations and panorama figures help you consider these as separate excursions, rather than treating them as a single viewpoint.
Walser architecture and Zermatt’s history
The historic buildings in the old village stand alongside the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof. Some of the barns and granaries are up to 500 years old. On Herbrigg, one barn is considered to be among the oldest in Europe. If you’d like to experience culture not only in exhibitions but also along a trail, consider the cultural route: it runs from the church square via Herbrigg down the valley to the hamlet of Zmutt and returns to the village via Furi. There are 26 information stations with QR codes along the route; trail conditions may vary by season.
As an alternative, the Z'Muttweg connects Zermatt with the hamlet of Zmutt and ends there. The small white Mutt Chapel stands along the walking route from Zermatt to Zmutt. The hamlet is more than 500 years old. The routes described therefore follow different courses: the cultural route returns to the village, while the Z'Muttweg ends in Zmutt.
The Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis presents Zermatt’s development through the history of the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Exhibits include original Zermatt houses, a multimedia room, and original objects from the first ascent. Another perspective is offered by the municipal time journey: it presents thousands of historical images, arranged chronologically, showing the development of the municipality from 1855 to 1980. This lets you explore local and mountain history in different formats.
Mountain destinations and trails to suit your interests
At Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Glacier Palace lies 15 metres below the ice surface. Its features include ice sculptures, an ice tunnel, a crevasse, and an ice slide. Gornergrat also has the interactive exhibition “ZOOOM the Matterhorn”; check its availability before your trip. These attractions offer different experiences: the Glacier Palace takes you into a world of ice, while ZOOOM is described as an interactive exhibition.
For a lakeside excursion, the 5 Lakes Trail offers a clear choice of theme: it passes Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee. The Matterhorn and its surroundings are reflected in Stellisee, Grindjisee, and Leisee when weather and water conditions allow. At 2,232 metres, Leisee has a swimming beach, a children’s playground, barbecue and picnic areas, a pavilion for picnics, and a play raft. Seasonal use of the facilities may vary.
Another option is the Marmot Trail: it is 3.8 kilometres long and runs from Blauherd at 2,571 metres to Sunnegga at 2,288 metres. You can watch marmots there, although sightings are not guaranteed. Information boards about marmot life are in German, English, French, and Japanese; there are also various wooden sculptures along the trail.
The Gorner Gorge can also be planned as a destination in its own right. The lower section can be crossed without special equipment; the gorge is a 15-minute walk from Zermatt’s southern edge. Wooden walkways lead through a landscape shaped by powerful water and rock walls. As seasonal access conditions may change, check them before your visit.
Seasonal experiences
Between July and September, around 125 sheep graze in the meadows on Gornergrat, with views of the Matterhorn. GPS trackers help visitors find the animals in their natural habitat. This experience is limited to the summer period mentioned. In winter, family activities in Zermatt include groomed toboggan runs, husky sled rides, winter hiking, and snowshoeing. The Wolli beginner park in Sunnegga is for beginner skiers in winter. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between the summer wildlife observation described here and seasonal winter activities.
Discover more destinations: Saas-Fee, Stalden, Embd, Staldenried, Saas-Grund, Täsch, Zeneggen, Saas-Balen.
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