Zermatt Travel Guide: Matterhorn, Hiking & Skiing

Some places are famous and don’t quite live up to it. Zermatt is not one of those places. The Matterhorn is genuinely one of the most dramatic mountain shapes on Earth — that perfect pyramid rising above the village — and no photo really prepares you for seeing it in person.

Zermatt is car-free, which transforms the experience completely. You arrive by cogwheel train from Täsch and step out into a village of horse-drawn carriages and electric taxis, with no exhaust fumes and surprisingly little noise.

The Gornergrat Railway is the must-do. It climbs to 3,089 meters with views of 29 four-thousand-meter peaks, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Gorner Glacier. Go at sunrise if you can — the light on the Matterhorn at dawn is something we still think about.

For hikers, the Five Lakes Walk is one of the finest mountain hikes in Switzerland — five alpine lakes each reflecting the Matterhorn from a different angle. The Riffelsee reflection is the classic shot. Moderate difficulty, absolutely unmissable.

Eat well in the village — fondue and raclette here are excellent. Budget accommodation is tight, so book months ahead for peak summer and ski season. The experience is worth every franc.