Excursions:  >>Mountain ExcursionsCity Excursionsother Excursions
Mountain Excursions:
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 m / 12,736 ft):
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 40 minutes from Zermatt to the top). The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest sightseeing point in Europe which is accessible by cableway. The Matterhorn Express gondola brings you to Furi where you change to the large cableway which takes you via Trockener Steg to the Klein Matterhorn. Finally, up there you take a lift to get to the highest sightseeing platform offering a panoramic view of the Alps including the 38 4,000-meter peaks (13,120+ ft) surrounding Zermatt. At the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise it also is possible to visit the Glacier Palace - 15 meters under the glacier's surface.

Gornergrat (3,089 m / 10,132 ft):
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 40 minutes from Zermatt to the top). Switzerland's first electric coqwheel railway (built in 1898) takes you up to this popular sightseeing point. The train crosses impressive bridges, galleries and tunnels; in the midst of idyllic forests and alpine meadows, past rocky gorges and tarns; accompanied by the majestic mountains, first and foremost by the Matterhorn. On its 9.3 km (5.8 miles) up to the summit, the train stops at the luxury resort-hotel Riffelalp, then at Riffelberg (also with hotel and restaurant), and at Rotenboden before reaching the Gornergrat with the Kulmhotel - the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps.

Rothorn Paradise (3,103 m / 10,178 ft):
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 25 minutes from Zermatt to the top). An underground funicular takes you in just 3 minutes from Zermatt to "Sunnegga", which means sunny corner. At Sunnegga (2,288 m / 7,505 ft) you might want to come close with the marmots at the observation post before taking the state-of-the-art 8-seater gondola to the "Blauherd" (2,588 m / 8,489 ft). Then, get on a panoramic cable car which takes you up to the summit of the Rothorn from where to enjoy the "Best View of the Matterhorn" ! Spend some time at the cozy mountain restaurant's terrace with great views of numerous Alpine peaks, or follow the "Path of Freedom" trail to get to the Oberrothorn (3,415 m / 11,201 ft) - a pleasant 2-hours hike.

Schwarzsee Paradise (2,583 m / 8,472 ft):
Half- or Full-day excursion (12 minutes from Zermatt to the top). The modern 8-seater gondola of the "Matterhorn Express" takes you up to the Schwarzsee on the foot of the Matterhorn - this is as close as you can get to this famous peak without hiking or climbing. On your ride up (or down) you might be able to observe game animals such as marmots, chamois and deers.


City Excursions:
With its location in the Vispa Valley and the Alps, Zermatt is not exactly the ideal place from where to make city excursions.....

Montreux - City of the Swiss Riviera: 
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 hours 40 minutes by train from Zermatt). This attractive excursion crosses the "border" between German and French-speaking Switzerland and takes you to the shores of Lake Geneva. Enjoy the mild climate and the beautiful terraced vineyards of Lavaux that are part of the UNESCO world heritage. While in Montreux, you want to consider visiting one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Switzerland, the Chateau de Chillon: in the 13th century this castle was built in a unique setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, and today also serves as a typical postcard souvenir from Switzerland.

Bern - Switzerland's captivating Capital:
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 hours 10 minutes by train from Zermatt). Founded in 1191, this is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions of Bern include several historic sites such as the famous Clock Tower, the bearpits (home to the city's heraldic animals), the House of Parliament, the Paul Klee Center, the Swiss Alpine Museum, and excellent shopping arcades.

Thun - Gateway to the Bernese Alps:
Full-day excursion (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes by train from Zermatt). Thun (pronounced "Toon") is one of the most original towns in Switzerland. It occupies an admirable site with magnificent views of the Bernese Alps and is much overlooked by visitors pressing on to Interlaken. With its picturesque castle, the quaint medieval Old Town, and Lake Thun, one of the loveliest and largest lakes in Switzerland, Thun is well worth a visit.

Interlaken - in the Heart of the Swiss Alps:
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 hours 10 minutes by train from Zermatt). Interlaken, the small town between the cristal-clear lakes of Thun and Brienz is surrounded by Alpine pearls such as sparkling streams, fantastic falls and extraordinary mountain scenery including the famous peaks of the Eiger, the Moench and the Jungfrau. Don't miss strolling along Interlaken's famous "Höheweg" promenade - it is one of the best locations in Switzerland for souvenir and watch shopping, and offers superbe views of the Jungfrau mountain range. Consider combining the excursion to Interlaken with visiting other sights of the Jungfrau region, such as the Jungfraujoch or the Schilthorn, the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum or the St. Beatus Caves.


other Excursions / Sights:
Village Walking Tour:
To tour the village on your own, we recommend the following route: via Bahnhofstrasse (main street) to the Kirchplatz (church), to the Bergsteigerfriedhof (mountaineers' cemetery) on to the Kirchbrücke (church bridge) from where you can take the best shots of the Matterhorn. On your way, you will see several traditional wooden chalets (some people still live there....), and the typical grain stores "on stilts" - if you are interested in Zermatt's history, you want to ask at the tourist office for a guided historical walking tour of the village (and/or visit the Matterhorn Museum).

Marmot Observation Post:
Half- or Full-day excursion (summer only). Located at Sunnegga - the paradise for families ! The underground funicular takes you to Sunnegga; then you walk just a few minutes to get to the observation post where you can get close to these cute rodents. At Sunnegga, your kids (and you) might want to go for a swim at the nearby "Leisee"-Lake (10-minutes walk), or to learn more about the marmots, take the gondola up to Blauherd where you find the "Marmot Trail" with wooden sculptures and information about the marmots' habits. Also on Blauherd is the "Dwarves' Paradise", an adventure playground with climbing rocks, a cable railway and barbecue facilities for the whole family.
 

Sports:  >>Summer SportsWinter Sports
Summer Sports:
Mountaineering / Climbing / Guided Hiking Tours:
Alpine tourism was the beginning of Zermatt's development. Situated at the foot of the Matterhorn and surrounded by 38 four-thousend-meter peaks (13,120+ ft), Zermatt has always been the beloved goal for mountain climbers from all over the world. The Zermatt Alpine Center organizes training sessions, day tours, glacier walks every day, while for longer tours there are 80 state-registered mountain guides available.

Hiking:
Zermatt offers many opportunities for hiking. There are 400 km (250 miles) well-marked trails which will take you through pine-scented mountain forests, to the shores of calm Alpine lakes and to the ice-blue glaciers. Zermatt's mountain rides make it easy to reach the high altitude rambling areas. There are several mountain cabins and restaurants ready to offer a warm welcome and a leisurely rest. Ask at the tourist office for maps and hiking suggestions. Hiking and hut passes, which you can have stamped at alpine huts and restaurants while out hiking, are available free of charge at the tourist office. Anyone managing to collect enough stamps is awarded a diploma and a pin by Zermatt Tourism.

Nordic Walking:
The Swiss Nordic Park in Zermatt encompasses 5 routes in the Rothorn paradise and Schwarzsee paradise area of varying levels of difficulty covering a network of routes of more than 30 km (19 miles). In the Gornergrat area you'll find 3 Swiss Topwalk routes covering a total distance of 12 km (7.5 miles). 880 difficult altitude meters (2,886 ft) from the Riffelalp station to the summit of the Gornergrat - a challenge for well-trained top walkers. There also are shorter routes for sprinters.

Mountain Biking:
The Gornergrat coqwheel railway takes you and your bike up to the summit at 3,089 m (10,132 ft) where you have the choice of 3 different bike-trails to get back to Zermatt.



Summer Skiing:
Summer Skiing is possible on the everlasting glacial snow at the foot of the Matterhorn, between 2,900 and 3,900 meters (9,512 - 12,792 ft) in the superb mountain scenery of Zermatt. A snowy expanse free from crowds, with 6 ski-lifts and 21 km (12 miles) of well-marked and safe pistes.


Golf:
The Matterhorn Golf Club's golf course at Randa-Täsch is located on the valley floor between the two villages of Randa and Täsch. The 9-hole golf course has been laid out on two separate pieces of land on either side of the River Vispa. The course is almost level and easy to walk around. A former area of marsh has been transformed into a lake that contains an unique island green. The Scottish golf course architect John Chilver-Stainer planned the 21-hectare golf course to blend in with the natural landscape.

other Summer Sports
include Tennis, Squash, Beach-Volleyball, Bowling, Fly-Fishing, Dirt-Scooters (or downhill trotinett - can be rented at the Schwarzsee Paradise), Kickbike-Scooters (can be rented at the Sunnegga Paradise valley station), Paragliding (school & taxi flights), and the Forest Fun Park with tree-to-tree adventure trails (including a special trail for kids).


Winter Sports:
Skiing / Snowboarding:
The Zermatt - Cervinia, Italy ski-area offers totally 313 km (195 miles) of groomed ski runs with slopes ranging from the simplest to the most challenging. Easy access is provided by an extensive network of 57 mountain rides including high-capacity cableways, mountain railways, chair-lifts and ski-lifts. There are several half-pipes and other infrastructure for snowboarders including the "Gravity Park" at the Furggsattel chair-lift (Klein Matterhorn area) with jumps, slides, rails, kickers and pipes.

Heli-Skiing:
Skiing off-pist with an experienced guide is a very special adventure in Zermatt. Heli-Skiing in Zermatt is a triple adventure: a flight and mountain experience and outstanding ski fun.



Cross-Country Skiing:
is offered further down the valley between Taesch and Randa (approx. 6 km / 4 miles from Zermatt); 12 km (7.5 miles) cross-country slopes (classical and skating).



Tobogganing: 
There's a popular toboggan run from Riffelberg to Rotenboden (Gornergrat) which takes approximately 10 minutes (perfectly maintained toboggans are available for hire at the Rotenboden station). In addition, tobogganing is possible on 2 nights a week from Furi to Zermatt.


Ice Arena: 
Ice Skating and Ice-Hockey are possible on natural ice as well as on artificial ice. Curling has a long tradition in Zermatt, and there are 16 curling rinks as well as 2 ice-stock rinks. The "Horu Trophy", one of the major open-air curling tournaments in Europe, is played for in the third week of January with 64 teams from around the world competing.

other Winter Sports
include indoor sports such as Tennis (at the Hotel Alex), Swimming (several hotels with indoor swimming pools) and Climbing (climbing wall at the Triftbachhalle), outdoor leisure activities such as Hiking (45 km / 28 miles of groomed paths), Ski-Touring and Snowshoe-Trekking, and adventure sports such as Ice Climbing, Snow-Biking and Paragliding (school & taxi flights; start on skis and land in Zermatt).


Go Out: (Dining / Entertainment / Nightlife)
Under the careful direction of many of Zermatt's hotels, you will be able to enjoy a variety of traditional Swiss foods, some with live folklore music. Cheese and meat fondues are featured in many restaurants and are a must. There's a huge choice - the Zermatt Tourist Office lists more than 400 facilities offering international, Swiss and regional cuisine for any budget and taste. The village also offers many superb bars featuring memorable cocktails and exciting nightlife.


Shopping:
With many shops dedicated to quality and style, Zermatt is guaranteed to have something to please even the most discerning shopper. Many souvenir boutiques with sections dedicated to the famous Swiss watches and knives; and the latest creations of folk art can be found in Zermatt. After shopping have a cup of coffee or tea at one of the many traditional cake cafes in town.


Events:
Patrouille des Glaciers: (in April)
The Patrouille des Glaciers is an exceptional race from Zermatt to Verbier or from Arolla to Verbier in one stage depending on the category. This unique race is characterized by its length, its high average altitude and the profile of its itinerary. Participating demands not only a real mountaineering experience and mastery of the extreme conditions encountered, but also a thorough physical and moral preparation.

Zermatt Marathon: (in July)
The challenge of the ultimate mountain ! A staggering elevation of more than 1,900 meters (6,232 ft) will have to be surmounted to win the race starting in St. Niklaus at 1,085 meters (3,559 ft) above sea level, up to Zermatt (1,620 m / 5,314 ft a.s.l.), and finishing on Riffelberg at 2,585 meters (8,479 ft) above sea level amidst 29 four-thousand-meter summits. An immensity of wild nature along this marathon course of 42.195 km (26.22 miles) awaits discovery.

International Matterhornlauf: (in August)
Considered one of the most beautiful mountain runs, the Matterhornlauf attracts elite runners from all over the world. The course starts in Zermatt and ends at Schwarzsee covering a distance of 12,49 km (7.76 miles) and an altitude difference of 980 m (3,200 ft). Categories: runners, popular race and Nordic Walking.

Matterhorn Eagle-Cup: (in August)
Golf Tournament; this Alpine-Golf competition is taking place in the Gornergrat area above Zermatt between 2,500 and 2,800 meters (8,200 - 9,184 ft). On natural Alpine meadows is a 9 hole stroke-play golf course marked without greens and fairways (total length = 3,5 km / 2.2 miles).


Zermatt Festival: (in September)
Inspiring music, fascinating films, contemporary arts and discovery workshops in breathtaking surroundings at the Riffelalp resort.




current Zermatt Events


Museums:
Matterhorn Museum: 
The Matterhorn Museum is telling the exciting story of the Matterhorn - from its origins in Africa and the terribly dramatic first ascent to the present day - and it also tells the story of Zermatt, the small farming village that became an internationally famous health resort.

On the ground-floor the visitor finds a unique collection of documents which bears witness to the heroic first ascents of the mountains around Zermatt beginning with the Klein Matterhorn which was first climbed by the scientist H.B. de Saussure from Geneva in 1792, and ending with the triumphal and tragic first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.
Further exhibits on the ground floor draw the visitor's attention to the fact that few places in the Alps have such a rich variety of different rock types in such a small area as Zermatt. This section, devoted to natural history, also has a wonderful collection of butterflies found in the local area, and representations and exhibits of alpine flora and fauna.
The rooms on the top floor are devoted to the history of life in the Alps. Numerous artefacts and utensils provide insights into everything from the simple life of Alpine farmers to the equipment of the first skiers. The main attraction is a fully equipped kitchen as it would have appeared around 1770, at the beginning of Alpine tourism.
 

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