the mountain on TOBLERONE chocolate!

If you have not heard of Matterhorn before, you definitely know the Swiss chocolate Toblerone. Toblerone is known for their triangle-shaped chocolates and the distinct mountain on the side. This mountain is called Matterhorn, located in Zermatt. Since Toblerone was created in Bern and Bern is known as the “City of Bears”, you can see a whole bear figure on the mountain if you look carefully!

Matterhorn is the most iconic peak in the entire Alps and in the world. Often referred to as “the Mountain of Mountains”, climbing this large pyramidal peak is every mountaineer’s dream. Standing at 4,478 meters (14,692 ft), Matterhorn is the fifth highest peak in the Alps. It is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. One day, I hope I can summit Matterhorn! 

Matterhorn is famous for its four picturesque ridges (Hörnli, Furggengrat, Liongrat, and Zmuttgrat), which split the mountain into four steep faces that rise above massive surrounding glaciers, pointing to the four compass points. Three of Matterhorn’s faces (north, east, and west) lay on the Swiss side and one (south) on the Italian side.

Some Interesting Facts About Matterhorn

Despite being neither the highest, nor the most difficult to climb, so why does Matterhorn exert such a draw on people’s imagination?  Let’s look at some facts about the Matterhorn that you may not know and that have helped build its distinctive reputation:

1. The Matterhorn is the 12th highest peak in (Western) Europe; the 10th highest mountain in Switzerland; and one of 48 Swiss peaks above 4,000 meters.

2. About 3,000 climbers summit the Matterhorn per year. In the summer, up to 150 climbers can attempt an ascent each day.

3. Over 500 people have died climbing on the Matterhorn – both on the way up and down from the summit.

4. The number of deaths averages around 5 per year, but this has fallen from around 8 during the 1990s.

5. Air Zermatt flies around 15 missions a year to rescue climbers. Like the number of deaths, the number of rescues has fallen in recent decades. It’s believed this is because more climbers now travel with guides than in the past.

6. Most ascents start from the Hörnlihütte before dawn. There are 130 places available in this refuge and the hut is open from July to September.

7. At CHF150 (USD166.80) per night, the Hörnlihütte is one of the most expensive mountain refuges in the world. In 2015, it was reduced in size and camping forbidden – with a maximum fine of CHF5000 – to try and reduce the number of people attempting the ascent.

8. The Hörnli ridge route to the summit is rated at 5.4 or AD (‘assez difficile’) – not particularly difficult by mountaineering standards. The vertical height gain is 1,300 meters when starting from the Hörnlihütte.

9. The first ascent was on July 14, 1865 – just over 150 years ago. Four of the seven climbers in the group died on the descent.

10. The first woman to climb the Matterhorn was Lucy Walker in 1871. She was also the first woman to summit the Eiger (1864).

11. The oldest person to have summited the Matterhorn was Ulrich Inderbinen, who achieved the feat at the age of 89 years. Born in Zermatt in 1900, he first climbed the mountain when he was 20.

12. The Swiss-German name for the peak comes from the words Matte meaning ‘meadow’ and horn meaning ‘peak’. It is called Monte Cervino in Italian or Mont Cervin in French.

13. The Matterhorn first appeared on the famous Toblerone packaging in 1960. Before this, an eagle was the main symbol. [Have you spotted the bear in the Matterhorn image on Toblerone. This is a reference to Bern, where Theodor Tobler first invented the bar.]

14. It used to take two days to climb the 1,100 meters of Matterhorn’s north face. In the modern era, it takes around 8 to 10 hours when starting from the Hörnlihütte.

15. This very famous poster of the Matterhorn was designed by Emil Cardinaux in 1903 and is considered the first modern travel poster.

(source from Matterhorn Chalets)

How to Get There?

For those who wish to visit Matterhorn, you first have to get to Zermatt, a car-free town at an elevation of 1,620 meters (5,310 ft). Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps, and it is one of the world’s most attractive vacation villages.

Zermatt is about 214 km away from Zürich, 74 km from Blausee.

• By Train & Bus:
  Check for the train & bus schedule & boarding platform from the SBB Website.

If you are travelling from Zürich, the total travelling time to Zermatt takes between 3 hours 10 mins to 3 hours 45 mins, depending on the train connection.

Whether you are travelling from Zürich, Geneva or Lucerne, you will have to go to Visp first, then take Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt. It is an hour of scenic journey through the valley.

If you are travelling from Blausee, you will first take the bus #230 to either Frutigen or Kandersteg, then change to train with multiple train switch before getting to Zermatt. Estimate travelling plus waiting time is about 3 hours to 3 hours 30 mins. 

Arriving by train is very convenient and it makes the most sense since Zermatt is a car-free town. On top of that, the train trip is beautiful, because it goes through the deepest cleft valley in Switzerland.

• By Car Rental:

  

  If you are driving, access is allowed until Täsch (5 km from Zermatt). There are plenty of parking spaces there, the Matterhorn Terminal itself in Täsch has already 2,100 covered parking spaces.

Then, you change to the Shuttle Train and travel in comfort to Zermatt in just 12 minutes. The shuttle trains travel the “Täsch – Zermatt” route every 20 minutes, and the return ticket costs CHF 16.40 (USD 18.30).

• By Helicopter:
  

  

  You can also travel to Zermatt in style by booking a helicopter ride. Air Zermatt provides various services like Transport Flights, Sightseeing Flights and Rescue Flights. Visit Air Zermatt website to check out for more information.

What to Do in Zermatt? 

There are plenty of things to do when you are in Zermatt, it is a place you will definitely return for more discovery. Climbing, mountaineering, biking, skiing, snowboarding, hiking & paragliding are often the reason drawing visitors to this idyllic mountain village tucked away in the Swiss Alps.

Let’s take a look some of the Best Things To Do in Zermatt: 

Enjoying the View of Matterhorn

As soon as we arrived in Zermatt, first thing I did was to look for Matterhorn, which is dominating this charming mountain village. With the altitude of 4,478 meters, this majestic mountain can literally be seen almost anywhere in Zermatt. It feels like you are in the postcard, unbelievably stunning! 

You can easily take a lot of amazing pictures in Zermatt! 

Being in Zermatt is just overwhelming, I was speechless looking at such an astonishing view!

Gornergrat

One of a few unforgettable excursions in Zermatt is the highest open-air rack railway in Europe.

The Gornergrat Bahn shuttles up to the observation platform at Gornergrat, just over 3,000 meters above sea level through a mountain wilderness where no fewer than 29 peaks rise above 4,000 meters.

It might be hard to believe but the railway was laid as long ago as 1896 when it became the world’s first fully electrified rack line.

The trip takes 33 minutes and the train courses over ravines and through stone pine and larch forest.

Finally you’ll arrive at the platform, in the centre of a small tourist development and where the scenery almost defies description.

The Matterhorn is hard to ignore, but you can also view the Dufourspitze, Switzerland highest mountain at 4,634 meters and the Gorner Glacier, the second-largest in the Alps.

You can purchase the ticket from the Gornergrat Bahn website.
Ticket from Zermatt to Gornergrat: CHF 63 One way | CHF 126 Return

On a clear sunny day, you will get a spectacular view of the Swiss Alps along the journey while taking the railway, until reaching the top. We were encountering heavy snow when we went there, still we had another kind of experience which we truly enjoyed.

Viewing Platform on Klein Matterhorn

The next peak along with the Matterhorn is the Klein Matterhorn (or the Little Matterhorn). At 3,883 meters (12,740 ft) above sea level, it is the highest place in Europe that can be reached by aerial tramway or gondola lift.

At the top you’ll reach the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise where there’s a tunnel leading you through to the Breithorn Plateau, a vast glacier on the south side of the peak.

You don’t need any mountaineering skills, ropes or crampons to reach the summit of the Klein Matterhorn. Just step off the Matterhorn Glacier Ride and into the summit lift and up you go. Then you mount a flight of steps and the summit cross is almost within touching distance. 

From the highest viewing platform in Europe visitors can enjoy a unique alpine view that knows no national boundaries. The 360° panorama opens up over 38 four-thousanders and 14 glaciers in France, Italy and Switzerland. It’s impossible to get enough of this view, which takes in the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the north, the craggy north face of the Breithorn in the west, and Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, in the east. And the Matterhorn too can be seen from a different perspective up here. The long-distance view is captivating and instils a quiet, reflective mood in many visitors.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise can be reached from Zermatt in a journey time of around 40 minutes. It is Europe’s highest mountain station at 3,883 meters.

You can also visit the world’s highest Glacier Palace there, making the excursion an experience you will never forget. 

A return ticket to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise from Zermatt is from CHF 104.00 (USD 115.60), please check the Matterhorn Zermatt Bergbahnen official website for more information and early birds discount. If you have Swiss Travel Pass, you will enjoy a 50% off the ticket discount offer.

What is included in your ticket: 

Hike to Breithorn

If you enjoy hiking and would like to get a taste of hiking in the Swiss Alps, you might be interested in Breithorn.

This peak is considered the easiest of all the 4,000-meter peaks to climb. The hike up to the Breithorn (4,164 meters) and return takes about 3 hours 20 mins from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise mountain station, with the distance of 5.4 km. Big reward is waiting for you at the summit, you’ll enjoy stunning views over 38 other 4,000-meter peaks in the Italian, Swiss and French Alps.

The Breithorn is a heavily glaciated ridge comprising several peaks. Although it is considered one of the easiest four-thousanders in the Alps, you are not advised to attempt the ascent unless accompanied by an experienced guide. The adventure begins after ascending the Klein Matterhorn on the aerial tramway.

If you have limited time in Zermatt and you would like to conquer your first-ever 4,000-meter peak, then you should go for it, breathe the air above 4,000 meters. 

It was during the coldest month when I went to Zermatt, therefore I missed all the amazing hikes I could have done. I definitely have to go back!  

Matterhorn Glacier Ride

The world’s highest 3S cableway has been carrying visitors to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise since 2018. The Matterhorn Glacier Ride, with gondolas created by the Pininfarina design studio, was developed in addition to the existing aerial tramway and offers a more comfortable and luxurious trip. It also increases the transport capacity by 2,000 guests per hour.

The highlight of the modern cable car are its four “crystal ride” cabins, which are coated with Swarovski crystals. During the nine-minute journey from Trockener Steg to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn), the four special cabins offer a spectacular view: after three minutes, the cloudy glass bottom clears in a matter of seconds to provide a magnificent view of the glacier landscape. 

Rothorn (Unterrothorn)

Locals call the view from Rothorn “the Chocolate-Box Side of the Matterhorn”. No wonder, the view from Rothorn at 3,103 meters offers the best panorama of the surrounding mountains. One four-thousand-meter peak after another is spread at your feet – a unique panorama!

The Rothorn is easily reached from Sunnegga in just 15 minutes. From here, you can see the Matterhorn from its most photogenic side. An added attraction is that you see all 38 four-thousand-meter peaks that surround Zermatt. It is worth to get up early and enjoy the magnificent view at sunrise!

Five Lakes Leisure Walk

Mountain lakes are places of pure tranquillity, a perfect spot to escape the stress of everyday life. So it’s a stroke of luck that the five most beautiful mountain lakes in Zermatt are so close together. 

The Five Lakes Walk is in a class of its own among hikes in the Zermatt mountains. The views of the mountain lakes are superb (with the Matterhorn reflected in three of them), and the trail is full of variety.

The path leads past the lakes of the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. Each of these mountain lakes is very different in terms of shape, colour, character and size, and has its own special attraction. The Leisee is good for swimming: children love it. The Grünsee looks out over a rather more rugged landscape, where Swiss stone pines nevertheless manage to grow among the scree and sand. The shores of the Grindjisee are home to rare flowers. And so on – each one promises a unique experience.

The Trail: 
“ Blauherd > Stellisee > Grindjisee > Grünsee > Moosjisee > Leisee > Sunnegga “

Distance: 9.8 km

Hiking Time: Approximately 3 hours 

Difficulty: MEDIUM

Reflection of Matterhorn is in Stellisee, Grindjisee and Leisee lakes.

(This hike is marked on the signposts as “5-Seenweg”)

Alternative: If you don’t have enough time to complete all the 5 lakes, you can just start from Blauherd, walk to Stellisee, and then back to Blauherd. This would take you about an hour, still you will be rewarded by the breathtaking view of Matterhorn and its reflection on the lake. 

Skiing & Snowboarding

Zermatt’s history as a ski resort goes back to 1928 and the opportunities for snowboarding and skiing in Zermatt today are nothing short of amazing.

There are countless pistes – 360 kilometres in fact, framed by towering mountains. The Matterhorn itself provides 4,000 meters of altitude and boasts the impressive accolade of being the highest winter sports area in the Alps.

The ski area is shared with Cervinia in Italy so why not start your day traversing the slopes in Switzerland and then nip into Italy for a light lunch before returning?

Skiing holidays in Zermatt aren’t limited to the winter only; during the summer, you can just keep skiing and snowboarding, thanks to the glacier and the low temperatures at high altitude. 

Gorner Gorge

Over 130 years ago Zermatt pioneers discovered a particularly lovely natural attraction, the Gorner Gorge. The gorge was formed by the Gornera River over thousands of years and is known for its unique formations and spectacular waterfalls. The green-tinged serpentinite stone is around 220 million years old.

A well-kept path passes through galleries and over wooden walkways. It is an easy 20-minute walk. You can continue on to Blatten or Moos if you would like a longer walk. More adventurous souls can hire a mountain guide to take a three to four-hour tour of the Gorner Gorge.

From the middle of October it’s worth visiting the gorge in the afternoon between 3 pm and 4 pm because the late afternoon sun turns the waters a striking turquoise.

Opening Hours: 09:15 – 17:45 Daily

Ticket:
Adults – CHF 5 
Group of 10 – CHF 4.50 
Children up to 16 years – CHF 2.50
(Children up to 6 years are for FREE)

The Furi Suspension Bridge

The suspension footbridge soars 90 vertical metres above the Gorner Gorge (Gornerschlucht). The view down to the foaming water of the Gornera river reveals the tremendous natural forces at work.

The 100-metre-long suspension bridge, made of a lattice and cables of steel, leads from one side of the valley to the other. It’s completely safe to cross, but still require a little courage and a fairly good head for heights. Once on the other side, walkers find themselves once again in an idyllic mountain forest with larches, Swiss stone pines and squirrels.

Continuing on through the shady forest, past fireplaces and a playground with a picnic area, you reach the next site of natural beauty, the Drossen Glacier Garden. You’ll be amazed at the traces left behind by the glacier over 4,000 years ago. Information panels explain to visitors how the glacial potholes, rock formations, caves and signs of glacial polish came to be.

The Trail: 
“ Furi > Suspension Bridge > Barbecue Site > Glacier Garden > Furi “

Hiking Time: Approximately 2 hours 15 mins

Difficulty: EASY

(This hike is marked on the signposts as “Hängebrückenweg Furi”)

Zermatt Village

Take a break from winter sports or summer hikes and enjoy a leisurely stroll around the charming village of Zermatt. This compact municipality features many houses that date back from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as interesting features and monuments.

Many of Zermatt’s traditional houses were built in a very unique style. Resembling barns, they are built on flat stone slabs balanced on stilts – a method used to keep out mice!  You can see numerous examples of these houses in the older part of the village, known as Hinterdorf.

Strolling along the main street, you can follow the ‘Walk of Climb’, nine bronze markers situated along the Bahnhofstrasse. Each is placed to commemorate the first brave climbers to take to the peaks of the Matterhorn in July 1865.

You can also pay your respects at the Mountain Guide’s Memorial or the Mountaineers Cemetery.

While you’re enjoying the crisp Alpine air, keep an eye open for the black nose sheep who like to graze in fields around the village.

If you’re in town at 9am or 5pm during summer, you might see a herd of black-haired goats being led through the streets.  From the start of July until the middle of August, the gletschergeissen (glacier goats) are paraded through the centre of the village.

Known as the Geissenkehr, the parade follows a tradition from times past when the goats were led to the meadows around Zermatt to graze before being returned to their barn in the evening for milking.

There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars in the village, after your excursion, go enjoy some food and drinks, and take the weight off your feet. Shopping is great in Zermatt, you will find everything from local souvenirs to luxury brands. Why not send a postcard to your friend or family from this beautiful village? 

Helicopter Ride

For a bird’s eye view of the Matterhorn, why not take a helicopter tour of the majestic mountain? Trips last between approximately 20 to 40 minutes and will provide you with an experience you will never forget.

Your pilot will talk you through the journey and give you plenty of insightful information about the Matterhorn.

Visit Air Zermatt website to check out for more information.

Apart from what I have mentioned above, you can also visit village of Findeln, Schwarzsee (Black Lake), Sunnegga & Forest Fun Park. For adrenaline seeker, you can go for paragliding and have an adventure of a lifetime. If you would like to pamper yourself, there are many hotels with wellness centres and spas in the village. Relax your body and soul in the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi!

Where to Stay?

There is a wide range of accommodation choices in Zermatt to suit all travellers. 

You can go to https://www.zermatt.ch/en, booking.com or AirBnB to look for one that suits you.

We booked a spacious apartment with a functional kitchen from AirBnB while we were there for 2 nights, it is conveniently located in the heart of the village, within 5 minutes walk from the Zermatt train station, just by the main street. We were paying around USD190 a night, during winter time, it’s a very good deal!

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes.”

– Marcel Proust

My Itinerary

ZÜRICH > BLAUSEE > KANDERSTEG > TÄSCH > ZERMATT

After Blausee & Kandersteg, we drove to Täsch, parked our car and took the shuttle train to Zermatt. We arrived at the beautiful mountain village in the early evening, after checking in our AirBnB and settling down. We took a stroll in the village, with the sunlight dimming, the village came alive with the yellow lights. It definitely has the atmosphere of Christmas with the snow and freezing temperature. 

On the first night, we wanted to fully enjoy the apartment with the big dining area, we bought some wines and food from the supermarket and cooked ourselves.

It was a short trip for us in Zermatt, therefore we could not do many things, plus we had one day of heavy snow. Still, it was an amazing one, going to Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. I will definitely go back in the summer time to complete the other things-to-do list.

My Drone Footage

I took some nice footages during my trip to Blausee & Zermatt, take a look: