Hiking in Zermatt Switzerland

Introduction to Hiking in Zermatt Switzerland

Most visitors to Zermatt take a single train ride up, hoping for a clear view of the Matterhorn. Instead, we chose to spend four days hiking through the region, dedicating a full day to exploring each of the three main summit stations: Rothorn, Gornergrat, and Klein Matterhorn. With an extra day, I ventured onto additional trails to take in even more of Zermatt’s breathtaking landscapes.

Part of our group departed after three days to experience the Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz, while I continued hiking. Viewing the Matterhorn from different vantage points—whether by gondola, train, or trail—was truly unforgettable. The longer you stay, the more cost-effective the Peak Pass becomes, making it well worth the investment.

In this post, I’ve highlighted some of our favorite hikes, activities, restaurants, and accommodations from our time hiking in Zermatt Switzerland.

Things to Do while Hiking in Zermatt Switzerland

Peak Pass Unlimited train/Gondola pass  It was fun getting to ride up to the different mountains and view the Matterhorn in different spots. Here is the website for  ticket information.  This is the website for Matterhorn Ski Paradise Pass https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en. If we were visiting in the winter The Ikon Ski Pass would have been included Zermatt.

Riffelsweeg Hike

Trail #21, 1.5 hours. Beautiful hike, probably one of the most scenic of the Matterhorn

View from Lake Riffelsee on/near Riffelsweeg hike

Fluhalp

Hike to Fluhalp for lunch. We had a reservation www.fluhalp.ch This hike was a little confusing and not marked very well. But so worth the effort to get there.

Hike from Sunnega to Zermatt

Hike #6(2.5 hours) We had great views hiking downs this trail. We passed thru hamlets. There are also restaurants, but we didnt stop a these to eat

Glacier Paradise Summit

Glacier Paradise Summit is the highest cable car in Europe, Glacier Ice Palace is free with Peak Pass. If you visit the platform on a clear day you can see Italy and France. Everyone in our group wanted to take the gondola down the other side to Cervina Italy but that was an additional gondola ticket so we didn’t do this .

Matterrhorn Trail Hike

(2-3 hours) Hike #29 Trail goes from Swarzee to Stafel to Furi. At Furi you can continue on down to Zermatt or take Gondola back down to Zermatt. I wish we would have gone to Zmutt it looked like a charming Hamlet. It also looked like it would have been a fun hike from to Furi to Zermatt. We were out of time and it was rainy .

Paragliding

Once in a lifetime experience paragliding with a view of the Matterhorn

Goat Parade

goats parade thru the streets during peak summer season. They are a sight to see, twice a day, followed by street sweepers for a quick clean up.

Restaurants in Zermatt

Restaurant DuPont Restaurant Dupont is the oldest restaurant in Zermatt. Its centrally located in Zermatt. Its wood paneling and swiss ambience are a great way to experience traditional Swiss dishes such as Raclette, Rosti and Fondue. Make reservations in advance. For addition information Click Here

Stadel Stadel is a cozy rustic inn , located in a building that was once a barn Serving traditional Swiss Specialties. Make reservations in advance. For additional information click here

Whymper Stube Restaurant Wymper Stube Zermatt was named after the first person to conquer The Matterhorn. Serves traditional Swiss food. Make reservations in advance. To visit website Click Here

Grampis Great wood fired pizzas. We arent that far from Italy. For more info Click Here Make reservations in advance

Fluhalp Mountain hut and restaurant that you have to hike to. For more information visit website Click Here http://www.fluhalp.ch

COOP great grocery store to buy items for breakfast, picnics, happy hour on deck

Migros Great grocery store to buy items for breakfast, picnics, happy hour on deck

McDonalds sometimes it is even fun to visit a McDonalds in a foreign country. They have different food items on the menu

How To Get There

Swiss Travel Pass-After much research and comparison I chose the Swiss Travel Pass -first class ticket. This allowed me to take any train in Switzerland. You board the train and they come thru and scan your pass. It was very convenient and easy to use. It also gave you discounts on select scenic trains that weren’t covered with The Swiss Travel Pass. We were even able to to use the Swiss Travel Pass to get us thru the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Murren. I couldn’t use it to go up the Jungfrau. I had to purchase a pass while in Zermatt to visit the different mountains

Click here for the website for Swiss Travel Pass

Where To Stay While Hiking in Zermatt Switzerland

We stayed in a beautiful condo we found on airbnb. Here is a link to the listing on airbnb

Click Here for listing on airbnb. We loved our accommodations and would stay here again.

Helpful Tips

The hiking trails are confusing and sometimes you are no longer certain what trail you are on.  I think its important to be a strong hiker and be able to get down the mountain if your trail changes

Make sure you have a map with you at all times in the area you are hiking in

To eat at more popular restaurants you must have a dinner reservation

When buying Lindt Swiss Chocolate I thought I would get a better price at the grocery store. However, check the Lindt Chocolate Store before making your purchase. They were having a sale, buy 2 bags get 1 free and chocolates were a much better deal at the Lindt Chocolate Store.

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