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Warm summer days offer a huge
variety of walks and hikes amongst some of the
world's most stunning mountains. But mountain biking, paragliding, mountaineering,
and wonderful summer skiing also make
exciting
summer pastimes in Zermatt. For the less energetic there are lift-rides
to spectacular mountain peaks, as well as regular summer favourites
such as tennis, sunbathing and swimming.
A ride on a mountain lift to one of the high summits above Zermatt
should be a top priority for most visitors. Zermatt offers a choice
of three (year-round, lift-serviced) peaks - Gornergrat, Klein
Matterhorn and Rothorn. Each are beautiful and appeal for different
reasons..
Most popular and famous is a visit to Gornergrat
(3130m/10,300ft) - the mountain with a magical
panorama. From the gentle summit unfolds a world-class vista of
tumbling glaciers and soaring alpine peaks. In fact twenty-nine of
Switzerland's thirty-five highest summits (above 4000 meters/ 13,000 ft)
are immediately visible. A restaurant and hotel/observatory are located at
the top.
| You can reach Gornergrat
easily by (heated) mountain train (the "Gornergratbahn"),
which is located just opposite the main BVZ train station in town.
Views are excellent from both sides of the train and the entire
journey takes about 45 minutes each way. |
The mountain train to Gornergrat. |
Tip: Get the Zermatt Walking Guide to
make the most of your time in Zermatt.
| Also with exceptional
views is the Klein Matterhorn (meaning 'Little'
Matterhorn 3885m/12,780ft). This is the highest
lift-serviced summit in Europe and is best visited in fine weather. |
 |
The lifts are not heated and the glass of the cable cars tend to have
been a bit scratched by skis, but the final cable car soars a thousand
feet above vast glaciers and takes one into the middle of the eternal
ice world. Views from the Klein Matterhorn summit (and Trockener
Steg mid-station) are excellent. Try to ascertain before you buy your
ticket if the "Gipfel-lift" is open. This little elevator takes
one right up to the absolute craggy summit of the Klein Matterhorn and gives one an
extra
special 360° panorama. Views over much of Switzerland, deep into
Italy and even to France (Mont Blanc - 68km away) are amazing. On a clear
day it is possible to see forty peaks over 4000 metres elevation and 200km
to the Maritime Alps close to the Mediterranean sea. As a comparison, to
stand at the top you are higher than all the highest mountains in Austria
and New Zealand. The Gipfel-lift elevator is located in the middle left of
the Klein Matterhorn tunnel, and many people unknowingly pass it by.
By continuing on through the tunnel one
arrives at the summer ski slopes. The views from the ski slopes are still
very worthwhile, but not generally 360°. One can happily play with and
explore the snow which lies thick here year-round. It is quite safe to
walk around in the snow, provided it isn't too icy and you don't cross the obvious rope
barriers marking the ski slopes. Beyond the ropes there is danger of
unmarked crevasses - often hidden, very deep fissures in the permanent
glacial ice.
| Also worth a look is the
free glacier grotto at Klein Matterhorn. There are underground tunnels, rooms
and ice sculptures in the fantastic blue glacial ice to
explore - at the 'highest and largest' glacier
grottos in the World. Walk outside through the tunnel and follow
the signs to the 'Gletschergrotto'. |
 |
The lifts to Klein Matterhorn begin from
the southern end of town, about fifteen minutes walk from the main "BVZ"
train station. The journey is in three (sometimes four) spectacular stages
and takes approximately 50 minutes each way. A rather soulless restaurant
is available at the Trockener Steg mid-station. Nothing exists at Klein
Matterhorn but simple WC facilities and a snack bar. A good option for
charming Zermatt restaurants in this area exists at Furi (1864m) and
below.
There is a slight risk of altitude sickness
at the heights of Gornergrat and (more so) at Klein Matterhorn. A common
symptom is shortness of breath. Less common are feelings of dizziness, nausea,
or headache. On very
rare occasions some people even faint. You can minimise the risk by not
ascending the highest lifts on the day you arrive in Zermatt. Also avoid
over-exertion at high altitudes. Those with a heart condition should best
consult their doctor before ascents above 2500m.
Anyone effected by these symptoms can find immediate relief by simply descending
back to a lower altitude. It must be said that the fresh air of the
mountains is very good for one's health and some people return
to the "flatlands" feeling like Superman.
Rothorn (or Unterrothorn -
3103m/10,200ft) boasts its own beautiful and worthwhile
panorama. Rothorn
offers a perfect symmetrical view of the Matterhorn and it is cheaper to
ascend than Gornergrat or Klein Matterhorn. Popular with paragliders,
Rothorn also offers occasional dawn breakfasts with a brilliant sunrise
view on the Matterhorn. However Rothorn offers less spectacular
views of the summer snows and glaciers than from Gornergrat or Klein
Matterhorn.
What to bring....
It is strongly recommended that you take a few things with you when going
high into the mountains, including a camera, something to eat (eg. Swiss
chocolate.. yum!), sunglasses, suncream, a spare sweater/jumper and a
windproof jacket. It is not unusual for it feel very warm in the mountains
when it is windless and sunny. It is possible to find girls summer skiing
in bikinis! But it can be quite cold and windy at high altitudes, even
when calm and warm in Zermatt. Always expect it to be 15-20 degrees cooler
at Klein Matterhorn than in Zermatt. When ascending to the higher altitudes, it
is best to "be prepared".
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Scenic
walks and hikes
| Zermatt offers some of the
World's most stunning mountain walks amongst classic high-alpine
scenery. There are
numerous footpaths - some 400 kilometres ( 250
miles ) in all. |
 |
Alpine paths lead through a
wide range of environments - from pine scented
mountain forests, to calm Alpine lakes, to stunning ice-blue
glaciers and lookouts over all of Europe's highest peaks.
Read our complete Walking
Guide to Zermatt and the Matterhorn.
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Summer
Skiing on the Glaciers
Mountaineering
around Zermatt
- and Climbing the Matterhorn
Some of the most challenging
peaks of the entire alpine region surround Zermatt. A famous circle of
'four-thousanders', or peaks above 4000m (13,000 feet), attract
international climbers to this region year after year. The most famous
climb from Zermatt is, of course, of the Matterhorn..
Climbing
the Matterhorn - 4478m / 14,692ft
(Info supplied
by Alpine Center Zermatt)
|
The Hörni ridge - first
climbed by Edward Whymper in 1865 and still most popular today. |
The
Matterhorn is one of the most impressive and famous peaks in
Switzerland and the Alps. It has increasingly become a fashionable
climb in the past few years, but it must be firmly stated that
climbing the Matterhorn still has to be taken seriously. Even for
experienced climbers hiring a guide is recommended. Inexperienced
climbers are advised not to attempt such a difficult mountain as the
Matterhorn for their first climb. They should rather attempt an
easier, but possibly just as beautiful, 4000 m high peak in the
Zermatt area to get some experience.
|
To attempt climbing the Matterhorn you need
to be in top physical condition, to have some rock climbing experience and
to have had some practice with crampons. You should keep fit throughout
the year with weekly training. It is also necessary to spend at least one
week to 10 days acclimatising and training in the Zermatt area (hiking
daily 1000 m - 1500 m altitude difference, at an altitude difference of
400 m an hour, including rest stops).
The Mountain Guides Office of Zermatt recommends to make several other
climbing tours before you start climbing the Matterhorn, such as:
 | Rock climbing at the Riffelhorn 2980 m:
a one-day tour starting from Rotenboden. |
| Half traverse of the Breithorn 4165 m. :
a very interesting and varied day-tour starting from the Klein
Matterhorn. |
| Pollux 4092 m. : varied day-tour (rock
and ice/snow), starting from the Klein Matterhorn |
| Rimpfischhorn 4199 m. : two-day tour.
Optimal training tour for the Matterhorn. |
The best time to attempt climbing the
Matterhorn is mid-July to mid-September, depending on the amount of snow
on the mountain. If possible, you should not choose the high-season (1st
to 15th August) for climbing the Matterhorn. You will meet your guide the
evening before the ascent at the Matterhorn hut. The next morning at 4.00
a.m. / 5.00 a.m. the challenging ascent begins. It takes about 4 hours to
reach the summit, and it takes the same time for the descent. For safety
reasons the guide only takes one client for the climb.
| Equipment
: crampons, harness, a helmet is recommended (all this technical
equipment can be rented in a local sports shop), rucksack (30
liter), climbing boots with good rubber soles, warm mountain
clothes, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream, lip cream, headlamp,
some energy-providing food for the climb, thermos flask or
drinking bottle (tea can be obtained at the hut). |
|
Total Costs for climbing
the Matterhorn are approximately 1000 sFr. Inclusive in
this amount :
| Guide's fee |
| 1 overnight stay with half-board in the
hut for yourself and the guide |
| Transport costs
Zermatt-Schwarzsee-Zermatt (the ticket can be obtained at the Alpin
Center/Mountain Guides Office at a group rate) |
For climbing the Matterhorn, we give first
priority to those people who have trained for a few days in Zermatt or who
have completed other tours. We kindly ask for your understanding. After
the successful climb of the Matterhorn the guide will give you a diploma
in the hut.
Private insurance : Each
climber must be insured for mountain accidents and possible rescue
transportation. We recommend you to purchase rescue insurance from Air
Zermatt for SFr. 30.per person/year or SFr. 20.per person/week (Form can
be obtained from the Alpine Center).
Reservations : at least 2
weeks before the planned date. On arrival in Zermatt you should visit us
in the mountain guides office Alpine Center on the main street (about 200m
from the railway station, in the direction of the Matterhorn) in order to
make a definite reservation.
This information was kindly
supplied by the Mountain Guides Office of Zermatt. You can contact them
directly for any further information about mountain guides.
Mountain Guides Office /
Alpine Center Zermatt
Bahnhofstrasse, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland.
Tel ++41 (0)27 966 24 60 Fax ++41 (0)27 966 24 69 Email alpincenter@zermatt.ch
Office hours : from the end of June until about the end of September
08.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Alternatively try this link to good climbing information on local
Zermatt mountains. We also welcome written
contributions from people with experience climbing around Zermatt.
For
any further information please
contact us !
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