Visiting Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Switzerland

Zermatt sits at the head of a long valley in the Valais, directly beneath the pyramid of the Matterhorn at 4,478 metres, the most famous mountain silhouette in the Alps. The village itself is entirely car-free, a cluster of wooden chalets and narrow lanes where electric taxis and horse-drawn sleighs replace traffic. Whether you come for summer hiking or winter skiing, the Matterhorn dominates everything: it closes the end of streets and rises above nearly every trail around the valley.

Why go

Few mountains reward simple sightseeing like the Matterhorn. The Gornergrat railway climbs to a viewpoint facing the peak across a sea of glaciers, with the Monte Rosa massif beyond; the Klein Matterhorn cable car reaches into the high glacial world; and the Five Lakes trail links small tarns that mirror the peak on calm mornings. Zermatt’s car-free centre, excellent mountain restaurants and year-round lift system make it as pleasant a base as it is a viewpoint.

Best time to visit

July to September is the classic hiking season, with high trails generally snow-free and the full lift network running. December to April is ski season, when Zermatt links with the Italian resort of Cervinia across the border. May, June, October and November are quieter shoulder periods: cheaper and calmer, but with limited lifts and the chance of unsettled weather. The Matterhorn often hides in cloud by afternoon, so plan viewpoints for the morning.

Getting around

Zermatt has no private cars: drivers park at Tasch, the village down the valley, and continue by frequent shuttle train. Rail travellers change at Visp onto the mountain railway that climbs the valley to Zermatt. Within the village everything is walkable, with small electric taxis for luggage. Mountain railways, cable cars, gondolas and funiculars fan out to the viewpoints and trailheads; a day of lift-assisted hiking covers a lot of ground with modest effort.

Good to know

• Cars are banned in Zermatt, so drivers should use the Tasch car park and shuttle train, and allow extra time on arrival and departure days.
• Accommodation books up early in peak summer and ski season; reserve well ahead if your dates are fixed.
• Viewpoints like Gornergrat and the Klein Matterhorn sit above 3,000 metres, so pace yourself, drink water and protect against strong sun.
• The Matterhorn is famously shy; mornings are usually clearest, so start viewpoint trips early and keep a backup plan for cloudy days.
• Mountain weather changes fast; carry a warm layer and rain protection even on blue-sky mornings, and check the forecast locally each day.

Zermatt pairs the Alps’ most iconic peak with one of its most likeable villages: ride up early, walk the high trails, and dine beneath the north face.