Zermatt, Switzerland, reminds me of a combination of Whistler, Canada, and Rohtang Pass. The panoramic views of the Alps, combined with the easy access to world renowned trails for recreational sport, make Zermatt, Switzerland a biker hiker, skiing paradise for tourists from around the globe. And by biker, I mean bicycles, because no gas engines are allowed in the town, nor are any private cars. The taxis and delivery vehicles are all-electric, and residents get around by walking, bicycling, cable car, or train. It leaves the air smelling about as pure as you can find anywhere on the planet.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Getting to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise was expensive, but it was worth every penny. It sits at 12,739 feet, and the view will leave you breathless. It’s about a 45-minute cable car ride to the top. As you enjoy the relative comfort of your cable car, you look down on glaciers, green meadows with pretty wildflowers scattered about, pristine waterfalls, and lots of people hiking and biking the trails. At the top, there is an ice palace full of ice caves and ice sculptures, a restaurant, a café, and a panoramic viewpoint that leaves you breathless in wonder!
Gornergrat
To get to Gornergrat, you must take about a half-hour train ride through the mountains, passing over a beautiful bridge next to a spectacular waterfall. Again, it’s expensive to get there. In fact, all of Zermatt is expensive. A fancy cocktail or simple sandwich will cost you over $30, but it’s the price you must pay for such a remarkable experience. At 3,089 meters, Gornergrat is slightly lower than Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, but the view is even better. I cried tears of joy as I sat on a rock on the edge of a steep valley overlooking the Apls covered in fresh snow. There is also a restaurant at Gornergrat where you can enjoy the view while sitting outside and enjoying a hot beverage and delicious Swiss cuisine.
5 Lake Trail
There are so many gorgeous trails for trekking and biking in Zermatt that you could spend months hiking there. There is a good variety of trails, from routes that require special mountaineering equipment to easy ones where you could push a baby stroller. One of the more popular trails is the 5 Lake Trail. It took me about three and a half hours to complete, but I stopped for lunch at a café. Zermatt is the only place I’ve ever trekked to where authentic restaurants (not little tent dhabas like in India) often await you at the top. The trail wasn’t too tricky, and there were some great photo opportunities along the way.
The town
Zermatt is an adorable little town with an elevation of about 1600 meters that caters to tourists worldwide. In the winter, it is a ski town (although there is still some skiing even in summer), and people enjoy hiking and biking in the summer. Restaurants, bars, and sporting equipment stores are nestled together on either side of the river, and just about every place has a gorgeous view of the mountains. I even found some lively nightlife at a bar called Gees, where there was live music until midnight and dancing until 3:00 AM. The crowd was fun, so I stayed until closing, dancing the night away.
Zermatt should be on all travelers’ bucket lists, especially if you enjoy the great outdoors. From the clean mountain air, quaint shops and cafes, and some of the best mountain biking and trails in the world, it will exceed your expectations. One thing is for sure. It’s a place I’ll never forget!