The
Matterhorn

The peak of the Matterhorn is just over 14,700 feet above sea level. Needless to say, if you have not climbed mountains before, this is not a good one to start on. Even if you are appropriately experienced and in top physical shape, it is still advisable to hire a local guide. Conditions on the mountain change rapidly, and it is always good to have backup.

We do not recommend nor encourage anyone to try this potentially dangerous climb. However, if you have previously decided to do it, you might phone the Mountainguide Office in Zermatt at 028 67 34 56 to find out more about
booking a guide.

For the rest of us (me included, although I climbed Half Dome in Yosemite quite a few years ago) there are 6 gentle hiking trails open year round in the village and forest, a couple of mid-alpine walks open usually from June through October, and the 5 mountain walks from about July though September.

Better still, let's take a cable car to the top of Klein Matterhorn, from the southern end of Zermatt village at the foot of the Matterhorn. Going to 12,700 feet, this is the highest lift in Europe, so pick a day with good weather.
This is high altitude, which can be dangerous to some people - check with your doctor before ascending to 5,000 feet or more above sea level.

The Klein Matterhorn cars are not heated, but the views make it worthwhile. Ask if the Gipfel-lift is open on the day you plan go. This small elevetor, located in the middle left of the Klein Matterhorn tunnel (which most people never notice as they walk by it) takes you to the summit of Klein Matterhorn. From there you can see 40 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet high. On a clear day you can see the Maritime Alps by the Mediterranean.

Once you are back in the tunnel, walk outside and look for the signs to the Gletschergrotto, or Glacier Grotto, carved out of blue glacial ice. The tunnels, rooms and fantasy ice sculptures make it a winter wonderland.
And it's free, at least as of this writing.

There is also the heated Gornergratban (Mountain Train) that can take you to the peak of Gornergrat, which is quite a fun 45-minute ride each way. There is a hotel at the summit, with its own observatory and, of course, restaurant.
Which reminds me that there is nothing but a little snack bar and toiletes at the top of Klein Matterhorn, although there is a sort of little restaurant mid-way at the Trockener Steg station. Finally, there is the cable car to Rothorn, which provides a unique, symmetrical view of the Matterorn and is less expensive than the other mountains. I'm told that the dawn breakfasts at the restaurant there provides a fine sunrise view of the Matterhorn.

Zermatt

This leads to a charming atmosphere of comaradarie between both tourists and locals, something that has become more and more rare to find anywhere in the
world today.

You can walk down the middle of the street, find a friendly establishment, and dance the night away among like-minded souls. There is only one requirement... a healthy appreciation of the natural spectacle that occurs 24/7, all around you, in the Swiss Alps.

Well, that's really not quite true. Zermatt, like much of Switzerland, can be quite expensive. And the better hotels can require a 7-night minimum stay. Still, there are some reasonable and quite excellent little restaurants with menus and prices, usually also in English, posted outside. Even better, there are traditional restaurants in what look like mountain huts, which have very much better prices for hearty fare that will get you ready for your morning adventures in Switzerland.

That's all of Winter Switzerland for now. To see Summer Switzerland,
Click Here and take a look at Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, Zurich and Bern.

And here is a link to Rail Europe, the parent company of E-Vacations.
They own most of the trains in Europe.
If you just need rail transportation in Europe, this is your prime source.

Travel Europe the way Europeans do.

Visit our Europe Travel webstore featuring Love To Travel gear for
your Switzerland Vacation, and while you are on the net, check out
these other fine Europe websites
VacationInEurope.com    AirfaresToEurope.com    Euro-Rail.org    Europe-Train.org    Eurostar-TGV.com    TravelEurope.biz   

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