Schwarzsee - "Black Lake"

Schwarzsee (literally "Black Lake") located below Matterhorn at an elevation of 2,552 m. The chapel at the end of this lake was dedicated to Mary of the Snows borders the lake (Kapelle "Maria zum Schnee").

Matterhorn

The Matterhorn 4,478 metres (14,692 ft) high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, indicate the four compass points. The mountain overlooks the town of Zermatt.

Old houses in Zermatt

With a population of 5,800 inhabitants (2010), Zermatt has retained the feel of an idyllic, quiet mountain village.

Zermatt's popularity

Despite Zermatt's popularity, despite it's growth - more than 13000 visitors' beds - it is still only a village, open and friendly, where people mix happily in the main street, mercifully free of cars. There are bars, restaurants and night-spots to suit every taste and pocket.

The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn was the last great Alpine peak to be conquered and its first ascent marked the end of the Golden age of alpinism. It was made in 1865 by an expedition led by Edward Whymper and ended tragically when most of its members fell to their deaths on the descent. The north face was not climbed until 1931.

The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn

Matterhorn is the most photographed mountain in the world.

The Matterhorn

Dirt Scooters down from Schwarzsee (elevation of 2583 m). Cool!

The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn is one of the deadliest peaks in the Alps: from 1865 – when it was first climbed – to 1995, 500 alpinists died on it. The Matterhorn became an iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps and the Alps in general. Since the end of the nineteenth century, when railways were built, it attracted more and more visitors and climbers.

The Hörnli Hut at Matterhorn

The Hörnli Hut is a mountain hut located at the foot of the north-eastern ridge (Hörnli Ridge) of the Matterhorn. It is situated at 3,260 metres and was built by the Swiss Alpine Club in 1880. It is used to climb the Matterhorn. The Solvay Hut lies also higher on the same ridge, but can be only used in case of emergency.

Gornergrat train - 3089m

This is the last stop of the Gornergrat train, opened in 1898, which climbs almost 1500m. At the terminus (3,089 m above sea level) on the south-western tip of the ridge is a hotel.

Gorner Glacier

The Gornergrat is a ridge overlooking the Gorner Glacier to the south. It can be reached by the Gornergratbahn rack railway from Zermatt. The towers of the Kulm hotel at 3,089 m hosts the Kölner Observatorium. It offers a view of more than 20 four thousand meters peaks.

Car-free city

If you've never experienced a car-free city Zermatt could be a bit of a surprise: You can sit on the hotel balcony and listen to dozens of varieties of songbirds while watching the sun set on one of the most striking mountains in the western world.

Vispa

The river Vispa runs right through town.

No big hotels

Zermatt allows no big hotels, or chain stores, which is just one of the many reasons to fall in love with Zermatt at first sight.

Electric cars and horses

The air in Zermatt is clear, dry and clean, because, since 1947, only electric cars without a combustion engine are allowed to operate in the village.

Vispa

The river Vispa runs right through town.

Forest fun park

If you like to try something else after a nice walk in the Matterhorn valley, more excitement, just a feeling of fear in total security... then visit this park!

400 km of hiking trails

With more than 400 km of marked hiking and walking trails, Zermatt offer a wide range of options to hiking fans. The mountain railways make it possible to effortlessly reach altitudes up to 3,000 metres above sea level.

Zermatt

Dominated by the unmistakable peak of the Matterhorn, at 4478m, Zermatt is encircled by a famous ring of mountains over 4000m high. The names of Dent Blanche (4356m), Weisshorn (4505m), Dom (4545m), Gabelhorn (4062m), Zinal-Rothorn (4221m), and Monte Rosa (4634m) continue to attract mountain lovers to the heart of one of the world's most magnificent alpine areas.

Overview Zermatt

Schwarzsee - Kapelle "Maria zum Schnee"

Schwarzsee (literally "Black Lake") located below Matterhorn at an elevation of 2,552 m. The chapel at the end of this lake was dedicated to Mary of the Snows borders the lake (Kapelle "Maria zum Schnee").

Zermatt

Ski area at Klein Matterhorn 3883m

The Klein Matterhorn (marketed as the "Matterhorn Glacier Paradise") is the highest point in the Zermatt-Cervinia ski area in Switzerland, and the end point of the highest cable car in Europe. The peak is at 3,883 metres.

The Breithorn 4164 m

The Breithorn (4164 m) is considered the most easily climbed 4,000 m Alpine peak. This is due to the Klein Matterhorn cable car which takes climbers to over 3,820 m for a starting point. The standard route continues over a glacial plateau before climbing to the summit on a 35 degree snow slope.