A weekend in Zermatt: Matterhorn, marmots and glacier

Where can you go in Switzerland for a weekend combining nature, adventure and gastronomy? Zermatt, of course!

This was the second time we’d been to Zermatt. The first time was in winter, this time it was summer. And unsurprisingly, the charm was still there as soon as we arrived. Indeed, this picturesque town lies at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, one of Switzerland’s most emblematic mountains.

So in this article, we’d like you to discover what to do in Zermatt for a weekend. And at the end of the article you’ll find Kiki’s opinion.

Where is Zermatt?

Zermatt, population 5,420, is located in southern Switzerland, in the canton of Valais.

Zermattt is around 210 km from Zurich, 230 km from Geneva and 170 km from Lausanne.

How do I get to Zermatt?

To get to Zermatt, we took the train, specifically the Glacier Express from Choir to Zermatt. It’s always a great experience to travel by train in Switzerland! You’re sure to arrive on time, and the trains are clean!

Zermatt is an entirely pedestrianized, car-free town, accessible only by train or on foot. To get there, you need to take a train to Täsch, a village about 5 km from Zermatt. You can leave your car in one of the huge parking lots in Täsch. The train journey from Täsch to Zermatt takes about 12 minutes.

For the record, if you’re having trouble getting around or have a heavy load, you can take cabs in Zermatt. Several hotels also have their own shuttles.

Visiting Zermatt

Once you’ve arrived in Zermatt, we recommend a stroll through the town. There are plenty of stores for sports enthusiasts, tourists and gourmets.

What’s more, when we were there in August, we were able to attend open-air concerts in the evening. It was really enjoyable. What’s more, we were also able to see a parade of traditional costumes from the canton of Valais.

Goats were also seen crossing the town, a Zermatt tradition.

Hinterdorf

Hinterdorf is one of Zermatt’s oldest and most picturesque districts. It is located in the historic part of the village. You’ll see traditional wooden houses dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. They are built of larch, often on stone foundations, with lauze roofs. They are typical of Valais architecture.

We really recommend getting lost in the narrow streets of Hinterdorf in Zermatt. It’s picturesque, and the charm of Swiss chalets is immediately apparent.

The marmot trail

There are plenty of hikes to be had around Zermatt. We chose the Marmot Trail. As the name suggests, this hike allows you to observe marmots in their natural habitat while enjoying spectacular alpine scenery. In theory, that is!

Where is the marmot trailhead?

To reach the Marmot Trail, take the Zermatt funicular to Sunnegga and then the cable car to Blauherd. Then follow the Murmelweg sign.

We started the hike at Blauherd and descended to Sunnegga. The 3.8 km hike takes 1 hr 10 min. If you do it in the opposite direction, it’s a 1.30-hour climb. We recommend this hike in the Blauherd-Sunnegga direction, so you always have the Matterhorn in front of you. Believe us, you’ll never tire of the view!

Beware: at the start, the path is quite rough and descends well. So bring good shoes. And if you’re not comfortable on stony paths, be really careful. It would be a shame to lose an ankle, even if the scenery is magnificent.

Watching marmots…or not

The Marmot Trail passes through alpine meadows where marmots like to hide and play. For us, they were really hiding! We could see one in the distance, but that was all. However, we could hear them, which is why it was so frustrating not to see them!

Along the way, you’ll find information panels on marmots, their habitat, habits and behavior. Did you know why marmots whistle? To signal danger!

Riffelsee lake

After the marmots, we wanted to go to the Riffelsee to see the Matterhorn reflected there. To do this, we took the cogwheel train from the Gornergrat Bahn station in the center of Zermatt. This is the same train that takes you to the top of Gornergrat, offering spectacular views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding Alps. We invite you to read our article on our excursion to the Gornergrat on our first stay in Zermatt.

To get to Riffelsee, you have to descend to Rotenboden, a resort at an altitude of around 2,815 meters. Then follow the signposted path to Riffelsee (or follow the tourists). The walk is short, easy and takes about 10 minutes.

This lake is famous for its perfect reflections of the Matterhorn on a clear day, creating a landscape worthy of the most beautiful postcards.

We didn’t get the perfect photo. But we did have a wonderful time listening to a horn player. We applauded him at the end of each sound. Then, rather than retrace our steps to catch the train back to Rotenboden, we continued the hike to the next station, Rifferlberg.

It’s a 20-minute walk in a heavenly setting.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

For a breathtaking experience, you can go to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest ski area accessible by cable car. At an altitude of 3,883 meters, it offers 360° panoramic views of 38 Alpine peaks, including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

In addition to breathtaking views, you can explore the Ice Palace, a cave carved into the glacier. For more details on this magical excursion, we invite you to read our article on our experience at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Where to eat in Zermatt

It’s impossible to go to Zermatt and not eat some unmissable Swiss specialities. So we went to the Say Cheese restaurant. We recommend the fondue!

The entrance to the restaurant is not easy to find, as it’s in the basement, but we recommend it! It’s located right in the center of Zermatt.

Where to stay in Zermatt?

We stayed at the Hotel Tannenhof. It’s located in the center of Zermatt, but not on the main street. As a result, it’s very quiet. What’s more, breakfast is good and the bed is very comfortable. Last but not least, the view of the Valais chalets is incredible!

In short, we recommend booking this hotel for a wonderful weekend in Zermatt.

Kiki’s opinion

Kiki has to say something here: the Matterhorn isn’t just any mountain – it’s THE most famous mountain in the world! At least, when it comes to its instantly recognizable silhouette. Could you, for example, recognize Mount Everest or Mont Blanc? Exactly !

This makes Zermatt the ideal place to discover the Matterhorn. If you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll find yourself stopping again and again to admire and photograph the mountain. Face it, Kiki and Sophie didn’t have it any other way. And if you need a break from this unique mountain panorama (unlikely, but who knows), buy new hiking boots for 250 francs, as Kiki did. It was the best shoe purchase of his life! On the hike up and down the mountain that followed, he didn’t slip once. Quite the contrary: he even had to hold Sophie’s hand as she tried to master the steep passages, her knees trembling.

Ah, and the marmots! Kiki had already seen a few of these fluffy little creatures in the wild during his life, and was naturally full of excitement on the marmot trail. Whistling was omnipresent – but where were the marmots? As you read in the article, disappointment was the order of the day. Sophie may not have been able to admire the marmots up close, but at least she still has Kiki, her faithful traveling companion, close to her. And she can even give him a hug if she wants.