Iconic Zermatt

Enviably located within touching distance of one of the world’s most recognisable mountains – the magnificent, pyramidal Matterhorn – Zermatt ranks high among Switzerland’s most scenic destinations; its beauty enhanced by the clarity of its fresh Alpine air, preserved by the electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages that have taken the place of motor vehicles in the town. It is also perfect walking country, with hundreds of kilometres of waymarked paths leading past lakes, across meadows and into rockier landscapes high above.

Take your pick of these, or enjoy a ride on the spectacular Gornergrat cog railway, which offers spectacular panoramic views as it climbs through beautiful pine and larch forests to reach the summit of the Gornergrat at over 3,000 metres above sea level.

Day 7

Kandersteg to Zermatt: 2.5hrs by train

Kandersteg to Zermatt: 2.5hrs by train

Today begins with a transfer by rail from Kandersteg to Zermatt, where you stay in the elegant Hotel La Ginabelle.

You may wish to spend your first afternoon in Zermatt enjoying the hotel facilities, exploring the Matterhorn Museum – which gives an interesting insight into the village’s infamous mountaineering history – or taking a trip on the iconic Gornergrat cog railway for wonderful, far-reaching views. If you do decide to stretch your legs, we provide notes for a short circular walk (see days 8-9: Blatten circuit).
Days 8-9

Choice of walks from Zermatt: 7.5km to 22km

Choice of walks from Zermatt: 7.5km to 22km

With over 400 kilometres of waymarked paths around Zermatt, there is walking suitable for all levels. The network of cable cars (pay locally) gives access to some of the higher trails and can help to shorten some of our routes should you wish.

Riffelalp, Blauherd & the lakes (grade 2): 16.5km, 5hrs; 575m ascent/1150m descent
After a ride on the iconic Gornergrat cog railway up to Riffelalp, you explore the lakes to the east of Zermatt below the Findel glacier. Be sure to bring your camera; on a clear day the pyramidal form of the Matterhorn is perfectly reflected in the glassy waters of Stellisee. The descent back to town takes you through ancient hamlets and forest, and passes some of the region's finest mountain restaurants. There is the option of taking the lift from Sunnegga to reduce the descent.

The Matterhorn Glacier Trail (grade 2): 17.5km, 5hrs; 370m ascent/1700m descent
At nearly 3,000 metres, the Trockener Steg lift station to the south of Zermatt is the starting point of the Matterhorn glacier trail, which takes its name from the glaciers which sweep down from the Italian border. Following this, you head through the rocky moonscape beneath the Matterhorn's impressive east face (passing close enough to the mountain to see climbers coming down from the summit) before descending to Schwarzsee ('Black Lake'). You could descend from here by gondola, but to do so would be to miss out on the beautiful larch forest and hamlets of the lower slopes.

Höhbalmen & Zmutt (grade 3): 22km, 7hrs; 1300m ascent/descent
This rewarding walk climbs north-west of Zermatt – away from the pistes – and follows a high, remote trail with exceptional views of the north face of the Matterhorn. It descends back to Zermatt along the Zmutt River, passing through ancient hamlets. This is a long day, with no option of using lifts to reduce the ascent or descent, but there is an excellent mountain restaurant along the way where you can refuel.

Blatten circuit (grade 1): 7.5km/2hrs; 280m ascent/descent
This low-level, circular walk from the south end of Zermatt up to the traditional hamlet of Blatten (complete with a highly rated restaurant) is perfect for a relaxed day or in low cloud. Discover historic buildings amid lush pastures, with the option of a short detour into the Gorner Gorge.

Accommodation

For your stay in Zermatt, we have chosen an elegant and charming 4-star hotel.

Hotel la Ginabelle

As befits its romantic location in the atmospheric, traffic-free village of Zermatt at the foot of the impressive Matterhorn, La Ginabelle is elegant and full of charm, with carved wood-panelled ceilings and delicate hand-painted motifs, all in true Swiss style. The spacious bedrooms are all beautifully decorated and have a bath and a balcony. The hotel also has a good-sized spa – complete with whirlpools, sauna and an indoor/outdoor pool – and a garden.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Facilities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
- Terrace
- Indoor/outdoor pool
- Spa with sauna and whirlpools
- Wi-fi
- Lift

Prices

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.

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Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Add-on price

3 nights: 29 June 2019 - 08 October 2019

Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
29 Jun - 5 Oct 2019	£455	£68
3rd & 4th person discount	£0
Single traveller supplement	£0

£ per person based on 2 sharing. Includes accommodation, meals and travel to the hotel as described.

Prices may be different if you are not arranging your transfers for your main holiday through Inntravel or have your own car; please contact us for a quotation.

Room upgrades and additional nights

Room upgrades (£ per person per room)

Hotel la Ginabelle, Zermatt
'Comfort' with Matterhorn view: 29 Jun - 08 Oct 2019	£14
Superior with Matterhorn view: 29 Jun - 08 Oct 2019	£22

Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

Anon

15 July 2019

Thanks to fabulous weather every day we enjoyed wonderful views. The routes and walk notes were excellent and we enjoyed some great walking. We particularly enjoyed the Eiger Trail and the walk to Murren. Also the lakes walk in Zermatt. On our last day, we walked up to Schwarzsee which was a lovely walk and took the lift down. We felt we got good use out of the half-fare card and that was a real bonus.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers booked our walking holiday The High Route with our add-on in Zermatt
Mr J Madgwick

Chipping Campden

28 July 2018

The High Route (bernese Oberland) is a fabulous experience for those with a taste for mountains, glaciers and the highest peaks that Europe offers. The walking is challenging but totally rewarding with scenes that you could only imagine. The geology and geography that is revealed at every turn is a delight and makes you remember all those lessons at school about glaciated valleys. The extension to Zermatt is a must and the mighty Matterhorn absolutely stunning. A true adventure for those who like to challenge themselves everyday and then relax in the superb hotels that Inntravel have selected.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our walk The High Route with our add-on at Hotel La Ginabelle in Zermatt
Anon

24 July 2017

Walk 3 Hohbalmen

The lower path directly to the north of the Matterhorn has recently been blocked by a landside. (just after the main switchback decent) To descend back to Zermatt you now need to walk around the large flood lagoon just to the south and take the track and path down to Zmutt. There is a lot of Edelweis growing around the Lagoon.

This was a great walk.

Inntravel
response

[This refers to one of the walks on the Zermatt extension]. Thank you for drawing this to our attention. We have been in touch with the local Tourist Board and the author of the notes; there is a diversion in place until the landslide is cleared.

Anon

15 July 2019

Thanks to fabulous weather every day we enjoyed wonderful views. The routes and walk notes were excellent and we enjoyed some great walking. We particularly enjoyed the Eiger Trail and the walk to Murren. Also the lakes walk in Zermatt. On our last day, we walked up to Schwarzsee which was a lovely walk and took the lift down. We felt we got good use out of the half-fare card and that was a real bonus.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers booked our walking holiday The High Route with our add-on in Zermatt

Mr J Madgwick

Chipping Campden

28 July 2018

The High Route (bernese Oberland) is a fabulous experience for those with a taste for mountains, glaciers and the highest peaks that Europe offers. The walking is challenging but totally rewarding with scenes that you could only imagine. The geology and geography that is revealed at every turn is a delight and makes you remember all those lessons at school about glaciated valleys. The extension to Zermatt is a must and the mighty Matterhorn absolutely stunning. A true adventure for those who like to challenge themselves everyday and then relax in the superb hotels that Inntravel have selected.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our walk The High Route with our add-on at Hotel La Ginabelle in Zermatt

24 July 2017

Walk 3 Hohbalmen

The lower path directly to the north of the Matterhorn has recently been blocked by a landside. (just after the main switchback decent) To descend back to Zermatt you now need to walk around the large flood lagoon just to the south and take the track and path down to Zmutt. There is a lot of Edelweis growing around the Lagoon.

This was a great walk.

Inntravel
response

[This refers to one of the walks on the Zermatt extension]. Thank you for drawing this to our attention. We have been in touch with the local Tourist Board and the author of the notes; there is a diversion in place until the landslide is cleared.

Zermatt

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Iconic Zermatt

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