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Zermatt & the Mighty Matterhorn

In the shadow of 4,000-metre peaks
 
Explore the beautiful landscapes that lie beneath the iconic Matterhorn on this self-guided, single-centre walking holiday. Staying in the traffic-free village of Zermatt, in an elegant and traditional hotel, you have access to a wide range of walks as well as a useful network of mountain lifts.
Zermatt & the Mighty Matterhorn. 3 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Zermatt & the Mighty Matterhorn. 3 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in Zermatt

Situated in the south of Switzerland, close to the Italian border, the name Zermatt is synonymous with the Matterhorn. Walkers and mountaineers have long been drawn to the village, eager to tackle the mountains which surround it and whilst our chosen routes are a little less extreme, they will give you memorable views in all directions. This is perfect walking country, where waymarked paths lead past lakes, across meadows and into rockier landscapes high above.
Zermatt is one of the iconic Alpine villages and is delightfully traffic-free. The railway line reaches the heart of the village, from where villagers and tourists travel about by electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages, preserving the peace and clarity of the mountain air. Upwards from the village is an extensive network of mountain transport; the famous Gornergrat cog railway takes you to 3,089 metres for a superb panorama of 29 peaks over 4,000 metres including the mighty Matterhorn whilst the various cable cars which operate during the summer months give access to some fantastic high-altitude walking routes. Away from the hiking trails there is also a vast range of indoor and outdoor activities or you may prefer to stroll around the peaceful village centre, where the Matterhorn Museum gives an interesting insight into the infamous mountaineering history of the village and surrounding peaks.
 
Gallery
 

Walking & more

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is late June and early July.
     
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 1 2 5 9 14 17 20 19 15 11 5 1
    mm 131 117 125 135 150 168 151 173 140 129 143 133
  • An introduction
    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 level trails and can help to shorten some of our routes should you wish.
  • 6.5km to 20km

    Blatten (grade 1): 6.5km, 2.5hrs; 230m 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.

    Lakes walk (grade 2): 15.5km, 5hrs; 495m ascent/1070m 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.

    Matterhorn Glacier Trail (grade 2): 15km, 5hrs; 270m ascent/1560m descent
    The glaciers which sweep down from the border with Italy appear tantalisingly close on this high-level route. After a gondola ride to Trockener Steg at nearly 3,000 metres, you cross a stark landscape dotted with glacial lakes and dominated by the classic Matterhorn east-face view, which looms ever larger as you come within one kilometre of this iconic mountain. Your could descend from Schwarzsee ('Black Lake') to Zermatt by gondola (deduct 5km), but to do so would be to miss out on the beautiful larch forest and hamlets of the lower slopes.

    Höhbalmen & Zmutt (grade 3): 20km, 7.5hrs; 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.

    Zermatt town trail
    We also provide notes for a walking tour of Zermatt, taking in all the key sights – the old village, historic hotels and churches – as well as several hidden corners and locally popular bars and restaurants.
    Views from the Blatten circuit
    Explore the lakes to the east of Zermatt
    Blatten (grade 1): 6.5km
    Lakes walk (grade 2): 15.5km
    Glacier trail (grade 2): 15km
    Höhbalmen and Zmutt (grade 3): 20km
 

Accommodation

Your accommodation for this break is an elegant and charming hotel situated a few minutes' walk from centre of Zermatt.
Hotel la Ginabelle

Bedrooms

 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 3 nights: 15 June 2024 - 13 October 2024

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

    Starting Price Single room
    15 Jun - 14 Aug 2024 £825 £121
    15 - 31 Aug 2024 £795 £121
    1 Sep - 10 Oct 2024 £770 £121
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Included travel: return rail/bus from any Swiss airport. A Swiss Half-Fare Card is also included, providing you with half-price tickets for trains, bus and boat journeys and up to 50% reduction on private railways and cable cars.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel la Ginabelle, Zermatt
    'Comfort' with balcony & Matterhorn view: 15 Jun - 13 Oct 2024 £20
    Superior with balcony & Matterhorn view: 15 Jun - 13 Oct 2024 £35

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel la Ginabelle, Zermatt (B&B) Double room Single room
    15 Jun - 13 Oct 2024 £165 £200
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Zürich, Geneva or Basel
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Zurich Swiss 
    Birmingham - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Basel easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Bristol - Zurich Swiss 
    Bristol - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Basel easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Geneva easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Geneva easyJet 
    Glasgow - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Basel (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    London City - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Basel easyJet 
    Gatwick - Geneva British Airways,  easyJet,  Swiss 
    Gatwick - Zurich easyJet,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Basel British Airways 
    Heathrow - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    Heathrow - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Basel easyJet 
    Luton - Geneva easyJet 
    Luton - Zurich easyJet,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Basel easyJet 
    Manchester - Geneva easyJet 
    Manchester - Zurich Lufthansa,  Swiss 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Geneva easyJet 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Paris CDG) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Basel

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    bus Basel airport to Basel SBB (0h20), rail Basel SBB to Zermatt (3h20), transfer Zermatt station to hotel (0h02) included 1330
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    transfer hotel to Zermatt station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Basel SBB (3h20), bus Basel SBB to Basel airport (0h20) included 1430

    Connecting travel options - flying via Geneva

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Geneva airport to Zermatt (3h55), transfer Zermatt station to hotel (0h02) included 1430
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    transfer hotel to Zermatt station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Geneva airport (3h55) included 1330

    Connecting travel options - flying via Zürich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Zürich airport to Zermatt (3h40), transfer Zermatt station to hotel (0h02) included 1400
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    transfer hotel to Zermatt station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Zürich airport (3h40) included 1400
What is included
  • 3 nights
  • 1 dinner
    3 breakfasts
  • route notes and maps
  • return rail travel from any Swiss airport
 
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 >

All 12 reviews
  • Mr RLA Smith
    USA
    17 September 2023

    An ideal holiday that provides excellent accommodations & hiking along with Zermat’s great vibe, good restaurants & shopping.  

  • Hamilton
    06 September 2023

    Absolutely loved Zermatt! Hamilton took advantage of paragliding with "Fly Zermatt" (www.flyzermatt.com) - an experience I shall savor in memory and never forget! (At my age, better than sex - it lasts longer!) 

  • J&A Ganter
    24 August 2023

    The quality of the holiday was exceptional; from the walking descriptions/instructions, transportation, luggage transfer, and quality of hotels/meals.  We really enjoyed the routes and scenery of the selected walks from town to town.  Inntravel made things very easy and we will be using them again for future trips!

  • Anonymous
    10 August 2023

    The hotel service needed attention but the meals, and most particularly the breakfast were SECOND TO NONE. The trip arrangements and details were faultless, but I would just have included the option to look up additional walks via the website I have sent to you. I loved the Swiss Rail half fare pass which was so useful given that the various rides up the mountain are very expensive! Thank you, I will be booking with you again.

  • Jill Badger
    24 July 2023

    The highlight of this holiday has to be the fabulous mountain scenery, particularly the proximity to the Matterhorn. Admittedly we had superb weather; we could have left our waterproofs at home! The flowers were still in abundance in late July, particularly at altitude in the Trift valley. Marmots were also a joy; whistles and sightings most days. We particularly enjoyed having the south facing balcony; well worth the extra cost. The downside of Zermatt (and perhaps Switzerland in general) is the enormous cost of everything. The most basic 300mm takeaway pizza cost £22 and an individual vegan pie from the co-op was £15. Tea & cake for two at a mountain hut was £33. Good to know before you go!

  • Mrs M Harbot
    Birmingham
    12 July 2023

    I write a travel blog - a review of the trip is on this link:https://www.lovetowander.co.uk/blog/zermatt

     

     

  • Anon
    23 June 2023

    We really appreciated the thought that went into the choice of routes and choice of hotels by the team at Inntravel, saving us a lot of time and effort and giving us a varied trip full of beauty & variety. We would highly recommend making the most of the beautiful locations and allowing extra days at Kandersteg, Adelboden and Lauenen to either do all the recommended walking options, or to have a rest day and/or to allow for the vagaries of the weather! We have done other walking and through trips in Europe and these 2 trips (both Zermatt and the Mighty Matterhorn and The Bernese Oberland walking holidays) were superbly put together and gave us a holiday that we will never forget . We would happily book with Inntravel again!

  • Mrs A Farnhill-Kennedy
    Keighley
    07 September 2022

    We loved our trip to Zermatt which more than met our expectations. The hotels facilities and location are perfect and we would definitely return....thankyou!

  • Sarah & Isaac
    30 August 2022

    A well curated set of walks in fine mountain scenery, based at a cosy and friendly hotel (with an amazing swimming pool and tasty food).  Everything ran as smoothly as the Swiss railways themselves!  As I was travelling with my young son, the background support from Inntravel was extremely reassuring.

  • Rob G Stoke
    24 August 2022

    Glacier Trail walk very good, luckily had favourable weather. (As stated, avoid in poor conditions)

  • Anon
    21 July 2022

    Hotels at Adelboden and Lauenen were just fantastic. The walk to Oeschinensee, and resulting view of the lake surrounded by the mountains was awe inspiring and hard to beat. The Bernese Oberland Option allowed us to experience the rich variety of the Alpine countryside, combining intimidating mountains with rolling hills - we loved the walking experience and number of changes in landscape each day. Zermatt itself felt like a means to an end, much more busy and touristy, but the Matterhorn experience was more than worth it!!

  • Mrs S Winkworth
    Bristol
    03 July 2022

    We were glad we extended our trip to Zermatt to 5 nights as there was plenty to do and some good walks.  The hotel was well placed for the quieter part of town and the spa facilities were wonderful.  We ate in a different resturant in the town every night which was fun.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Switzerland, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official languages are German, spoken in the majority of the country; French, spoken in the south-west; Italian, spoken in the south-east; and Romansch, mostly limited to the Engadine valley. The currency is the Franc. Swiss time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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