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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.
 

Book with confidence

We are accepting bookings for our holidays to Switzerland. Our flexible booking arrangements, commitment to safety and financial protection mean that you can book with confidence.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Check the destination entry requirements >
 
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.
Currency converter

We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.

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  • 3 nights: 13 June 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 11 June 2022 - 09 October 2022

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

    Starting Price Single room
    13 Jun - 14 Aug 2021 £635 £95
    15 - 31 Aug 2021 £620 £95
    1 Sep - 8 Oct 2021 £595 £95
    11 Jun - 14 Aug 2022 £670 £100
    15 - 31 Aug 2022 £645 £100
    1 Sep - 6 Oct 2022 £625 £100
    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: 27 Jun - 11 Oct 2021 £15
    'Comfort' with balcony & Matterhorn view: 11 Jun - 09 Oct 2022 £16
    Superior with balcony & Matterhorn view: 27 Jun - 11 Oct 2021 £25
    Superior with balcony & Matterhorn view: 11 Jun - 09 Oct 2022 £28

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

    Hotel la Ginabelle, Zermatt (B&B) Double room Single room
    13 Jun - 11 Oct 2021 £128 £154
    11 Jun - 09 Oct 2022 £135 £163
  • 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 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Basel easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva easyJet 
    Bristol - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Basel easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Geneva easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Geneva easyJet 
    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 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 except those operated by Ryanair. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service (£60 for India and Nepal). 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.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Zürich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Zürich airport to Zermatt (3h40), hotel transfer from station (0h02) included 1400
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Zürich airport (3h40) included 1400

    Connecting travel options - flying via Geneva

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

    Connecting travel options - flying via Basel

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    coach Basel airport to Basel SBB (0h20), rail Basel SBB to Zermatt (3h20), hotel transfer from station (0h02) included 1330
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Basel SBB (3h20), coach Basel SBB to Basel airport (0h20) included 1430
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 6 reviews
  • Merlin, Llantrisant
    12 September 2019

    We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday - Zermatt is eye-wateringly expensive from a UK perpective, but eating in the hotel restaurant turned out to be excellent value relative to Zermatt prices, and  generous 'seconds', superb quality food and excellent friendly service. Breakfast starting at 07.00 is great for a leisurely breakfast without compromising a timely start to the day's walk.

    Also, a walk up the Wisshorn is well worth it - probably the best all round view of the trip - and that's saying something. Walking up to the Hornlihutte at the bottom of the Matterhorn is also a good walk (grade 3) with great views, especially if you avoid the possible crowd on the decking at the front of the hut (n.b. hut was closed, so glad we had our own coffee) by going around the back and up into the rocks above - great views down both sides of the ridge from here and straight up the next nearly 4,000 feet (!) of the Matterhorn. The 'airy' morraine ridge on the lakes walk also highly recommended. 

    Zermatt itself is very 'tourist', but it's so easy to get out into superb walkng country - and 'tourist' has the advantage of easy access to anything you might need (n.b. the Denner supermarket just down from the station is open 08.00-20.00 7 days a week, very handy for lunch supplies etc. - there's also a Coop in the shopping complex opposite the station). La Ginabelle is a lovely hotel with ready access to the station, gondolas etc. They are having a large extension built on the east side, but we barely noticed.

  • Mrs M Meiklejohn
    Edinburgh
    16 June 2019

    This was our first visit to Zermatt which genuinely does sit in the shadow of the Matterhorn. The mountain is mesmerising from valley level, and still impressive when seen amongst its peers from the vantage points of Gornergrat and the Klein Matterhorn.

    The Gornergrat railway was wonderful. We travelled to the top for spectacular views before descending to Riffelalp to start the Lakes walk. 

    We really enjoyed our meal at 1818 restaurant. Please note that it too is closed on Mondays although your notes do not say so [now updated]

  • Mr P Gibbins
    Plymouth
    16 June 2019

    Def recommend this location for a short walking break! Plenty of routes and options to shorten distance if needed. This was our second visit to Switzerland, so familiar with the efficient sign posting and estimated times to complete the stated distance. Zermatt is very picturesque, but busy with many visitors. It's also expensive, so plan for a little extra on expenses for Coffee and Lunches! A visit to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a must, get on the first lift up to avoid the queues; a very pleasant way to spend a morning.

  • Miss L Osterkloft
    Malta
    06 September 2018

    The hotel was in a very central location and the amenities were great, especially the pool area. It was a great place to relax after spending the day in the mountians. The hiking routes were absolutely stunning, great views and well waymarked. I only used the route walking notes and the waymarked signs, there was not really a need for navigating using the map. For me the biggest highlight was the glacier trail beneath the Matterhorn. Walking so close to the mighty mountain really took my breath away. 

  • Anon
    02 September 2018

    The chosen walks were fantastic as were the suggested alternatives. Suggestions for places to eat were all great. We were particularly impressed with with the information provided. 

  • Ms L Tilson
    USA
    01 September 2018

    The Hohblamen - Zermatt walk (21.8km) was the absolute highlight of the trip.  It was amazing.  It was long, and tough in parts, but totally worth it.  The other walks were nice, but this one was amazing.  I wish the walk notes had been a bit more detailed in spots, as we got lost and backtracked quite a few times on the Lakes walk.  But overall we had a great time and Switzerland is beyond beautiful.  I highly recommend this vacation.
 

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.
  • If your holiday plans go awry because of Coronavirus, rest assured that we’ll do right by you. Since the start of the pandemic, our flexible booking policy and prompt issuing of refunds to customers who prefer not to defer their holiday have earned us high praise in the national press.
  • We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – walking holidays are ideal in these times of social distancing, and we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety, not least taking tests before and after your holiday for many destinations.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
    Entry requirements for non-UK destinations & for re-entering the UK >
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, 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 (but not, currently, with Ryanair). 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. For Europe, there’s a £35 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £60 per person. 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 cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out our recommended travel insurance policy (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), 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.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • 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. 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). UK citizens can no longer use their EHIC in Switzerland, and nor is the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) valid in Switzerland. It is therefore important that, if you already have travel insurance in place, the terms do not exclude medical cover, especially for existing conditions, in the absence of an EHIC.
  • 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.

    At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.
  • 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.
Last fetch time is : 7/26/2021 6:53:39 AM