🏔️ Panoramic Highlights & Trails
Gornergrat & Riffelsee
Before hiking down, enjoy the spectacular loop trail at the summit. Afterwards, get off at Rotenboden and hike to Riffelberg. This trail takes you right past the famous Riffelsee, where the Matterhorn beautifully reflects in the water.
Don't miss the short, fully accessible 360° Loop Gornergrat right at the summit station for panoramic views over massive glaciers and mountain peaks.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Schwarzsee
Before beginning your hike, experience the peak attractions! Afterwards, take the cable car down one station to Trockener Steg and do the impressive hike from Trockener Steg to Schwarzsee, walking directly along the base of the Matterhorn.
• Viewing Platform: Head up to the 360° panoramic platform for breathtaking views of 38 alpine giants.
• Glacier Palace: Step inside the real world of eternal ice! Walk deep into the glacier to admire stunning ice sculptures and ice tunnels.
AHV Weg (Unterer Höhenweg)
The AHV Weg is beautifully situated just slightly above the Zermatt rooftops. It is nearly flat, passes through peaceful larch forests, and provides fantastic panoramic viewpoints of the village and the Matterhorn without any strenuous climbing.
5-Lake-Hike (5-Seenweg)
Includes a fantastic culinary stop right by the lake at Mountain Hotel Grünsee. Note: Advanced table reservation is absolutely mandatory!
Riffelalp to Findeln Höhenweg (Sonnenweg)
Includes a fantastic culinary stop at Findlerhof. Note: Advanced table reservation is absolutely mandatory!
Zermatt Suspension Bridge Trail (Furi)
This path takes you across an impressive local suspension bridge floating 90 meters high above the Gorner Gorge.
🚲 Action & Culture
Mountain Biking & Dirt-Biking
Experience the unique "Touch the Glacier" track for an unforgettable adventure.
Zermatlantis Mountaineering Museum
Learn about the dramatic and gripping history of the first ascent of the Matterhorn.
☀️ Lunch on the Mountain
Findlerhof
The food, alpine atmosphere, and Matterhorn views from the terrace are spectacular. Reservation required!
Chez Vrony
Great stop during or after the 5-Lake-Hike.
Restaurant Grünsee
Offers traditional, hearty alpine cuisine and a sunny panorama terrace. Reservation required!
Restaurant Paradise Zermatt
Set with spectacular mountain backdrops. Perfect for a relaxing alpine lunch breaks.
Restaurant Alphitta
Offering excellent service, rustic food, and superb close-up terrace views of the Matterhorn.
Restaurant Zum See
Renowned for its outstanding gourmet alpine kitchen, spectacular desserts (don't miss the Cremeschnitte!), and historic chalets. Highly recommended for a memorable summer lunch stop. Reservation required!
🧀 Excellent Dinner Options (Vegetarian & Swiss Cheese Specialties)
1818 eat and drink
Combines stylish chic ambiance with a fantastic selection of modern seasonal items, including superb plant-based alternatives and grilled variations prepared beautifully with high-end regional sourcing.
Restaurant Schweizerhof (The Kitchen)
An exceptional open-kitchen concept delivering highly diverse culinary trends.
Boasts a vibrant, upscale lifestyle atmosphere with plenty of sophisticated international vegetarian creations, stone-oven specialties, and exquisite cheese selections crafted live in front of you.
Ristorante Marlo
Features an incredible premium menu with highly refined Mediterranean and alpine choices, offering fantastic vegetarian courses, delicate home-made pastas, and a luxury wine card in an elite setting.
Restaurant Le Mazot
While famous as a premium grill house, it is highly attractive for vegetarians too, featuring exceptional Swiss cheese specialties (like classic fondues and premium raclettes), rich vegetable starters, and fresh alpine salads in a cozy, authentic atmosphere.
Restaurant HORNOX (Alpine Grill)
Alongside high-end meat selections, it offers fantastic vegetarian options, sophisticated plant-based side dishes, gourmet salads, and traditional cheese plates presented with a contemporary gourmet flair.
Vegistube (Hotel Pollux)
Rustic alpine atmosphere.
Ferdinand (CERVO Resort)
A paradise for cheese lovers serving premium regional raclette and fondues in a trendy chalet setting.
saycheese! (Zermatterhof)
Truffled fondue is highly recommended.
Restaurant Schäferstube
Outstanding classic cheese fondue and authentic open wood-fire raclette.
⚠️ Crucial Preparation & Travel Tips
🍽️ Restaurant Reservations Notice
Advanced dining planning is essential in Zermatt. All mountain lunch spots and dinner restaurants must be pre-booked well ahead of time. Please note that many establishments now require a credit card guarantee to secure and finalize your reservation details.
🥾 Weather Conditions & Proper Equipment
Alpine weather shifts rapidly. Always verify the current local forecast and trail conditions before departing on any trek. Sturdy, high-quality hiking footwear with robust grip is absolutely mandatory.
Need to upgrade or purchase gear? Premium mountaineering equipment can be bought directly in the village at Matterhorn Sport:
Matterhorn Sport Shop📱 Digital Guide Companion
Download the Official Zermatt Matterhorn App
Make the trip seamless by installing the destination's primary digital companion. It is incredibly useful for navigating the region dynamically.
Key Features:
• Real-Time Updates: Live operating status of all mountain railways, cable cars, and open hiking trails.
• E-Ticketing: Purchase and manage mountain passes directly on your smartphone.
• Live Webcams & Weather: Check peak conditions and visibility instantly before leaving the hotel.
📞 Important Phone Numbers & Contacts
| Service / Contact | Phone Number | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Scherer (Personal Contact) | +41 78 833 92 45 | None |
| Air Zermatt (Rescue & Flights) | +41 27 966 86 86 | Website |
| Zermatt Tourism Office | +41 27 966 81 00 | Website |
| Restaurant Le Mazot | +41 27 966 69 59 | Website |
| Restaurant HORNOX | +41 27 966 30 00 | Website |
| Restaurant Zum See | +41 27 967 20 45 | Website |
| 1818 eat and drink | +41 27 966 66 18 | Website |
| Restaurant Schweizerhof (The Kitchen) | +41 27 966 00 00 | Website |
| Ristorante Marlo | +41 27 967 33 00 | Website |
| Findlerhof | +41 27 967 25 88 | Website |
| Chez Vrony | +41 27 967 28 52 | Website |
| Restaurant Grünsee | +41 27 967 25 53 | Website |
| Vegistube (Hotel Pollux) | +41 27 966 40 00 | Website |
| Ferdinand (CERVO Mountain Resort) | +41 27 966 88 88 | Website |
| saycheese! (Grand Hotel Zermatterhof) | +41 27 966 66 00 | Website |
| Restaurant Schäferstube | +41 27 966 76 00 | Website |