150 years ago the Matterhorn was conquered for the first time. It was an Englishman, Edward Whymper, who became the first person to stand on the summit (altitude 4,478 metres) on 14 July 1865. The anniversary of the first climb is a good reason to visit Zermatt, the village at the foot of the famous mountain, this summer. During the week from 10 - 18 July guests can look forward to special celebrations to mark the occasion. Outside this festival week, however, the mountain village still has much to offer, even for travellers on a modest holiday budget. There are many inexpensive, sometimes even free summertime excursion opportunities in Zermatt. Guests can stay inexpensively in the Zermatt Youth Hostel, the only hostel in the world with a view of the Matterhorn.
Fun on a modest travel budget
The goats are out
A particular attraction in the summer is the “Geissenkehr” or goat parade. Twice a day from the end of June to the middle of August, a herd of Valais Blackneck goats wends its way through the village. In the morning at 9 o’clock, they are herded up to the meadow, returning to their stall at 5 in the evening. The best place to wait for the goats and their goat-herders is on Bahnhofstrasse.
Price: free of charge
Panorama of 29 four-thousand-metre peaks
From an altitude of 3,089 metres on the Gornergrat, you can see not only the Matterhorn, but also 28 additional four-thousand-metre peaks. The trip up on the cog railway is not exactly cheap, but a good investment nevertheless because the mountain panorama you get to experience from this vantage point is simply unforgettable. Sure-footed hikers can walk back down to Zermatt in good weather during the summer, saving the cost of the return ticket. The route is well signposted and after a descent of 1,500 metres taking around 4 ½ hours you will find yourself back in the village.
Fares Zermatt–Gornergrat on the funicular: One-way CHF 43.00 / return CHF 86.00, Swiss Pass holders get a 50 % discount on the fare
Hike and relax around the Sunnegga
The Sunnegga sun terrace is the starting point for the following three activities. To get there, take the funicular or walk. From the youth hostel, you can reach the Sunnegga on foot in around 1 ½ hours. Although the route is steep, it’s well signposted and suitable even for inexperienced walkers.
Fares Zermatt–Sunnegga on the funicular: One-way CHF 15.60 / return CHF 24.00, Swiss Pass holders get a 50 % discount on the fare; on foot: free
Marmots in the wild
There is no zoo in Zermatt, after all, you can see marmots here free of charge in the wild. At the observation stations, a few metres on foot from the Sunnegga, the chance of spotting one is particularly high in summer. There is also a theme trail with interesting information on the little cave dwellers.
Sunnegga–Blauherd hike, there and back: 7.6 km, around 3 hrs duration
Price: free of charge
In search of the edelweiss
The Sunnegga also marks the starting point of the Flower Trail. This walk passes by alpine flower meadows and numerous signboards provide information on the plants growing nearby. Sharp eyes will also be able to pick out the most famous Swiss flower, the edelweiss, on the seemingly barren scree slopes.
Sunnegga–Tuftern–Blauherd hike, there and back: 9.2 km, around 3 hrs duration
Price: free of charge
Relax at the mountain lake
After a morning hike in search of marmots or edelweiss, in the afternoon you can relax at the Leisee Lake, less than a quarter of an hour’s walk from the Sunnegga. With its children’s playground, barbecue and picnic places, the bathing beach is also a popular excursion destination for families.
Price: free of charge
In the footsteps of the first successful climbers
Although Valais is Switzerland’s sunniest canton, if it rains, a visit to the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis is well worthwhile. Visitors there delve into the mountain world of bygone centuries. You can see how the people of Zermatt lived in the 19th century and shudder at the sight of the torn rope from the first ascent of the Matterhorn.
Price: Adults CHF 10.00, young people 10–16 years of age CHF 5.00, children under 10 years of age and Swiss Pass holders free
Stay the night with a view of the Matterhorn on a small holiday budget
The Zermatt Youth Hostel offers a charming alternative for all those guests who do not need a luxury hotel room in order to enjoy the mountains of Valais. A bed in a multi-bed room costs from CHF 39.00 per night, a 2-bed room with shower/WC from CHF 126.00. A rich breakfast buffet is included in the prices as are bed linen, taxes and the view of the Matterhorn. Youth hostel guests can enjoy a tasty 4-course evening menu for CHF 17.50.
Getting there by train
Getting to Zermatt from Zurich, Geneva or Basel airport takes around three hours by train. If you have a Swiss Pass Flex or Swiss Transfer Ticket the journey is cheaper.
The Swiss Transfer Ticket takes guests from any of the three airports to Zermatt and back for CHF 141.00 (2nd class).
An attractive alternative for visitors intending to spend more time travelling in Switzerland is the Swiss Pass Flex. It allows free travel by train, bus and ship on three, four, eight or 15 freely selectable days in a one-month period. Holders also get discounts on mountain cableways and free museum admission on the validated days. A three-day pass costs CHF 203.00 for young people up to age 26 and CHF 239.00 for adults (2nd class).
Two grounds to celebrate for the Canton of Valais
In addition to the first ascent of the Matterhorn, Valais is celebrating another anniversary this year: exactly 200 years ago, the canton became part of Switzerland. As well as the hostel in Zermatt, the Swiss Youth Hostels also have one hostel each in Sion and Saas-Fee.
The wellnessHostel4000 in the glacier village of Saas-Fee is the first hostel in the world to have its own wellness and fitness area.
