Valais Zermatt
3
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Three days in Valais and Zermatt take you to the most dramatic mountain landscape in Switzerland, centred on the Matterhorn, the most recognisable peak in the Alps. From the extraordinary car-free resort of Zermatt with its direct view of the Matterhorn to the Gornergrat railway rising to 3,089 metres above the Gorner Glacier, the finest Alpine panorama in Europe unfolds across all three days. This route covers the essential Valais. The Matterhorn from Zermatt and the Gornergrat, the extraordinary wine villages of the Valais on the sunniest slopes in Switzerland, the medieval capital of Sion with its twin-castle skyline, and the extraordinary thermal baths of Leukerbad, the largest Alpine spa resort in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
June to September or December to March
Getting There
Fly into Geneva, train to Visp then Zermatt
Getting Around
Train and cable car, no car in Zermatt
Budget Per Day
Approx 160 to 280 CHF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, mountain railways and walks
DAY 1
ZERMATT AND GORNERGRAT
MORNING
ZERMATT VILLAGE AND THE MATTERHORN
Zermatt is the most famous mountain resort in Switzerland, its extraordinary car-free streets lined with timber chalets and the Matterhorn visible at the end of every north-facing street. The Matterhorn at 4,478 metres is the most photographed mountain in the world, its extraordinary pyramid shape rising in perfect isolation above the village. The Kirchbrucke bridge gives the classic Matterhorn reflection in the Vispa river below. The village itself is extraordinary in scale and beauty. Travel: 20 min cogwheel railway to Gornergrat
MIDDAY
GORNERGRAT, THE FINEST ALPINE PANORAMA
The Gornergrat railway rises from Zermatt to 3,089 metres above the Gorner Glacier in 33 minutes on the oldest electric mountain railway in Switzerland, opened in 1898. The panorama from the summit is extraordinary, with 29 peaks above 4,000 metres visible including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Liskamm and the Dom. The Gorner Glacier below is the second largest glacier in the Alps. The Kulmhotel Gornergrat at the summit gives the finest views over the glacier. Return ticket approx 50 CHF. Travel: 33 min railway back to Zermatt
AFTERNOON
THE FIVE LAKES TRAIL
The Five Lakes Trail above Zermatt is the finest day walk in the region, a moderate 9km circuit passing five mountain lakes each giving a different reflection of the Matterhorn in still water. The Stellisee gives the most extraordinary reflection, a perfect mirror image of the pyramid on a calm morning. The trail starts from Blauherd station, reached by cable car from Zermatt. Total ascent 200 metres. Trail open June to October.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis in Zermatt is the most extraordinary small museum in the Alps, an underground museum reconstructing the 19th-century village and telling the extraordinary story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865, when four of the seven climbers fell to their deaths on the descent. Entry approx 10 CHF.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe du Pont, Zermatt Coffee on the main street with the Matterhorn at the end of the road. | Lunch: Kulmhotel Gornergrat Outstanding restaurant at 3,089m above the Gorner Glacier. Local rosti and mountain cheese. | Dinner: Restaurant Schaferstube, Zermatt Finest traditional Valais restaurant in the village. Local raclette and Fendant wine.
DAY 2
ZERMATT AND KLEIN MATTERHORN
MORNING
KLEIN MATTERHORN, THE HIGHEST CABLE CAR IN THE ALPS
The Klein Matterhorn cable car rises to 3,883 metres, the highest cable car station in the Alps, giving access to the year-round Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area and the extraordinary glacier walk on the permanent snowfield above Zermatt. The view from the top takes in the entire Monte Rosa massif and extends to Mont Blanc on a clear day. The Glacier Palace underground ice sculpture gallery inside the glacier is extraordinary. Return ticket approx 100 CHF. Travel: 45 min cable car descent and walk
MIDDAY
ZMUTT, THE HIDDEN MEDIEVAL VILLAGE
The hamlet of Zmutt above Zermatt is one of the finest undiscovered villages in the Alps, a cluster of extraordinary 16th-century stone and timber chalets at 1,936 metres inhabited year-round by a handful of farming families. The walk from Zermatt to Zmutt takes 45 minutes through extraordinary Alpine meadows with the Matterhorn directly above. The restaurant at Zmutt is one of the finest hidden lunch spots in the region. Travel: 45 min walk back to Zermatt
AFTERNOON
ZERMATT, BAHNHOFSTRASSE AND MUSEUM QUARTER
The Bahnhofstrasse in Zermatt is the finest shopping street in the Swiss Alps, lined with extraordinary chocolate shops, watch retailers and local craft studios. The English Church, built in 1869 for the British alpinists who made Zermatt the centre of the golden age of mountaineering, is extraordinary. The village cemetery contains the graves of climbers who died on the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks, an extraordinary and moving memorial to the history of Alpine exploration.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Schwarzsee lake at 2,552 metres above Zermatt is the closest lake to the base of the Matterhorn, giving the most extraordinary close-up view of the north face reflected in dark water. Reached by cable car in 15 minutes from Zermatt, approx 30 CHF return. The tiny chapel of Maria zum Schnee beside the lake dates from 1788 and is the most extraordinary small chapel in the Alps.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Biner Backstube, Zermatt Outstanding local bakery on the Bahnhofstrasse. Coffee and fresh Walliser bread. | Lunch: Restaurant Zmutt Hidden restaurant in the medieval hamlet above Zermatt. Local air-dried beef and Valais wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Stockhorn, Zermatt Classic Valais cuisine. Fondue, raclette and the finest local Cornalin red wine.
DAY 3
SION AND LEUKERBAD
MORNING
SION, THE TWIN-CASTLE CAPITAL OF VALAIS
Sion is the capital of the Valais canton and one of the most extraordinary small cities in Switzerland, its medieval skyline dominated by two castle-topped hills rising directly from the valley floor. The Chateau de Valere on its rock contains the oldest playable organ in the world, built around 1435, still played at concerts. The Chateau de Tourbillon above it is a magnificent ruin with extraordinary views over the Rhone valley and the surrounding vineyards. Both free to visit externally. Travel: 30 min bus to Leukerbad
MIDDAY
THE VALAIS WINE ROUTE
The Valais is the sunniest canton in Switzerland and produces the finest wines in the country, the south-facing slopes above the Rhone valley growing Fendant, Johannisberg, Cornalin and the extraordinary Heida, a white wine grown at 1,100 metres that is found nowhere else in the world. The wine route between Sion and Leuk passes through extraordinary medieval wine villages including Salgesch and Belong, with several producers offering tastings directly from the cellar. Travel: 20 min bus to Leukerbad
AFTERNOON
LEUKERBAD, THE LARGEST ALPINE SPA IN EUROPE
Leukerbad at 1,411 metres is the largest Alpine thermal spa resort in Europe, its extraordinary thermal springs reaching 51 degrees emerging from the rock at 3.9 million litres per day. The Burgerbad is the finest of the several thermal complexes, an extraordinary outdoor pool with views directly up to the extraordinary Gemmi Pass cliff above the village. Entry to Burgerbad approx 27 CHF. The Gemmi cable car rises to 2,350 metres above the vertical cliff.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bisse du Ro above Crans-Montana is one of the most extraordinary medieval irrigation channels in the Alps, a narrow water channel cut into the cliff face at 1,700 metres by medieval farmers to bring glacier meltwater to their vineyards below. The 2-hour walk along the bisse gives extraordinary views over the Rhone valley and the entire chain of 4,000-metre peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Sion Old Town Coffee below the twin castles before the morning climb. | Lunch: Cave de Tous Vents, Sion Outstanding Valais wine bar and restaurant. Local charcuterie and the finest Fendant. | Dinner: Restaurant Rhodania, Leukerbad Traditional Valais restaurant beside the thermal baths. Local rosti and Cornalin wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Zermatt, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Bahnhof or Zermatterhof. Car-free village, direct Matterhorn views. Approx 120 to 400 CHF. Sion, Night 3 Hotel du Rhone or La Matze. Medieval capital of Valais. Approx 100 to 180 CHF per night.
Top Tips
1. The Gornergrat at sunrise is extraordinary. Take the first train up and have the panorama entirely to yourself.
2. Zermatt is car-free. Leave your vehicle at Tasch and take the shuttle train. Electric taxis only in the village.
3. The Klein Matterhorn cable car is the highest in the Alps at 3,883m. Bring a warm layer even in summer.
4. Leukerbad thermal baths are the largest Alpine spa in Europe. The Burgerbad is the finest and least crowded.
5. Valais wines are the most underrated in Switzerland. The local Fendant and Cornalin are extraordinary.
6. Walk the Five Lakes Trail above Zermatt for the finest set of Matterhorn reflections in Switzerland. Free.
Total Budget
160 to 280 CHF/day