Valais Zermatt
5
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Five days in Valais and Zermatt give you the full sweep of the most dramatic canton in Switzerland, from the Matterhorn and the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 metres to the extraordinary car-free resort of Saas-Fee beneath the Dom, the finest wine villages in Switzerland on the sun-drenched slopes above the Rhone, the medieval capital of Sion with its twin castle skyline, and the extraordinary Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This route covers the complete Valais. The Matterhorn from every angle, the Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn above Zermatt, the extraordinary Saas-Fee village beneath the Fee Glacier, the Aletsch Glacier from the Bettmerhorn, the thermal baths of Leukerbad, and the extraordinary wine route of the Valais with its unique indigenous grape varieties found nowhere else in the world.
Best Time To Visit
June to September or December to March
Getting There
Fly into Geneva, train to Visp or Brig
Getting Around
Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains and most cable cars
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 with the Matterhorn visible at the end of every north-facing alley. At 4,478 metres the Matterhorn is the most photographed mountain in the world, its pyramid shape rising in extraordinary isolation above the village. The Kirchbrucke bridge gives the classic Matterhorn reflection in the Vispa river. Walk the village, explore the Bahnhofstrasse, and visit the extraordinary Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis. Travel: 33 min cogwheel railway to Gornergrat
MIDDAY
GORNERGRAT, THE GREATEST ALPINE PANORAMA
The Gornergrat railway rises to 3,089 metres above the Gorner Glacier in 33 minutes on the oldest electric mountain railway in Switzerland, opened in 1898. The panorama is extraordinary: 29 peaks above 4,000 metres visible simultaneously, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Liskamm and the Dom. The Gorner Glacier below is the second largest in the Alps. The Kulmhotel at the summit is the highest hotel in the Alps. 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 9km circuit passing five mountain lakes each giving a different reflection of the Matterhorn. The Stellisee gives the most extraordinary mirror image of the pyramid on a calm morning. The trail starts from Blauherd, reached by cable car from Zermatt. Moderate grade, 200 metres ascent, open June to October. The finest free afternoon in Zermatt.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis in Zermatt is the most extraordinary small museum in the Alps, an underground museum telling the story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865, when four of the seven climbers fell to their deaths on the descent. The original rope that snapped on the descent is displayed. Entry approx 10 CHF. The most moving museum in Switzerland.
🍽 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. Local raclette and Fendant wine.
DAY 2
ZERMATT AND KLEIN MATTERHORN
MORNING
KLEIN MATTERHORN, HIGHEST CABLE CAR IN THE ALPS
The Klein Matterhorn cable car rises to 3,883 metres, the highest cable car station in the Alps, with access to the year-round Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the extraordinary glacier walk above Zermatt. The view encompasses the entire Monte Rosa massif and extends to Mont Blanc on clear days. The Glacier Palace, an underground gallery of ice sculptures inside the glacier, is extraordinary. Bring a warm layer even in summer. Return ticket approx 100 CHF. Travel: 45 min cable car and walk
MIDDAY
ZMUTT, THE HIDDEN ALPINE HAMLET
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 still farmed year-round. The 45-minute walk from Zermatt passes through extraordinary Alpine meadows with the Matterhorn directly above. The restaurant at Zmutt serves local air-dried beef and Valais wine and is one of the finest hidden lunch spots in the region. Travel: 45 min walk back to Zermatt
AFTERNOON
SCHWARZSEE AND THE MATTERHORN BASE
The Schwarzsee at 2,552 metres is the closest lake to the base of the Matterhorn, giving the most extraordinary close-up view of the north face. The cable car from Zermatt takes 15 minutes, approx 30 CHF return. The tiny chapel of Maria zum Schnee beside the lake dates from 1788. The trail from Schwarzsee down through the Hohtalli moraine to Zermatt is the finest descent in the region, passing through extraordinary glacial landscape.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Riffelsee at 2,757 metres above Zermatt gives the finest Matterhorn reflection in the region, a perfect pyramid mirrored in a small alpine lake directly below the north face. Reached by the Gornergrat railway to Riffelberg station in 20 minutes, then a 30-minute walk. The reflection is extraordinary on a calm morning and is one of the most photographed spots in Switzerland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Biner Backstube, Zermatt Outstanding local bakery. Coffee and fresh Walliser bread before the cable car. | Lunch: Restaurant Zmutt Hidden restaurant in the medieval hamlet. Local dried beef, rosti and Valais wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Stockhorn, Zermatt Classic Valais fondue and raclette. The finest Cornalin red wine in the village.
DAY 3
SAAS-FEE AND SION
MORNING
SAAS-FEE, THE PEARL OF THE ALPS
Saas-Fee is the most beautiful car-free village in the Valais, its extraordinary position at the head of a glacial cirque surrounded on three sides by 13 peaks above 4,000 metres giving a mountain amphitheatre of extraordinary scale. The Fee Glacier descends directly into the village from the Allalinhorn at 4,027 metres. The village is reached from Saas-Grund by electric shuttle. The medieval church and the extraordinary collection of old chalets on the Dorfplatz are the finest in the Valais. Travel: 20 min cable car to Hannig
MIDDAY
THE HANNIG RIDGE WALK
The Hannig cable car rises above Saas-Fee to 2,350 metres on the ridge above the village, giving the most extraordinary panorama of the Fee Glacier and the surrounding 4,000-metre peaks. The ridge walk from Hannig traverses the hillside above the village with views across the entire Saas valley. In summer the ridge is covered in extraordinary alpine flowers including edelweiss and gentian. Cable car approx 28 CHF return. Travel: 30 min shuttle and train to Sion
AFTERNOON
SION, THE TWIN-CASTLE CAPITAL
Sion is the capital of Valais, its extraordinary skyline dominated by two castle-topped volcanic hills rising directly from the valley floor. The Chateau de Valere contains the oldest playable organ in the world, built around 1435. The Chateau de Tourbillon above it is a magnificent ruin with extraordinary views over the Rhone valley. The old town below contains the finest collection of medieval houses in German-speaking Switzerland. Both castles free externally.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Allalin Glacier above Saas-Fee contains the world's highest revolving restaurant at 3,500 metres, the Metro Alpin underground funicular, and a permanent ice grotto inside the glacier. The Metro Alpin is the world's highest underground funicular railway. Entry approx 75 CHF return. The panorama from the rotating restaurant platform takes in the entire Saas valley.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Walliserkanne, Saas-Fee Outstanding breakfast in the car-free village square. Coffee and local bread. | Lunch: Restaurant Hannig Outstanding mountain restaurant on the ridge above Saas-Fee. Local cheese and rosti. | Dinner: Cave de Tous Vents, Sion Finest Valais wine bar and restaurant. Local charcuterie and extraordinary Fendant.
DAY 4
WINE VILLAGES AND LEUKERBAD
MORNING
THE VALAIS WINE VILLAGES
The Valais is the sunniest canton in Switzerland, its south-facing slopes above the Rhone valley producing the finest wines in the country. The wine route between Sion and Sierre passes through the extraordinary villages of Salgesch, Miege and Venthone, where the local Fendant, Johannisberg, Cornalin and the extraordinary Heida, a white grape found nowhere else in the world, are produced by small family cooperatives. Several cave cellars offer tastings of extraordinary quality for a few francs. Travel: 30 min bus to Leukerbad
MIDDAY
LEUKERBAD, THE LARGEST ALPINE SPA
Leukerbad at 1,411 metres is the largest Alpine thermal spa resort in Europe, its extraordinary thermal springs at 51 degrees emerging at 3.9 million litres per day. The Burgerbad is the finest complex, an extraordinary outdoor pool with views up to the vertical Gemmi Pass cliff above. The Gemmi cable car rises to 2,350 metres above the cliff face in a single extraordinary 10-minute ascent. Entry to Burgerbad approx 27 CHF. Travel: 45 min bus back to Sion or Brig
AFTERNOON
BRIG, THE STOCKALPER PALACE
Brig is the finest small town in the upper Valais, its extraordinary main square dominated by the Stockalper Palace, the largest private baroque palace in Switzerland, built by the merchant prince Kaspar Stockalper between 1638 and 1678. The three towers topped with golden onion domes are extraordinary. The courtyard arcades and the extraordinary private chapel are open to visitors. The town is the gateway to the Simplon Pass and the Italian border.
💎 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. The 2-hour walk along the bisse gives views over the entire Rhone valley and the 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. The morning light on the Tourbillon ruin is extraordinary. | Lunch: Wine cooperative, Salgesch Outstanding cave tasting with local charcuterie and the finest Cornalin and Fendant. | Dinner: Restaurant du Cerf, Brig Classic Valais cuisine in the baroque palace town. Local rosti and Johannisberg wine.
DAY 5
BETTMERALP AND THE ALETSCH
MORNING
BETTMERALP AND THE ALETSCH GLACIER
The Aletsch Glacier at 23km is the longest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bettmerhorn cable car above Bettmeralp rises to 2,872 metres, giving the finest panoramic view of the entire glacier stretching south towards the Italian border. The scale is extraordinary and humbling. The cable car from Betten on the valley floor to Bettmeralp takes 4 minutes. Bettmeralp itself is car-free and has extraordinary views of the glacier from the village. Travel: 1 hour train back to Brig or Visp
MIDDAY
THE ALETSCH FOREST AND RIEDERALP
The Aletsch Forest above Riederalp is the highest forest in Switzerland, an extraordinary stand of ancient Arolla pines at 1,900 metres clinging to the moraine above the glacier. The forest is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area and is one of the most extraordinary natural environments in the Alps. The walk from Bettmeralp to Riederalp along the ridge above the glacier takes approximately 2 hours and gives extraordinary continuous views of the glacier below. Travel: Train from Brig to Geneva or Zurich
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE VIA THE RHONE VALLEY
The train journey down the Rhone valley from Brig to Geneva passes through the heart of the Valais wine country, the extraordinary south-facing terraces of vines on the valley sides visible from the train window. The journey takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to Geneva on the direct Intercity service. The Rhone valley at dusk, with the vineyards golden in the late light and the castle of Sion visible as the train passes, is an extraordinary final image of Valais.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Villa Cassel above Riederalp is the most extraordinary English country house in the Alps, built in 1902 by the banker Ernest Cassel as a summer retreat and visited by Winston Churchill and King Edward VII. Now the Pro Natura Centre Aletsch, it gives free entry to an extraordinary exhibition on the Aletsch Glacier and houses the finest collection of Alpine botanical illustrations in Switzerland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Brig Coffee in the baroque palace town before the cable car up to Bettmeralp. | Lunch: Restaurant Bettmerhorn Outstanding mountain restaurant at 2,872m above the Aletsch Glacier. Local cheese and rosti. | Dinner: Restaurant in Brig or train dining Local Valais wine and charcuterie for the journey home through the Rhone valley.
Where To Stay
Zermatt, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Bahnhof or Zermatterhof. Car-free village, Matterhorn views. Approx 120 to 400 CHF. Saas-Fee, Night 3 Hotel Fletschhorn or Waldhotel Fletschhorn. Car-free glacier village. Approx 130 to 300 CHF. Sion or Brig, Nights 4 to 5 Hotel du Rhone, Sion, or Hotel Couronne, Brig. Approx 100 to 180 CHF per night.
Top Tips
1. Take the first Gornergrat train at 7am. The Matterhorn in early morning light with nobody on the platform is extraordinary.
2. Saas-Fee is car-free like Zermatt. Take the shuttle from Saas-Grund. The Fee Glacier above the village is extraordinary.
3. The Five Lakes Trail above Zermatt gives five different Matterhorn reflections. The Stellisee on a calm morning is finest.
4. Valais Fendant and Cornalin are found nowhere else in the world. Buy direct from a cave cooperative in the wine villages.
5. The Aletsch Glacier is 23km long and visible from the Bettmerhorn. The scale is extraordinary and humbling.
6. Leukerbad thermal pools stay open until 9pm. An evening soak under the Gemmi cliff is the finest end to any day in Valais.
Total Budget
160 to 280 CHF/day