Last updated on April 7th, 2021 at 11:22 am
Come on, let’s be practical! It is impossible to explore the Best of Switzerland in 7 days (or even 14). But you can still try to squeeze in a few of its bests without making the trip hectic. For us, the mighty Matterhorn overlooking the pretty Zermatt village was always on our bucket list.
Matterhorn is incredibly magnetic. People often let out a gasp of delight as they get the first glimpse of the mountain. After all who doesn’t love Toblerone and see the mountain behind the logo, in person.
Our Swiss itinerary was getting tighter and we were looking for a way to get an epic view of Matterhorn without staying at Zermatt.
Guess what! It is doable. Thanks to Switzerland’s meticulously planned public transportation system and the way they have made mountain ranges accessible to people, we were able to squeeze in ‘Matterhorn View day’ without any hassle.
And here’s how you can do it too.
A) Options available to experience the Matterhorn if you are time-pressed
There are different ways of experiencing the Matterhorn if you have less time and do not want to stay in Zermatt. Whatever option you choose, you will need to reach Zermatt first.
Option 1: Gornergrat
Disembark at Zermatt Railway Station and take the cog rail to Gornergrat. Gornergrat is open 365 days. We opted for a day excursion to Gornergrat. Read on about our experience below.
Quick Facts:
- Gornergrat Bahn is the first electric rack railway in Switzerland and the second in the world.
- Gornergrat Bahn was the first railway in Europe to run at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters above sea level
Option 2: Zermatt–Sunnegga Funicular
Take the Zermatt–Sunnegga Funicular. Disembark at Zermatt Railway Station and walk to the Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station (takes five minutes) for the funicular. The Zermatt–Sunnegga Funicular, is an underground Funicular station that takes you to Sunnega at an altitude of 2,288 meters in just 4.5 minutes!
The charming Chez Vrony restaurant provides an unobstructed view of the Matterhorn. The photos I found on the web (and above) are awe-inspiring. We couldn’t opt for this option because the Funicular was closed in late April.
Option 3: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise also offers great views of the Matterhorn. Glacier Paradise is accessible through a series of gondolas & cable cars with the journey divided into two parts. It is a 40 minutes journey including changes.
Quick Facts on Zermatt
- Home to Switzerland’s most iconic mountain – Matterhorn
- Europe’s highest ski resort
- Provides incredible views of Matterhorn
- Kid-friendly activities throughout the year
- AND much more!!
Zermatt’s official website provides tons of information on what to do. Just pick and choose!
B) How to reach Gornergrat from Zermatt for an epic view of Matterhorn
Gornergrat (3,089 m) is a ridge in the Alps and can be reached from Zermatt by the Gornergrat rack railway. Gornergrat is one of the top excursion locations of Switzerland owing to its 365 days availability.
There’s a hiking trail as well and many avid hikers opt for this to reach Gornergrat.
We approached Zermatt from Montreux on our way to Grindelwald. We sent our main luggage to Grindelwald Railway Station from Montreux Railway station the night before. It is very safe, and we collected them once we reached Grindelwald. This way, we didn’t have to carry our luggage from Montreux to Zermatt.
Once you reach Zermatt, you can store your smaller luggage in the locker room at Zermatt Railway Station.
Tips on tickets to Gornergrat
Get your tickets for Gornergrat Bahn from the ticket counter of Zermatt Railway station.
There is a provision for online tickets as well. A valid passport or personal identification proof is required for online tickets. However, there’s no need to book the tickets beforehand.
A 50% discounted rate is provided if you have a Swiss Travel Pass (which is a must-have I must say).
C) View Matterhorn from Gornergrat
Now that you got your tickets, board the train to Gornergrat.
Gornergrat railway is just across the street from the main station. Follow the signboards once you come out of the main station.
The 33 Minutes train journey is incredibly scenic. The train has panoramic windows which offer some of the best views of the surroundings.
After reaching Gornergrat, you can spend some time at the terrace next to the station that offers a good view of the Matterhorn.
Follow the trail and walk up to the viewing platform. Gornergrat’s observation platform provides a closer & panoramic view of Matterhorn.
A 360-degree camera installed on the mountain top provides a panoramic glimpse of Alpine peaks.
D) Where To Eat in Gornergrat on a Day trip?
The main building of the station has a restaurant and gift shop stocked with Swiss Souvenirs.
We settled down for lunch here after a tryst with Matterhorn. It is a self-service restaurant with sitting arrangements on the terrace as well.
E) Closing Thoughts
That’s a wrap. An excursion to Gornergrat is an unforgettable experience and must be on the bucket list.
Have you been to Gornergrat? Share your experience in the comment section beow.
