Zermatt, the picture-perfect alpine village poised at the foot of the Matterhorn, magnetizes all mountain lovers. Afterall, the Matterhorn is the “Santiago de Compostela” of the alpine world.
In winter, Zermatt is one of the most celebrated ski destinations in Switzerland. And in summer and autumn, Zermatt is a bustling destination for photographers, hikers, and climbers.
In some ways, planning a trip to car-free Zermatt is easy. You only need to book accommodation and train travel.
The tricky part is deciding length of stay and what to prioritize.
If you factor in the changeable weather, it’s always a good idea to add a buffer, so you don’t leave Zermatt disappointed. I recommend staying no less than 3 nights. Kati and I stayed 1-week in Zermatt in September and experienced a mix of overcast and sunny weather. Had we stayed only 2 nights, we wouldn’t have seen the Matterhorn, due to the clouds.
In terms of what to prioritize, heed our advice in order to avoid overhyped and disappointing hikes.
Our 4-day Zermatt itinerary is perfect for active travelers and hikers, visiting between June and September (October), who want to see the best of Zermatt.
4-Day Lucerne Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Zermatt, Gorner Gorge
- Day 2: Edelweissweg Trail
- Day 3: Gornergrat Train and Hike to Lake Riffelsee
- Day 4: Tufteren High Trail
- Stay 3-4 Nights in Zermatt
Zermatt Map
Hiking Trails
Edelweissweg
Gorner Gorge – Zum See
Matterhorn Glacier Trail
Gornergrat Hike
Tuftener High Trail
Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge
Places to Stay
How to Book this Zermatt Itinerary
Accommodation
Book 3-4 Nights in Zermatt | We recommend staying within walking distance of the Zermatt train station: Haus Zer Weidu (budget), Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt (3-star midrange), Schweizerhof Zermatt (4-star luxury), Unique Hotel Post. (4-star luxury), SCHLOSS Zermatt (4-star luxury), Wellness Hotel Alpenhof (4-star luxury), and THE OMNIA (5-star luxury).
On the other side of the Matter Vispa River, these accommodations are a 10-12 minute walk away from the train station: Jolimont Apartments (budget), Hotel Bristol (3-star midrange), BaseCamp Hotel & Apartments (3-star hotel), Hotel Daniela (4-star luxury), Europe Hotel & Spa Zermatt (4-star luxury), BEAUSiTE Zermatt (4-star luxury), Tradition Julen Hotel (4-star luxury).
Most luxury hotels offer a free shuttle pickup service from the train station.
Related | Where to Stay in Zermatt
Transit
This itinerary requires the use of SBB transit. We recommend either purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass, or the Swiss Half Fare Card to save money on transit.
Use the sbb.ch website to research timetables and connections.
Day 1: Arrive in Zermatt
Travel to Zermatt
The only way to get to Zermatt is by train, as no cars are allowed in car-free Zermatt. Use sbb.ch to plan your transit journey.
If you’re driving, you must park your car in Täsch, the village just north of Zermatt, and continue your journey by train. There are a few car parks in Täsch, including the Matterhorn Terminal parking garage, which can be booked in advance.
Although private vehicles are not allowed in Zermatt, there are still a number of vehicles in the town, including buses, small electric taxis, and construction trucks. We were expecting a wholly car-free experience and the reality is far from that.
Before arriving in Zermatt, make sure you receive arrival instructions from your accommodation.
Many luxury hotels provide a complimentary shuttle pick-up and drop-off service. If your accommodation doesn’t provide a pick-up service, you can take a tuk-tuk-like taxi to your accommodation.
In most cases, you need to notify the hotel in advance with your arrival details, so that they can pick you up on time.
Zermatt Village Center
We arrived in Zermatt in the mid-late afternoon. We used our arrival day to get acquainted with the village center and eat dinner.
One of the first things you’ll notice about Zermatt is the plethora of old timber barns and granaries on stilts. Walk to Hinterdorfstrasse to see a high concentration of these charming old buildings, which date back to the 16-18th centuries.
For coffee and a pastry, visit Backzeit bakery & café Zermatt (Google Maps). For wine, head to Elsie’s Wine and Champagne Bar (Google Maps).
Gorner Gorge – Blatten – Zum See Walk
If you want to stretch your legs after a long day of travel, I recommend hiking through the Gorner Gorge and then extending your walk to the charming alpine hamlets of Blatten and Zum See, before returning back to the village center. Allow 2 hours to hike this 5 km hike.
Stay in Zermatt
Stay in the town center of Zermatt, walking distance to the train station. By staying in a central location, it will not only make your arrival and departure days easier, but also your daily excursions.
At its core lies Bahnhofstrasse, the village’s principal pedestrian thoroughfare, lined with a diverse array of shops, pharmacies, bakeries, restaurants, and accommodations like 3-star Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt, 4-star Schweizerhof Zermatt, and 4-star Unique Hotel Post. The 5-star Omnia, arguably the best hotel in Zermatt, enjoys an elevator connection to the village center.
Near the Zermatt train station and Gornergrat cogwheel valley station, you’ll find the top-rated budget-friendly Haus Zer Weidu, 4-star SCHLOSS Zermatt, and 4-star Wellness Hotel Alpenhof.
The town of Zermatt also extends on the other side of the Matter Vispa River. These accommodations are a short walk away from the train station (10-12 minutes): budget-friendly Jolimont Apartments, 3-star Hotel Bristol, 4-star Hotel Daniela, and 4-star Europe Hotel & Spa Zermatt.
Budget-friendly Youth Hostel Zermatt is a 20-minute walk away from the train station, partially uphill. The walk is doable with a backpack, but perhaps too cumbersome with luggage.
Look for accommodation in Zermatt.
Day 2: Hike the Edelweiss Trail
The best day hike in Zermatt is the Edelweiss Weg that steadily rises from the village center of Zermatt to the sprawling Höhbalmen meadows. Keen hikers will love this trail because it’s quiet, deliriously beautiful, and free of ski infrastructure.
Along the Höhbalmen High Trail, you’ll be rewarded with striking, uninterrupted views of the Matterhorn’s north face.
This long circular hike takes 7-8 hours to complete. There are two possible ascent routes, which we explained in our Edelweissweg trail guide.
Day 3: Gornergrat Train and Riffelsee Hike
Gornergrat is a jagged mountain ridge overlooking the Gorner Glacier and Dufourspitze (4634 m), the highest mountain in Switzerland.
This impressive destination is well worth the visit, despite the crowds.
Ride the Gornergrat cogwheel train to the top station (40 minutes), where 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat is located, and explore the various viewpoints.
Facing the Matterhorn, follow the descending path to Lake Riffelsee. We recommend continuing the hike to Riffelberg and further down to Riffelalp, before boarding the train back to Zermatt.
Eat lunch at Alphitta (Google Maps) near Riffelalp and the 5-star Riffelalp Resort 2222 m.
Read our Gornergrat hiking guide to plan your excursion.
Day 4: Tufteren High Trail
High above the Mattertal Valley, the Tufteren High Trail links Täschalp with Tufteren.
Initially, the well-maintained, mostly smooth trail wends its way along the forest line above Täschbach Valley, facing the snow-dusted Weisshorn. As the balcony path contours southward, traversing the eastern slopes of Mattetal, Matterhorn comes into focus.
The Tufteren High Trail follows the Europaweg and the final stretch of the famous Walker’s Haute Route, the long-distance trail that connects Chamonix with Zermatt.
The final stretch traces the gourmet trail down to Zermatt. Hikers can dine mountainside at @Paradise, Chez Vrony, or Findlerhof.
Read our Tufteren High Trail hiking guide for essential info on how to get to Täschalp and trail directions.
This 12.2 km point-to-point hike takes 4 hours. With transit, breaks, and lunch around Findeln, allow at least 6 hours for this hike.
Leave Zermatt, or Extend Trip
For a stress-free day, I would stay a 4th night in Zermatt and depart the next day. However, with careful planning, it would be feasible to depart after hiking the Tufteren High Trail.
The Edelweissweg, Gornergrat hike, and Tufteren High Trail were the highlights of our trip to Zermatt. If you hike all three trails, I believe that you’ll be very satisfied.
Kati and I also hiked the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Matterhorn Glacier Trail, 5 Lakes Walk, and the Kristallweg. Read our Zermatt Hiking Guide for more insights on trail selection.
Keep Reading about Switzerland
Switzerland:
Lucerne:
- 5-Day Lucerne Itinerary for Hikers
- Walenpfad Hiking Trail
- Stoos Ridge Hike
- 2-Day Stanserhorn-Engelberg Hike
Bernese Oberland:
Appenzell:
- Appenzell (Appenzellerland) Region Guide
- Appenzell Village: Hotels, Restaurants, and Museums
- Best Hikes in Appenzell
- 3-Day Alpstein High Trail
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