Valais & Matterhorn

Zermatt (1,620 m) is a pilgrimage site for mountain lovers from all over the world — and for one reason only: the Matterhorn (4,478 m), probably the most famous mountain on earth. Its perfect pyramid shape adorns chocolate wrappers, postage stamps, and dreams. Zermatt itself is car-free — accessible only by train (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn) or helicopter.

★★★ The Matterhorn

No matter how many photos you've seen — the first sight of the real Matterhorn takes your breath away. The best sightline is from the church bridge in town (coordinates: [46.0207, 7.7491]) or from Rotenboden above Riffelsee, where the mountain reflects perfectly in still air. At sunrise (5:30–6:30 a.m. in summer), the peak glows orange and pink — the famous "Alpenglow."

★★★ Klein Matterhorn & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The highest cable car station in Europe (3,883 m): From here, the view extends over 14 glaciers and 38 four-thousanders — on clear days to Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Italian Alps. At the summit: an ice grotto (15 m deep in the glacier), the Glacier Paradise viewing platform, and in winter, the highest ski area in the Alps (slopes up to 3,883 m, skiing also in summer!).

Cable car from Zermatt: 110 CHF return (with Swiss Travel Pass 50%). Gondola → gondola → cable car, total travel time approx. 45 min. Warm clothing mandatory — even in summer around 0 °C!

★★ Village of Zermatt

The car-free center has retained the charm of a mountain village: wooden chalets with geraniums, narrow streets, electric taxis instead of cars. The Bahnhofstrasse is the main shopping street with sports shops, watch boutiques, and restaurants. The Matterhorn Museum (10 CHF) tells the dramatic story of the first ascent in 1865 — four of the seven climbers fell to their deaths during the descent. The broken rope is on display.

The Gornergrat (3,089 m) offers perhaps the most impressive mountain panorama in Switzerland — and is easily accessible by cogwheel train.

★★★ Gornergrat Railway

The highest open-air cogwheel railway in Europe has been running since 1898 in 33 minutes from Zermatt (1,620 m) to the Gornergrat (3,089 m). The route is breathtaking: through larch forests, over daring bridges, past glaciers — and the Matterhorn moves from left to right through the window during the journey. Sit on the right side!

★★★ Gornergrat Panorama

At the summit: a 360° panorama over the Gorner Glacier (second largest in the Alps), Monte Rosa (4,634 m, highest Swiss peak), the Dufourspitze, the Matterhorn, and a total of 29 four-thousanders. The Kulmhotel Gornergrat (the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps, from 300 CHF) has rooms with Matterhorn views — sunrise from the bed.

Gornergrat Railway: 96 CHF return (from Zermatt). With Swiss Travel Pass 50% = 48 CHF. Half-fare 48 CHF. Frequency: every 24 minutes. First ride 7:00 a.m. (Sunrise Ticket for photographers!).

★★ Riffelsee

The most famous Matterhorn reflection in the world: Get off at Rotenboden station (one stop below the summit), then walk 10 minutes to Riffelsee. In the stillness of the morning, the Matterhorn reflects perfectly in the turquoise water. THE photo motif of Switzerland. Works best in the morning (7:30–9:00 a.m.) or late afternoon.

The Great Aletsch Glacier is the longest glacier in the Alps at 23 kilometers and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch since 2001. A natural wonder that is, however, shrinking: In the last 150 years, it has lost over 3 kilometers in length and 300 meters in thickness — climate change is visible here to the naked eye.

★★★ Eggishorn Viewpoint

The cable car Fiesch → Eggishorn (2,927 m) offers the best overall view of the glacier: From above, you can see how the gigantic ice stream winds through the valley in an S-curve — the medial moraine (dark debris stripes) draws perfect lines on the ice. The sight is both awe-inspiring and cautionary.

Cable car Fiesch → Eggishorn: 56 CHF return (with Swiss Travel Pass 50%). Season: June–October. From the mountain station, a 10-minute ascent to the viewpoint.

★★ Aletsch Forest

At the edge of the glacier stands the Aletsch Forest — one of the oldest and highest stone pine forests in the Alps. The gnarled Swiss stone pines are up to 900 years old and create a mystical landscape between ice and rock. Hike from Riederfurka (1.5 hours, easy) through the forest with glacier views.

★ Bettmeralp & Riederalp

The car-free villages of Bettmeralp and Riederalp on the sun terrace above the Rhone Valley are the starting points for Aletsch hikes. Quieter and more authentic than Zermatt, with panoramic hiking trails right on the glacier's edge. Ideal for 2–3 days of unwinding.

Leukerbad (1,411 m) is the largest thermal spa center in the Alps: Every day, 3.9 million liters of hot thermal water (up to 51 °C) bubble from the springs. The Romans already bathed here, Goethe raved about the healing springs, and today Leukerbad is the perfect place for exhausted hikers and skiers.

★★ Leukerbad Therme (Walliser Alpentherme)

The largest thermal facility in the Alps: 10 pools (indoor and outdoor, 28–43 °C), a 10-meter diving tower, wellness area, and panoramic outdoor pool with views of the 2,000-meter-high rock walls of the Gemmi. In winter: steam rises from the hot water into the cold mountain air — magical.

Rathausstrasse 32. 29 CHF (3 hrs), 33 CHF (day). Children 15 CHF. Daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m. (Thu/Fri until 9 p.m.). Sauna area: 36 CHF.

★ Gemmi Pass

The Gemmibahn takes you from Leukerbad to the Gemmi Pass (2,350 m) — a high plateau with the Daubensee and the spectacular Gemmi via ferrata. The hike to Daubensee (30 min., easy) is also suitable for families. Cable car: 25 CHF return.

Saas-Fee (1,800 m) is Zermatt's quieter sister: A car-free glacier village surrounded by 13 four-thousanders and the Fee Glacier. Less hype, fewer tourists, but just as beautiful — and significantly cheaper.

★★ Allalin (3,500 m)

The Metro Alpin — the highest subway in the world (an underground funicular in the rock) — takes you to the Mittelallalin (3,456 m). At the top: the world's highest revolving restaurant, an ice grotto in the Fee Glacier, and a panorama from the Valais Alps to Mont Blanc. Skiing is also possible here in summer.

Metro Alpin + cable car: 62 CHF return (with Swiss Travel Pass 50%). Revolving restaurant: lunch menu from 25 CHF. Open year-round.

★ Fee Gorge

A short but spectacular walk through a glacier gorge with suspension bridges and walkways over the roaring water. 5 CHF entry, 30 minutes. Perfect for families.

The Valais is the largest wine region in Switzerland — and one of the steepest in the world. On the southern slopes of the Rhone Valley, vines ripen on terraces, producing Swiss wines of world-class quality. Valais is the sunniest region in Switzerland (over 300 sunny days!).

★★ Wine Trail Salgesch–Sierre

The vineyard trail between Salgesch and Sierre (6 km, 2 hours, easy) leads through the best wine locations in Valais: Information boards explain the grape varieties, terracing, and irrigation (historic Suonen/Bisses = open water channels). Wine tasting at the wine museum in Salgesch: 5 wines for 10 CHF.

★ Indigenous Valais Varieties

Valais has grape varieties found nowhere else:

• Fendant (Chasselas): The white wine for fondue — dry, mineral, perfect.
• Petite Arvine: Elegant, complex white wine with a salty note — a Valais specialty.
• Cornalin: Robust red wine, grown only in Valais.
• Humagne Rouge: Rustic red wine with wild fruit aromas.

A tasting in a Cave (wine cellar) is a must: Cave du Rhodan in Salgesch, Cave Imesch in Sierre, or Domaine du Mont d'Or in Sion.