Hotel National

Enjoy unrivalled views from the highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883 metres above sea level. You'll need plenty of time to explore up here as the air is quite thin, but the views will certainly keep you entertained for a long while - on a clear day, views stretch as far as the Jungfrau and Mont Blanc. You can also visit the Glacier Palace which is a network of tunnels and caves 15 metres below the surface of the ice, with sculptures and an ice toboggan run. 

Why not take a trip to Italy while you're there, too? The new 3S cable car link completes the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing which enables cable car travel over into Italy on a stunning panoramic journey.

Tickets for the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

You can buy tickets to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise locally through your Destination Expert. Alternatively, you can pre-book a Peak Pass, which includes travel up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and entry to the Glacier Palace, plus many other lifts and mountain railways throughout the Zermatt-Matterhorn region. (Please note: ski lifts and the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing lift are not included in the Peak Pass and must be purchased separately.)

Many more options are available locally through your Destination Expert.

Please note that the price of excursions will vary depending on the resort you are staying in. We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: ©Matterhorn Paradise

Traditional, black-nosed sheep spend their summer grazing the pastures of the Gornergrat, and thanks to the shepherdess, you can meet them. They’re tracked with GPS so are easy to find as they laze in the sun and graze in the meadows - Shepherdess Nathalie is happy to share interesting information about her woolly companions.

Image: ©Zermatt Tourism/Nicholas Iliano

Enjoy family time outdoors and solve puzzles as you go at Wolli Wonderland – an exciting family trail that has 17 stops with puzzle exhibits and play areas along the way. Learn about the wild animals of Zermatt, help Wolli find Mitza the cat, and have lots of fun along the way.

There’s also Wolli’s Adventure Park at Sunnegga, where there’s an adventure playground, mini beach, and barbecue areas by the Leisee Lake. The lake is also a popular place for a cooling afternoon dip.

Image: ©Zermatt Tourism/Nicholas Iliano

A day trip to the mountain hamlet of Furi gives lots of options for exploration, from the Furi Suspension Bridge to the Gorner Gorge. There’s a charming playground at the Dossen glacier garden, the Ricola herb garden and spots to barbeque too.

The Schalisee lake is the ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon, with lake swims and games on the grass. It’s easy to get to, on the walking trail that links Täsch and Randa, and there are plenty of trees for shade and picnic tables. For the children, there’s a playground and beach volleyball area, plus the Bike Zone Schali with pump track and skills loop and a small cable wake park too.

Image: ©Zermatt Tourism

Enjoy a scenic train transfer up the Gornergrat on the famous Gornergrat Rack Railway – the highest open-track railway in Europe. At the top, incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains await, including the most amazing views of the Matterhorn.

At the top of the Gornergrat, there's plenty to do, from the interactive ZOOOM the Matterhorn exhibition to picturesque walking trails, the Alpine Garden and the opportunity to meet the Blacknose sheep. Take a hike to the Riffelsee lake to try to capture the ultimate mirror-reflection of the Matterhorn, or head to the viewing platform to see the all-round panorama of 29 four-thousand-metre peaks.

Tickets for the Gornergrat

You can purchase your ticket for the Gornergrat railway at the time of booking or buy locally. It's also included on the Peak Pass.

Please note that the price of excursions will vary depending on the resort you are staying in. We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: ©Switzerland Tourism

The Zermatt-Matterhorn area is the largest and highest summer skiing area in Europe with 21 kilometres of slopes open on the Theodul Glacier at Klein Matterhorn. There's the Zermatt Summer Snowpark for freestyle fans too, plus you can rent equipment or book lessons. Conditions are best in the mornings before the sun gets stronger, and the ski-specific lifts close at midday to preserve the slopes for the following days.

Image: ©Matterhorn Paradise

Zermatt offers a wide variety of trails, from flow trails through the forests to natural alpine trails that are more technical. Weave through the Swiss stone pine forest on the Sunnegga flow trail, explore the hamlet of Furi and then enjoy the flowy descent down the Moos Trail back to Zermatt or experience alpine meadows on the Riffelberg Trail. There's also a mobile pump track in Zermatt throughout the summer season and the Bike Zone Schali next to the Schalisee in Täsch which has a pump track, skills loop and some jumps. Zermatt permits biking on many trails, so long as there's no signs forbidding it, so for those wanting to explore more alpine terrain and natural trails, there's plenty on offer here. 

Image: ©Matterhorn Paradise

Just a short walk from the top of the Sunnegga funicular, the Leisee lake is popular with families. There's plenty of space to relax and enjoy a dip in the lake while you enjoy the spectacular Matterhorn views, and for children, there's a play area and wooden ball track.

Image: ©Matterhorn Paradise

Follow a 1.6-kilometre route through alpine meadows on your three-wheeled mountain cart as you wind from Blauherd down to Sunnegga, enjoying Matterhorn views as you go.

Image: ©Matterhorn Paradise

A kickbike or trottibike is like a cross between a mountain bike and a scooter. Enjoy a thrilling ride as you zig-zag through the stone pine forest from Sunnegga down to Zermatt with the wind in your hair.

Take a remarkable journey from Zermatt into Italy on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing. Cross the border at 3,500 metres above sea level while you enjoy views of 14 glaciers, three different countries and 38 four-thousand-metre peaks - including the majestic Matterhorn, of course.

Along the way, stop off to explore different highlights of the route, such as the Matterhorn Glacier Palace or Europe's highest museum - Plateau Rosa. Admire the view from Schwarzsee or the rocky landscape at the Cime Blanche Laghi. Take a wander through the mountain village of Breuil-Cervinia in Italy before making your way back to Zermatt - this is bound to be a day out you'll remember.

Tickets for the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

Return tickets can be bought locally for the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing. 

Please note that travel beyond the Matterhorn Alpine Paradise is not included on the Peak Pass, so if you have this pass, you'll need to buy tickets for travel from the Matterhorn Alpine Paradise over into Italy on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing separately.

Image: ©Matterhorn Paradise