Zermatt, Switzerland2-3 hoursMorning
Matterhorn
Iconic 4,478 m pyramid peak above car-free Zermatt.
Ideal: Ideal for nature, mountain views, photography, and Alpine atmosphere.
The near-perfect pyramid shape of the 4,478-metre summit is no accident: four separate glaciers carved all four faces at once to produce this form. The first ascent was made on 14 July 1865 by Edward Whymper's party, but on the descent a rope broke and four of the seven died; this disaster is considered the event that closed mountaineering's golden age. Cars cannot enter Zermatt at its foot — access is only by train from Täsch. The triangular shape of Toblerone is said to come from this peak.
Why go?
- To see the Swiss Alps' most recognisable mountain view
- To build nature, hiking, and photo routes around Zermatt
- To feel Alpine atmosphere at its strongest
Travel tip
Always check the weather — in cloud the Matterhorn may not appear and the experience drops sharply.
