Episode 202: The Ultimate 2-Day Zermatt Itinerary: Mountain Excursions, Hikes, and Local Eats
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Planning two days in Zermatt? Local expert Claudia Wyss shares her tips for creating the perfect Zermatt 2 day itinerary, with plenty of ideas for making the most of your stay beneath the Matterhorn.
You’ll discover some of the best things to do in Zermatt, from riding the Gornergrat railway and visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to exploring the Matterhorn Museum.
Claudia also shares her favourite walks and hikes, including the 5 Lakes Hike and Matterhorn Glacier Trail, plus suggestions for the best restaurants Zermatt has to offer.
Whether you love mountain views, hiking, local history or great food, you’ll find plenty of ideas and inspiration for an unforgettable two days in Zermatt in this episode.
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Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn about:
- What makes Zermatt a unique and authentic Swiss village worth visiting
- How to arrive in Zermatt via the scenic Matterhorn Alpine Crossing from Italy
- Claudia’s ideal 2-day itinerary including the Five Lakes hike and the Matterhorn Glacier Trail
- Insider tips on the best restaurants for local specialties like raclette and cheese fondue
- Practical advice for making the most of your mountain excursions, including transport and timetable tips
- Suggestions for what to do in Zermatt if the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor activities
Our Guest
Claudia Wyss was fortunate to grow up in the stunning mountain town of Zermatt, right in the heart of the Swiss Alps. From a young age, she was hopping on cableways to go skiing, biking, hiking or climbing – depending on the season!
Claudia is happiest outside, soaking up the mountain air and making the most of the great outdoors. She also loves meeting visitors from all over the world and sharing her passion for Zermatt, including its incredible cableway network and all the exciting activities her hometown has to offer.
Activities mentioned in this episode
>> Matterhorn Alpine Crossing – The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing is a spectacular cable car journey linking Zermatt in Switzerland with Cervinia in Italy. Travelling via Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the route offers incredible views fof the Matterhorn and surrounding Alpine peaks.
>> Five Lakes Hike – The Five Lakes Hike is one of Zermatt’s most popular walking trails, passing five picturesque mountain lakes. On a clear day, several of the lakes offer beautiful reflections of the Matterhorn, making this a particularly scenic hike.
>> Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – At 3,883 metres, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is Europe’s highest cable car station. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Alps, explore the Glacier Palace and step onto the viewing platform for a breathtaking high-altitude experience.
>> Matterhorn Glacier Trail – The Matterhorn Glacier Trail offers a fascinating look at the landscape left behind by retreating glaciers. The trail runs between Trockener Steg and Schwarzsee, with information panels explaining the geology, glaciers and changing Alpine environment along the way.
>> Gornergrat – Reached by a scenic cogwheel railway from Zermatt, Gornergrat is one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of the Matterhorn. From the top, you can also see the Gorner Glacier and numerous 4,000-metre peaks.
>> Matterhorn Museum – Located in the heart of Zermatt, the Matterhorn Museum explores the history and development of the village. Its exhibits cover traditional mountain life, t he growth of tourism and the dramatic story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.
Restaurants: In the hamlet of Findeln, just below Sunnegga:
- Paradise
- Enzian
- Adler Hitta
- Findlerhof
- Chez Vrony
Fondue in the village:
- Whymper Stube
- Zermatterstübli,
- Say Cheese at the Zermatterhof
- Du Pont
Other restaurants in the village:
- Schäferstube for lamb from local farmers
- Marlo, a typical Italian restaurant run by an Italian family
Restaurants on the mountain around Furi:
- Blatten
- Restaurant Furi
- Gitz Gädi at the Silvana hotel
- Zum See
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Useful resources
💻 Read more about things to see and do in Zermatt, best hotels in Zermatt, Best mountain excursions from Zermatt, and see all our articles about Zermatt in our Zermatt Travel Guide.
Plan your visit with the helpful resources on the Zermatt Cableways website and Zermatt Tourism website.
🎙️Listen to more of our podcast episodes about Zermatt:
- Episode 147: Visiting Zermatt? 5 Reasons to Add the Five Lakes Hike
- Episode 106: How to Plan Your Perfect Trip to Zermatt
- Episode 80: Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
- Episode 51: Magnificent Mountain Excursions from Zermatt
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> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.
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