Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: an excellent day trip in Zermatt

Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by asoulwindow

About Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Traveling via cable car to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise while in Zermatt, Switzerland, is among the best things to do and see. It may cost an arm and leg to travel on but the views from the highest cable car station in Europe is to die for but it is just not the views to come and see, there are other things up there also.

A scenic cable car ride, ice carvings, undulating ski slopes, panoramic sceneries and breathtaking views make Matterhorn Glacier Paradise or Klein Matterhorn one of the top places to see in Switzerland in Western Europe.

This comprehensive blog on Matterhorn Glacier Paradise answers all your queries in great details. This travelogue, based on personal experience is the most exhaustive blog on Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ever.

Nomenclature of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Why is it called Matterhorn? The word Matterhorn translates to “the peak in the meadows,”. It is derived from the German words Matte which means meadow and Horn which means peak.

Soul Window Trivia

Did you know that Matterhorn is also known as Monte Cervino in Italian and Mont Cervin in the French language. Well, not many people are aware of the fact that the French and Italian names correspond to the antlers of a red deer (Italian: cervo; French: cerf).

And before readers get confused, let me explain that Klein Matterhorn and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise are exactly the same place.

The Cable Car ride at Matterhorn: Highest Cable Car in Europe

What is the best way to visit the Matterhorn? The cable car station is easy to get to from anywhere in Zermatt, located at the southern side of the resort and it is signposted. The cable car ride and the buildings on route are wheelchair friendly and step-free access which is great, just don’t expect the mountains to be friendly mind you. The journey itself takes a while but the views are amazing, to which the Matterhorn is in view all the time and further up you go, there is more rocky treeless landscape to take in before the snowy peaks. It reminds me of the picturesque Gondola ride I took in Gulmarg, Kashmir.

However, the journey is done in two parts. The Matterhorn Express gondolas take visitors to Trockener Steg at 9642 feet or 2939 metres. From here there is a connecting cable car (known as the Matterhorn Glacier Ride) which does the steepest part of the journey to the summit of Klein Matterhorn at 3883m (the highest cable car station in Europe).

This is where the snow peaks come into play and it gets a little bit colder due to the thin air and elevation gained since traveling up from Zermatt, which is 5314 feet or 1620 metres above sea level. In my experience, the journey time including the waiting can be around, say, forty-five minutes to an hour going up. It is slightly quicker when going down.

The cable car ride is open 365 days a year, so great for hikers and sightseeing in the summer months and skiers in the winter months.

What is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise famous for?

What is the Matterhorn famous for? What is interesting about the Matterhorn? How popular is the Matterhorn? These are some frequently asked questions I keep getting on Matterhorn. There is no reason why you should not put Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on your Swiss to-do list. Afterall, Matterhorn is one of the top places to see in Switzerland near Zurich.

Matterhorn is the tenth highest peak in the Alps which make it very popular with mountaineering enthusiasts as well. The mountain which has four distinct steep pyramid-type faces, looks visually stunning as well. This explains why Matterhorn is such a tourist magnet!

Did you know that Matterhorn is one of the most-photographed mountains in the world? What makes Matterhorn Glacier Paradise so popular with the tourists is the fact that it is one of those rare places in Europe from where you can easily enjoy a spectacular 360° views of the snow-clad Alps. Opportunity for day hikes also make it popular with trekkers.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is also very popular with serious and amateur skiing enthusiasts because you can find snow here 365 days in a year. What’s more? The highest cable car station in Europe is also located in Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Skiing in Matterhorn Zermatt

Matterhorn and Zermatt are Switzerland’s most famous ski resort. No wonder many tourists visit Matterhorn for the sole purpose of skiing. While many other resorts wait to reopen, you can do skiing in Matterhorn.

What makes Zermatt one of the best skiing destinations in the world is the fact that you can expect 360 kilometres of prime ski slopes here. The climate of Zermatt is conducive to enjoy year-round skiing here. Did you know that you can also ski to the Italian side? Ski to Chez Vrony and Ski at Sunnegga Paradise is also a good idea. Now you know why Zermatt is such a popular resort for family ski holidays!

Best things to do around Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

What do people do on the Matterhorn? Below are some of the top things to do in Matterhorn:

• Go Hiking
• Enjoy Skiing
• Visit the ice cave
• Visit nearby lakes
• Climb the Matterhorn
• Soak up in the hot tub
• Play cards or boardgames
• Soak in the amazing views
• Pamper yourself at the spa
• Take the cable ride to Matterhorn
• Enjoy conversations over a bonfire
• Dine in the tallest restaurant of Europe
• Enjoy the local vegan and vegetarian food
• Fly over the Swiss Alps on a helicopter tour
• Spend time doing photography and Vlogging
• Go shopping in the boutique stores of Zermatt
• Indulge in the good quality Swiss wines at the Elsie’s Wine & Champagne Bar.

Visit ice cave tunnel at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The way we do this trip is to let all the visitors from the cable car go to the viewing platform and we head into the Glacier Paradise. Here we took a lift to go inside the mountain and walk down a tunnel into an ice cave full of amazing ice sculptures which are probably changed every year. It is colder here than outside so, bring a jacket. The ice sculptures are located 15 meters deep into the mountainside and are easily accessible, as there is a slope path or an elevator to take.

Now our top tip here, as already mentioned, takes the right clothes. It can be colder here than outside on the peak of the lofty mountain. Check out some of the amazing sculptures we saw in these photos.

Photography Tips for Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

For the photographers out there, make sure the camera battery is fully charged. I have trekked and shot professional pictures and videos in several high-altitude destinations such as Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet. In my experience, using cameras in the cold weather drains the battery much faster. Just in case, take some spare batteries also.

See the Italy and Switzerland border

Right next to the viewing platform, there is an exit where you can check out sporting activities and see the border between Italy and Switzerland further down the slope. Even from here there is a cable car to take visitors to the beautiful European nation of Italy. You must do it if time and budget allows. Inside the building there is a restaurant (buffet bar style) and a small cinema with all the history of the Matterhorn to check out.

The Viewing Platform at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

There is a lift to take visitors to the platform on top of the building (one wonders how the Swiss build these buildings on mountain summits and shove a cable car system into them). Visitors will get astounding 360 degrees views. When visiting on a clear day, the views are truly amazing.

You can also soak inthe panoramic views of nearby nations of France and Italy. If one is lucky, the Mediterranean Sea can also be seen on a clear day.

We just about saw it as it is over 200 miles away. We simply took our time here to relax and enjoy these amazing views. One view we loved is looking down into the Zermatt valley. However, I feel that the view of Matterhorn, which is still amazing, is not as great up here when compared to, say, looking at it from Zermatt. It doesn’t look so much like a wizard’s hat.

Views of the snow clad peaks

From here, there are thirty-eight high-altitude mountain peaks which are over 13,123 feet or 4,000 meters above sea level and fourteen glaciers. Whilst looking around, we could see the peak of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe which is located in France and the peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch which are the highest peaks in Central Switzerland.

Treks around Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

A list of other things to do here are two main hikes which can be done in the summer, one is the Breithorn ascent, which takes hikers up the Mount Breithorn, 13,661 feet or 4164 meters above sea level. The route is around 5.4 kilometres long and it takes about three to four hours to complete because there is a lot of ascent and descent on the path. Just remember there will be snow on this mountain during the summer months and is not ideal for children. The other hike I will mention shortly.

Let me now talk about some of the other exciting hiking trails around Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. There are several stops on the way up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and after each stop there are hiking routes (as well as ski slopes) to check out. We didn’t do any hiking on this side of Zermatt but if anyone wants information on the routes etc then visit the tourist information centre next to the train station in Zermatt.

Matterhorn Glacier Trail: One of the other main hiking trails for visitors starts at the Trockener Steg which is one stop down from the summit on the gondola. The trail is called the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. It is 6.6 kilometres long and takes around three hours to do. Here is a great chance to get closer views of the Matterhorn whilst taking in lakes and the other nearby mountain peaks and finishes at Schwarzsee. Again, I haven’t done the trail in full but have done the Schwarzsee area. Fingers crossed for our next visit to do this.

Cinema lounge in the Breithorn tunnel

There is a cinema lounge located in the Breithorn tunnel which has several cozy seats and shows a film of the area which lasts several minutes. It’s a popular thing to do if one needs to give their feet a rest for a few minutes.

Where to eat vegan and vegetarian food in Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

For dining, Europe’s highest restaurant is located here and called En Guete. Whilst eating here, just look out of the window and take in those views. There is also shopping to be had for anyone wanting souvenirs.

After a while up here, we got a bit peckish so instead of going to the restaurant here from a buffet (sorry En Guete), I wanted ‘proper’ cooked alpine food. We noticed on the way up there is a small hotel-restaurant at the second cable car station stop called Schwarzsee (at 2583m). It is called Restaurant Schwarzsee.

Here we got great service whilst sitting outside on a terrace and had the Matterhorn and the other surrounding mountains to look at whilst mountain sheep and goats wander around. I have to admit, I always choose a rosti and a beer whilst in the Swiss Alps and that satisfies me to the max. Can’t beat a bit of seasoning and olive oil on top of the potatoes. Rosti is a vegan dish while rosti with butter or cheese or both is vegetarian.

Vegetarians can also try the famous Cheese Fondue of Switzerland. Emmental and Gruyere fondues are very popular here. Cheese based Raclette served with briny cornichons, baby potatoes and pickled onions is also great for vegetarians. You can also dine at the Michelin star restaurant here.

You can also do cafe hopping and indulge is some good quality regional wines, coffee and kombucha. Carry plenty of food and water if not using the expensive restaurants in the area.

Heading back down to the Schwarzsee lake

After a meal and before heading back down to Zermatt, I took a very short five minute walk to the nearby lake, also called as the Lake Schwarzsee to check out the small chapel here. I paused and soaked in the breathtaking views of the lofty mountains from different angles, jumped into the lake with the fish (do NOT do this if you DO not know what you are doing, its deep, very cold and still at high altitude – I am trained for these situations so I am a crazy nutter if you didn’t know already!) and smell the fresh alpine air. This area is simply perfect.

How to combat AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness?

Make sure you are dressed properly and have the right footwear in case you go onto the snow or onto the hiking trails. The air is thin up there so you may feel dizzy, cold and out of breath for a while. If this carries on, stay in the restaurant area to warm up and if it gets worse get a member of staff.

Worst case scenario is that you are whizzed off back down the cable car to thicker air. Don’t let this put you off, it’s very rare visitors will spend five minutes here and go back down. It is a case of getting the body adjusted to the altitude.

Where to Stay in Matterhorn glacier paradise and Zermatt?

Much of the accommodation is available in Zermatt which is more of an outgrown Swiss village. I mean, you can still see shepherds herding goats in the streets.

Zermatt is full of serviced chalets, self-catered apartments and good hotels. It is also possible to find reasonable priced (for Swiss standards) low-cost hostels in Zermatt for backpackers like me. Many hotels in Zermatt and resorts can also help you book ski lessons, exciting sports activities, day treks, ski hire and even book restaurants for you on request.

Some of the best hotels near Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is located in Zermatt. So, I would advise you to stay in Zermatt and travel to Matterhornfrom here.

How to book Matterhorn glacier paradise tours?

You can easily visit Matterhorn glacier paradise from Zurich all by yourself. Alternatively, for a hassle-free travel experience, you can book a packaged tour to Matterhorn glacier paradise.The tour package to Matterhorn glacier paradise will be more expensive than the self-planned trip but it will save you the pain of planning every minute details all by yourself.

What is the best season to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

When should I visit the Matterhorn? What is the best month to see Matterhorn? Is Zermatt better in summer or winter? You must know answers to these frequently asked questions before you plan a trip to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Below is a detailed account of weather, climate and temperatures in Matterhorn Glacier Paradise for all seasons.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Summer

The months of June, July and August make the peak tourist season in Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Zermatt.This is also why prices are high in Matterhorn during the summer season. Summers are when the temperatures remain the warmest in Zermatt and Matterhorn.

However, having said that, the temperatures remain within their teens even during the peak summer month. This means that you must still carry warm clothes even when visiting Matterhorn in summer season.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Winter

Can you see Matterhorn in winter? Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise open in December? I had these doubts too before I visited Matterhorn. Yes, of course, it is possible to visit Matterhorn and Zermatt in peak winter months.

You can also indulge in some of the winter activities such as sledding, skiing and snowshoeing.

What is the coldest month in Matterhorn glacier paradise, Zermatt?

Needless to say, January is the coldest month in Matterhorn glacier paradise, Zermatt. In January, the temperatures can dip to as low as-13.7 °C or 7.4 °F.

What is the best time in the day to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

Early in the day is the ideal time to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. This is because there are less clouds and you are more likely to get a view of the most famous mountain in the area, the Matterhorn (the one which looks like a wizard’s hat) which is also known as Klein Matterhorn.

I always say start early especially in the summer months before the droves of tour companies bringing in hundreds of sightseers with their cameras.

Does Matterhorn always have snow?

Is there always snow on the Matterhorn? The good news is that Matterhorn has snow throughout the year. This means that you will enjoy breathtaking views through the year irrespective of the season.

Is there always snow in Zermatt? Does Zermatt have snow in summer? Yes, expect impressive snow conditions, even during the midsummer when visiting Zermatt or Matterhorn.

Soul Window Travel Tips

Here is a travel tip. The thing with Matterhorn is that no matter what season it is, the mountains may remain under a thick cloud cover which will obstruct your view. This is why it is wise to check the weather before paying a visit to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise or Gornergrat. You sure don’t want to miss spectacular views of the Alps on a clear day!

What month does it snow in Zermatt?

There is no fixed month when it starts to snow in Zermatt. However, expect snow in Zermatt between October and end of November.

How often does it snow in Zermatt?

First you need to understand that it doesn’t snow everyday (if wishes were horses, beggars would ride!) in Zermatt. On an average, Zermatt has around 26 snowfall days in a year.

Average annual snowfall of Zermatt has been recorded to be 341 cms per year. The average snow depth at Zermatt has found to be around 168 cm.

What to pack for Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

Just remember, irrespective for which season it is, there will always be snow on the peaks, so remember to wear the right clothes and keep warm. It makes perfect sense to pack in a lot of woollen clothes, windcheaters, gloves, sunglasses etc when traveling to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Switzerland. Sensible footwear is needed too.

What to wear in Matterhorn in winter

What to wear in Zermatt winter? Since it gets very cold in Zermatt in winter months, you must pack the below mentioned items. Here is the complete checklist on what to pack for Matterhorn and Zermatt in the winter season.

• Hats
• Gloves
• Scarves
• Mufflers
• Sweaters
• Cardigans
• Warm layers
• Down jackets
• Monkey-caps
• Thermal tops
• Windcheaters
• Woollen bottoms
• Insulated winter coat
• Cold-weather accessories

How to get to Matterhorn glacier paradise?

How to reach Matterhorn? After arriving in Zermatt from Zurich via Visp, I walked towards the end of the village in southern direction to board the Matterhorn Express. From here, the Cable car to Klien Matterhorn is available easily.

Is there a train from Zermatt to Zurich?

How to go to Zermatt from Zurich by train? Unlike United States of America, the railway network acrossEurope is pretty impressive. It is fairly simple to reach Zermatt from Zurich or Zurich from Zermatt. Here are some valuable tips.

If you catch a train from the Zurich airport (Flughafen), you will reach Zermatt Bahnhof, the main station in Zermatt under 3 hours and 30 minutes. Trains to Zermatt Bahnhof from Zurich Main Station (HB) take around 3 hours and 15 minutes. You may have to change trains, mostly at Visp. The frequency of trains running between Zurich and Zermatt is good.

Distances from Matterhorn glacier paradise

Which place in Italy is located closest to Zermatt? What city is closest to the Matterhorn?You will find all your answers in this detailed distance chart which will help you plan excursions and itinerary.

Distance between Bern to Matterhorn andZermatt is 131 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes via A6

Distance between Lucerne to Matterhorn andZermatt is 177 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours and 10 minutes via A2

Distance between Zurich to Matterhorn andZermatt is 214 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours and 33 minutes via A4

Distance between Geneva to Matterhorn andZermatt is 232 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours and 50 minutes via A9

Distance between Lausanne to Matterhorn andZermatt is 169 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes via A9

Distance between Lyon to Matterhorn andZermatt is 380 kilometres and it takes around 4 hours and 20 minutes via A9

Distance between Rome in Italy to Matterhorn andZermatt is 784 kilometres and it takes around 9 hours via E35 and A1/E35

Distance between Verrès, Aosta Valley in Italy to Matterhorn andZermatt is 210 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours via A9.

Distance between Saint Marcel, Aosta Valley in Italy to Matterhorn andZermatt is 183 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours via A9.

FAQ: Frequently asked Questions on Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Can I climb Matterhorn?

Yes, it is possible to climb Matterhorn. The first ascent of the Matterhorn took place in the year 1865. But can a beginner climb Matterhorn? Can a normal person climb Matterhorn? Is it hard to climb the Matterhorn? The answer to these is simple. Matterhorn is not easy to climb. You must have great fitness level to be able to attempt summitting Matterhorn. Previous experience rock climbing (5.7 grade) is a prerequisite.

Also, as many as 500 mountaineers have perished either while climbing or descending Matterhorn so far. On an average, 3-4 people die while attempting to summit Matterhorn.

Which is better Matterhorn or Jungfrau?

There are many reasons why the Matterhorn is better than the Jungfrau. Have you ever noticed a mountain on the pack of Toblerone chocolate? Well, that is the image of Matterhorn. This explains why Matterhorn is more of an iconic natural wonder when compared to Jungfrau.

Matterhorn is also far taller than Jungfrau. While Jungfrau is 13,641 feet or 4,158 metres tall, Matterhorn is 14,691 or 4478 metres tall. Matterhorn also has better infrastructure, facilities and connectivity than Jungfrau.

To summarise, both Jungfrau as well as Matterhorn have their own charm and both must be visited. But if you are pressed for time or have limited budget, then I advise that you must choose Matterhorn over Jungfrau for the reasons stated above.

Is Zermatt good for honeymoon?

Is Zermatt romantic? Yes, indeed. In fact, Zermatt is a very popular honeymoon destination in Switzerland. You can book one of the Zermatt honeymoon packages at best price and have a memorable time with your spouse. There are so many reasons why this wonderfully romantic destination for a honeymoon has so many takers.

Should I go on honeymoon in Zermatt? Yes, for that perfect mini-honeymoon in Zermatt, you must plan in advance so that you do not face any last-minute disappointments.

How do you enjoy the Matterhorn?

I feel that places like Matterhorn are best enjoyed with family and close friends. You can plan to do many activities together or just spend time having intimate conversations with your loved ones over a bonfire, talking about sweet nothings!

How long is the Matterhorn Glacier ride?

The Matterhorn Glacier ride takes anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes.

Are there ATMs near Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

One tip, bring lots of cash for this attraction as I came away suffering from open wallet surgery, but the whole experience was definitely worth spending money on.

You can check out this video on Matterhorn Glacier Paradise here

Conclusion: Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth visiting?

Is it worth going up to Matterhorn? Why do people go to Matterhorn? Here are some after thoughts and some tips. As a visitor to the area many times, despite the price, this is still one of the best cable car journeys we have been on to take in some of the amazing alpine mountain summit views in Europe. This place is truly amazing and we recommend you guys to go and check it out. We have done the journey twice and always come back feeling great.

Is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it? Of course, it is! If visitors are already in Zermatt, then this should be on the top of their list. Have you been to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise? We would love to hear what you think. Please leave a comment. Have a great vacation here.