I just got back from a short trip to Zermatt. It has been a dream of mine to spend a few days in this picturesque alpine village situated at the foot of the iconic mountain—the Matterhorn, which is one of the most photographed mountains in the world. It truly was a breathtaking experience, seeing the Matterhorn up close.
The village of Zermatt is breathtaking—the well-maintained wooden houses nestled on the foothills of the Matterhorn as well as the boutique shops, restaurants, and hotels decked with alpine flowers. It’s such a charming little village, where walking or cycling is the norm. Cars aren’t allowed in the village. If you travel to Zermatt by car, you will need to park it in a nearby village called Täsch. Then, you proceed to Zermatt by train, which takes around 12 minutes. Of course, you can reach Zermatt by train from any point in Switzerland.
I opted to travel to Zermatt via the Glacier Express. It was such a scenic trip by rail, and I was served a four-course meal on the train. It was an enjoyable experience. In hindsight, a two-course meal would have been sufficient: the main course and dessert. I could have done without the salad and the cheese and crackers. Though they were delicious, it was just too filling for me. But if you’re extra hungry, definitely go for the four-course meal.
It was a rainy day when I boarded the Glacier Express, but that didn’t dampen my mood. I was just as thrilled gazing out the train’s large window, enjoying the scenery as it unfolded before my eyes—farmlands, fields of pasture, bridges and tunnels, pine trees, wooden houses, cows with bells, sheep grazing contentedly on the plentiful grass around them, rivers and streams, and natural rocky landscape on both sides. As we sped closer to Zermatt, I saw wooden houses roofed with heavy slabs of rock dotting the landscape. It was like walking into an enchanted fairytale kingdom. It truly was a magical and unforgettable experience!
It was perfectly sunny throughout the rest of my trip, so I was able to enjoy the Matterhorn to the fullest under a canopy of clear blue skies—I couldn’t have asked for better weather. Hiking down to the lakes (there are many to choose from) was exhausting but definitely worth it. The views to the Matterhorn from these vantage points were simply stunning. I would do this trip all over again if I could, preferably in summertime. This way, I would be able to see lots of alpine wild flowers during the hike. That would be a dream!
For now, farewell Zermatt and Matterhorn. I will carry with me such lovely memories of this short but sweet autumn trip for the rest of my life.