Zermatt – Ice Psalms and Hiking Paradise of the Alps

The charm of Zermatt lies in the perfect blend of the steepness of the Alps with the gentleness of the lake. Whether it’s paragliding soaring into the sky or a leisurely picnic by the lake, you can find your own Swiss memory here. 💗 Must-visit attraction recommendation - Matterhorn As an iconic peak of the Alps, the pyramid-shaped mountain body shines with a metallic sheen in the sunlight, and the “Sunshine Golden Mountain” at sunrise and sunset is even more stunning. It is recommended to take the Gornergrat Bahn to the observation deck at 3089 meters above sea level, with a 360° overlook of 29 peaks above 4000 meters above sea level. For classic reflections, you can get off at Rotenboden station and hike to Riffelsee, where there may still be thin ice in May. - Matterhorn Glacier Paradise The highest cable car station in Europe (3883 meters above sea level) with up-close views of the Matterhorn and Teodor glacier. The ice palace, 15 meters underground, showcases fantastic ice sculpture art, and you can also experience alpine skiing in the summer. From the observation deck, you can have a panoramic view of the mountains and glaciers in Italy, and on a clear day you can even see Mont Blanc in France. - Five Lakes Walk From Blauherd, it passes through five alpine lakes including Stellisee and Grindjisee, each reflecting a different posture of the Matterhorn. It is recommended to wear waterproof hiking shoes as wildflowers bloom along the way in May. There may be residual snow on some sections. The whole journey is about 9 kilometers and takes 3-4 hours, and at the end Sunnegga can be returned to the town by cable car. - Zermatt Parish Church The town’s tallest building, with green spires set against the Matterhorn. The cemetery opposite the church houses pioneers who climbed the Matterhorn encounter, and concerts are often held in the Summer Square. Climb the church tower to overlook the fairytale view of the small town’s red-roofed wooden houses intertwined with the snow-capped mountains. - Gonagrat Golden Photography Spot The observation deck, added in 2023, has a visual impact with the century-old golden locomotive as the background. The nearby Swiss Tour Photo Frame is also a photo hotspot, suitable for commemorative photos. ♂️ Immersive gaming experience - High-altitude adventure: Take the cable car from the Furi cable car station to Schwarzsee and experience the longest forest rope climbing park in Switzerland, or hike to Zermatt-Matterhorn ski resort (some trails open in May) for summer skiing. - Glacier Exploration: Join a professional guide-led glacier hike deep into the Gornergletscher to observe ice crevasses and ice caves up close. Equipment is required to be booked in advance, and warm clothing is recommended for lower temperatures in May. - Cultural Explorations: Visit the Matterhorn Museum to learn about mountaineering history and glacier formation, and zipline rides through the pine forest at Zermatt Forest Fun, for parents and families. 🍳Alpine flavor on the tip of the tongue - Cheese Fondue Recommend Chez Vrony restaurant, a century-old restaurant known for its homemade cheese and air-dried beef, with a wooden décor that’s full of Alpine flair. Paired with pickles and roasted potatoes, the rich cheese aroma is classic with local white wine. - Air-dried beef (Bündnerfleisch) Zermatt’s specialty cold plates are firm and smoky. Vacuum-packed finished products can be purchased at small-town butchers or sampled freshly cut with rye bread at Restaurant Al Bosco. - Lake fish cuisine Fresh trout from Lake Geneva are not to be missed. We recommend the pan-fried lake fish from Edelweiss restaurant, served with lemon juice and butter. The restaurant’s terrace overlooks the Matterhorn and advance reservations are recommended. - Swiss French fries (Rösti) The street cart’s golden hash browns are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served with sausage and sour cream for a carbohydrate-happy pull. Recommended with a glass of local craft beer for a taste of the Swiss countryside. - Chocolate and pastries The hazelnut honey cake from century-old store Heini is smooth and the Luxembourg chocolate from Confiserie Sprüngli melts in your mouth. In the afternoon, enjoy macarons and coffee at the Café du Center and enjoy the town street view. 📌 Practical tips - Transportation: Zermatt is a car-free town and requires a gear train transfer from Tasch station to access. The Swiss Travel Pass is recommended, which covers the cost of the Gonagrat train and cable car, with a separate Glacier Express seat reservation fee (from CHF 29 in the off-season). - Best season: May temperatures 5-15°C, occasional showers, windbreaker and warm clothing required. There are fewer tourists at this time, and glaciers and wildflowers are in the same frame, suitable for photography and hiking. - Photo Spots: Golden Photography Spot in Gonagrat, Lake Liffel Reflection, and Lake Stelly on the Five Lakes Trail are all sanctuaries for filming. - Safety Tip: Some hiking routes still have snow accumulation in May, wear crampons and follow signs. Glacier hiking requires the employment of professional guides to avoid venturing alone.