1. Home
  2. Hiking Tours
  3. Hiking Tours in Europe
  4. Switzerland Hiking Tours
  5. Hiking Tours in Zermatt & the Matterhorn

Hiking Tours in Zermatt & the Matterhorn

Zermatt hiking tours are based in Switzerland's iconic car-free mountain village, directly beneath the Matterhorn. Macs Adventure's Zermatt route uses the town as a base for shorter day hikes, rather than the multi-day trek covered on our separate Walker's Haute Route page.

Trails include the Five Lakes Walk (Fünf-Seen-Weg), where the Matterhorn reflects in a chain of small mountain lakes, and the high-altitude Europaweg above the valley. The Gornergrat cogwheel railway reaches viewpoints hikers can then walk down from.

20+ years of self-guided hiking expertise and hand-picked Zermatt stays - Macs Adventure, a leader in self-guided travel.

3 routes

Sort by:

Routes in Zermatt & Matterhorn

  • France · Switzerland

    Walker's Haute Route

    • Walking
    • 8–15 days
    • Challenging
    from$3,590CAD pp
    View Route
  • Switzerland

    High Trail to the Matterhorn

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Challenging
    from$4,235CAD pp
    View Route
  • Switzerland

    The Glacier Express Rail and Hike

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Easy - Moderate
    from$4,745CAD pp
    View Route

Zermatt puts the Matterhorn's classic profile within reach of hikers who want shorter days than a full Alpine trek.

  • The Matterhorn dominates the skyline from almost every trail around Zermatt, one of the most photographed peaks in the world
  • The Five Lakes Walk (Fünf-Seen-Weg) reflects the Matterhorn in small mountain lakes along a moderate day route
  • Zermatt is entirely car-free, reached by train, keeping the valley genuinely quiet
  • The Gornergrat cogwheel railway reaches high viewpoints hikers can walk down from, cutting the day's total climb
  • Luggage transfers and hand-picked Zermatt stays are included throughout
Woman hiking the Matterhorn North

Zermatt & Matterhorn like a local

  • When to go

    Mid-June to September for the best trail access, with July and August warmest. The Matterhorn is visible year-round from town, but higher trails need summer conditions.

  • What the trails are actually like

    Day-hike routes around Zermatt, including the Five Lakes Walk and Europaweg - shorter and less sustained than the multi-day Walker's Haute Route trek.

  • Where you will stay

    Hand-picked hotels in Zermatt itself, a car-free village reached by train, with easy access to trailheads and the Gornergrat railway.

  • How fit do I need to be

    Easy-Moderate. Day routes around Zermatt suit a wide range of fitness levels, with cable-car and train options to shorten any stage.

  • How is this different from the Walker's Haute Route

    This route bases you in Zermatt for shorter day hikes. The Walker's Haute Route is a separate, multi-day trek that arrives in Zermatt from Chamonix.

More regions to explore

Know before you go

Get inspired for Zermatt & Matterhorn

  • Switzerland

    Hiking in Switzerland: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Trails, Seasons & Travel Tips

    Plan your Switzerland hiking vacation with tips on the best time to go, top trails, alpine weather, packing advice & travel logistics with Macs Adventure.

    Read blog
  • Mountain Hut Bernese Oberland

    Switzerland

    Best Things to do in Switzerland

    Discover the best things to do in Switzerland, from Zurich and Lucerne to Zermatt and the Bernese Oberland on alpine adventures with Macs Adventure.

    Read blog