Goldenbackpacker.com

ZERMATT - STAY FOR LESS "CHF"

ZERMATT is the Best of Swiss Mountain Resorts because it has the – MATTERHORN at 4478 mtrs– the Mountain pinnacle, which is the Icon of Switzerland. It was first climbed by Edward Wymper, a 25 year old Brit, with 3 Companions & 3 Guides on the 13 &14 July 1865 but sadly only Wymper & 2 Guides returned alive. The Town is promoted as “Car Free” with only Electric vehicles zipping around, so all the World arrives at the main Rail Station, where Backpackers rub shoulders with the Rich & Famous.

ACCOMMODATION

NO1 - INTERNATIONAL YHA HOSTEL on Winkelmatten, Staldenweg 5, CH -3920 (on the Eastern Valley side 20 mins from the Station) tele +41 (0) 27 967 2320 – www.youthhostel.ch/zermatt – CHF48 (plus 1.10 tax) for half board (breakfast & dinner) in 10bed dorm with separate showers/wc. No Self-catering but excellent meals, large ground floor Reception area with sitting, TV & Internet areas & adjacent reading/games rooms also laundry & boot room. This is a large modern Hostel, sparkling clean, with main building & 2 annexes, having a great view of MATTERHORN - a treat to stay.

Reserve – Hotel Bahnhof at Central 3920 (next to Rail Station) tele +41 (0) 27 967 2406 – www.hotelbahnhof.com– CHF35 (+tax) in ground floor multi dorm only with nearby large shower & WC. Great basement S/C Kitchen with all accessories & adjacent eating/sitting room. A good Hotel, location & friendly staff.

Note: Matterhorn Hostel is small, gloomy & depressing still, after 2 GB visits

FOOD is readily available from the 2 main Swiss Supermarkets – No1 COOP - with special 45c chocolate bars & MIGROS in the Town Centre.

TRAVELLING AROUND – to Zermatt itself is by the special Trains from Visp (CHF66 return) then in the Town it’s best on foot to explore all the passageways & paths, but listen out for the quiet electric cars which can come up behind you unawares. For higher altitudes the Gornergrat Rail & Zermatt Cable Cars gets you to the higher regions quickly, cutting out the boring lower forest slopes & effort needed, then enjoy walking down the many footpaths & trails.

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. MATTERHORN VIEW – incredible from all directions & angles also early mornings & sunsets
2. VISPA RIVER – exciting glacier grey River rushing through the Town Centre with sides pathway
3. STATION SQUARE – great for people watching, arrivals & departures also Info Centre for maps
4. CHURCH SQUARE – real Town Centre, Big Hotels, Climbers Cemetery, Guides Corner, Fountain
5. HINTERHOF QUARTER – old weathered wooden chalets & traditional “Mazots” or raised Barns
6. ENGLISH CHURCH – lofty position with graves of lost Climbers incl some of 1865 Group
7. PUBLIC LIBRARY – small & quiet with comprehensive collection of Mountaineering Books
8. HERBRIGGWEG WALK – delightful West slopes climb to grand views of Town & Hostel side
9. BLATTEN WALK – up Vispa & Cable route to picture postcard Village looking to Matterhorn
10. GORNERWEG WALK – behind Hostel through trees to Waterfall & Town North to Heliport

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1.GORNERGRAT RAILWAY – to top Restaurant at 3131 m with other pretty Stations on way
2. ALPINE MUSEUM – interesting displays of mountaineering bits & bobs plus 1865 Broken Rope
3.CABLE CAR RIDES – to Schwarsee & Matterhorn trail or Sunnegga & way to Rothorn - testing

**Richard (UK, Matterhorn & Eiger climber)
*Ulrich – Dave (Oz) – Michelle (Alpinehikers.com) Joshua, Ryan & Lisa (USA)