Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

Monumental Peaks
A fundamental part of Swiss
life, the Alps are a playground
for hikers, bikers and rock
climbers – and the ingenuity
of Swiss engineering has
made many peaks accessible
to the less active visitor, too.
Perhaps the most majestic of
DISCOVER Switzerland Your Way village of Zermatt (p86). Still a
all is the iconic Matterhorn
(p86); this pyramid-shaped
behemouth looms over the
challenge for even the most
seasoned mountaineers, it’s
best admired from afar – take
the train to the rocky ridge of
Gornergrat for a stunning

5 view of the majestic summit.
Two hikers walking over
an icy path, with the
1 Visitors admiring art at Fondation Matterhorn in the distance
Pierre Gianadda.
2 A panorama pointing out landmarks
at the resort town of Verbier. SWITZERLAND FOR
3 The iconic Matterhorn reflected
in a clear mountain lake.
4 Walkers viewing the Aletsch Glacier. NATURAL
5 Wooden chalets lining Zermatt.
WONDERS
Day 6
Matterhorn Museum tells the story of the
drama surrounding the first ascent in After breakfast, take the cable car to
1865 and describes how the mountain’s Moosfluh for the start of the spectacular Switzerland brims with sublime natural beauty that has inspired painters,
distinctive silhouette has come to be so Aletsch Panoramaweg, a 12­km (7­mile) writers and photographers for centuries. But little can truly do justice to
well known. One of the best walks from walk beside the 23­km (14­mile) Aletsch the immensity of its mountains, the sparkle of its alpine lakes and the
the town of Zermatt is the Matterhorn Glacier, the centrepiece of the Aletsch
Trail to Schwarzee and its tiny chapel, Arena World Heritage Site. Stop for a sheer might of its glaciers. Prepare to bow down to Mother Nature.
passing through the hamlet of Zmutt reviving afternoon tea at Villa Cassel
where res taurants serve Valasian speci­ in Riederfurka, just above Riederalp;
alities. Have a drink (or stay) at the Monte Sir Winston Churchill was a regular guest Geological Marvels
Rosa hotel (p99) where famed mountain­ at Sir Ernest Cassel’s holiday home here. Geological features carved
eer Edward Whymper stayed before his Back in Riederalp, tuck into tasty locally out over millennia add their
fate ful ascent of the Matterhorn. sourced chinoise (hot pot) and raclettes own unique beauty to this
at Derby restaurant and bar (www.derby- fascinating landscape, from
Day 5 riederalp.ch), then rock out to live music, Europe’s largest waterfall to
deep gorges. In western
performed here through out the ski
Rise early to take the Gornergratbahn season. Stay overnight in one of the Swiss Switzerland, the one to see is
train to watch dawn break over one of the Alpine Club (www.sac-cas.ch) huts that can the Creux du Van (p152). A
finest viewpoints of the Matterhorn, and be found dotted around the area. range of hiking trails, from a
grab a quick breakfast at the Kulmhotel saunter to challenging treks,
Gornergrat (www.gornergrat-kulm.ch). Take Day 7 lead to breathtaking views
to the 360 Trail for great views of the Monte across the amphitheatre of
Rosa massif (p108) and a panorama of Make your way to Morel for the train back this grand canyon.
29 peaks, or, if you’re feeling energetic, to Geneva. Alternatively spend a leisurely
try the longer Five Lakes Walk. Later, day taking the scenic route to Zürich via
catch the train from Zermatt to Morel for Andermatt and the train through the Sunlight curving along
the cable car up to Riederalp, gateway to scenic Schöllenen Gorge to Göschenen the towering walls of
the Aletsch Glacier (p88). on the old Gotthard main line. the Creux de Van
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