The Matterhorn Mountain...the most photographed mountain in the world
Driving up the tiny valley of Zermatt in the canton of Valais is the high towering Matterhorn mountain. Located at it's base is the world famous village of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn Switzerland with a height of over 14,000 feet is one of Switzerland's most famous mountains and landmarks and by many mountaineers considered the peak of all peaks. Z'horu as we locals call it (it means mountain) was first conquered on July 14th 1865 lead by Englishman Sir Edward Whymper. On that first ascent four of the seven young men lost their lives. You can see the original rope used from that first expedition that tore during the descent in Zermatt's Alpine Museum. Ever since that first attempt, the Matterhorn mountain caused lives during the climbing season. Most mountain climbers now take the Hörnligrat (North-East face) for their ascent. Climbing up to this mountain starts mostly in Zermatt with a hike to the Hörnli Hut at just below 10,000 feet. From there it will take you a 4 to 5 hour climb up the Hörnligrat to the summit. About half way up at 12,000 feet is the Solvay Hut which has been set up as an emercency refuge. However not all of them make it for various reasons. They are not fit enough or they are so badly equipped that they give up or the weather is so bad that it does not make sense to continue. Zermatt is the birthplace where modern helicopter rescue missions began. Very dificult high altitude rescues where man and machine are at their limits. If you are like me, I prefer to view this mountain area by helicopter. By good weather, Air Zermatt offers fantastic flights around the Matterhorn mountain and the Monte Rosa Massif. I used to fly in the early 90's for that company and it was always very exciting to notice the Japanese taking their pictures. During their whole trip they took so many pictures that they hardly saw anything live. The helicopter flights start at the heliport from Air Zermatt at the entrance of the village. You depart from the heliport and climb all the way up to an altitude to 15,000 feet. On the way to the summit you will cross the "Zmutt Gletscher" a glacier below the north face of the mountain. Once over the glacier, you begin sometimes to experience updrafts along the Matterhorn north face that pushes the helicopter right up to the top - what a feeling.
When you finally leave the Matterhorn mountain, you head south to the glacier of "Testa Griga" and "Theodulgletscher" two other glaciers. You will overfly the "Klein Matterhorn" Europe's highest massive cable car that begins at about 10,000 feet and ends at just over 13,000 feet. It took many helicopter trips to carry the concret and the heavy steel pylons to that altitude - but that's another story. Your 20 minute helicopter trip continues to the Rothorn before being on final back to the base. As of Zermatt - well it is a small village of only 6,000 people. But in the wintertime the population increases to 25,000. It is by all means a romantic place for a week or two of vacation. Zermatt does not allow cars in the center. The hotels and shops use small electric vehicles to move around people and luggage. Getting to Zermatt is a little more complicated than for example going to Gstaad, Crans-Montana or Verbier. If you are using your car you can drive to Täsch, a village just 4 miles before Zermatt. There is enough parking space in Täsch. However, most people take the train from Visp below in the Rhone valley which takes about one hour.
How do you get to Matterhorn Mountain? From Geneva International Airport, trains are leaving regularly to Visp which takes just under 3 hours. There are also trains leaving from Zurich International Airport directly to Visp. You are not required to change trains until you are in Visp - before connecting to Zermatt. The total train travel time to Zermatt is 4 hours from either Geneva or Zurich. This is very time consuming for traveling such a short distance. Besides, I do not think that you like to struggle with all your skiing gear and suitcases on trains. However, there is an alternative to avoid this effort. You may want to charter a helicopter to get to Zermatt because it is fast, comfortable and uncomplicated. Swift Copters specializes in VIP flights and offers trips directly to the heliport of Zermatt. For more in information on Swift Copters click here. Return from Matterhorn Mountain to Switzerland Attractions Return from Matterhorn Mountain to High End Travel Switzerland Home Page |
