Is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise “worth it”?
Swede4life is planning a trip to Zermatt in July and is questioning whether the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, priced at $125, is worth the expense. They're considering alternatives, as they have limited time to explore the area, and are seeking advice from fellow travelers.
If you opt for Gornergrat, the views are highly recommended and extra scenic, especially at sunset. Consider the Sunnegga as a budget-friendly alternative, especially if you have a Swiss Travel Pass which provides discounts on tickets. Rifflelalp offers a beautiful close-up view of the Matterhorn with fewer crowds, making it a great option for a peaceful lunch spot.
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Is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth the cost when visiting in July? $125 is a bit pricey. There is much to see around Zermatt and for us time is limited. Do people feel this is a “Must Do” when in Zermatt? Thanks.
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Hi Swede4life,
It really depends on what you like to see and experience during your trip to Zermatt. For me personally, if I have enough time and the budget I would definitely visit the Glacier Paradise. If you enjoy hiking, I think there are plenty more things to do on the Sunnegga Rothorn and Gornergrat. For more details you should visit our Zermatt page. http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt
Regards,
Anna
Hi Swede4life,
If I had to pick one view point I’d go with Gornergrat because I like that view much better. If the lowest price is important than Sunnegga is a good choice: tickets are only CHF 22 – 27.50. With a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card it’s half that price.
Hi Swede4life
I have hiked in the Zermatt area several times but never visited the Glacier Paradise so I have no opinion on that.
I would offer these suggestions to consider. In my opinion the best view of the Matterhorn is from Rifflelalp. It is I believe substantially closer to the Matterhorn than at the Gornergrat Summit. You can have lunch at the outdoor restaurant in from of the hotel there with a great view of the Matterhorn. (see attached photo taken from hotel) There are other very scenic views from the front lawn looking down on the town.
There is also a little known and uncrowded lookout of the Gornergletscher just past Riffelsee. It is essentially the same view as at the summit but without the crowds. We hiked from Riffelalp to Riffelsee and then the lookout which is a very nice hike with constant views of the Matterhorn and takes about 2-2.5 hrs. But can access Riffelsee from the next to last stop on the Gornergratbahn and a short 10-15 min walk. Once at Riffelsee you continue to the trail on the far side of the lake( really a pond) to a small trail that leads to the lookout after a 10-15 min walk. Also a good place to take a lunch. (see attached photo). You can then return to Riffelsee and catch the train up to the summit or down to Zermatt. Or do as we did and continue hiking on the trail to the left of Riffelsee to the backside of the Gornergrat where you will see a series of switchbacks that takes you to the summit. A very scenic and uncrowded trail.
Last, if you are hiking in the Sunnega area (the 5 lakes trail for instance) you can take a side trail to Hidden Valley. A very beautiful area. It is not on any maps we saw but all the locals are familiar with it and our concierge gave us directions. It is basically immediately across the ravine from Fluhalp above Grunsee.(see attached photo).
Enjoy your trip, Mark
Mark, thank you. We will proceed to these places accordingly. Larry
Hi Mark –
You caught some really impressive images.
The powerful Hidden Valley view is new to me, and it will surprise and please my friends and family.
Glad that you posted those.
Would you mind if I send it on to friend, with attribution? “From Mark.”)
Slowpoke
Attachments:
Hi Slowpoke
Of course you may use the image if you wish. It truly is a “hidden” valley between 2 ridges and not on any maps. But every local we talked to recommend it as a scenic hike. We actually started from our hotel at Riffelalp and probably 8-9 miles round trip but not too steep. A stream runs through it and makes it very green and grassy in an otherwise very dry and rocky area.
Still have a 2 week hiking trip to Wengen and Sils Maria scheduled for mid September. Not looking too good so far, as Switzerland still closed to US, but have my fingers crossed. Ten of us going and we have never been to Sils. I was really looking forward to staying at the Waldhaus Hotel, I’ve heard good things about it and the hiking in the area is reportedly good as well. At 68 I’m not nearly as aggressive a hiker but still good for 10-12 miles, hopefully.
Mark
Hi Mark –
Thanks.
I’m a bit older and have got some serious conditions to manage right now. Still planning on Switzerland, but not making any reservations at the moment. All of my immediate family will have completed 2-stage vaccination in the next couple of weeks, and my son is an avid skier. He’s not had much time on the slopes this season.
Good luck on September. Friends have spoken positively about that well known hotel. I have never developed a taste for the location in that valley, so haven’t been to the Waldhause.
Slowpoke.
Hi Swede4life,
Ivisited both the Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat one after the other with a stop in Zermatt to eat on the way the the Gornergrat Bahn. I have to say that I was more impressed with the Gornergrat than the Kleine Matterhorn. I’m glad I went, but I was more taken in, and fascinated by the scenery on the way, and the whole experience riding all the way (to Trockener Steg) in one car. You can get off/on at a few stops and hike around, take pics, etc. See attached pic taken from the Schwarzee stop. (One can even see the Gornergrat Kulm hotel from the Schwarzee stop). But over all I was highly impressed with the Gornergrat. The Matterhorn, the glaciers, being surrounded by 14000 foot peaks, the sunset…it was an amazing day. Definitely recommended. If you have the STP, there is a discount on the price. Enjoy.
Danielsan
I am Mike, Maggie’s husband. In reply to MarkAbout the hotel Waldhaus am See in St Moritz. If you can access Maggie’s trip report in August 2017, she praises this hotel. We were very well cared for. Mike
Hi Mike
Thanks for the suggestion. I did look up Maggie’s report of August 2017 and it looked like she did not name Waldhaus in Sils Im Engadin per se but just a stay at a hotel in St Moritz. I’m glad you found it to be nice experience. I would very much appreciate info on the best hikes in the area but I suspect the moderator may insist I start a different thread.
Mark
Hello Mark.
I’m not sure that there is a Waldhaus Hotel in Sils.
The hotel in St Moritz is in a superb position on a hill overlooking the lake. We took a room with a lake view – brilliant.
I’m afraid I know nothing about hikes! Maggie and I were well into our 70s, so did strolls rather than hikes! I did attempt a hike that year but suffered a heart attack within two months of returning home. Maggie was convinced the hike was a contributing factor. I think that hike was from Muottas Muragl to Langard(?) (hope I’ve got the spellings right). Perhaps one of the moderators can help you with that hike.
We preferred to stroll to enjoy the views of the landscape and the wildlife and wild flowers.
I hope you find what you are looking for
Hi Mike
The Waldhaus in Sils is actually on a hill just outside the town. It is fairly well known as I saw it in a movie recently (the movie had Sils Maria in the title)and it is top rated on TripAdviser. (Must change the filter to top rated to see review)
My wife and I are in our late 60s so our hikes are looking more like strolls as well. We live in East Tennessee 30 minutes from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park so we have a good resource to keep our legs in “hiking” shape. Still my favorite hike from SP to First is about at our limit now. Age does catch up to all of us, Boo.
mark
I looked it up and the movie is Clouds on Sils Maria. I didn’t think much of the movie but the scenery was beautiful.
Hi Mark,
If you’re visiting St Moritz, the stroll around the lake is an easy hike and a good way to explore the area. You can find a description of the trail here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/lakestmoritz
The Muottas Muragl – Alplanguard trail is a bit longer but big on views: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/muottasmuragl-alplanguard
More hiking suggestions and other activities in the Upper Engadine region can be found here: http://www.myswissalps.com/upperengadine/activities
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna
Thanks for the suggestions. We have our fingers crossed that by September Switzerland will be accessible to US travelers.
Mark
Mark, 10-12 miles over how many days, or per day? That’s still a lot of coverage! Mid September is much more likely than my July trip.
Hi Lthompson
It would be 10-12 miles per hike but that is a generalization. A seasoned hiker knows that the difficulty of a hike depends on not just distance but also elevation gain or loss, footing, and perhaps altitude. Our 2 favorite hikes in our Smokey mountains are Mt Le Conte (11miles, 2500 ft elevation gain) and Charlie’s Bunion (8 miles, !000 ft gain).
Typically on a weeks hiking trip in Switzerland our day hikes (no overnighters for me) we’ll chose hikes between 5-10 miles and maybe one as long as 11 or 12 miles if it is somewhere we really want to go.
Mark
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