Zermatt: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
For our last day in Zermatt, we headed up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, which is the closest you can get to the Matterhorn mountain without actually climbing on it. A series of cable cars takes you up nearly 4000 meters above sea level to a state-of-the-art complex.
Going up and up and up!
I read that the most difficult part of building it was recruiting a construction crew that could work for long periods at such a high altitude – the oxygen levels are low enough to reduce productivity by as much as fifty percent.
At the top there was a summer ski rental, a cafe, and free wi-fi. Score!
We got there just in time to snap a keepsake photo with the Matterhorn peak at the top of the extremely windy viewing platform.
Then, the clouds came in and we went back down one cable car stop to find the starting point of the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. This was our most ambitious hike in this region, clocking in at almost 7 miles and 70 floors climbed. The kids did great despite the elevation changes and unsteady footing near the glacial moraines.
The weather, although cloudy and windy, did not produce rain (or snow at the higher altitudes). I was feeling pretty anxious about the weather conditions turning poor on what was already a pretty tough hike for the kids.
Almost at the top of the last climb!
On a clear day, the Matterhorn would be in view, but even without this, the trail was spectacular.
Screenshot-ed proof of our journey.
Eventually, we were back in the valley to enjoy our last evening in Zermatt. The late summer sun, the old dairy barns, and flower boxes everywhere made for fun exploring down little roads and alleys.
Ah, Zermatt, you are amazing.
