Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we're happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Matterhorn Trek

7 days / 6 nights

1/8

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Experience the majestic beauty of the Matterhorn on a hiking adventure around Zermatt, one of the most famous mountaineering centers in the world.

Starting point

Zermatt

Finish point

Zermatt

Season

From June to October

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

2/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Experience the majestic beauty of the Matterhorn on a hiking adventure around Zermatt, one of the most famous mountaineering centers in the world.

Starting point

Zermatt

Finish point

Zermatt

Season

From June to October

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

2/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Admire the iconic Matterhorn from various angles
Stay in comfortable huts and mountain hotels with panoramic views
Savor delicious cuisine paired with stunning scenery
Create lasting memories and witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets in the Swiss Alps

Itinerary of the trip

Arrive in Zermatt, a popular mountaineering destination located at the foot of the Matterhorn. Take some time to explore the town and soak up the lively outdoor atmosphere.

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Start off the Matterhorn Trek with a hike to Berggasthaus Trift, a mountain hotel situated at an elevation of approximately 2,300 meters. The trail leads you past the Edelweiss Hut and a river gorge, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. While the Matterhorn may not be visible yet, the views are spectacular and the food at the hotel is outstanding.

Hiking

3.5 km and 730 m of elevation gain / 10 m of elevation loss

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On the second day, enjoy a majestic climb away from the hotel to a plateau where the Matterhorn comes into full view. The scenery becomes increasingly epic, with stunning views of the valley below and the iconic pyramidal peak. After traversing the mountain's flank, descend slowly into the valley, hike past glacial streams, and arrive at Schönbiel Hut, your destination for the day.

Hiking

12 km and 790 m of elevation gain / 430 m of elevation loss

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Experience the magnificent sight of the first light hitting the Matterhorn at Schönbiel Hut before retracing your steps back to a junction. Follow the trail towards Schwarzsee lakes, passing pastures and perhaps encountering some cows along the way. Relax at Hotel Schwarzsee, and enjoy a stunning sunset.

Hiking

9 km and 440 m of elevation gain / 550 m of elevation loss

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On day 5, the landscape transforms into a moon-like plateau, interspersed with streams of snowmelt water. Hike across the plateau following the Glacier Trail on the east side of the Matterhorn towards the Gandegg Hut. Marvel at the views of Monte Rosa and Breithorn, and the glacier of Matterhorn to your left.

Hiking

7 km and 620 m of elevation gain / 180 m of elevation loss

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The final day of hiking involves a descent back to Zermatt. As you drop in altitude, the scenery becomes greener, transitioning back to the beloved Swiss pastures. If you prefer, you can take the cable car from Trockener Steg to save your knees.

Hiking

10 km and 60 m of elevation gain / 1460 m of elevation loss

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As your walking holiday in Zermatt with Hut to Hut Hiking Switzerland comes to an end, take some time to explore the town before departing on your next adventure.

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

4 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

2 nights in (mountain) huts with half-board

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Private room (if available)

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

Experience the grandeur of the iconic Matterhorn on an unforgettable 7-day hiking adventure. The Matterhorn Trek takes you on a journey through the stunning landscapes of Zermatt, one of the most popular mountaineering destinations in the world.

The trek offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn from various angles. As you hike from green valleys to barren rocky landscapes, you'll witness the panoramic views of the surrounding 4,000m peaks, glaciers, and snowmelt water streams.

Along the way, you will hike past pastures, meet some cows, and at the end of each day, relax in a mountain hotel or a hut, from which you can witness some unforgettable sunsets (and sunrises, if you wake up early enough).

The itinerary is designed to showcase the best of the region, with a mix of mountain huts and hotels in idyllic locations offering great cuisine, and accommodation options ranging from dormitories to private rooms (for which you must book enough in advance).

To ensure you have an exceptional hike, we take care of all the logistics for you. From providing a detailed digital guidebook and GPS routes to booking all accommodations, our aim is to make your trip as smooth as possible. All you need to do is relax and soak in the stunning scenery.

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

The summer season for hiking is usually from mid-June to mid-October. Its start depends on the amount of snow left on the high mountain passes from the winter. The Walker’s Haute Route and Via Alpina have some high passes, which are usually free of snow only in July. Hiking before that could be dangerous without proper skill and equipment. In October, there is usually the first bigger snowfall, and the huts close to prepare for the winter ski season.

Read more about the hiking season in the Swiss Alps here.

We've rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

Even though the routes are usually quite close to at least a farm or a small village, they also feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services.

On the other hand, if you just feel that you cannot hike anymore, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to a bigger Swiss city.

Showers in Swiss mountain huts are rare and are only offered for an extra charge. That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days that you are staying in one of them.

No, because the huts provide their blankets and pillows. Still, you should bring a sleeping liner instead.

Cell connection is very changeable in the mountains. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see a town, you’ll have a reception. Mountain huts are the same — the signal usually doesn’t reach the insides, so try catching it outside. Wifi is available only in some huts, while most don’t have it.

If you dress accordingly, most stages can be done in light rain. However, do not hike if a storm is forecasted. In that case, you can take public transport to the next point when possible to make up for the lost time.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+13

Birgit Kindler

Verifed customer · 1 year ago

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

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Nachiket Mor

Verifed customer · 1 year ago

Daja Gorišek was the travel agent from here who meticulously organised the trek all the way from Meiringen to Lenk im Simmental. She took care of all the details -- from planning the actual trek route, the detailed GPS map for each stage, to the hotels. The actual experience was entirely consistent with what was promised.

Claudia Ossa

Verifed customer · 2 years ago

9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all. Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!

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Ann Swainson

Verifed customer · 10 months ago

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

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Robert Backlund

Verifed customer · 10 months ago

Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.

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Rebecca Lawson

Verifed customer · 8 months ago

Our 3 day hike had to be rearranged 2/2 weather, so a one day hike was arranged for us. We appreciated the concern about weather and conditions. Our hike was with Matevz, who was a great guide. Very helpful and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend and will be back for a longer hike one day!