Thoughts on Zermatt

If you have to choose between the BO and Zermatt, I would go to the Berner Oberland. However, it does not appear that that is the choice so...My first trip, I really wanted to see the Matterhorn. The Rick Steve's book did not even cover it at the time, but both my husband and I felt that we would be missing something if we didn't get to see it. We went, thoroughly enjoyed it, and will probably not go back. (We have been back to Switzerland 3 times since that trip and not returned) I think it comes down to how important it is to you to see it (It was very important to us). Is there any way you can be "flexible" on that part of trip. For example, when we got to the Berner oberland that trip, the weather was horrible. So we changed things around and went to Zermatt and Chamonix and returned to the BO later in the trip. We had great weather in Zermatt (It seems that Southern Switzerland is drier than North of that line of alps that make up the BO) If you do it, I recommend you fit it in between Chamonix and the BO. If you have a car, you can catch the car train from just north of Zermatt that will take you to Kanderstagg which is close to Interlakken. It is a fun train. Our last trip to Chamonix, we did not go to Zermatt. However, we had a super clear day when we went up the Aguille du Midi and could see the Matterhorn from there. Even with that, it was not the same as being right at the base and hiking around the lower foothills.

Hi Kristi,

All depends... We stayed 2 nights in Zermatt and luckily had terrific weather. The main point was to see the Matterhorn. Glad I did. Would I go back? Probably not. The Berner Oberland (stayed in Wengen) was (is) our favorite place in all of Switzerland.

Would you be taking time away from another place you want to see to go to Zermatt?

Paul

Paul-
We probably cut semi-short (by a half or full day) Luzern, Chamonix, Varenna (maybe would go through Lugano instead), and possibly Halstatt in Austria. Not all of these would get shortened, but those are the options. As of now, I do have some wiggle room.

I have been to both areas..although only once to Zermatt. I enjoyed seeing the Matterhorn, but would pick the BO over it anyday, where I have been at least a dozen times. I cannot imagine never going back to the Berner Oberland. It is breathtaking and I don't think you would be sorry about your choice.

My view is virtually the same as the others.

I saw both Zermatt and the BO on my first trip to Switzerland in 1992.

I've been back 5 to Switzerland times since then, and have gone to the BO every time, but never gone back to Zermatt.

On a trip that flows nicely without Zermatt, don't add it and steal time from the BO. Enjoy the BO and get your 'checklist stop' of the Matterhorn whenever it is convenient.

You have gotten some good advice and I totally agree that the Matterhorn is off the beaten path. We loved the BO and stayed in Wengen and found it a perfect place to stay. We also very much enjoyed Zermatt and seeing the Matterhorn--weather was perfect and it was mid May and Zermatt was tourist free. But, we were coming up from Italy after a two week stay and it was easy to stop off at Zermatt. Perhaps you can plan to see the Matterhorn on a future trip? This combines nicely with a trip to Italy. Enjoy!

Hi Kristi,

Very hard for me to say to go or not to go to Zermatt. Yes, the BO (Wengen) is my favorite place and I'd go there any day over Zermatt. That's obviously because I've been to Zermatt. The Matterhorn was a "must see" for me. If it's not a "must see" for you (and there's never a guarantee you'll actually see it it due to weather), I'd spend any "extra" time that would have gone to Zermatt in the BO.

Sorry, not much of an answer.

Paul

Thanks for the input everybody. The posts were what I was hoping for and expecting. If we will take it in on this trip (we're still discussing it), we would probably take it in after Chamonix (and the BO), travel from there to Lugano and then into northern Italy into the Dolomites. I think we could get the extra time in, so we just have to decide if it's worth it. If not, I am sure we will make it a stop on our next trip.

Zermatt is much more than a "one-mountain town", and the Matterhorn deserves more consideration than a spot on everyone's checklist.

We didn't make it to Zermatt until our fourth trip to Switzerland. But when we finally went, I was very glad we made the effort to get there and spend 3 days. The Gornergrat train journey takes you to a place that rivals the Jungfraujoch (without the hordes of people), and the hiking all around Zermatt is fantastic---and usually with a full-on view of the Matterhorn either in front of you or over your shoulder.

We've spent around 20-25 days hiking in the Berner Oberland, and yes, it is a wonderful place with terrific scenery. But as good as it is, I don't know of any spot in the BO that compares to the view of the Matterhorn reflected in the Stellisee, a lake above the town you reach by hiking. We had it all to ourselves, and I have that photo---with myself and 2 sons---as my wallpaper on my computer.

But the Matterhorn is a shy mountain, and you can't count on seeing it on any given day. People who go just for one night are often disappointed. And people who go for 3 or 4 days may also be disappointed, unless they find the hiking worthwhile in its own right, without seeing the mountain.

In your case, since it is but a short diversion from your path between Chamonix and Lugano, and you'd probably like to break up that journey anyway, I think it makes sense to take your chances with a one-night visit. Even if you don't get lucky and see the Matterhorn, you can get a feel for what the town and area offer, and decide if you would like to return for a longer stay. June is, BTW, still early season there. The wildflowers may be out, but the weather may still be unsettled. Hotel prices won't have reached their peak, which is a good thing.