Zermatt

Zermatt is a mountain village in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, lying at the foot of the Matterhorn (4,478m), one of the most recognisable peaks in the Alps. The resort is well known for being car-free: access is by train from Täsch, with local transport limited to electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages. The Gornergrat cogwheel railway offers views of the Matterhorn and the Gorner Glacier. Zermatt has strong ties to mountaineering history, most notably the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865, commemorated at the local mountaineers' cemetery. The ski area, shared with Cervinia on the Italian side, allows high-altitude skiing for much of the year thanks to the Theodul Glacier. The village retains traditional wooden Walser-style chalets, particularly along the main street, Bahnhofstrasse, lined with shops, hotels and restaurants serving raclette and fondue. The surrounding mountain landscape also offers numerous hiking trails in summer, with views over several peaks exceeding 4,000 metres.