PEAKHOUSE MATTERHORN HIKE 2026

Itinerary

• Dates: June 24-30, 2026

• Location: Zermatt, Switzerland

• Accommodation: Lodge-style apartments

• Transport: Rental vehicles for group travel

• Hiking Focus: Alpine ridgelines, glacial valleys, wildflower meadows, and iconic Matterhorn views

Day 1 – Arrival in Geneva or Zurich → Transfer to Zermatt

12:00 PM – Arrive in Geneva Airport (GVA) or Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Land in Switzerland and make your way to Zermatt. From either Geneva or Zurich, take the efficient Swiss train network to the mountain town of Zermatt (3.5 to 4 hours). Cars are not allowed in Zermatt, so the final leg is by electric shuttle from Täsch.

4:00 PM – Arrive in Zermatt and Check In
Settle into your mountain hotel or alpine guesthouse with views of the Matterhorn. Zermatt is a pedestrian-friendly village with cobblestone streets, wooden chalets, and fresh mountain air.

Evening – Orientation Walk and Matterhorn Views
Take a short walk through the village to the Matterhorn Museum or ride the Sunnegga funicular for golden hour views of the iconic peak. On clear evenings, the Matterhorn glows orange at sunset.

Day 2 – Five Lakes Trail (5-Seenweg)

8:30 AM – Ride the Sunnegga Funicular and Blauherd Gondola
Start the day with a lift up to Blauherd, the trailhead for Zermatt’s most popular moderate hike.

9:00 AM – 1:30 PM: Hike the Five Lakes Trail
This scenic trail winds past five alpine lakes (Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee), each reflecting the Matterhorn in calm weather. The trail offers a mix of forested paths, open meadows, and wildflowers, with plenty of places to pause for photos or a picnic. Distance: ~6 miles | Elevation: mostly downhill or flat with a few gentle climbs

2:00 PM – Return to Zermatt
Descend via gondola or continue hiking down to the valley floor. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in town or visit the Forest Fun Park for an optional treetop ropes course adventure.

Day 3 – Gornergrat Panorama Trail

8:30 AM – Take the Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway
Ride the iconic cog train up to Gornergrat (10,135 ft), one of Europe’s highest open-air railways. The summit station offers sweeping views of 29 peaks over 4,000 meters, including the Matterhorn, Dufourspitze, and Gorner Glacier.

9:30 AM – 2:00 PM: Hike the Gornergrat to Riffelalp Trail
Descend on foot from the summit to Riffelalp, traversing a panoramic ridgeline with dramatic glacier views, wildflowers, and perhaps sightings of ibex or marmots. The trail is well-maintained but moderately steep in parts. Distance: ~5.5 miles | Elevation: ~2,400 ft descent

2:30 PM – Return to Zermatt by train from Riffelalp
Take the cog train down or hike further if energy allows. Stop by a terrace café back in town for a relaxed afternoon.

Day 4 – Edelweiss Trail & Glacier Garden Exploration

9:00 AM – Depart Zermatt for the Edelweiss Trail
Start from Zermatt and climb the zigzag trail up to the Edelweiss hut perched on a rocky outcrop.

9:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Hike to Edelweiss & Trift
The route leads through forest and into a hanging valley filled with alpine flora and waterfalls. Continue to Trift Hotel (if desired) for even more expansive views of the Mischabel range and glacier basin. Distance: ~4–6 miles depending on turnaround point | Elevation gain: ~1,500–2,300 ft

2:00 PM – Visit Gorner Gorge (Gornerschlucht)
Return to town and walk to the nearby Gorner Gorge, a dramatic slot canyon carved by glacial meltwater. Explore the wooden walkways winding above turquoise water and vertical rock walls.

Day 5 – Free Day + Optional SkiingHörnli Hut Approach Hike (Base of the Matterhorn)

7:30 AM – Ride Schwarzsee Gondola
Take the lift to Schwarzsee (Black Lake), where climbers begin their ascent of the Matterhorn.

8:00 AM – 1:30 PM: Hike to Hörnli Hut and Return
Follow the high alpine trail up the Matterhorn’s shoulder to Hörnli Hut (10,695 ft), the historic mountain lodge and basecamp for summit attempts. The hike is steep and rocky but manageable for fit hikers. Views of the east face and surrounding glaciers are breathtaking.  Distance: ~5 miles roundtrip | Elevation: ~2,300 ft gain

2:00 PM – Return to Zermatt and Rest
Spend the afternoon resting or visiting a wellness spa like Backstage Hotel’s cube spa with Matterhorn views.

Day 6 – Choose Your Adventure

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM:

• Hike from Täschalp to Zermatt (Optional Hike)
  Shuttle to Täschalp (via taxi or e-mountain shuttle). Ride up a small mountain road to Täschalp, a remote alpine dairy plateau where cheese is still made by hand. This high valley trail is less trafficked and incredibly peaceful. Hike past grazing cattle, glacial rivers, and forested ridgelines with near-constant views of the Weisshorn and Dom. Distance: ~6.5 miles | Elevation: rolling descent with a few short climbs

• Ski Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Optional Ski)

  Start the day with an early breakfast in Zermatt, then catch the Matterhorn Express gondola around 8:30 AM to head up toward Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. After about 45 minutes of ascent through Trockener Steg, you'll arrive at the highest ski area in Europe at 3,883 meters. Spend the morning carving wide-open glacier runs with reliable snow and sweeping views of the Italian and Swiss Alps.

  Around noon, break for lunch either at the mountain restaurant at Glacier Paradise or down at Trockener Steg, depending on your route. In the afternoon, continue skiing across the expansive network of high-altitude slopes, or link over to the Italian side toward Cervinia if conditions and lift schedules allow.

4:00 PM – Final Afternoon in Zermatt
Stroll through Zermatt, shop for Swiss chocolate or handcrafted goods, or enjoy your final view of the Matterhorn from a quiet bench above the river.

Day 7 – Depart Zermatt → Return to Zurich or Geneva

7:00 AM – Morning Train from Zermatt
Take the train back to Geneva or Zurich depending on your flight. Each leg takes approximately 3.5–4 hours, passing through picturesque alpine valleys and lakes.

12:00 PM – Arrive at Airport
Catch your flight home after an unforgettable week in the shadow of the Matterhorn.

​Pricing

• ​Shared room: $2,250

• ​NOTE: $100 discount for rental car drivers & Payment plans available

• Spaces are limited, so if you’re interested, sign up below!