DAY 1: Higher & Higher
klein matterhorn & Matterhorn glacier paradise
If you have a fear of heights, you might want to skip this one (or skip Switzerland altogether). A stomach-dropping ride to the highest cable car station in Europe takes you to Klein Matterhorn, for an excellent view of the Matterhorn (which you won't be attempting to scale anytime soon, so don't worry), along with France's Mont Blanc and Italy's Gran Paradiso in the distance, a trifecta of mountainous delights. From up here, you can take a relatively easy walk on the glacier (the thin air might have you questioning your own fitness), check out the glacier grotto, or test your limits with an even higher ascent at the following stop.
Suggested duration: 3 hours. Visit www.zermatt.ch for opening times, and more information. (on-site ticket prices are cheaper)
BONUS: BREITHORn
If you want to add a 4,000 meter ascent to your climbing resume, here's your easiest chance to do so. Thanks to the 3,800 meter-ascent via cable car (Klein Matterhorn) you only have about 200 meters more to ascend. Still, it's not quite a breeze as the actual breeze at this altitude can knock you off your feet, so you will have to rent the appropriate equipment and hire a mountain guide. But don't let that stop you; glory is within reach and you can tell all your friends back home that you climbed a 4,000 meter peak. You might want to omit the part about the cable car or the mountain guide. Also, many of your fellow hikers perished on the way.
Suggested duration: 3-4 hours. Visit www.zermatters.ch for more information.
zermatt
Villages don't get much more charming than Zermatt, with its mountainous surroundings, 500-year old architecture, and horse-drawn carriages (you'll have to park your car in the nearby town of Tasch and take a 12-mile train ride to get here). This level of charm doesn't come cheap, but you're on vacation (you can start saving when you get home.) Zermatt really amps up the level of charm in July and August, with the daily procession of black goats (9 AM - 5 PM) and folklore-inspired musical performances.
Visit www.zermatt.ch for more information.
STAY THE NIGHT IN: Zermatt
DAY 2: Above & Below Ground
Riffelsee
The reflection of this lake gives you a stunning, alternate view of the Matterhorn. It's best to get here early in the morning when the wind isn't rippling the water. Along with the Alpine flowers dotting the various hiking paths this lake is truly a photographer's "wet" dream. It's only 10 minutes away from the Rotenboden station of the Gornergratbahn, giving easy access to the next stop.
Suggested duration: 60 minutes. Visit www.zermatt.ch for more information.
gornergratbahn
The highest open-air train station in Switzerland is Gornergrat, a 33-minute train ride from Zermatt. Along the way, you'll be spoiled with excellent views of the Matterhorn from the comfort of your train seats, perfect for adventurous couch-potatoes. Along the way, you can get off at any of the stops for various activities (such as the aforementioned Rotenboden stop which provides access to Riffelsee) and then continue on your sedentary voyage to the top. for additional views at the observatory.
Suggested duration: 90 minutes. Visit www.gornergratbahn.ch for tickets, train schedule and more information.
Bergsteigerfriedhof Zermatt
If you need to provide evidence that some of your fellow hikers perished along the way up to Breithorn yesterday you could take some pictures of graves at the Mountaineer's Cemetery, where many of the Alps hikers who lost their lives are buried. Or you can just be honest about your climb and come here to honor the... fallen. While their deaths are tragic, at least they "went out on top."
Suggested duration: 30-60 minutes. Visit www.zermatt.ch for more information.
STAY THE NIGHT IN: ZERMATT
DAY 3: Comforts of Home
Sunnegga
A funicular from Zermatt takes you to this natural terrace with a lake, Leisee, that doubles as a popular swimming hole during the summer months. From here, you can access the marmot trail, then inevitably add marmots to the list of wild mammals that you'd like to take home with you. You'll only catch them in the warmer months, unless you have a shovel to wake them from hibernation.
Suggested duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.zermatt.ch for more information.
findeln
The former grain and cattle cabins of this hillside village now function as holiday homes and restaurants. The only way to get here is to hike from Sunnegga (let that rustic Swiss cuisine serve as motivation) then hike back to Sunnegga for access to the next stop.
Suggested duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.zermatt.ch for more information.
rothorn paradise
A 20-minute gondola trip from Sunnegga takes you up 3100 meters for one last epic view of the Alps, yet another swimming hole, and good enough food to distract you from those views. Do stick around for the sunset before the sun sets on your epic vacation.
Suggested duration: 3-4 hours. Visit www.zermatt.ch for more information.