It’s hard to believe that I’ve now been blogging for over 4 years and this is the first time I’ve posted pictures, well, close up pictures, of one of the world’s most iconic mountains – the Matterhorn. My excuse, if I needed one, is that Jude and I have been to Zermatt so many times before, with almost every one of our friends and family who came to stay when we first moved over to Switzerland.
Anyway, my sister, Karen, has been visiting this week with her partner, Paul, and they were keen to go there. So, we drove around to Tasch, parked up and took the shuttle train to (the car free) Zermatt. Now although the Matterhorn looks impressive from almost any angle, it’s far best viewed from the Gornergrat at 3,100m (or 10,170ft). But do not worry if you are averse to hiking, as there is a train which will whisk you up to the top. 😊
To give you some idea of the scale of what you are looking at, I’ve posted a picture (no. 4) of the ultra modern, ‘space age’ looking, Monte Rosa Hut, which is 5 storeys high and sleeps 120 people. Picture 5 zooms out a little (and you can, I hope, spot the hut in the centre of the lower part of the image) and then picture 6 shows the full extent of Monte Rose (also called the Dufourspitze and is Switzerland’s highest mountain at 4,634m or 15,200ft), with the hut towards the lower right.
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
Incredible photos. Thank you for sharing a personal look at them.
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You’re very welcome. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
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Wow that’s high! I feel a nose bleed coming on.
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The Gornergrat is not that high, relatively speaking, though it looks and feels it, when you look down on the glaciers below. We have a few 3,000m peaks around us, which can be walked quite easily in a day, but the Monte Rosa, most definitely, is VERY high!!
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When you live in Norfolk anything over 10 feet is high! 🤣😂.
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Yes, it’s funny how you adapt to your surroundings. 1 foot (when I was in the UK) equates to 1 metre to me now and I think nothing of walking up a 3,000m peak, though I do usually start at 1,400m to 2,000m rather than sea level. I also find the walking easier for some reason, despite the altitude. The paths somehow seem easier.
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Beautiful, Mike!
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It’s a very impressive location, though I have to say that I’m not that keen on Zermatt itself. It’s full of restaurants, hotels and holiday apartments and far too touristy for me. I prefer the more natural peace and tranquility of or valley, though we do get a few tourists as well.
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It’s a great way to get up the mountain, your pics are stunning!
Did you manage to see the glacier?
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Thank you and yes, we saw the glacier – waaay down below! (You can’t miss it really). If you like glaciers, check out my post from yesterday. I’ve been told they practice landing light aircraft on the Trient plateau!
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Wow 😮 I’ll take a look
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Hopefully you’ll not be disappointed. I wasn’t and I’ve seen a few in my time over here. 🙂
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