Switzterland is known for its multiple mountains and snowy peaks. This time I set off to one of the most famous ones, the Matterhorn.
The journey started with a 3h train ride up the mountain to the little town of Zermatt. The way up wasn´t nearly as aweing as the way down, since it was cloudy and foggy, resulting in a very poor view of the mountains and green hills. But the way down made up for it, it was a sunny and cloudless day and the views with which we were rewarded were breathtaking.
Zermatt is very touristy and full of luxurious houses and hotels, it´s the place skiers go year round. Luckily for me it is also a nice settlement for hikers. I spent two nights there with my mum and a few other members of my family.
Once you get out of the little town and head into the mountains, the crowds disappear and you´re left with the nature and well yes, another few other hikers as well.
As we got there, the Matterhorn was topped with clouds and only the bottom was visible now and then. We were excited about it until we woke up early the next morning to the most amazing view ever. The Matterhorn was completely visible and the sky was a deep blue!
Climbing up the Matterhorn is a job for skilled climbers. If you´re not a skilled climber, like me, don´t worry, you can hike half way up, to a cottage from where you can see the peak of the Matterhorn and enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate!
Now, halfway up sounds like a simple thing, but it´s not when we are talking about the Matterhorn. Take the lift to the Schwarzsee-station. In the summer is the highest station you can reach, to then head to the Hörnlihütli (the cottage with the hot chocolate!). From there I started the way up, which at first I thought was going to take around 2h- 2 1/2h (up and down). Not such thing, it was around 4 1/2h- 5h (up and down).
Going up was no easy thing. Even in the middle of summer it´s cold up there, and while you are walking you feel warm, but the moment you stop, the icy wind bites through your clothes. So better be layered with some warm clothes, that you can take off while walking and quickly put on as to keep warm when standing still in the cold air.
There is something about climbing (ehem hiking) a mountain that makes me feel alive! It´s those hours that feel eternal while going up, the strenuous job of putting one foot in front of the other just to get one step closer and one step higher. Up and up you go, past several people, up and up until you finally get to the Hörnlihütti (in my case, in the case of more skilled climbers to the very top of the Mountain!!) and while trying to catch your breath, have it taken away all over again by the beautiful and amazing view that lies before your eyes!
While I layered myself with sweatshirts to keep me warm and settled myself at a table to enjoy my very well deserved cup of hot chocolate, I didn´t once took my eyes off the multiple mountains with snow surrounding me.
Believe me, you will want to stay there at least half an hour, catching your breath and rewarding yourself with the view. After that it´s time to head down again.
The path is rocky and somewhat difficult, so going down is as much a challenge as going up. Eyes and mind on the path (with some pauses to regard the view and catch your breath of course!).
In the cablecar I was able to regard the Mattherhorn one more time and be amazed at just how far up I´d made it! It´s so impressive to look at where you have gone not only from the top but also from the bottom, for it is from there from where you can really appreciate just how far you´ve been.
Once I found myself back in Zermatt I looked for a place where I could dip my sore feet (the shoes didn´t pass the hike-test) in the river and relax (if you could call icy water pinching like needles into your skin relaxing). When my feet were finally numb, I made my way to my hostel to rest.
Next day my mum and I woke up very early to see the sunrise. It was so worth it. The first rays of sun catch the peak of the Matterhorn and make their way down slowly, bathing the mountain in fresh sunlight!
After that we made a mini-hike following the trail that leads you to Furi. After one hour we turned back, because we had to catch our train, but the view we had from the Matterhorn from that angle, was worth getting my feet once again into my killer-shoes!
If you are one of those people that loves nature, hiking and challenges this is the place for you. It certainly was an amazing experience for me! And even if you are none of the above, maybe you surprise yourself by going to Zermatt and loving it. You don´t have to hike to get the view of the Matterhorn, you just have to have some luck that you have good weather!
