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Zermatt is a famous Valais holiday resort. This renowned ski resort is located at the bottom of a valley (Mattertal) at the foot of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa group in the Valais Alps (Walliser Alpen) in southern Switzerland, at an altitude of 1,600 meters.
The small town is a famous and picturesque summer center and a renowned winter sports center without car traffic. There are no motor vehicles in the village: horse-drawn sleighs, carriages, and electric cars are the only means of transport allowed. Wonderful are the views from the center of the town of the Matterhorn mountain.
WHAT TO SEE: THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF ZERMATT
Around Zermatt there are 38 of the 76 European peaks that exceed four thousand meters. The ski area is connected to the Breuil-Cervinia (Italy) area through the Teodulo pass (3,301 m.s.l.m.) and the Testa Grigia (3,480 m.s.l.m.).
A daring narrow gauge railway connects the town with the Gornergrat at 3,089 meters in height over a dozen kilometers. Another train takes you to Sunnegga Paradise (2,288 m asl) and from here it is possible to reach Rothorn Paradise (3,103 m asl) by cable car.
Other scenic spots accessible from Zermatt with cable cars are the Schwarzsee paradise (2,583 meters), from which you have a beautiful view of the Matterhorn. Another very nice place is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 meters), the highest point in Europe reachable by cable car, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the alpine glaciers from Monte Rosa to the Matterhorn.
HOW TO GET TO ZERMATT
Access for private vehicles is only allowed up to Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). By car you can reach Zermatt from Visp along the road in the direction of Tasch and Zermatt, until you reach Tasch. Here you can leave your car in the convenient covered parking of the Matterhorn Terminal Täsch (13.50 Swiss Francs per day, payment in automatic cash machines (Francs and Euros), credit cards). From the car park you arrive directly at the departure terminal of the trains to Zermatt (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn).
For the transport of luggage you can use the trolleys that are located on each floor of the parking lot. The trolleys, for use, require a 5 Swiss Franc coin which will be returned to you upon arrival, when you reinsert the trolley in the appropriate lane. Trolleys can be brought and hooked on board the train and released in Zermatt.
After traveling for 12 minutes, the train transfer ends in the station square, in the heart of the village at the foot of the Matterhorn. The cost of the return ticket is 15.60 Swiss Francs (or 10.60 Euros). All very efficient and Swiss!
The climate of Zermatt.
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