Visiting the Matterhorn

hitchglitch
hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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edited August 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We will be visiting Lake Maggiore in early September and may come back over the Simplon pass which we have done many times before. Considering visiting the Matterhorn and would appreciate any information on where to stay with the motorhome. Zermatt seems
the obvious place as we will need need access to public transport or taxis. What trips are available from Zermatt? Any site recommendations e.g. ACSI?

Comments

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    If I remember correctly, you cannot drive all the way to Zermatt, the last 7km or so you need to take a train, there is plenty of car parking, but a MH may be more difficult.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #3

    That's right K .You park up at Tasch and take the train.

    I once sneaked up on my motorcycle and got a right telling off from the Zermatt rozzers.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2016 #4

    There is an ACSI site, Camping Attermenzen, near Tasch apparently with a shuttle service to Zermatt.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #5

    Sounds ideal!

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2016 #6

    I am not sure what options are available once you get to Zermatt and the website is not that clear. I presume the train goes part way up the mountain then there is a cable car. Is it worth doing?

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #7

    Can't help there as we only took the train to the town, had a walk around, admired the mountain and had lunch.

    However there does seem to be quite a bit of information on the various tourist sites, if you have time to plough through it all.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #8

    Try the Swiss Center in London HG.

    They should be able to  give all the info you might need.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited August 2016 #9

    We went skiing to Zermatt last year. There are 2 sides to the Matterhorn and you definately want to go from Zermatt side, not Cervinia in Italy as it isn't anywhere near as spectacular looking.

    A couple of options. 

    1. Take a cog driven train from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat station at over 3000 metres - theres a hotel, cafe and stunning views of the Matterhorn from the terrace or

    2. Use the cable cars to go via Furi, Trockener Steg and up to the Klein Matterhorn at 3883 metres or so and the views are just awesome.

    Enjoy.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #10

    And take warm clothes if you go right up there. The temperature at this very moment in August at Klein Matterhorn is minus 6 C. 

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2016 #11

    Excellent advice, thanks. We will take warm clothes and hope for clear skies.

  • ScaniaMan69
    ScaniaMan69 Forum Participant Posts: 75
    edited August 2016 #12

    Hello, I hope I can assist.

    We stayed at Camping Attermenzen, nice site, but a SWISS hook up adaptor is needed. If the site is not busy, they will lend you one.

    Walk up to Tasch and get the frequent train to Zermatt. You can then take the Gornergratt railway for spectacular views of the Matterhorn. It is very, very graceful.

    Site review
    here for Attermenzen

    Russ

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2016 #13

    Hello, I hope I can assist.

    We stayed at Camping Attermenzen, nice site, but a SWISS hook up adaptor is needed. If the site is not busy, they will lend you one.

    Walk up to Tasch and get the frequent train to Zermatt. You can then take the Gornergratt railway for spectacular views of the Matterhorn. It is very, very graceful.

    Site review
    here for Attermenzen

    Russ

    Thanks. Very helpful. We have borrowed an adapter before in that region. 

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited September 2016 #14

    Well we got to Camping Attermenzen which is an ACSI site so quite cheap for Switzerland. There is a shuttle taxi into Zermatt, cost 7 Swiss Francs per person each way which I think is quite reasonable. I think you could also walk to Randa and get the train
    but would probably cost more. Did the railway trip from Zermatt to Gornergrat - absolutely stunning! Many views of Matterhorn, Monta Rosa and dozens of other peaks  

    The site is attractive with excellent toilet block with copious hot water. Proprietor is a lovely lady and very helpful. Site sloping and fairly random pitching but all part of the fun.

    I highly recommend this trip but, of course, it's all VERY expensive. 

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited September 2016 #15

    Thanks for bringing us up to date. Agree, the view from Gornergrat is stunning and the Matterhorn is just magnificent. I keep thinking its only 4 months and I get to dig my skis out again!! 

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