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Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it ultimate guide for visiting

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is one of the top mountain excursions from Zermatt. Often, it’s hard to choose between all the activities, especially if you only have a few days in Zermatt. I’ve visited the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and many other places in Zermatt, so I can compare which are worth visiting and which are not.

So, in this article, I’ll share my thoughts about the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, how to visit, what you can do up there, and whether it’s worth the time and money.

Are you ready? Let’s explore it together!

Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Worth It? Answered!

Yes, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is 100% worth visiting. It’s one of the best mountain excursions in Switzerland that offers spectacular views of the Alps and some of the highest mountain peaks in Europe, including the breathtaking views of Matterhorn.

It’s Europe’s highest cable car mountain station, and the 3S cable car ride to the top is very dramatic. You’ll ride above the glaciers, something you don’t often experience. It feels like a completely different world up there, and I was tearing up when I saw the beauty.

Besides, it’s also a great excursion for those who have never seen/experienced snow in their lives. If it’s you, go out of the station and walk in the snow, even in the peak summertime.

matterhorn glacier paradise zermatt
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station

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Interesting Facts About Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

πŸ”† Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cable car station in Europe (3’883 m/12’740 ft).

πŸ”† It’s located on the top of the mountain and is called ‘Klein Matterhorn’. So it’s not on the actual Matterhorn, as many might think. You’ll get stunning views of Matterhorn from different angles as you ride up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

πŸ”† It also hosts the highest Ice Palace (ice cave) and the highest mountain restaurant in Europe.

πŸ”† It offers stunning views of 14 glaciers and 38 peaks that are over 4000 m/13120 ft. high, and you’ll see 3 different countries from the platform: Switzerland, Italy, and France.

πŸ”† The cable car that takes you up is the highest 3S cable car in the entire world, offering an unforgettable ride above glaciers and massive mountain peaks.

πŸ”† It’s also Europe’s highest and biggest summer ski resort (with 21 km of slopes).

πŸ”† Last but not least, it’s a gateway to climb one of the easiest 4000 peaks in the world – Breithorn.

3S cable car highest mountain station in Europe Trockener Steg is matterhorn glacier paradise worth it
3S Cable Car To Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

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Visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: Ultimate Guide

If you’re considering visiting the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, here is everything you need to know about the excursion. Learn how to get there, save up with passes, what to do and not to miss out on, and how to plan your day.

Map Of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Alpine Crossing

Here is a map of the entire excursion from Zermatt to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to Cervinia (Italy); you can better visualize the station, how to get there, and where you’ll be.

πŸ“ ZERMATT ➑ πŸ“ FURI SCHWARZSEE ➑ πŸ“ TROCKENER STEG ➑ πŸ“ MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE ➑ πŸ“ TESTA GRIGIA ➑ πŸ“ CIME BIANCHE LAGHI ➑ πŸ“ PLAN MAISON ➑ πŸ“ CERVINIA

map excursion is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it
Map of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion

How To Get To Matterhorn Glacier Paradise From Zermatt

The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion starts at the’ Matterhorn Express’ cable car station. It’s on the other side of Zermatt (from the main train station). You can walk about 20-30 minutes from the main train station or take local shuttles.

Matterhorn Express Cable Car: Zermatt – Furi – Schwarzsee – Trockener Steg

First, take the Matterhorn Express from Zermatt all the way up to Trockener Steg.

There are 2 main middle stations along the way. The first one is called Furi, and the second one is Schwarzsee. Stay seated in the cable car until you reach the end station, which is Trockener Steg.

I recommend first getting up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and later in the afternoon, when going back to Zermatt, you can stop at the Schwarzsee middle station for some more views, photos, and afternoon snacks.

Matterhorn Express cable car is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it
Matterhorn Express cable car (from Zermatt to Trockener Steg)

Trockener Steg & InfoCube With 3S Cable Car

Welcome to the alpine station called Trockener Steg. Here, I recommend getting out of the cable car station and visiting the InfoCube center. It’s just across the main cable car station; you’ll see it before you walk out.

The last cable car section from Trockener Steg to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is covered by the 3S cable car. This cable car ride is an experience on its own. 3S stands for 3 cables; it’s a unique system where the cable cars are pulled on 3 different cables, unlike a regular cable car being transported just on 1 cable.

There are only about 15 3S cable cars worldwide. Still, the one to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest and most unique, thanks to the Alpine scenery.

It can transport about 2000 passengers an hour and runs 365 days a year. So check out the InfoCube and learn about the 3S system and how they constructed this cable car above massive glaciers. It’s insane.

After you’ve learned something new :), it’s time to hop on the 3S cable car and enjoy the ride to the top of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Have your camera ready, as this is truly one of the best rides you’ll ever experience. I was tearing up from the thrill and beauty around.

πŸ’‘ PRO TIP: You can also pay a bit extra for the Crystal Ride, a special cabin with a glass floor, so you can see the glaciers below you even better.

3S cable car is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it
3S cable car – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station
3S cable car highest mountain station in Europe Trockener Steg is matterhorn glacier paradise worth it
3S Cable Car To Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

πŸ‘‰ READ ALSO: 3 Days In Switzerland: 11 Itineraries For All Travellers & Seasons

What To Do Around Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Welcome to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car station. This excursion is truly about the views and being so high in the Alpine world, surrounded by glaciers and massive peaks.

Yet, it offers a few more activities. So here is what you can’t miss when you’re up there:

βœ… 360 viewing platform
βœ…
Cinema Lounge
βœ…
Ice Palace
βœ…
Snow fun outside the station
βœ…
Climb the Breithorn
βœ…
Go skiing
βœ…
Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
βœ…
Explore Theodulgletschersee
βœ…
Hike the Matterhorn Glacier Trail
βœ…
Walk around Schwarzsee

βœ… Cinema Lounge & 360 Viewing Platform

As I mentioned above, this excursion is mainly about the stunning views. After you arrive, you can walk to the Cinema Lounge and enjoy a show about mountaineering and local glaciers.

Then, walk inside the tunnel towards the lift and take it to the viewing platform.

The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise offers views of 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks above 4’000 m/13’120 feet (the Alps have 82 peaks above 4000m). And not only that, you’ll see 3 different European countries from there: Switzerland, Italy, and France.

Soak it all up and enjoy the atmosphere; I hope the weather is nice for you. Whenever you’re ready, take the lift back down to the station and keep walking through the tunnel until you see the entrance to the Ice Palace.

matterhorn glacier paradise zermatt itinerary 2 days
Me at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise viewing point
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise 360 viewing platform glacier alpine views the Alps
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – 360 viewing platform
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise 360 viewing platform snow
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station

βœ… Ice Palace

Enter the Ice Palace and walk through the ice cave with beautiful ice sculptures. Then, walk back to the tunnel until you reach the end.

There is a restaurant where you can have some food and also use the bathroom (using the bathroom costs 2 CHF, and you can also pay by card).

matterhorn glacier paradise ice palace ice cave
Ice Palace

βœ… Snow Fun Outside The Station

Walk out of the door and enjoy the outdoors a bit. I recommend just walking alongside the ski lift on the snow and enjoying the atmosphere.

I walked around for about 45 minutes and just enjoyed the vibe. It was amazing. Make sure to wear proper hiking boots to make it easier for you to walk on the snow.

And stay within the walking area where you see footprints, don’t go somewhere outside of ropes or where nobody else goes.

matterhorn glacier paradise zermatt
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station

βœ… Climb The Breithorn

You’ll see hikers with ropes climbing up the Breithorn. You can also join an expedition and climb the mountain, but you can’t go alone without equipment.

Climbing Breithorn is considered one of the easiest 4000 mountains to climb. The experience is on another level, so if you want even more adventure, sign up for this snow tour on the glacier.

Breithorn climbing Switzerland
Breithorn climbing
Breithorn mountain
Breithorn – Switzerland
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βœ… Go Skiing

This is insane, but Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is one of the few stations in Europe where you can also enjoy skiing in the summer. The sun is shining bright, it’s quite hot, and you get to go skiing. It’s the highest and biggest summer skiing area in Europe (with 21-km of slopes).

You can enjoy a couple of lifts and slopes between Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Testa Grigia. But don’t expect too much; it’s summer, so most of the slopes are closed.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise skiing in summer Switzerland
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Me enjoying its ski slopes

βœ… Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

After you’ve explored the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station and its surroundings, you have the option to cross the border to Italy (in cable cars). This part of the excursion costs a bit extra, but it’s worth it.

You’ll take the 3S cable car, but this time, to Testa Grigia. The views are wonderful, and as you ride, you’ll cross the border to Italy. In Testa Grigia, I recommend walking out of the station and visiting the local mountain hut ‘Rifugio Cervino.’ It has a nice vibe and you can get some Italian food.

3S cable car Matterhorn Alpine Crossing Cervinia Italy Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
3S cable car – Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
matterhorn glacier paradise italy crossing cervinia zermatt itinerary 2 days
Swiss-Italian border crossing – Testa Gri

Afterward, you can continue with a giant cable car from Testa Grigia to the middle station called ‘Cime Bianche Laghi‘.

Then, take the next cable car to the second middle station, ‘Plan Maison.’ It’s a nice area with green pastures, hiking trails, and a restaurant. You can go outside, sit down, enjoy the sun with a drink (maybe Aperol Spritz?), and walk around.

Testa Grigia Cime Bianche Laghi cable car Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
Testa Grigia – Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

Lastly, you can take the last cable car from Plan Maison to Cervinia town. I found there wasn’t much to do in Cervinia, and I was running out of time a bit, so I took the cable cars back to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

NOTE: You can take the cable cars to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise from Plan Maison by 3:00 pm, so watch the time.

cervinia Italy border crossing from zermatt cable cars
Cervinia – Italy

This alpine crossing is just to experience more cable car rides, enjoy the scenery, and feel like you’ve crossed a border to another country in a day twice inside cable cars. And I really liked the Testa Grigia station with the Rifugio.

Matterhorn Alpine Crossing Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it
Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
rifugio cervino italy switzerland zermatt
Rifugio Cervino

So, if you’re interested, you can add the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to your ticket. But you can stay at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and hang around there before taking the 3S cable car back to Trockener Steg.

βœ… Explore Theodulgletschersee & Hike The Matterhorn Glacier Trail

Once again, I recommend getting off at the Trockener Steg station and enjoying it more.

Walk to the Theodulgletschersee lake. It’s such a beautiful lake with a Matterhorn reflection.

From here, you can complete the Matterhorn Glacier Trail to Schwarzsee. But you can also just walk around the lake a bit, follow the trail for a few minutes, and then return to the lake and Trockener Steg station.

The area feels like a different world with its orange rocks and different formations; it almost feels like walking on the moon. So don’t miss out on it.

trockener steg station zermatt Theodulgletschersee
Trockener Steg & Theodulgletschersee
Theodulgletschersee Trockener Steg Matterhorn Glacier Trail
Me enjoying the Matterhorn Glacier Trail

βœ… Walk Around Schwarzsee

Then, take the Matterhorn Express cable car from Trockener Steg to Schwarzsee. Again, I suggest getting off at Schwarzsee to enjoy the area even more.

The scenery changes a lot as you walk on green pastures (instead of giant rocks). There is the Zermatt Sign, which is worth taking some pictures of, and you can also have an afternoon snack at the local hotel.

Just enjoy the atmosphere, walk around, and soak it all up. Whenever you’re ready, hop on the Matterhorn Express cable car and ride it back to Zermatt.

Schwarzsee station Zermatt sign
Schwarzsee – Zermatt Sign
Schwarzsee station Zermatt
Schwarzsee station – Zermatt

Practical Tips For Visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

To help you plan your visit even more and answer some questions, I have more tips for you.

Check out what the best transportation passes are so you can save up some money, how much time should you spend up there, what to pack, how to dress, and more:

Price For The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Reductions With Transportation Passes & Tickets

The entire excursion from Zermatt to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (return ticket) costs 95 CHF per person (full price).

You’ll get different discounts and reductions depending on which travel pass you have.

So below is an overview of the prices with different passes:

➑ SWISS TRAVEL PASS – extra cost 47.50 CHF (return ticket)
➑ HALF-FARE CARD – extra cost 47.50 CHF (return ticket)
➑ PEAK PASSunlimited travel within the pass price (price approx. 180 CHF for the entire Zermatt area with all the cable cars and trains)
➑ PEAK2PEAK PASS – the pass costs 153 CHF for a single excursion visiting both Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gornergrat in a day.
➑ EURAIL PASS – there is no reduction
➑ SINGLE TICKET FOR MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE

is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it cost tickets and passes reduction

πŸ‘‰ READ ALSO: 11 Cheapest Ways To Travel Switzerland On A Budget

How Much Time Should You Spend At Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

Plan to spend about 2 hours on the top of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (excluding cable car rides).

The cable car rides from Zermatt to the top of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise takes approx. 40 minutes (one-way). And the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to Cervinia (return) takes approx. 1.5 hours.

So, plan half a day (about 4-5 hours) if you only want to visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and hang around Trockener Steg.

And plan a full day (about 7-8 hours) if you also want to enjoy the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to Cervinia.

Best Time To Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The best time to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is in June, September, and October. When the weather is clear and sunny, and there are fewer crowds. As I mentioned, this excursion is mainly about the views. If you can’t see anything, it might be pretty disappointing.

It doesn’t really matter if you visit in the winter or in the summer (summer is better, because of the scenery). The most important thing is the weather here.

Start the day as early as possible to avoid the crowds and have more time to soak it all up. So start at 8:30 am in Zermatt, right after the Matterhorn Express cable car opens.

The best months to visit are June, July, August, September, and October. It’s because the scenery is more diverse, with snow, rocks, and crystal-blue lakes, but also green pastures in the lower parts with flowers.

So it’s more beautiful overall than in the winter when snow covers everything. If you want to have less crowds, opt to visit in June, September, and October. But the crowds didn’t really bother me even when I visited in July (it wasn’t really crowded for me).

πŸ‘‰ READ ALSO: Best Time To Visit Switzerland: Places To Visit & Things To Do Each Month

How To Dress For The Excursion To Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

You’ll be surrounded by glaciers in some of the highest elevations in Europe, so it’s quite cold up there. Bring an extra layer (a sweater) and a waterproof jacket.

The most important thing is to wear sunglasses. The sun reflects in the snow and creates a crazy light, which is quite harmful to your eyes, and you can barely see anything without sunglasses. Also, wear sunscreen; the sun is very strong up there, as is the case in the mountains.

Wear proper hiking shoes, especially if you want to go hiking around or walk in the snow.

Pack a bottle of water with some snacks. But you can also eat something at the local restaurant (just know that the food is more expensive and quite average, you’re at 3883 m).

So here is a quick list of the things to bring and wear for the excursion:

  • Long hiking pants
  • T-Short with a light long-sleeve shirt
  • 1 extra Sweater
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Hiking boots
  • Gloves (optional for the Ice Palace)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Snacks
  • Small backpack
  • Something to cover your head

NOTE: This is a packing list for the summer. If you’re visiting in the winter, wear a proper winter thick jacket and at least extra 2 layers underneath. Bring proper gloves and a hat; it’s very cold up there in the winter (around -12Β°C/10Β°F). In the summer, the temperatures are around 0Β°C/32Β°F)

Get my packing list of Switzerland by clicking on the image below:

Can You Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise With Kids?

Yes, you can visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise with kids. I think they’ll enjoy the experience, especially walking through the Ice Palace. It’s like being in a fairy tale.

Just note that you are not allowed to take kids below 3 years old for the 3S cable car section from Trockener Steg to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The elevation is too high for them.

BONUS: Zermatt Itinerary For 2 Days

I’ve also created a full 2-day itinerary for Zermatt that includes going up the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

So, if you’re planning your stay in Zermatt and deciding which activities and excursions you want to do, check out my itinerary by clicking on the image below. It’ll help you explore all the highlights:

πŸ‘‰ READ ALSO: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Or Gornergrat: Which Is Better To Visit?

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions about visiting the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. So check my answers below:

Which Is Better, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Or Gornergrat?

You can’t tell; each of these two excursions is very different.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is all about the views, massive peaks, glaciers, and the stunning 3S cable car ride, while Gornergrat is a train excursion with more diverse scenery and more/easier hiking options.

You’ll see more dramatic scenery from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, but the scenery is more diverse around Gornergrat.

Can You Do Gornergrat And Glacier Paradise In One Day?

Yes, it’s possible to visit Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in one day. It’s best to get the Peak2Peak pass and in the morning, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Then, take the Matterhorn Express cable car to Furi and change it to another cable car to Riffleberg. From Riffelberg, take the Gornergrat train all the way to the top of Gornergrat. Then take the Gornergrat train back to Zermatt.

How Long To Spend At Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

About 2 hours is a great time to spend on the top of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. This excludes the traveling time for cable cars.

Plan 4-5 hours for the entire excursion, including cable car rides, and stopping on the way.

Which Month Is Best For Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?

June is the best month to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It’s less crowded than the peak summer months, yet the scenery is stunning, and the weather is usually clear and sunny.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Or Jungfraujoch?

Jungfraujoch, just because it offers more activities on the top of the station. While the ride on the 3S cable car to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise above massive glaciers is the highlight, Jungfraujoch is overall a bit more interesting to me.

WRAP-UP: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Is It Worth It?

These are my insights from my own experience when visiting the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. I hope it’ll help you plan your visit and get the most out of your time. It’s one of the most breathtaking mountain excursions I’ve ever experienced, and I’m sure you’ll love it. Just make sure to plan it around a sunny and clear day, as you’ll have a much better experience.

If you have any questions or need help planning your trip to Zermatt/Switzerland, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I also create customized travel itineraries, so I can design your own itinerary based on your interests.

Happy Travelling!

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About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

SWITZERLAND: Interested in more articles for Switzerland?
Check out my Switzerland Travel Page.