Day 5 Rest Day - Visp (Zermatt/Matterhorn)

Zermatt

Simo, Lex and Lea on train to Zermatt

Chapel on way to Zermatt

St Niklaus rail station

Cog railway to Gornergrat

Zermatt from cog rail

Zermatt in valley below Matterhorn

views to valley and Matterhorn

cog railway avalanche barriers

approaching Gornergrat

me, Glyn, Simo and Ken at Gornergrat (Matterhorn is totally blocked by cloud)

St Bernards

cog rail

chapel at Gornergrat

a huge selection of Swiss Army knives

glacier in valley below Matterhorn

Matterhorn lookout and rail terminal

Observatory at Gornergrat

only electric vehicles are permitted in Zermatt

Marmot souvenirs

BBQ pork or chicken sausages for lunch

town centre Zermatt

church in Zermatt

gardens around apartments in Zermatt

flowerboxes in Zermatt

afternoon snack

YouTube link below (3min slideshow)

Today was a rest day in our two week journey across the Alps. After a tiring climb across Simplon Pass from Italy into Switzerland it was good to relax and not have to pack up and get on the bike first thing in the morning. A group of us decided to head on up to the Matterhorn by train, and walked into Visp for breakfast. The journey to Zermatt was approx. 45km and went through the town of St Niklaus (home of Santa Claus). Arriving at Zermatt we took the cog railway up to Gornergrat at the foot of Matterhorn. Cloub prevented us from seeing the profile of Matterhorn, however we were able to see the glaciers in the valleys below the railway. There is an observatory at this lookout and a small chapel. On return to Zermatt our LDA rider Lea was able to give us a tour of the town. She is Swiss and was very helpful helping us to purchase tickets and meals.