Seniors Stop In Zermatt

Zermatt, in the German-speaking section of Valais in Switzerland, has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants. Yes, that where we can view the Matterhorn and what a scene. Senior travelers, have you been to Switzerland? It is so unique.

Zermatt is the gourmet capital of the Alps. From simple fare in cozy mountain restaurants to haute cuisine with an international flavor, the choice is vast and the welcome is legendary. No wonder the same question keeps cropping up: why don’t we stop for a bite?

The name “Zermatt” is a contraction of the local dialect words “zer”, which means “to”, and “matta”, which means “field” or “meadow”. Therefore, “to the field”, although many of the fields have since had hotels or apartment houses built on them.

 Seniors Awed By The Matterhorn

Zermatt, famed as a ski resort and mounteering destination of the Swiss Alps, was, until the mid-19th century, predominantly an agricultural community. The first and tragic ascent of the famed Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities.

Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, Zermatt is dominated by the huge and gracefully curved pyramid of the 14,690-foot Matterhorn. Few sights are more inspiring than the Matterhorn covered with a pristine layer of snow.

The Matter valley is surrounded by 30 peaks, all of which top 4,000 meters, (13,000 feet). Between these pinnacles exists a labyrinth of valleys and trails that make this corner of Switzerland a hiker’s paradise. One such path, the mule trader’s trail, dates to the 13th century.

Senior Hikers, Skiers, Mountaineers Welcomed

From the moment you step off your Swiss-red train, and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs patiently waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place. Most striking is the silence. There are no cars in Zermatt. The air is fresh, alpine and welcoming.

The main street bustles happily with pedestrians. How about that? Despite Zermatt’s popularity, despite its growth – more than 13,000 visitors’ beds – it is still only a village, open and friendly, where people mix happily in the main street, mercifully free of cars.

 Senior hikers, skiers, mountaineers and adventurers…the ski region encompasses 63 mountain railways and 360 kilometers of pistes. The region called “Matterhorn glacier paradise” is Europe’s largest and highest summer skiing region.

The region is legendary amongst mountaineers: the Haute Route, a challenging international route that takes several days to complete, leads from Mont Blanc to Zermatt. Over 400 kilometers of hiking trails lead through and out of the Matter Valley, including the mule traders’ trails, which date back to the 13th century.

So grab those hiking shoes, your best camera and plan a trip to Zermatt.  You will enjoy all the clean air, the great cheese and cuisine of Switzerland as well as the hospitality of the locals.  jeb