In Zermatt everything revolves around the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is a reference mountain, the center of beauty of the surrounding area. From any angle he is beautiful, and the hand itself grabs the camera. Perhaps only from the Italian side it looks simpler, but there it is no longer the Matterhorn, there it is Monte Cervino.
So we will enjoy its views from the Swiss side, especially since Zermatt itself is very nice and picturesque.
Zermatt is a small Alpine town, or rather a village, at the very end of the Mattertal gorge. It is separated from Italy by a mountain range; beyond the pass lies the Italian mountain resort of Cervinia.
The Matterhorn stands apart from the other mountains and is translated as “horn in the meadow.” But in the eastern direction stretches a high snow ridge - a chain of four-thousanders, and the highest among them is Peak Dufour in the Monte Rosa massif (4634) - the highest point in Switzerland and the second in the Alps after Mont Blanc.
So, we definitely need to see all this beauty.
I’ll warn you right away that the article is intended not only for climbers and skiers, but is addressed to people traveling around Europe who are curious to visit this corner of the Swiss Alps, the famous mountain resort, and who want to see what kind of Matterhorn this is and take a walk around the surrounding area. You could say it was written at the request of friends who asked if there was anything to do in Zermatt for non-climbers, where to go, what to see. There are definitely places to hike there - there are declared 400 km of mountain trails for all kinds of trekking and walks of any degree of difficulty.
Alas, Switzerland is not a cheap country. I’ll tell you about my experience of traveling to Zermatt and how we tried to minimize costs.
Tickets and visas
We went there at the beginning of September 2011 for mountaineering purposes. We bought tickets a month and a half in advance, direct tickets to Geneva on SwissAir. Air tickets cost 12 thousand rubles.
We decided to get a French visa because it is easier and the French give visas for a long period (we were given an annual one). We booked an apartment in Chamonix with the option to cancel the reservation. We also rented an apartment near Geneva in France for the day of arrival and day of departure.
Transport in Switzerland: Swiss Card. How to get to Zermatt
We traveled from Geneva to Zermatt by train. The road is picturesque, the train first goes along Lake Geneva. After Montreux, look carefully out the right window - Chillon Castle will be very close.
There is no direct train to Zermatt. At the Visp station you need to change to a local train, which runs once or twice an hour. From Visp to the final destination - Zermatt - the train takes about an hour. In general, the journey from Geneva to Zermatt takes 3 hours 50 minutes.
From Geneva to Zermatt by train
The train goes along the slope of the gorge
And here is the same road from a photo from 1880. San Nicolas Station
An old photograph shows that peasant children were not even allowed onto the platform. They stood behind a partition and offered people passing by to buy food from them.
Transport in Switzerland is expensive. Purchasing a card will help reduce costs Swiss Flexi Pass. With this card you can travel for free throughout the country, go up ski lifts and visit museums for a certain number of days, and for half the price on other days during the month. The number of “free” days can be from 3 to 6.
We took a card with three free days. The first day was used on the day of arrival, when we took two trains to Zermatt, the second - on the day of departure. Another day we went to Bern and.
We bought this card in Moscow, at the Jet Travel travel agency.
There are different types of transport cards for Switzerland. There are only for transfer, when you just need to get to a certain place and sit there forever, there is - with the possibility of daily trips. You can read about the different types of Swiss Pass at https://www.swiss-pass.ch/
At the moment the card costs 260 francs (3 free days, travel in class B). A regular ticket from Geneva to Zermatt in a class B carriage costs 93 francs, 164 in class A (the franc exchange rate is approximately equal to the dollar exchange rate). So there is a benefit.
You can view the schedule and cost of train tickets on the website https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html The cost of the ticket appears only after you click the “Buy” button and fill in your full name.
Public transport in Zermatt itself is present in the form of two electric bus routes, but there is no great need for them, since the town is small, and we could easily get by on our own feet.
Camping in Zermatt
Before this, I had already been to Zermatt, then we climbed to the top of Monte Rosa; bad weather prevented us from climbing the Matterhorn. We lived in a campsite then. And this time we decided to stay there.
The campsite in Zermatt is a 5-minute walk from the station. In front of the station square, the main city street Bahnhofstrasse runs along it - from the station to the left (Spissstrasse 17).
Station square in Zermatt
Attempts to pre-book a campsite were unsuccessful. Richard, the owner of the campsite, wrote to us that there was no need to book anything, just come (and we initially needed a reservation for a visa, the option with France arose later). Well, he doesn't make reservations. Everyone comes easily. They go to the camping area, set up tents, drag free tables and chairs to the tents, and generally set up.
Richard, a former alpine guide and now the owner of the campsite, appears at the campsite morning and evening, registers new arrivals, and cleans the area. At the campsite there is a house with a toilet and shower, everything is clean and decent.
The cost of accommodation is 11 francs per tent per day. When we left for the climb, we took one tent up and left things in the other. Richard charged 5 francs per day from an “uninhabited” tent.
Overall, the campsite was quite spacious in September. The people changed quickly. Now, you look, cyclists have lined up nearby, then climbers. There was an elderly couple from China who went for walks around the neighborhood in the morning. There were also single tourists.
Climbers from Ukraine set up a tent next to us. Some of the people from their company lived in apartments, some in tents.
Of course, the camping option will not suit everyone. In this case, book your apartment well in advance. Then there is the opportunity to rent a room for two for a week for 20-25 thousand rubles.
There is another option - to look for housing in Tash. Tash is the previous station before Zermatt. There is also camping there and apartment accommodation is cheaper than in Zermatt. There is an electric train running between Tasch and Zermatt - the so-called. Shuttle service with a frequency of several trains per hour. Travel time is 12 minutes.
In Tash there is a large underground parking lot where those who arrived in the gorge by car leave their cars. Only electric vehicles are allowed to drive in Zermatt.
Food
We brought sports food (sublimates “Gala-Gala”) for the climbs with us. At the campsite we cooked ourselves. We bought groceries at the Coop supermarket. Wine, cheese, dairy products, vegetables - quite reasonable prices, a little more expensive than in France. Meat and sausage are significantly more expensive.
After walking in the mountains, we went to a cafe to drink coffee and tiramisu or a glass of beer with some pizza or lasagne. There were also pleasant cafes with local cuisine in the mountains. I really liked the cafe in the town of Zum Zee and the place itself is charming. However, I will write separately about walks in the mountains.
We celebrated our ascent of the Matterhorn at the Du Pont restaurant. It, as the name suggests, is located near the bridge. If you go down from the Matterhorn glacier paradise ski lift, go right after the bridge. A tavern appeared on this site a long time ago, and all visitors are given a postcard with an old photograph of this tavern as a souvenir.
There we decided to go through all the hits of Swiss cuisine and ordered: fondue, raclette and rosti.
We chose mushroom fondue with potatoes. Soon a large pot of melted cheese and mushrooms was placed on our table, with a burner under the bottom of the pot. The pot was accompanied by a bowl of jacket potatoes and a bowl of pieces of dried bread. It was necessary to peel the potatoes and dip them into the cheese using a fork. Do the same with bread.
Rosti is something like our pancakes, potato flatbread with cheese.
Raclette is another variation on the theme of potatoes with cheese, although it did come with a delicious sausage.
Potato and cheese abundance plus a decanter of homemade wine cost us 50 euros per nose.
Zermatt mountain resort and its attractions
The village stretches along the gorge on both sides of the Visp River. Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse, runs through the entire village. It is always filled with people, many people with backpacks and walking sticks, going to the mountains or returning from them. Climbers can be recognized by their huge backpacks with attached ropes; trekkers carry small backpacks.
Bahnhofstrasse is the main street of Zermatt
On the sides of the street there are numerous shops with sports equipment, clothing and shoes. There, if necessary, you can buy trekking poles, sunscreen, trekking shoes, but everything is quite expensive, so it’s better to bring your own.
On the station square there is a tourism office (Bahnhofplatz 5), where you can get a free map of mountain trekking routes. The map shows trails, mountain cafes, chalets, lift stations, mountain train schedules to Gornegrat and Rotenboden.
There are three churches in Zermatt: Evangelical Lutheran, English and Catholic.
English Church
In the center of Zermatt stands the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Maurice. Inside there are very interesting paintings by contemporary artists.
St. Maurice Church
Paintings on the ceiling. Noah's Ark
It's not good to stick your head into the TV!
Behind the church, along the river, there is a cemetery. Most of the graves are not of local residents, but of climbers who died while climbing. Some monuments are very expressive.
Climbers Cemetery
One of the monuments in the cemetery
In front of the church there is a cute fountain with marmots.
Behind the fountain rises the tall glass dome of the Alpine Museum, also called the Matterhornmuseum.
Central square of Zermatt. Under the glass dome - Alpine Museum
The museum itself is located underground. A large section is devoted to the history of mountaineering in these parts and the conquest of the Matterhorn; the evolution of alpine climbing tools and alpine skiing is presented. In a separate room there are wooden houses that once made up this Welsh village. You can enter the house - the organizers of the exhibition approached very creatively in recreating the old village and tried to “revive” it, filling it with sounds. So, from some hut, snoring could be heard from a shelf, sounds made by animals were heard in the yard, and gusts of wind were heard.
In the museum you can also watch a film about the construction of the modern mountain hut Monte Rosa. Impressive! A hut on a mountainside appears right before your eyes.
There were also rooms dedicated to local plants and animals, which were also presented in a very interesting way. Thus, at one of the stands it was proposed to guess which animal the excrement of a given species belonged to. And visitors (including us) enthusiastically guessed and rejoiced when the green light came on.
Behind the museum stands the most pompous hotel in Zermatt - Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.
In September, a music festival is held in Zermatt, at which ensembles and orchestras of the Berlin Philharmonic perform, and we were lucky to be at the time of the festival. One day we very opportunely walked into the Church of St. Maurice and found ourselves at an orchestra rehearsal with the wonderful violinist Wolfram Brundle.
Rehearsal in church
The final concert took place in the concert hall of the Grand Hotel Zermattenhof, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Admission was free.
In the hall of the Grand Hotel Zermattenhof
Let me note again that the town is small, and on your first walk you will inevitably come across all the necessary services: supermarkets, a tourism office, a museum, currency exchange offices. Upon arrival, you need to exchange euros for francs. There is one exchange office on the station square, and there are others in banks on the main street.
Walking around the town is very pleasant. Along the windows of the houses there are indispensable flowerpots with bright flowers. The houses are mostly wooden, some of them are over 500 years old.
Houses in Zermatt
A piece of the old village, Hinterdorf, has been preserved, consisting of houses blackened by time, standing on high supports (so that mice do not climb in).
A corner of ancient Zermatt, or Hinterdorf
The roofs of the houses are covered with flat stone plates.
Typical roof with stone plates
And this is what Hinterdorf looks like in the evening:
A small, cozy country in the center of Europe, where they speak three languages (Italian, French, German);
Zermatt is a typical Swiss city, which as a whole can give an idea of the whole country.
When I first came to Zermatt, I was still very young, and even then it struck me with its fabulousness, elegance and compactness. This is almost not a city - an elegant tourist village, especially around New Year and Catholic Christmas.
What strikes me most about Zermatt is that fuel-fuelled vehicles are prohibited; Small electric cars drive around the city, and they also serve as taxis. Any other cars are prohibited for environmental reasons - and therefore the air there is always clean and fresh, literally blowing your mind, especially for residents of big cities.
Of course, the location should also be taken into account - the city is located in the mountains, 1600 meters above sea level, usually this altitude does not greatly affect health, but it is better to keep this in mind.
There are at most five or six thousand local residents in Zermatt, but during the holiday seasons it is filled with tourists from all over the world. Their main goal is a ski resort or hiking trails, as well as just relaxation in a beautiful, cozy, clean place with a view of the Matterhorn :)
The local currency is Swiss francs, their exchange rate to the dollar is almost 1:1.
How to get there
Zermatt is not the most easily accessible city on the planet. For example, there is no airport, and cars, as I already mentioned, are prohibited. However, this is by no means a reason to refuse to travel there! Below I will give methods that are quite realistic for every mere mortal.
(And for less ordinary mortals there are always options such as a personal helicopter - I’ve heard about similar stories).
By plane
Unfortunately, Zermatt itself is truly impossible to reach by plane. But this can always be done to a large Swiss city, and from big cities by direct flights. Aeroflota planes fly from Moscow twice a day to Zurich - round-trip tickets cost about 20,000 rubles, depending on the season; from St. Petersburg it is more difficult - you will have to make a transfer in Moscow, and it will cost correspondingly more - about 25,000. Or a direct flight, but it’s already under 40,000. You can see how much air tickets will cost for your dates.
The most convenient way to get to Zermatt is from Zurich or Geneva; It is also possible to come from the Italian side - for example, from Milan.
By train
Personally, I have tried both options in my own experience. I traveled from both Milan and Zurich.
From Milan it is a little more difficult, because you have to make more transfers, but this allows you to visit two countries at once in one day! Drink a cup of coffee during a transfer in a small Italian town, take a ride through the Simplon Tunnel, which was the longest in the world for more than half a century...
However, from Zurich airport you can directly get to the train station Zurich Airport- it is located inside the airport, just follow the arrows with the corresponding inscriptions, - from where trains run every half hour in the desired direction. You will only need to make one transfer at the Visp station (at the station ticket office they will tell you everything in perfect English), in total the entire journey will take about three hours - but in the most comfortable high-speed trains with a beautiful mountain view.
Unfortunately, the transfer time is only 7 minutes, but the trains arrive exactly on schedule. One day, having managed to miss the train, I found out that at this interchange station (it’s called Visp) they sell amazingly delicious tangerines, and the next train arrives in just half an hour, so even if you’re late, you won’t lose anything at all , and, most likely, you will even buy it.
As for the price: if you book a Swiss Transfer ticket in advance, it will be two times cheaper (only tourists can use it) than buying it on the spot (Swiss Transfer - approximately $140 round trip, on the spot - $225). They will need to be printed and shown to the conductor on the train.
The station in Zermatt is called Bahnhof Zermatt (from German - Zermatt station) and is located almost in the center (at the intersection of Getwingstrasse and Bahnhofplatz) - considering that in this small city almost everything is in the center. From there, if you have heavy suitcases, I advise you to get to the hotel by electric car - a dozen such “taxi drivers” are standing right next to the exit from the station. You can also order such a taxi from your hotel to be completely sure - it will cost about 10-15 dollars.
As a last resort, you can always walk - Zermatt is really a very small city.
By car
Zermatt, as I wrote above, is a city without fuel cars; however, if you are a fan of this particular type of transport, there is still a way out - you can get to Täsch, a station 5 km from Zermatt, and leave the car there.
Täsch has a large indoor parking lot with 2,100 spaces, and from there trains run every 20 minutes to Zermatt (round-trip ticket for adults costs $16, for children 6-16 years old - $8). In addition, from Täsch you can always get to Zermatt by taxi ($15).
Parking rates are as follows:
- Up to 2 hours - 4$,
- Up to 4 hours - $7.50,
- Up to 6 hours - $10.50,
- Up to 8 hours - $13.50,
- 1 day - $15.50,
- Up to 8 days - $14.50 per day.
Clue:
Zermatt - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 1
Kazan 1
Samara 2
Ekaterinburg 3
Novosibirsk 5
Vladivostok 8
When is the season? When is the best time to go
Zermatt is worth visiting in any season, that's what I can definitely guarantee. There is a worthy activity for every period: in winter it is a ski resort, in summer there are hiking trails in the mountains. The funny thing is, you can do it the other way around - the mountains are always covered with snow, and therefore you can ski in the summer; and the hiking trails are equipped according to all safety rules for any time of year.
Personally, I walked a lot in the mountains there in the winter, and skied mainly in the spring - on holidays in March, when it is already quite warm and sunny outside (sometimes even hot!), but the snow is still firmly on the slopes.
Zermatt in summer
Zermatt in summer is a different story. This season is not as popular as winter, although you will never be the only tourists in this city. The city becomes completely green and blooming.
However, such a small thing as summer does not cancel out the local ski resort. You can even ride in a bikini - the main thing is not to get sunburned!
In general, you can ski in Zermatt all year round, and this has its own zest.
However, if you prefer to follow traditional seasonal activities, then in the summer you will be provided with endless mountain trails on which you can walk and mountain bike - all with views of the Matterhorn, in clean, fresh air among endless forests, and sometimes and meadow greenery.
In addition, there are always various extreme sports at hand - I will talk about them below.
Zermatt in autumn
The weather in the Alps is always unpredictable - the temperature can rise to 25 degrees Celsius, or it can drop to zero.
Autumn in Zermatt is perhaps the least popular season; perhaps in vain, because “nature has no bad weather.” But still, at this time of year, perhaps it is better not to settle firmly in Zermatt, but simply travel around Switzerland with a stop in this glorious city, where you can enjoy the silence and air free from car exhaust fumes.
Zermatt in spring
As I wrote above, I often skied in Zermatt in the spring - mainly on March 8th, though. At this time it is already warm in Zermatt, and you can walk around the city in just a vest; It’s drafty at the top, so there’s no need to undress too much. In addition, the sun is always shining very brightly - so Sunglasses this time of year in Zermatt required(!).
There are quite a lot of tourists, but still not as much as in winter. If you don’t come during the holidays, you can completely enjoy the cozy mountain solitude.
Zermatt in winter
In winter, Zermatt turns into a fairy tale, especially on holidays, of course (from December 24 to January 3 approximately; these are holidays for most Europeans and Americans). The city is decorated with garlands, colorful lanterns and filled with a lot of tourists, but at the same time I could always find a secluded place or street for myself, where there was no one except the festive spirit.
On the other hand, in such an excited mood that visits everyone who arrives there, it is very easy to make new interesting acquaintances - even I, a typical introvert, easily got into conversation with completely different people a couple of times, heard their stories, improved my English, and was absolutely satisfied with the time spent .
After January 3, the flow of European tourists decreases, but Russians increase - at this time, the holidays are just beginning for us. But none of this prevents you from enjoying the city and the ski slopes to your heart's content - there is enough space for everyone (however, sometimes you can stand in line for the lift for 5-7 minutes - however, for well-known ski resorts this is quite normal).
The temperature stays around -10 Celsius - not too cold, not too warm - just right for a full ride. The winds blow only at the top, but the city itself is protected from drafts by the mountains.
Zermatt - weather by month
Clue:
Zermatt - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
There are only a few districts in Zermatt - if you look closely at this map, you can count 8.
The city is divided by the Vispa River, across which there are many bridges.
The station, which I already mentioned, is located in the central area of the city Obere Matten; it also houses the main street Bahnhofstrasse.
The areas of Am Bach and Stienmatte are the most touristy and filled with restaurants, shops and hotels. Others are already more deserted spaces, filled with houses of local residents, in which, of course, tourists cannot stop.
There are several types of hotels in Zermatt:
- typical hotel rooms;
- apartments - that is, an apartment with a kitchen;
- chalet - a small cottage, usually for 2-6 people. For the most part, they are not located in the city itself, but a little higher in the mountains.
I usually book hotels on Booking, but you can compare prices from different sites. You can also look for offers for renting private apartments - by.
What are the prices for holidays?
Zermatt is still not the cheapest place to stay, although you can always find options.
For example, the Zermatt website offers special housing offers that can help you save money. The average price is $245 per person for a room for two. You can also catch promotional offers by monitoring aggregator sites, for example.
The price of food in restaurants varies from $4.5 to $92 per dish.
Taxi - about $10 per trip.
There are not that many excursions in Zermatt :) It seems there is only one - a walk around the city. Here you can learn about the most interesting history of Zermatt and how it turned into a world-class resort.
Duration - 1.5 hours.
Price is around 30 Swiss francs per person. 15 - for children under 16 years old, free - for children under 6 years old.
Main attractions. What to see
Top 5
Matterhorn Museum
Issue price: $10; more details below.
Central street (shopping)
Gornegrat
Observation deck with an unforgettable view of the Matterhorn.
Matterhorn glaciar paradaise
Cable car to the observation deck.
Gorner Gorge
15 minutes walk from Zermatt - path through rocks and cliffs with wooden steps.
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
In the very center of the city there is a beautiful local parish church of St Mauritius (Parish church of St Mauritius; its address is Englischer Viertel 8, but, however, you simply cannot miss it :)
The first mention of it dates back to 1285; however, it took on its current appearance only at the beginning of the 20th century. In Switzerland it is known for its altars and baptistery.
One of the most visited places in the vicinity of Zermatt is the chapel of St. Bernard of Menton (Bernhard von Aosta) in Gornegrat.
It is very easy to get to the Gornegrat station - opposite the station, where trains from Täsch and from the same Visp arrive, there is a neighboring station, which is called Gornegrat-Bahn. Trains run every 20 minutes, you need the next stop.
In addition, you can visit the Catholic Church in Täsch at 3929 Täsch. There is a Portuguese community in Täsch, and therefore services are conducted in both German and Portuguese.
Another incredibly beautiful chapel is located on the shore of Lake Schwarz - the chapel of Mary of the Snow (Maria zum Schnee; Catholic feast of Our Lady and her miracle of “snow”).
It is located next to the Schwarzsee gondola station.
Admission to all four churches is free at any time of the day.
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
There are not many museums in Zermatt itself - in fact, there is only one :)
Matterhorn Museum (it is located in the very center of the city, on Kirchplatz street - however, once you get to Zermatt, you will understand that for the most part you do not need addresses and street names - I have been there many times and have never encountered such a question) .
The Matterhorn Museum tells the story of the conquest of this mountain; it is tragic, but interesting for everyone. Nearby, by the way, there is a monument to the climbers who conquered the Matterhorn - it is called The Walk of Climb, similar to The Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
Inscriptions in museums are duplicated in English - and there are also free brochures in different languages, including Russian; objects that can be touched with your hands - ideal for visiting with children; the museum is wheelchair accessible; There are audio guides in German, English, French and Japanese; books and souvenirs are sold; In addition, special exhibitions and various cultural events are held there regularly.
The museum's opening hours vary depending on the time of year:
- in spring - from 14.00 to 18.00,
- in summer - from 11.00 to 18.00,
- in autumn and winter - from 15.00 to 19.00.
Admission is $10.
Parks
At Sunnega station (get there in the same way as to Gornegrat) there is the Vulli adventure park.
This is a children's playground with stairs, slides and towers next to Lake Leisee.
In Zermatt itself there is a small space with swings and benches near two large skating rinks - they are located on Seilerwiesenstr.
But there are no other special parks in Zermatt - after all, it is a mountainous area. However, there are various snow parks for snowboarders - for example, one of these is located on the Matterhorn glacier paradise - Gravity Park.
Tourist streets
In Zermatt, all the streets are tourist streets :) moreover, most of them are only pedestrian - you can move freely with children without fear of cars.
The most important of them is the central Bahnhofstrasse, which is also the most touristy.
In addition, it makes sense to take a walk along the Vispa River, which flows through the whole of Zermatt - it is beautiful both in winter and in summer, and many people walk along it with their dogs.
What to see in 1 day
In one day you can walk around the whole of Zermatt about ten times :)
If you have a whole day left, then, of course, it is best to devote it to skiing - one of the best in Europe; after all, Zermatt positions itself precisely as a ski resort. If you don't ski, it still makes sense to go up - there are excellent viewing platforms and good restaurants; lifts transport people both down and up, both with and without ski equipment.
If you still decide not to ride, then I would suggest this route:
- in the first half of the day, go up to Gornegrat station, look around everything there, take photographs;
- then have a snack in one of the local mountain restaurants (more details about them will be written in the corresponding section);
- then go down and visit the Matterhorn Museum;
- Then you can unwind - take a walk in the evening along the central street Bahnhofstrasse, go shopping for clothes, shoes, ski equipment, souvenirs...
- and in the evening you can go to a restaurant or bar in the city itself, you can safely go to any one - I’ll write about my specific preferences a little lower.
What to see in the area
Actually, I have already mentioned many interesting surrounding places above - Gornegrat station, Sunnega station, Matterhorn Glaciar paradaise, various churches and parks, Gorner gorge...
However, it is worth dwelling on the latter in more detail. The gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the vicinity of Zermatt. Wooden steps and paths wind through rocks and cliffs, providing travelers with stunning views. Located 15 minutes walk from Zermatt, at Bergrestaurant Blatten. Available for entry from 9:15 to 17:45. They say that the best time to visit it is mid-September, when it is most beautiful. The gorge is completely safe - you can go there with the whole family, taking into account, however, that the large number of steps can be difficult for small children.
- Admission for adults - 5 dollars,
- for a group of people over 10 people - 4.50 per person,
- for children under 16 - 2.50,
- for children under 6 - free.
Food. What to try
Traditionally in Switzerland they eat cheese and chocolate - you can read more.
The most important dish to try in Zermatt is cheese fondue. Fondue is melted cheese, constantly heated in a cauldron, into which you dip pieces of bread, vegetables, meat - there are many different options :)
And of course, the traditional winter drink is mulled wine, which is served literally everywhere.
Speaking about restaurants in general, it is worth noting that basically they are all very cozy, homely, with a rustic atmosphere - especially in the mountains. Although, of course, traditional pompous restaurants are also present.
It is really worth dividing restaurants into mountain restaurants, which are more suitable for a light snack in the middle of the day, and evening, formal, beautiful ones, where everything is done with inherent decorum.
All have a children's menu and children's portions; Moreover, almost everywhere there is a separate vegetarian menu with a varied selection of dishes.
The price range is quite wide - from $2 to $100. On average, you should expect about $8 per dish.
If you live in a chalet or apartment with your own kitchen, then there is nothing better than buying fresh food at the nearest store - for example, Coop on Viktoriastrasse. I myself have done this more than once, and have never regretted it - still during the tourist seasons Restaurants can be quite noisy.
Perhaps the most beautiful restaurant I visited in Zermatt would be the restaurant Chez Vrony on the top of the mountain. It has stunning views of the mountains and has both indoor and outdoor seating (blankets are provided in case of cold).
It is located at Findeln. Open from 9:30 to 18:30.
There are high chairs for children, they serve alcohol, and they accept cards. Suitable for both large companies and a cozy romantic date.
Average prices are from $10 to $45. It is better to reserve seats in advance. Preferably two weeks in advance :)
In the city itself I would recommend a restaurant Old Zermatt- it is located at Kirchstrasse 17 in the very center. Nice place with red lanterns outside - creates a very cozy atmosphere.
Can be placed both indoors and outdoors. Price range from $13 to $45. Good wine.
Very popular, so it can be quite noisy at times. Seats can be booked several hours in advance, but most likely, if you come just like that, then in this case there will be a place for you :)
Another place I would recommend is a restaurant Les Maromottes(marmott - national animal of Zermatt). A very cozy small restaurant at Furi. Great for family nights with kids. The owner of the restaurant takes the order and monitors everything. Both outdoor and outdoor seating. It's worth booking in advance.
Budget
- Restaurant Matterhorn glacier paradise.
- Restaurant Paradies.
- Fuchs Bistro and Bakery.
- Brown Cow Pub.
- The Bubble.
Mid-level
- Restaurant Paradies.
- Findlerhof.
- Restaurant Schaeferstube.
- Restaurant Spycher.
- Restaurant Enzian.
Expensive
- Chez Max Julen.
- Ristorante Capri.
- Kleines Matterhorn.
- Ristorante La Dolce Vita.
- Steakhouse "zur alten Muhle".
Holidays
The main holidays celebrated on a grand scale are, of course, Catholic Christmas and New Year. The entire city is decorated with garlands and filled with a festive atmosphere. People celebrate right on the street, set off fireworks and firecrackers, bars and restaurants are open all night long. And if it suddenly becomes too noisy for you, you can always go a little higher and look at the beauty of the city from the outside.
Safety. What to watch out for
Since Zermatt is a ski resort, then, of course, you should beware of “injuries at work” - the slopes in Zermatt are quite steep, and in the evening they are usually still icy. Therefore, if you are not completely confident in your skiing ability, it is better not to go on black slopes.
In addition, you just have to be careful of slippery paths, it’s easy to fall on them when you’re just walking.
But in any case, helicopters are always flying over the mountains, rescuing unlucky skiers from difficult situations. And in the city itself there are several first-aid posts with excellent doctors (we tested them on ourselves - Bahnhofstrasse 150; assistance is provided with insurance - it is simply contraindicated to go to a ski resort without it). Opposite one of these there are two pharmacies - in one of them (Bahnhofstrasse 121) the owner himself makes some medicines - cough tablets and syrups (the possibility of catching a cold is always present). I liked them so much that I even bought them for my home.
Otherwise, Zermatt is an absolutely safe city, free from thieves and murderers. Children and girls can safely walk around the city at any time of the day.
Things to do
Of course, it's worth going skiing! Or a snowboarder:) I ride both and get a lot of pleasure from this resort.
There is also the opportunity to go cross-country skiing or even paragliding.
Shopping and shops
Most shops in Zermatt are located on the main street Bahnhofstrasse. Watches, jewelry, cosmetics, sportswear, ski equipment, excellent, high-quality shoes and winter clothes (I myself walk around Moscow in shoes and winter jackets only from there), chocolate - for every taste and color.
Alpine skis and snowboards are present in large quantities, completely different models, everyone can find the right one. In addition, they can always be rented - as a rule, equipment is rented on one floor, and a store is located on the other. Sellers in good English will always help you figure it out.
Closer to the station you can find various souvenirs and special things that are worth bringing from Switzerland - cheese and chocolate. There is also an excellent confectionery shop there.
It is worth paying attention to Swiss knives - you will probably not find such a large selection anywhere else. And, of course, you definitely need to bring something with a picture of the Matterhorn - you can’t go anywhere without it :)
Bars. Where to go
Zermatt is famous for its bars. It has more than 100 restaurants and 60 bars.
After skiing, it’s a good idea to visit one of the après-ski bars, where everyone in their ski suits dances to modern disco music and drinks shots and mulled wine. One of them I really love - Hennu steell(Piste Furi-Zerma - address).
However, if you are a lover of calm music and quiet old jazz, then you will appreciate the cozy and stylish lounges.
In addition, many bars have separate lounges for smoking - the most intimate conversations usually happen there :) one of such places is bar 55 as part of the Firefly Hotel (address - Schluhmattstrasse 55).
- Pepperla Pub.
- Edward's Bar-Cafe.
- Blue Lounge.
- Hexen Bar.
They work mainly until the last visitor.
Prices range from $5 to $35 per drink.
Clubs and nightlife
There are almost no clubs in Zermatt.
Extreme Sports
If you are still new to skiing, then there is always the opportunity to take an instructor and become a professional in this matter in a couple of seasons!
If you want to learn on your own, I advise you to start by riding on children's slopes - this is how I mastered snowboarding myself, and, as you might guess, I fell a lot. But on a green children's track it is much safer than on a serious red one. And don't forget the helmet! Even if you consider yourself a professional. I very rarely saw anyone without a helmet on the Zermatt tracks (and if I did, they were often Russians:). But it is better not to follow the example of some of our irresponsible compatriots.
Any uniform can be rented or purchased there. Moreover, you can rent, for example, only poles - if you brought everything else with you. It is not necessary to take the full set.
Rentals operate during the day - from approximately 8.00 to 19.00, each in a different way. An economical set of skis + poles + helmet will cost about $150. Snowboarding is exactly the same. Deposit - $20.
In addition, for special fans of extreme sports, it is offered to fly on a paraglider - I wanted everything, I carefully studied this process, but I never got there. You fly, of course, not alone, but with an instructor who guides you.
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
A Swiss knife is definitely worth bringing! For yourself or for your best friend, or maybe for your father. However, maybe mom won’t mind such a gift :) and I’ve already written about cheese and chocolate more than once - in Zermatt you can even buy lactose-free chocolate and cheese, which are rarely found in Russia. And don’t forget to at least take a photo with the Matterhorn, not to mention a magnet with it :)
It would be good to put aside about $50 for souvenirs.
How to get around the city
Zermatt - holidays with children
Zermatt was awarded the “Families Welcome” award for reasonable prices for families with children.
You will always have discounts on accommodation in hotels with children, in restaurants you will find children's portions, on the slope - instructors for learning skiing who speak Russian, and free ski passes for children under 9 years old; and up to 16 years old - big discounts.
In addition, as I already wrote above, in a city without cars it is completely safe to walk with children on the street. There are also a number of children's playgrounds and amusement parks - I also already wrote about them and even attached my own photos; I remember that after I took, for example, this picture, one of the girls saw me and we chatted very nicely about what a wonderful day it was.
Ski holiday
Ski passes
It is better to purchase ski passes at the bottom of the lifts. The price varies depending on age and the number of days for which you take the ski pass. Preferably - for the entire duration of your stay - it will definitely be cheaper.
A weekly ski pass will cost:
- for an adult - 380 dollars,
- for a teenager under 16 years old - $323,
- for a child under 6 years old - $190.
Trails
In almost any region, the tracks are divided by color:
- Green ones are the flattest; Suitable for children and beginners and just lovers of calm, smooth skating, which sometimes requires you to push off with poles or even climb a little up the hill. However, they are not at all suitable for snowboarders - unless you have a kind companion with ski poles nearby, ready to “give you a lift” on especially flat sections.
- Blue - medium, optimal for both beginners and professionals. Those who don't like speed, but like long rides without any dangerous moments - this is the place for you. Typically on the slopes, most pistes are blue.
- Red ones are good for those who like to accelerate quickly and reach the end of the track in a few minutes. It’s better for beginners not to go there, for those who have been skating for several years, it will be an excellent replacement for black slopes, for professionals it’s just good skating.
- Black- truly dangerous tracks with a strong slope. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to even accidentally fall into them, but to turn them off. And it’s better for professionals to beware, the speed you can develop there is immeasurable - however, professionals themselves know what I’m talking about :)
In Zermatt, all types are presented in large quantities (more than 360 km of well-prepared slopes, lifts climb to a height of 3883 m). At the top you can always find cozy restaurants where you can have lunch.
There are two sides for skiing - Swiss and Italian (Cervinia). In Italian, the main thing is not to be late and have time to return at the end of the day before the lifts close, otherwise you will have to spend the night there. Of course, there are hotels there, but it’s difficult to check into them without a passport.
Usually people ski at the top, and the lowest area leading to the city is passed on a lift - everything there is often too broken down and melts.
A map of the ski region is issued free of charge near the ski lifts, as well as at ski and snowboard rentals.
A special bus runs around the city, collecting everyone who wants to get to the ski lift; travel costs $5, and you can purchase a subscription. But, however, you can always walk to the ski lifts - if you are not too lazy to carry your skis :)
I have already written about instructors and routes for beginners.
Resort Zermatt (Switzerland)
The world-famous ski resort of Zermatt is part of the Best of the Alps group of best alpine resorts. The resort is located at the foot of the famous Matterhorn mountain, which attracts like a magnet with its almost perfect pyramidal shape.
The resort has a unique atmosphere all year round. Firstly, the air here is incredibly clean, since there is no car traffic in Zermatt: instead of cars, environmentally friendly electric cars, bicycles and horse-drawn carriages ply here.
Secondly, ancient Alpine wooden houses, built on piles of stones and with tiled roofs, have been preserved here. And of course, you will be pleased with the variety of ski slopes in winter and hiking routes in summer, as well as the possibility of year-round skiing on the glacier. An unforgettable experience will be given by the morning climb to Mount Rothorn to watch the sunrise and view the Matterhorn peak in all its pre-dawn glory.
How to get to the resort of Zermatt
Nearest airports: Geneva (255 km), Zurich (265 km).
The most convenient way to get there is by train from Geneva or Zurich airport.
Travel time: from Geneva - 3.5-4 hours, from Zurich - about 3.5 hours
Skiing in Zermatt
The total length of the tracks is 360 km.
Elevation difference 1620-3889 m.
Characteristics of the trails: for beginners - 30%, for intermediate level - 55%, for experts - 15%
Number of lifts - 63
Matterhorn Ski Paradise extends over several ski areas:
- Rothorn mountain range (3203 m)
- Gornergrat (3089 m)
- skiing on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3883 m)
- Schwarzsee (2583 m).
Experienced skiers also have the opportunity to ski on the Italian side of the Alps - the Breuil-Cervinia slopes.
And also in the resort of Zermatt
- cross-country ski trails: in Zermatt - 9 km, in Täsch - 17 km.
- snow parks: at Blauherd, Rotenboden and Trockener Steg
- Toboggan run: from Rotenboden to Riffelalp
Sports and leisure in Zermatt
- The highest ice palace in Europe (in “Matterhorn glacier paradise”)
- The highest located restaurant in Europe,
with a separate room for groups, at an altitude of 3.883 m
above sea level
- Routes for walking and hiking in the mountains, with a total length of 400 km
(including thematic routes)
- 100 km long mountain bike trails
- Mountaineering
- Paragliding
- Rope park “Forest Fun Park”
- 12 km of cross-country ski trails in Täsch
- Sledging
- Helly-ski
- Overnight in an “igloo village” at an altitude of 2.727 m
Restaurants in Zermatt
Zermatt is home to a huge number of gourmet restaurants. Experimental cooking, Asian cuisine, Mediterranean and Alpine cuisine, outdoor grilling, local regional cuisine, or venison and ostrich meat - here you will find culinary delights for every taste. Be it a mountain restaurant, or the gourmet cuisine of the best hotels in Zermatt.
Children
Zermatt has a lot of children's and family entertainment, a children's ski park, children's clubs, excursions to a cheese factory, climbing courses, toboggan runs, snowshoeing and much more.
Ski resort Switzerland Zermatt(1608 m) is part of the canton of Valais. And the resort is located in the upper reaches of the Visp Valley, in the southern part of the Swiss Alps. Zermatt's calling card is the most famous peak of the Alps - the Matterhorn (4478 m). In addition to the Matterhorn, in the ski resort of Zermatt you can admire the most beautiful peaks of the Alps: Dom and Monte Rosa.
Ski resort Zermatt, together with ski resorts in Switzerland: Davos, Grindenwald and St. Moritz, part of the famous BestoftheAlps group, which offers superb downhill skiing and first-class service. Resorts included in the BestoftheAlps group are located in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
As a real Swiss resort, Zermatt will provide tourists not only with excellent skiing, which professional skiers will appreciate, but also with impeccable service in hotels, restaurants and shops.
The Zermatt ski resort guarantees absolutely clean mountain air, there is no car traffic in the resort, and guests and locals travel by electric vehicles. The resort is one of the most fun in Switzerland; many young people vacation in Zermatt, who love to have fun in the evenings and at night, and here there is such an opportunity.
You can get to the Zermatt ski resort from international airports: Geneva (250 km), Zurich (270 km). Zermatt has a railway station that receives trains from many European cities. Zermatt - high mountain resort and there are no problems with snow here, all Zermatt pistes have excellent snow coverage.
Zermatt owes its popularity, first of all, to its location - it is located in the central part of the Alps, has the longest trails and a considerable difference in altitude: from 1620 to 3820 meters. The most important advantage of the resort is that the season is open all year round - Zermatt is filled with tourists even in summer.
The Zermatt ski resort in Switzerland is one of the most prestigious holiday destinations. Its symbol is the Matterhorn peak, whose height is 4478 meters. In total, in the vicinity of the resort there are 38 peaks with heights exceeding 4000 meters.
Caring for the environment, motor vehicles have been banned in Zermatt. But here there is such a modern and quite convenient form of transport as an electric car. In addition, you can travel on horse-drawn sleighs and carriages in the summer.
Basic information about Zermatt
Location
Zermatt is located in the south of Switzerland, in the Welsh Alps - located directly at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain.
How to get to Zermatt
You can get to the resort from the nearest airports in Zurich (240 kilometers) and Geneva (255 kilometers). The resort can be reached directly by train as no cars are allowed here. If you were driving a car before, you will have to leave it in the parking lot in Tasha.
Weather, season
Due to the meridian location and protection of the resort from wind penetration, there are no problems with snow cover. The weather in Zermatt is quite stable. The season is open all year round.
Trails, slopes, lifts
The resort has 3 ski areas, and they are all interconnected.
- The Rothorn area, located at an altitude of 3103 meters, is suitable for skiers of different skill levels. If you have just started skiing, then you have the opportunity to visit a park for children and beginners. This is an excellent school for those who are taking their first steps in skiing.
- The area that is located near Gornergrat is located at an altitude of 3100 meters - this is one of the best areas for those who already know something and are at an average level of preparedness.
These are the most picturesque places in the Zermatt area and offer stunning views of the Matterhorn peak, the Gorner glacier and other attractions. There is a map of the Zermatt ski slopes, which can help you become more familiar with their location.
In total, 310 kilometers of trails are available to tourists. There are also 35 lifts of various types installed here.
Ski-pass prices (prices are in CHF)
Accommodation, other activities, après-ski, attractions
For 130 years, there have been two unique hotels in Zermatt, which have been fighting for the right to be the best all this time - the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof and the Mont Cervin Palace. If you want to be in silence and privacy, then climb to a height of 2222 meters, where the Riffelalp Hotel awaits you. There is also a wide selection of chalets and hostels available at the resort. If you want something modern, then The Omnia is definitely the place for you - a hotel built at an altitude of 1649 meters, with views from the rooms that lead guests to a state of unforgettable delight.
The real highlight of Zermatt are the mountain restaurants and huts, which offer a variety of dishes you've never even heard of. We suggest you visit Findeln, where you will be offered excellent rösti, or Zum See, where you should go to taste tuna carpaccio with lemon juice. Zermatt is a resort that does not have a particularly vibrant nightlife. Popular places include:
- "Le Broken" - disco club;
- Arvenstube is a place where real fun reigns;
- Elsie’s Bar is the best place to offer champagne and oysters, etc.
You can look at the picturesque landscapes using web cameras installed in Zermatt.
Advantages and disadvantages
The resort will be appreciated by lovers of Alpine landscapes. Ski lovers will appreciate the well-equipped and maintained trails of varying difficulty levels. A unified network of lifts will allow you to move around all ski areas.
Watch the video review:
Tsermat has other reviews. Relative disadvantages include the ban on movement by motor vehicles and the presence of a large number of slopes (off-piste) in the glacier zone.
Even the photos taken in Zermatt are mesmerizing. What can we say about the sensations that come to you when you see all this with your own eyes. It’s worth coming here just to look at one of the most beautiful peaks in Europe, the Matterhorn. The fabulous nature of the Alps is successfully combined with the luxury and sophistication of local hotels and restaurants with a national flavor. Tours to Zermatt are deservedly popular all year round
The hallmark of Swiss mountain holidays - Zermatt (height 1608 m) lies in the upper part of the picturesque mountain valley of Matter-Visp (Matter-Visp) in the south-east of the canton.
The reason for Zermatt's popularity is visible long before approaching the village - the jagged wall of the most picturesque four-thousand-meter peaks of the Pieniny Alps frames it on all sides. Immediately after leaving the station, the most beautiful mountain in Europe catches your eye - Matterhorn(4478 m), on the northern slope of which the village is essentially located, as well as the white slopes of the Matterhorn, Ober-Theodulgletscher, Findelgletscher and Gorner glaciers, behind which the highest mountain in the country is visible - Dufourspitze, 4634 m. But these are only the most striking landmarks - having looked closely, travelers will see an almost circular panorama of dozens of mountains and glaciers of different heights and sizes - there are 36 four-thousand-meter peaks alone.
It is not surprising that the road itself from the town of Visp (Visp) in the Rhone Valley to the Matterhorn is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, and the 9 km long rack railway Gornergratbahn, which continues further into the mountains, is the second highest on the continent - the final station lies at an altitude of 3089 meters.
Winter holidays in Zermatt
Zermatt is an all-season resort. In winter, this is a real tourist Mecca, offering more than 200 km of slopes of all difficulty levels (250 km - including part of the slopes of the Italian Cervigna, easily accessible from Zermatt) and 72 lifts. In general, the resort is aimed at well-prepared skiers - there are only 34 km of “blue” slopes, the rest are “red” (118 km) and “black” (48 km), and the highest point of the ski area lies at 3883 meters. However, many local “red” slopes have frankly flat lower sections, and their width and evenness make skiing much easier even for not very experienced skiers. About 40 km of slopes are allocated for freeride, but in general there are much more.
Zermatt has three ski sectors, each with its own lift system. Eastern sector routes Sunnega - Rothorn(Sunnegga/Rothorn) lie on the western slopes of Mount Unterrothorn (3103 m) and intertwine with the slopes of the adjacent southern region Gornergrat - Stockhorn(Gornergrat/Stockhorn). While the southern sector lying directly on the slopes of the Matterhorn Schwarzze - Klein(Schwarzsee/Klein) merges with the ski area of the Italian resort of Cervinia. The longest descent in the region is also located here - the Matterhorn glacier paradise - Zermatt link (22 km).
The thrilling Triftji Bumps run from the Hohtalli peak (3286 m) above the Gornergrat station (3089 m) is one of the most famous black runs in the Alps. There is a good network of pistes and lifts above the village of Furi, with excellent red and black slopes around Schwarzsee and Trockener Steg, as well as the long Gandegg slope. High level "red" runs can also be found around Testa Grigia and Klein station on the Matterhorn.
The largest snowpark in Europe is located on the Theodulglacier - Gravity Park Zermatt with a two-hundred-meter superpipe, a half-pipe, numerous rails, kickers and open rollouts. These same trails offer an unforgettable summer holiday - from Klein Matterhorn (3883 m) to Trockener Steg (2939 m) you can ski almost all year round.
15 km of mogul trails, 115 km of flat ski tracks, 2 fun parks, 2 toboggan runs, and a ski school are open.
The annual ski guide ADAC Ski Guide awarded Zermatt the title of the best resort in 2011. This holiday destination was highly appreciated for its excellent organization, safety, wide range of sports opportunities, as well as gastronomic features.
Subscription
A one-day Zermatt - Cervinia ski pass will cost on average 76 francs for an adult and 37 francs for a child, for five days - 309 and 155 francs respectively. A one-day ski pass per adult only for the Zermatt area costs 68 francs, a five-day ski pass costs 280-300 francs, depending on the season. There is an extensive system of various discounts and special offers, which can be found on the resort website www.zermatt.ch.
Season
The ski season in Zermatt lasts from mid-December to the end of April, but you can ski on the glaciers almost all year round.
Entertainment in Zermatt
The resort has 15 indoor swimming pools, 20 saunas and steam baths, 12 solariums, 2 tennis courts, a squash hall, billiards, more than 100 restaurants, bars and discos, as well as 38 mountain restaurants. In 2011, 17 of the resort's restaurants were awarded by the French restaurant guide Gault Millau.
Summer holidays in Zermatt
In summer, Zermatt is a real center for active recreation. Dozens, if not hundreds, of walking, trekking and horse riding routes scatter from the village, many of which are among the best in the country. Among the best routes in Switzerland is the old GGB Gornergrat Bahn (www.ggb.ch) from the village of Riffelalp to the Gornergrat station (3130 m) and further to Hohtalligrat (3286 m) and the sea of ice at the peak Stockhorn (3407 m). There are also several interesting trails between the Gornergrat railway stations themselves, including three good routes leading from the large hotel next to Riffelalp station to Riffelberg. In summer (from mid-June to mid-September) there are weekly "sunrise trains" to Gornergrat station, with which you can catch a stunning sunrise on the Matterhorn.
The ski slopes from Klein Matterhorn (3883 m) to Trockener Steg (2939 m) are open almost all year round, so in summer you can see a large number of skiers and snowboarders on them.
Transport in Zermatt
Within Zermatt itself, cars are completely prohibited - the only means of transport are ski lifts, electric cars, and horse-drawn vehicles (sleighs in winter and carriages in summer). The age-darkened brown chalets and atmospheric alleys of the old part of the village welcome everyone, regardless of financial status and habits - behind a medieval fence there may be an ultra-modern hotel, and literally just outside the commercial main street the typical mountain landscape begins. The ski boom doubled the size of old Zermatt, but even this could not destroy the characteristic atmosphere of a small mountain village with its discreet way of life and special traditions.
How to get to Zermatt
You can get to Zermatt by rail from Zurich (3.5 hours) or Geneva (3.5 hours) via Sion with a change in Visp (Visp) to the modern narrow-gauge Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. The resort also serves as the starting point for the famous panoramic train Glacier Express (St. Moritz - Davos - Zermatt).
Zermatt's train station, a bustling place with the usual facilities for resorts of this caliber, is located at the northern end of the main street. The outer side of the square near the station is constantly lined with small electric taxis (up to four people - 15 francs throughout the village, without luggage). There are also two electric buses (free if you have a ski pass, 3 francs if you don't) that serve all key points in the surrounding area. The GGB Gornergrat-Bahn rack railway station is directly opposite the main station, and the underground funicular to the Sunnegga area runs east from the station, first along the Gornergrat line and then turns up the river valley.
Getting there by car is somewhat more difficult - the village itself is closed to vehicles, so you can only get to the village of Täsch (5 km down the valley). There are parking lots with 2,900 spaces where you can leave your car. From here you will have to get to Zermatt by shuttle trains from the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway (journey time 20 minutes) and then travel only by public transport or on foot.