The Matterhorn
Famous for its access to the mighty Matterhorn, Zermatt has long since been a hot spot for adventure travel enthusiasts from around the world. Boasting one third of the Alps’ 4000m+ peaks, the Swiss alpine resort offers year round skiing and climbing as well as seasonal alternatives like mountain biking and hiking. The small mountain village is less well known for its green credentials, a handful of which I’ll be outlining in this blog.
Perhaps the most noticeable green indicative is the use of electric cars. Real cars were banned from the town in 1931 in order to keep the air clean so now all modes of transportation are owned by companies and run on electricity. The cars are charged each night using the village’s power supply, 70% of which is produced by a hydroelectric plant up the valley. This energy is also used to power the Gornergrat, a train service that runs from Zermatt to Gornergrat using the energy of two descending trains to power the accent of another.
More recent engineering initiatives include the 90% efficient Monte Rosa Hutte as well as the solar powered Klein Matterhorne restaurant. Both received the Solar Award in 2010 for their ‘Exemplary environmental commitment in mountainous regions’. Back in Zermatt, the Hotel Phoenix and Hotel Firefly also received critical acclaim for their use of geothermal energy.
Restaurants and food vendors are also doing their bit to become sustainable. At the cheese factory, Horu Käserei uses local milk to make all its product while restaurants Chez Heini, Les Marmottes, and Schäferstube only eat meat from their own flocks while the Chez Vrony Findeln trumps all in its bold claim that it only serves organic produce made from cattle fed solely on mountain pastures. The disadvantage with such meals is that although they may put your conscience to rest they will alarm your wallet.
Despite the commendable efforts made to cater for the luxury end of the market sustainably, Zermatt offers few options for climbers on tight budgets. Accommodation costs are hard to elude and are compounded by the fact that camping is illegal on all of the Swiss Alps meaning you will have to stay in the SAC huts or else
The fateful Gornergrat making her way uphill
down in the village. Authorities may cast a blind eye to discreet wild camping but there can be no guarantee. If caught you are eligible to a fine of up to 1000 CHF.
If you’re looking to save on accommodation, think about staying Camp Matterhorn (11 CHF pppn). The site offers is on the edge of town and offers basic camping amenities; sinks, toilets, showers, and a small common room. Another option is the Jugenherberge (50 – 90 CHF pppn) which is the best equipped youth hostel in town. Though expensive it is extremely social and has been awarded for the green standards it maintains.
Getting there responsibly
From London follow the greentraveller journey plan to get you as far as Geneva. At Geneva hop on a train to Visp and wait for the connecting mountain train to Zermatt. Buy tickets for train travel in Switzerland before you go from Rail Europe. If booked in advance a return ticket cost in the region of £90.
More information
- Feel free to connect with Magnetic Junction on Twitter or Facebook, or else contact Zermatt Tourism for any extra details.
Our route
