Hiking Through Switzerland

Day 2: Zermatt 

We left Zurich on the 8:02 train bound for Zermatt.  When we embarked, we found 2 blind men siitting in our reserved seats.  What a moral dilemma! Fortunately we were able to find 2 empty reserved seats for them and didn't have to feel too guilty. 

The train soon left the flat area around Zurich and we got to experience the beginning of the Swiss alps.

Our trip required a transfer in Visp to a regional train that began a steady ascent to Zermatt at over 5,000'

We arrived in Zermatt to mostly cloudy skies but no rain.  Our hotel was  literally steps (and not too many) from the train station and quite posh. Though our rooms weren't ready, we were given great options for hiking for the afternoon.  

It was a short walk across the train tracks then down to the river running through Zermatt to the Sunnega cog railway station.

We took the train up to Sunnega 

and by the time we arrived, the sun was out and the temperatures began to warm up.

We kept waiting for the clouds to move away from the summit of the Matterhorn, but it never happened.

So we gave up and began to hike back down to Zermat. Wildflowers were blooming everywhere, and ChatGPT was very helpful in identifying them.

Along the way, we passed through several small villages, half expecting to meet up with Heidi and her Opa.

In addition to hikers, these trails also accomodate mountain bikers, though most that we saw were on E-MTBs. Made us think of Al and Joan.

Had to make a quick first aid stop for a developing blister

and then headed into the woods for the final descent into Zermatt

The 6 mile descent was pretty hard on the legs, and back at the hotel we rewarded ourselves by (heavily) partaking in the afternoon coffee and pastry at the hotel.  The pastry chef is amazing!

Dinner tonight was at an Indian restaurant around the corner from the hotel.  We've tried Indian food all over the globe, and have rarely been diappointed.  Tonight was no exception.  We had a great dinner, though it was definitely the most expensive Indian food we have ever eaten. Prices here are CRAZY!

After dinner, back at the hotel we happened to glance out our window and low and behold, the heavans had parted and the Matterhorn was clear as a bell.

A good omen for tomorrow?