Zermatt Part three, Switzerland

The weather reports were calling for rain all day but when I got out of bed and leisurely walked onto the terrace, I was greeted with this stunning view.

After a lightening fast breakfast we ran to the gondola station which was very close to the hotel.

We got off at the Schwartzsee stop with the plan to hike down to Zermatt.

Unfortunately, this was the best of Matterhorn for us, that cloud stayed there the entire day.

The path was clearly marked for the most part, only once did we feel that we were not on it. The hiking path is either a dirt road, rocky at times or a paved road for a bit.

We heard these cows 15 minutes prior to seeing them, their bells accompanied us as we walked and were the only sound to break the silence of the area.

About two hours after beginning our hike we stopped for lunch at Zum See, a great mountain restaurant run by a husband and wife team for the last 30 years. The restaurant is in a rustic 16th Century wooden house.

A glimpse of Zermatt

Along the way there are wooden crosses, some with written information about those who perished, reminders of how dangerous this beautiful area can be. In Zermatt there is a mountaineer's cemetery, a sad resting place for those who lost their lives pursuing their passion.

Back to Zermatt. All in all, this was a wonderful and exhilarating hike, but I found out just how painful going downhill for three hours can be. Our legs really hurt and immersing ourselves in that wonderful outdoor hot tub felt amazing, until the thunderstorm started.

Goodbye Switzerland,
Joanna

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