Trek the Matterhorn Circuit
Hike a mini version of the world-famous trek through the beautiful Swiss Alps
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking IML-certified guidesHostel & Mountain huts
1 night in a hostel, 2 nights in remote mountain refugesMeals
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinnersEquipment
Pillows and blankets are provided at the refugesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Trek through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe over four unforgettable days
Visit Stellisee Lake and see the Matterhorn reflected on its mirror-like surface
Summit Pfulwe Peak (3400m), traverse the longest suspension bridge in the Alps and sleep in cosy mountain refuges surrounded by glaciers
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to the Swiss Alps
Hiking
Meet up with your crew in Randa, in the Matterhorn Valley. After a quick gear check, start up the steep and rugged Europa Trail. Trek to the famous Europahütte where you’ll spend the night. You'll arrive just before dinner is served and sleep in a cosy dormitory at over 2000m above sea level.
Day 2
Hike the Europaweg
Hiking
Trek deep into the Matterhorn Valley and across the legendary Charles Kuonen suspension bridge. At 500m it’s the longest suspension bridge for pedestrian use in the Alps. Stand in the middle of the crossing and take in the jaw-dropping panoramic mountain scenery. After the bridge, continue on the famous Europaweg, a trail cut into the mountainside (with a few exposed sections), and join the Edelweiss trail to your cosy overnight mountain refuge, the Täschhütte. There will be plenty of time for a sunset beer on the deck overlooking the iconic Weisshorn and Zinalrothorn mountains on the other side of the valley.
Day 3
Summit Pfulwe
Hiking
Rise early and catch the sun hitting the surrounding glaciers and the circle of 4000m peaks - the kaleidoscope of colour is worth setting your alarm for. Follow the rugged, rocky and beautiful Täschalp Path through the Pfulwe Pass. If you want a challenge, climb to the top of Pfulwe itself (3313m) for an amazing panorama of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa (the highest mountain in Switzerland) and endless creaking glaciers. On the descent to Zermatt, you'll trek over the Fluealp, pass by the famous Stellisee Lake and capture the iconic picture of the Matterhorn reflected on the mirror-clear water. Today is a big day with a lot of descent; if your legs are tired you can pay for the cable car down to Zermatt to reduce the distance.
Day 4
Zermatt Edelweiss Trail
Hiking
Wake up bright and early and indulge in a last traditional Swiss breakfast, complete with local jams, marmalades, honey and cheeses. You’ll have a few hours to hike up the Edelweiss Trail and breathe in the mountain air, before walking down to finish your trip in Zermatt.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Randa Train Station, Switzerland
Arrive any time before 14:30 on Day 1
Ends
Zermatt Train Station, Switzerland
14:30 on Day 4
Transfers
The start and finish locations for this trip are easily accessible by the ever reliable and punctual Swiss Rail service. Travelling by train is the best way to see the stunning scenery of Switzerland, after on your own two feet of course! It's also better for the environment, so consider where you might want to start your rail journey to reduce your carbon footprint.
The Zermatt Valley is accessible by rail via the regional station of Visp, all connections across Switzerland will require a change of train there, whether travelling from Geneva, Zurich, Bern or Milan for example. With fast rail options available across Europe, consider researching all options for making your journey. For those with more time available a longer rail journey can be it's own pleasurable adventure.
The closest major airport to Randa/Zermatt is Geneva (GVA), conveniently with a train station at the airport for easy direct connections. As a guide, allow for an hour on arrival at GVA to pass through immigration and collect luggage. The average journey time from Geneva Airport to Randa via Visp is 3hrs30mins, and from Zermatt to Geneva Airport via Visp 3hrs50mins.
The approximate cost for a one-way single fare is 40-50 CHF, but it may be cheaper to buy a return ticket. The best place to book your rail travel in Switzerland is via the official Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website. For those making this part of a longer trip in Switzerland, you may also consider getting a SwissPass, which offers unlimited travel on all public transport for a specified number of days.
Travel options
For those wanting to arrive a day early or extend their trip, your host can assist with booking pre/post trip accommodation and private transfers for an additional cost. Prices vary across the season with availability, it's best to book early to avoid disappointment.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts and dinners will be served at the refuges. Breakfasts always include coffee, bread, jam and butter. Depending on the refuge, they may also include orange juice, cereal, yoghurt, fruit, cheese and meats. Dinners are hearty and served in large portions – just what a hungry hiker needs! Typical meals include a soup starter, a main course of meat and veggies with a side of grains or pasta, and a dessert like vanilla pudding or creme brûlée. Picnic lunches will be provided each day, featuring a large main item like a sandwich or wrap, a salad, and a selection of fruit, muesli bars, chocolate, nuts, etc.
Vegetarian, vegan and most other dietary requirements (including gluten-free) can be catered for with advanced notice. Just let your host know when booking. Whilst dietary needs are sent to each refuge with the group reservations, please consider that the mountain refuges will have a limited range of choice to offer guests due to their remote locations. People with very specific dietary requirements typically choose to also bring some of their own snacks with them to ensure they have sufficient fuel for hiking up and down the beautiful mountain trails.
What is the accommodation like?
The Alps
You’ll be staying at authentic mountain refuges. The accommodation is simple, clean and comfortable. Groups typically sleep in mixed dormitory rooms of up to 20 persons, usually in bunk or single beds. They feature hot showers, running water, pillows and blankets, and a bar serving cold drinks. Most refuges also have outlets for charging your electronics, and some even have WiFi. Some refuges are more modern in style, others have a more traditional heritage, most are busy throughout the hiking season; it's the refuge's location and its remoteness that largely decides what comforts and conveniences are available. It's best to keep your expectations simple and enjoy the time on the trail to unplug from everyday life.
Zermatt
You’ll stay in either the Zermatt Youth Hostel or the Hotel Banhof in mixed dorm rooms with bunk beds.
Upgrades
Unfortunately, upgrades are not available due to the nature of accommodation on this trip.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
This trip is suitable for experienced hikers in good shape. You'll need to be able to hike 15–20km on mountain trails, with as much as 1000m+ of elevation gain and descent, each day. You will be carrying your own overnight pack between the refuges, so should be confident hiking with a 30-50L pack for multiple days. Doing some practice hikes before the trip with your pack and boots is strongly recommended to help you prepare for this adventure!
Summer in the Swiss Alps is generally warm and fair, but the weather can change very quickly in the high mountains, bringing cold rain and wind. Average temperatures range from 6 to 26 °C. It rains roughly half of the days each month, but storms generally pass through quickly. Even in the peak of summer you can have very mixed conditions, especially when climbing over the high mountain passes above 2000m. Heatwaves have also been a feature of recent European summers. Our kit list is intended to guide you on what to pack for this trip.
Great trek, great guide and
Great trek, great guide and good company. Only things letting it down was the quality of the food at the refuges, and one of the refuges actually being cold - unheard of, but cold it was.
Trek the Matterhorn
What a wonderful excursion. 4 days of trekking in the Swiss Alps, with views your eyes cannot believe. Our tour guide (Nick) was exceptional. Very knowledgeable, well versed on the area and offered great advice during the day. Challenging terrain, but each day gets easier. The lodges were simple, clean and friendly. Such a beautiful experience, I’ll certainly be booking another tour.
Amazing from start to finish.
Outstanding. Switzerland, MBA and our guide Dave delivered 100% on everything. Stunning scenery, excellent accommodation and we met some lovely and very interesting people.
Amazing trip, I had high
Amazing trip, I had high expectations from previous MBA experiences and was not disappointed! Challenging hikes with varied terrain and stunning views, woke up to an amazing sight of the Matterhorn on the last day after it hiding in clouds on our way down to Zermatt. Grant was a fab guide, always calmly motivating and supporting over tricky terrain and long climbs. Topped off by sharing the trip with lovely group of people supplying lots of laughs. Would recommend to anyone!
Superb
This trip was everything I was hoping it would be and more. The hiking was challenging but doable and our guide Grant was absolutely fantastic. Our whole group was wonderful and we had such a good laugh with incredible people. The views were amazing and the mountains huts, although basic, are clean and comfortable. can't wait to book another trip.
10 out of 10 would recommend.
Spectacular
A truly unforgettable trip. Stunning views, challenging hiking and wonderful alpine refuge experiences. The trip was made all the better by wonderful travelling companions and our incredibly calm and knowledgeable guide, Grant. Any hesitation about booking because of meeting new people or staying in mountain huts/hostels should be dispelled - this trip allowed me to meet many like-minded, kind and hilarious people and the accommodation was charming and comfortable. Our guide Grant completely understood our group's motivations (largely food and drink!) and abilities and challenged us all appropriately. He led us expertly and was a very reassuring presence! I'm already looking to book another!
Stunning & Challenging trek!
I'd highly recommend this trek. I had a wonderful time with a lovely group of people. The trekking was challenging, varied terrain and the scenery was stunning. It was so peaceful and the whole break felt longer than it was. Our guide Astrid was wonderful and it was a pleasure to share our time in the mountains with her. The huts are basic and close quarters, so sleep not the most comfortable, but to be expected. Food plentiful, bring some added snacks for during the hiking. Be prepared for pricey drinks etc in the huts/Switzerland in general and take cash.
Allez Allez!
Just finished the Matterhorn circuit. What a great 4 days. Packed a lot in. Two really challenging days. Two easier days. Thanks to Astrid for guiding us and thanks to all in the group who helped to make this a great trip.
Accommodation and food were basic but perfectly adequate. Expect to stay in bedrooms of upto 20 people of mixed sex.
Zermatt town at the end was beautiful. I would consider staying here for a bit longer after the trip if you wanted to extend your holiday.
Make sure you are confident in walking upto 18k with 1200m ascent in a day. If so you will be fine.
Awesome trip, challenging, doable, nice in between from completely roughing it and staying in hotels. Amazing views and Joel was an awesome guide!
Excellent trip, breathtaking views and guided with confidence, competence and humour.
we have an amazing and unique experience with MBA. The hike is challenging, requiring a lot endurance and some technics; but the scenery is breathtaking! We are very well looked after by our guide Joel - he appreciates we are at different levels, and made sure we are all safe and happy with our own speed. Our group is fun, full of similar minded hikers. The accommodation and food are basic (you can’t ask for more at that altitude!)
Beautiful landscapes make the hike completely worth the effort.
These 4 days really pack a lot in. It is the perfect trip for someone with limited leave to really feel like you are getting away and stretching yourself. Absolutely would recommend.
More difficult that expected due to steep ascents and difficult paths.The guide and the group made this achievable and an enjoyable experience.Well organised.My second Better Adventures trip .Hopefully not my last ! RECOMMEND HIGHLY
Challenging hiking through beautiful scenery. The trails were quiet and remote, with a great balance of technical sections, wildlife and breaks at mountain refuges. Our guide was knowledgable and flexible, allowing the group to adapt our plans slightly to suit us. We were lucky enough to have views of the Matterhorn as we approached throughout the trip, but there are plenty of other amazing peaks and glaciers along the way. Kept well fed by the refuges, but do bring your own snacks too for along the route as there are some long climbs with additional energy required!
Fantastic trip from start to finish. Challenging hikes but with the most amazing views of the Alps, clean and comfortable mountain refuges. Highlights were summiting Pfulwe at 3314m and getting a perfect clear day on the last day for the best Matterhorn views. Big thank you to our guide Grant for such an epic 4 days of hiking.
This was my first MBA trip and it did not disappoint. A tough walk but rewarding walk awaits you in Switzerland. Our local guide Grant was very informative and kept us all going strong throughout.10/10 would recommend
This trek takes you through some beautiful Swiss scenery
Hiking around the Matterhorn in Switzerland was an absolutely amazing trip - I will definitely will be returning soon for more! I really enjoyed the experience of staying in the mountain refuges, it made the trip authentic and exciting. Grant was an excellent guide, always happy to help and chat about his knowledge of the mountains. A highlight was climbing up Pfulwe 3314m and having panoramic views of the glaciers. Another great trip by MBA, cannot recommend enough!
Fantastic trip. Well organised with airport transfers and pre-booking info. Comfortable and clean accomodation. Food was good and plentiful at the cabins. Well guided. And we were lucky with perfect weather to enjoy the stunning view.
I would highly recommend this long weekend in Switzerland to anyone considering it. The views were amazing and definitely worth the challenging days hiking. The mountain huts are basic but part of the adventure. I couldn't fault our host who was very knowledgeable and the other travellers were supportive and great to chat to over games of uno in the evenings!
This is one of my favorite experiences. From staying in the adorable mountain huts, to learning more about the terrain of the Swiss alps and summitting a mountain to see glaciers, monta Rosa and the Matterhorn. I couldn’t recommend this hike more!
Amazing and beautiful trip. Our local guide and our group was incredible. Highly recommend!
I went on the Matterhorn Circuit trip in mid September. It was my first ‘much better adventure’ and it was great. Being up in the alps with clear blue skies, challenging my legs to haul me and my pack up, higher than I’d ever been before, sharing the experience with a fun group and being looked after by a knowledgeable guide all made for an excellent, memorable trip.
I got exactly what I wanted from a guided trip; someone else in control and feeling safe throughout. I went as a solo traveller which is not something I would normally do. I was a little worried about joining a group of unknowns (!) but I needn’t have bothered. The group was lovely, and hearing about other adventures people had been on or had planned was fun.
Staying in the mountain huts was and experience and the food was good and plentiful.
We were lucky that the weather was on our side allowing us to climb up to the col at Pfulwe. This was the most challenging part of the route. We crossed boulder fields and threaded our way up narrow paths. To me this was by far the best bit especially when rewarded as we reached the col with the view opening up to Mount Rosa and the Matterhorn.
Our guide, Dave, was great. He read the group well and helped us gel. He clearly loved the mountains and passed on his enthusiasm.
I arrived into Geneva the night before the adventure started and stayed at the airport which worked really well for me. I picked up Swiss Francs at the airport; these were needed for snacks and drinks - the huts did not accept card. We also opted to pay for the lift down into Zermatt which cost around 30francs. Other than that everything was covered and the kit list was good.
Be warned that getting a shower at the huts was either not possible or not for the modest! Power sockets weren’t always available so a power bank was needed.
Would definitely use ‘much better’ again and recommend to friends.
Everything was great. Luckily the weather was beautiful, so we had some amazing panoramic views. The huts were surprisingly nice and our guide Nick made sure we were able to get meals, despite my wife's dietary restrictions (vegan, no onions/garlic) that make finding food difficult in a city, let alone high in the mountains. That meant a lot to us! Overall, I'd say it was perfect. I recommend it. Thanks for the wonderful adventure!
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What do I need to bring?
You'll be carrying all you need for the four day trip on your back, so don't over pack but also don't skip the essentials. Hiking in the Alps even in the peak of summer you can have very mixed conditions, both hot and cold, especially when climbing over the high mountain passes.
KIT
- 30-50L backpack with waist belt (plus a rain cover)
- A Pack Liner or Dry Bag is also good protection in case of rain
- Sleeping bag liner (cotton or silk). This is very important as it's a mandatory requirement at the mountain refuges. Pillows and blankets are provided by the refuges.
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended due to altitude)
- Preferred snacks for the trail
- Hydration/Electrolyte tablets
- 2L water bottle(s) or hydration bladder
- Hand sanitiser gel
- Toiletries and personal first aid items
- Towel
- Swim suit
- Earplugs and Eye Mask (recommended)
- Cash (CHF) for drinks, snacks along the trail, tips etc.
- Plug adaptor and/or battery pack to charge electrical devices (note Switzerland uses a different standard to the rest of Europe)
- Headlamp
- Hiking Poles (optional but strongly recommended)
CLOTHES
- Waterproof Jacket (with hood) and Trousers
- Primaloft or Down Jacket
- Fleece or merino pullover or sweater
- Synthetic or merino wool base layers
- Warm hat and gloves (really important in mixed weather conditions)
- Sunhat or cap
- Synthetic shirts and trousers (zip-off preferable) for hiking
- Comfortable shirt and trousers for the refuges
- 2+ pairs of hiking socks, wool or synthetic
- Sturdy hiking boots or shoes (worn in)
- Comfortable light shoes for around the refuge
No optional extras are available for this trip.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 58kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
In the even of bad weather your mountain guide will assess the best route for the group. In this section of the Zermatt valley there are typically higher and lower level trails to hike on going in the same direction, so there are usually several options for the guides to choose from which will still allow the group continue from one mountain hut to another each day. Given the altitude and exposure of some of the trails, weather-related erosion and snow on the ground can also be a factor and cause some routes to be closed/impassable throughout the season. Hiking in the Alps is a true big mountain experience and you should come prepared for a range of weather conditions, please refer to the Kit List section for recommendations on what to pack for this trip.
Tap water is freely available at the mountain huts and the guide will direct you to mountain springs while trekking.
As you're meeting your guide at Randa Train Station, your host is unable to offer a luggage storage option. However the ever reliable Swiss Rail does have an inexpensive service offering luggage transport from Geneva to Zermatt for just 12 CHF. This would allow you to leave you main luggage at Geneva station on day 1, and do the trip with just your hiking backpack, and then conveniently collect your main luggage at Zermatt station on day 4. Visit the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website for more details.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude, by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Thursday 3rd July 2025
to Sunday 6th July 2025
Thursday 10th July 2025
to Sunday 13th July 2025
Thursday 17th July 2025
to Sunday 20th July 2025
Thursday 24th July 2025
to Sunday 27th July 2025
Thursday 31st July 2025
to Sunday 3rd August 2025
