Home to the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and some of the most iconic mountain scenery in the Alps, the Mattertal and Saastal valleys in the Swiss Valais offer walkers an unrivalled combination of spectacular high-alpine terrain and well-developed mountain infrastructure. With 50 routes making full use of the area's extensive path network and lift systems, this is one of the finest walking destinations in Switzerland. This trusted guidebook by Lesley and Jonathan Williams describes 50 graded day walks ranging from 4 to 29km (3 to 18 miles), completed in 2 to 10 hours, based around the resort towns of Zermatt and Saas-Fee. It combines clear, walk-by-walk route descriptions with thorough planning information to help you make the most of every day in these magnificent Swiss 4000m mountains. Organised across four areas — Zermatt and the Mattertal, Grächen and the lower Mattertal, and Saas-Fee and the Saastal — the 50 graded walks range from easy village strolls to full-day mountain outings,Clear route descriptions are supported by 1:50,000 maps for every walk, with detailed information on planning, transport, and amenities to help you navigate the valleys and mountains with confidenceGPX files are available to download for all 50 routes, making it simple to follow the path digitally, whether you're tracing the Matterhorn Glacier Trail or picking your way above the glaciers to the Monte Rosa HütteStand-out routes include the Five Lakes Walk in the Findeln valley, the Gornergrat to Riffelsee circuit, the iconic Grächen to Saas-Fee Höhenweg, and hut walks to the Britanniahütte and Mischabelhütte, with welcoming mountain restaurants dotted throughout the areaBackground notes on the plants, wildlife, and geology of these extraordinary 4000m peaks sit alongside practical guidance on getting to Zermatt and Saas-Fee, travel in the region and accommodation options Packed with 50 route descriptions, 1:50,000 maps, and GPX downloads, this is the definitive Cicerone guide to walking in Zermatt and Saas-Fee. Step into the shadow of the Matterhorn and explore the Swiss Valais with confidence.
