If you are anywhere near Zermatt, the Matterhorn acts like a magnet, always pulling your gaze towards it. On a clear day, which is pretty rare, the iconic peak can be viewed from almost anywhere in town, as well as the neighboring mountainsides.

Zermatt is a tourist hub where most people visiting have one goal in mind: to see the Matterhorn. As a result, there is no shortage on tours or expensive trains/cable cars that will take you high up to some of the most scenic viewpoints of the mountain. That is, if you’re willing to pay the price; for example, the Gonergrat Glacier train, probably the most popular option, will set you back between 50-100 USD. Fortunately, if you are like me and on a tight budget (based on my budget I shouldn’t even be in Zermatt, but it has been a dream of mine to see the Matterhorn since the first time I rode the Disneyland version of it as a child), there are a few cheap–and free–options to get equally incredible views. Just be prepared to walk a little.

1. Hike to Stellisee

If I had to recommend one place to view and shoot the Matterhorn, Stellisee would be it. Try to get there in the morning (before 11am), and on a clear day, to catch the reflection of the peak in the lake.

How to get there:

You can either take a train-like thing (it’s not quite a train, more like a gondola on tracks…idk) up to Sunegga for 16 CHF one-way, or walk from Zermatt to Sunegga–about 2 hours–for free. From there, follow the trail to Stellisee (Trail #8) for about one hour. Stellisee is the last lake along the 5 seenweg (5 lakes trail–Trail #11), but it is quicker to take the trail that follows alongside the gondola.

On the way back, either take the same trail back to Sunegga (#8), or take the more scenic (about 1.5 hours longer) 5 seenweg trail (#11) and stop at four more lakes along the way. From Sunegga, it is an hour and a half downhill back to Zermatt.

2. Matterhorn Trail from Zermatt

The Matterhorn Trail (Trail #29) can be easily accessed from the center of Zermatt and provides great views as you walk towards the Matterhorn. For a long climb, take the trail all the way around, or for a shorter hike, take the trail towards Furi once you hit Zmutt. Both ways will lead you back to Zermatt.

3. Overlooking town

The shortest and easiest spot is located on the road just above Zermatt (it is actually the same road you would hike up/down to Sunegga) and is the perfect location to catch the sunset as it sets over the Matterhorn and the town. And of course, it is completely free!