Thinking of hiking in Zermatt in July?
Here’s why July is the best month for hiking in Zermatt — and why the 5‑Lake Hike should be on your Switzerland bucket list.
🌼 Hiking in July
July is one of the best months to go hiking in Switzerland. The weather is great, and the mountains are full of blooming wildflowers. Hiking in Zermatt had been on my bucket list ever since I saw a travel show in high school. I still remember the scene — a mountain field covered in yellow flowers. It was so beautiful that I knew I had to see it with my own eyes one day.
Ever since then, traveling around Europe in July had been a dream of mine. But back in university in Japan, we always had exams in July, so I kept missing the chance.
Finally, I made it happen! I planned a summer trip across Switzerland and visited Geneva, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Bern, and Zürich.
🥾 5-Lake Hike in Zermatt
Zermatt is one of the most famous hiking spots in Europe. There are loads of trails to choose from, but we picked the 5-Lake Walk (Marmot Trail) starting from Blauherd — and it was absolutely lovely.
We took the Zermatt Bergbahnen cable car from Zermatt up to Blauherd (CHF 43). It runs partly underground, so there’s no view on the way up, but it’s super quick. And once we got to the top… wow. The Matterhorn looked way closer than from Zermatt town centre!
The trail itself was stunning the whole way through. There’s even a famous reflection spot where you can see the Matterhorn mirrored in the lake — though it was a bit too windy when we went, so the water wasn’t still. Even so, the view was breathtaking.
The hike took us about 2–3 hours, and it wasn’t too tough at all — perfect for a relaxed summer adventure.
🧀 Real Cheese fondue with a view
After the hike, we had a reservation at Chez Vrony, a mountain restaurant known for its cheese fondue. We got there just in time, and honestly, it was the best cheese fondue I’ve ever had — with the most incredible mountain view.
It felt even more special after hiking. I’d always wanted to try real Swiss fondue, and it was totally different from what I’d had in Japan. The flavour was so rich — the perfect mix of good cheese and wine. I was in heaven!
I was also surprised that in Switzerland, fondue is usually served just with bread — and actually, that was enough. In Japan, it’s common to get bread, veg, and sausages, and the cheese is creamier, often mixed with milk. It tastes completely different.
Since travelling around Europe, I’ve found that cheese here is so much more flavourful — and even the supermarket cheese is amazing. I definitely love cheese more than I used to!
⛈️A Surprise Mountain Storm
Just after the fondue, it suddenly started raining — classic mountain weather! The hike back up to the cable car station was pretty intense in the rain, but hey, it’s all part of the experience, right?
Final Thoughts: Why Zermatt in July is Worth It
If you’re planning a summer getaway to Switzerland, July is the ideal month for Zermatt hiking — the weather is perfect, wildflowers are blooming, and the views are unforgettable.
The 5‑Lake Hike is easy, scenic, and packed with magical vistas. And don’t even think about skipping authentic Swiss fondue — it’s the perfect alpine reward.
Trust me, experiencing all that in the Alps hits different!
