Take me there: the Matterhorn
Why go?
On 14 July 1865, British climber Edward Whymper made the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn. At the foot of the mountain, the village of Zermatt will be celebrating the 150th anniversary with a summer-long programme of events, from fireworks displays to theatrical mountain-top re-enactments of the climb (zermatt.ch). But the highlight of the celebrations will undoubtedly be the reopening of the Hörnlihütte, the iconic mountain refuge beloved of climbers, after a two-year renovation.
What to do
Ringed by some of Europe’s highest peaks, Zermatt is a magnet for serious climbers, but there are dozens of less challenging hikes and climbs for amateurs wanting to immerse themselves in the magnificent Alpine scenery. The Zermatt Alpin Center (alpincenter-zermatt.ch) can provide advice, maps and guides for anything from glacier treks through the Gorner gorge and easy climbs on the Riffelhorn to a Matterhorn ascent. And if that sounds a bit too much like hard work, you can take the little cog railway which operates between the village and the summit of the Gornergrat for jaw-dropping views of the Matterhorn and the Monte-Rosa massif (gornergratbahn.ch).
Where to stay
Next month a state-of-the art refuge with 25 rooms will replace the original Hörnlihütte (hoernlihuette.ch) which has been used as a base camp for the Matterhorn since 1880. The hut can be reached on foot from the Schwarzsee cable car (from £105pp per night).
Where to eat
Ried Restaurant is a welcoming mountainside chalet serving Valais specialities with inspiring vistas (restaurantried.ch).
Insider tip
Nick Parks, director of climbing and trekking company Mountain Tracks (mountaintracks.co.uk), recommends tackling the fixed-rope adventure in the Gorner gorge: “You travel through the gorge on ladders, rope walkways and zipwires. It’s great fun for all the family.”
Give me a break
Home: making a pig of yourself in Wales A working farm in Carmarthernshire is offering guests the chance to spend a night in a glamped-up pig sty. Cwmcrwth Farm Cottages in Llandeilo has converted a ‘pig ark’ into cosy accommodation for two in its orchard. Guests can help out with collecting eggs, feeding the farm animals or even take part in a pork-curing course. £45 per night, including a picnic breakfast (cwmcrwthfarmcottages.co.uk).
Away: Scandinavian secret A night on a secret island is one of a handful of new holidays from Simply Sweden. The trip includes a stay in Stockholm and a taste of the Swedish wilderness in the rural district of Ockelbo, where there’s a night at a stylish country B&B followed by a night in a wooden cabin on a secluded private isle with lake swimming. From £930pp, including flights and four nights’ accommodation (simplysweden.co.uk).
