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A relaxed train day through the Rhône valley
Keep the arrival day deliberately quiet: just arrive, settle into the apartment and take a stroll around the village.
Connections in Basel and Visp are well signposted; it's worth building in a bit of extra buffer time with your three-year-old.
This is where your journey begins. From Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof, you head off towards Switzerland at a relaxed pace - have snacks and things to keep the little one entertained ready for the carriage.
A central holiday apartment in car-free Zermatt, just a few minutes' walk from the station and the mountain railway stations. Ideal as a quiet base for the whole week, with a kitchen for the small family and short distances without a car.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The village and your first Matterhorn view
A first full day with no fixed plans: arrive, get to know the village, and an early night.
The shops offer children's portions and bakeries for a relaxed Znüni break.
The car-free mountain village invites you to stroll along at a leisurely pace - only electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages use the lanes. Wandering along the Bahnhofstrasse and the Kirchbrücke, you'll get repeated open views of the Matterhorn.
The best-known photo spot in the village: from the Kirchbrücke over the Matter Vispa, the Matterhorn is framed perfectly. For children, the rushing glacial water beneath the bridge is exciting too.
Cogwheel railway and marmots
No need to stay right at the top if your child gets tired - the Riffelberg is the loveliest family stop.
Leave the afternoon free: nap time and the playground in the village.
The open cogwheel railway climbs effortlessly from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat at 3089 metres. The ride itself is an adventure for children, and at the top a vast panorama of the Matterhorn and Gornergletscher awaits.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
Halfway up, you get off at Riffelberg and follow the short, child-friendly Wolli-Erlebnisweg with play stations and water spots. Ideal for small children: hardly any climbing, plenty to discover, and the Riffelsee with its Matterhorn reflection nearby.
Rest and a splash about
Deliberately a day without a mountain railway - a chance to recover between two excursion days.
The gorge is optional; if it rains, simply stay in the village.
A large village playground with slides, a climbing frame and a water feature, surrounded by meadows. Perfect for a quiet morning while the grown-ups keep an eye on the Matterhorn.
Safe wooden walkways lead the way through the deeply cut Gornerschlucht with its roaring glacial water. Short, well secured and exciting for children - about 20 minutes' walk from the village.
Mountain railway and a mountain lake
Pack swimming things and a change of clothes for the Leisee.
If it's hot, go up early and stay by the water over lunchtime.
The underground funicular takes you up to Sunnegga at 2288 metres in just a few minutes. Comfortable and quick, no hiking needed - and at the top the view opens up towards the Matterhorn.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A small mountain lake right by the Sunnegga station, with a shallow shore area and the Wolli playground. Children can splash about in the water and play in the sand while the Matterhorn is reflected in the lake.
Down to the valley by regional train
If the weather is better up in the mountains, you could also use this day for another mountain railway excursion instead.
It's usually noticeably warmer in Brig than in Zermatt - pack light clothing.
This small Valais town at the foot of the Simplon is a relaxed contrast to the high mountains: a traffic-calmed old town, fountains and cafés. Pleasantly flat for pushchairs and little legs.
The baroque town palace with its three onion domes and arcaded inner courtyard is freely accessible and perfect for a wander. The shady castle garden is a good spot for a break with your child.
A relaxed train day heading home
Start your return day early enough that you won't be rushing in the evening.
Connections in Visp and Basel run smoothly and are family-friendly.
This is where your relaxed return journey begins. Before departure, there's time for one last Znüni and a final view of the Matterhorn.
Arrival in Karlsruhe - this is where your week in Valais comes to an end.
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