Zermatt, Switzerland
This resort is off-putting to some. Ignore the posturing Eurotrash, conspicuous in brightly coloured expensive outdoor apparel, unsoiled.
Instead, turn your gaze up to the Matterhorn, “iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps and the Alps”. This valley is one of the great natural wonders of the world.
Zermatt … is in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants.
The village is situated at the end of Mattertal at an altitude of 1,620 m (5,315 ft), at the feet of Switzerland’s highest peaks. …
Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. …
To prevent air pollution which could obscure the town’s view of the Matterhorn, the entire town is a combustion-engine car-free zone. Almost all vehicles in Zermatt are battery driven and almost completely silent. Electric vehicles are allowed for local commerce. …
More interesting photos tagged Zermatt, Switzerland.
Our favourite hike hikes out of Zermatt:
• Chamonix to Zermatt – Walkers’ Haute Route TOP 10 <guidebook> <trip>
• Tour of the Matterhorn
• Tour of Monte Rosa
Actually, there are trails everywhere in the Alps. It’s awesome.
More “best hikes” in the Alps.
Best time to hike is late June to early October.
besthike.com 
Now we’re talking!
When I saw the “Best Hiking Towns” upcoming list, I immediately thought of Chamonix, realizing my top criteria was, “Don’t have to get in car”. To start the hike at the doorstep was key, followed by terrific trails themselves, which then made me think of all the Alpine towns I don’t even know the names of but would like to know better, but I do know Zermatt. Moab is one of my favorite places in the world, with near-secret routes that are still being discovered, but while you can bike out the front door, all the hiking requires driving.
I thought Zermatt was going to be terrible tourist kitsch. I is! But the hiking is ridiculously good; spectacular, cars not only not needed, but not allowed. The Matterhorn is not just a cliché, it actually is jaw-dropping beautiful; it deserves its iconic status.
Man I need to make it to the Alps some day soon! What an amazing town. How expensive is the lodging there I wonder?
A hotel dorm bed was about $30 / night without breakfast, 2yrs ago.
Not as bad as I expected.