recommended route
Zermatt-Täsch Railway Trail (Nr. 50)
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Walking in view of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn railway linePhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
The path leads through a variety of terrain, across forest, meadows and pastures. Here the star attractions are the trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn – and, just before 9 am and just after 5pm, the Glacier Express with its panoramic carriages. As walkers approach the large marmot colony, the furry rodents whistle in alarm and disappear into their burrows (the noise of the trains, however, does not disturb them at all). Hikers only have to sit still for a while for the charming creatures to appear again.
At the Air Zermatt heliport on the way out of Zermatt, weather permitting, walkers can watch the movements of the helicopters. The dramatic take-offs and landings are often a matter of life and death. On occasions, a helicopter will return from a mission with the mountain rescuer still balancing on the landing skid.
- Alpine columbine and other mountain flowers, depending on season
- Marmots
- Barbecue site with picnic area
- Appropriate for children from age 4
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
- Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
- Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
- Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
- Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.
- Beware: railway crossing
Note: Please take note when the path is closed from late autumn to spring: avalanche danger!
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Zermatt (station) - Täsch (station)
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 55)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Bahnweg Zermatt - Täsch”.
Note
Public transport
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).
Getting there
Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.
Parking
Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.Onward travel: see “Getting there”.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
Statistics
- 5 Waypoints
- 5 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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