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Mountain trail recommended route

Adventure Trail (Nr. 1)

Mountain trail · Zermatt
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  • Starting point on the Rothorn (3,103 m)
    / Starting point on the Rothorn (3,103 m)
    Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann
  • / On the path from the Rothorn down to Tufteren
    Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Jelka
  • / View from the Rothorn of the surrounding mountains
    Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann
  • / Over hill and dale along the Ritzengrat
    Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Fabienne Schaller
  • / High above the village Zermatt and always the mountains in the view field
    Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Fabienne Schaller
m 3400 3200 3000 2800 2600 2400 2200 2000 4,0 3,5 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5 km Rothorn Ristorante Pizzeria Rothorn Tufternalp Fotopoint Tufteren
This steep trail rewards hikers with magnificent views on both sides: of the Alpine panorama with dramatic 4,000-metre peaks, and way down to Zermatt and into a small, secluded side valley.
difficult
Distance 4.3 km
1:40 h
0 m
877 m

This route fully lives up to its name (Adventure Path), tackling 900 vertical metres over a distance of 4.1 km. In other words, a steep descent – or a challenging climb. Either way, it promises a thrilling hike. The view from the Ritzengrat ridge into the small and secluded Tufterkumme valley may reveal a surprise or two – such as a sighting of chamois.

Impressive views of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and other dramatic peaks.

Author’s recommendation

Good chances of spotting wildlife. Best times: early morning and evening.

Depending on season, the sunset on the Matterhorn is especially beautiful seen from here.

Profile picture of Zermatt Tourismus
Author
Zermatt Tourismus
Updated: October 05, 2020
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
3,092 m
Lowest point
2,215 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Rest Stop

Rothorn Ristorante Pizzeria

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.

Start

Rothorn (3,103 m) (3,091 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'627'764E 1'096'709N
DD
46.021360, 7.797148
DMS
46°01'16.9"N 7°47'49.7"E
UTM
32T 406896 5097124
w3w 
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Destination

Tufteren (2,215 m)

Turn-by-turn directions

Rothorn - Ritzengrat  - Tufteren (extension possible via the Forest Trail or Direttissima Trail)

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 40)

This hike is marked on the signposts as “Abenteuerweg”.

Note


all notes on protected areas

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

SwissGrid
2'627'764E 1'096'709N
DD
46.021360, 7.797148
DMS
46°01'16.9"N 7°47'49.7"E
UTM
32T 406896 5097124
w3w 
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

A walking map (1:25,000) is available from Zermatt Tourism’s guest information centre, along with brochures containing tips and recommendations.

Equipment

We recommend:

  • Good footwear
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
  • Binoculars

Similar routes nearby

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Rating

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Photos from others

Difficulty
difficult
Distance
4.3 km
Duration
1:40 h
Ascent
0 m
Descent
877 m
Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Botanical highlights Faunistic highlights Cableway ascent/descent

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