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Path of Silence (Nr. 24)

Mountain trail

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Zermatt Tourismus

/ Ride on the Gornergrat Bahn cog railway to the start of the hike
Photo: Fabienne Fux-Schaller, Thomas Andematten
/ Hike along the Grünsee lake
Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann

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The Path of Silence is a treat for all seeking tranquillity. The trail leads from the Gornergrat down into a still, forgotten valley that offers a good chance of spotting wildlife.

difficult

Distance 5 km

1:45 h

38 m

821 m

This walk leads through the quieter region of the Gornergrat, into its little-known hinterland. Along the way it passes the Kellensee lake, used in winter as a storage reservoir for artificial snowmaking along the pistes. There are fewer and fewer people to be seen – and so an increasing likelihood of spotting chamois. The path crosses stubbly pastures of alpine grass before reaching the lower part of the Ritzigrat ridge and a landscape scattered with rocks and boulders. Freeriders may well remember the scene, from having traced sweeping turns across the pristine snow here in winter.

Swimming in the Grünsee lake (no dedicated facilities)
Chance to see wildlife
Interesting alpine flora with edelweiss

Author’s recommendation

As the name already suggests – a dream for those seeking peace and quiet.

Author

Zermatt Tourismus

Updated: February 19, 2020

Difficulty

difficult

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

3,081 m

Lowest point

2,298 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rest Stop

3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - "VIS-Ã-VIS"
Mountain Lodge Ze Seewjinu

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

Gornergrat (3,089 m) (3,081 m)

Coordinates:

SwissGrid

2'626'638E 1'092'467N

45.983242, 7.782375

DMS

45°58'59.7"N 7°46'56.6"E

UTM

32T 405688 5092906

w3w

///trailer.washroom.twinkled

Destination

Grünsee (2,300 m)

Turn-by-turn directions

Gornergrat - Kelle - Grünsee (variant Grünsee - Findeln - Sunnegga approx. 1h 30, or variant to Riffelalp along the Naturweg trail approx. 40 min)

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 35)

This hike is marked on the signposts as “Weg der Stille”.

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

2'626'638E 1'092'467N

45.983242, 7.782375

DMS

45°58'59.7"N 7°46'56.6"E

UTM

32T 405688 5092906

w3w

///trailer.washroom.twinkled

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

"Bergblumenwelt von Zermatt – Alpine Flowers around Zermatt", Hanspeter Steindle, edition punktuell, CH-9101 Herisau, 2009, zweisprachige Ausgabe Deutsch und Englisch. ISBN 978-3-905724-15-8

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)

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Photos from others

Difficulty

difficult

Distance

5 km

Duration

1:45 h

Ascent

38 m

Descent

821 m

Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Botanical highlights Cableway ascent/descent Faunistic highlights Point to Point

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