recommended route
Matterhorn Trail (Nr. 29)
Theme trail
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/ Hike along the Matterhorn TrailPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann -
/ "Maria zum Schnee" chapel at SchwarzseePhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann
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/ Numerous information panels along the hiking trailPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Kurt Müller
The Matterhorn, the ultimate mountain… This trail explores its many facets: its physical origins, its stories and legends, its very essence.
moderate
Distance 9.8 km
2:55 h
0 m
981 m
All kinds of stories are told about the Matterhorn: folk talks, legends, amusing anecdotes… This trail, which presents the world-famous mountain from quite close up, features a series of information panels that cover many different aspects of the iconic peak.
Did you know that the Matterhorn was made by giants from Valtournenche? Or that there were once plans to build a lift to the summit of the Matterhorn (see literature note)? Carved wooden sculptures beautifully depict different themes and stories.
- Idyllic chapels at Schwarzsee and in Zmutt
- Good view of the north face of the Matterhorn
- Information panels in German, English, French, Japanese
Author’s recommendation
Stafel cheese dairy: visitors can buy cheese and Ziger soft cheese on the spot in summer. The alpine meadow, with its simple benches and tables, is a good place to stop for refreshments.
Author
Zermatt Tourismus
Update: December 03, 2020
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,587 m
Lowest point
1,605 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rest Stop
SchwarzseeJägerstube Zmutt
Z'Mutt
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.
Tips and hints
All about the MatterhornStart
Schwarzsee (2,583 m) (2,586 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'620'957E 1'093'402N
DD
45.991860, 7.709116
DMS
45°59'30.7"N 7°42'32.8"E
UTM
32T 400029 5093953
w3w
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Destination
Zermatt (1,620 m)
Turn-by-turn directions
Schwarzsee - Stafelalp - Zmutt - Zermatt (station)
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 3h 45)
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
2'620'957E 1'093'402N
DD
45.991860, 7.709116
DMS
45°59'30.7"N 7°42'32.8"E
UTM
32T 400029 5093953
w3w
///triangle.outfit.ounce
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
"Themen erwandern in Zermatt", Zermatt Bergbahnen AG, Eigenverlag, Deutsch, Englisch, Französisch, ISBN 978-3-905756-68-5. Erhältlich bei den Zermatt Bergbahnen AG im Shop auf Matterhorn glacier paradise, via E-Mail info@matterhornparadise.ch oder per Telefon auf +41 (0)27 966 01 01.
"Zermatter Sagen und Legenden", Karl Lehner, Neuauflage von 1982, ZAP CH-3900 Brig, ohne ISBN-Nummer
"Der Wächter des Matterhorns – mein Leben auf der Hörnlihütte", Kurt Lauber. Droemer Verlag 2012. Deutsch, evtl. Japanisch. ISBN 978-3-426-27573-3.
"Der Wahrheit näher – die Katastrophe am Matterhorn von 1865", Hannes Taugwalder und Martin Jaggi, Glendyn Verlag Aarau, 2013. Deutsch. Ohne ISBN-Nr. Erhältlich in der Buchhandlugn ZAP, Zermatt.
"Das Matterhorn aus Afrika – die Entstehungsgeschichte der Alpen in der Erdgeschichte", Michel Marthaler, A4, 2013, Ott Verlag AG, Deutsch und Französisch. ISBN 978-3-7225-0133-8
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)
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
9.8 km
Duration
2:55 h
Ascent
0 m
Descent
981 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
Duration
: h
Distance
km
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
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Lowest point
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Questions and answers
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