recommended route
Wolli and the Climate Detectives
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Wolli and the climate detectives – audio story with quizPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Zermatt Tourismus
This playful exploration of climate phenomena is fun for the whole family. The Zermatt children’s mascot, Wolli, lends a hand. The trip starts off with a ride up the Gornergrat, followed by plenty of surprises!
Who can solve the puzzle of the seven missing glacier fleas? “Wolli and the climate detectives” is a mystery that starts at Zermatt Tourism, beside Zermatt’s railway station, with an audio guide and map. The ride on the Gornergrat Bahn cog railway is full of mystery as well as beauty. After a stop at the observation platform, it’s back down to Rotenboden for the walk to Riffelberg. Wolli, the Valais Blacknose sheep, and his friends, the squirrel, the alpine chough, the stone man and the Matterhorn, set seven puzzles along the way.
As a result, the walk is great fun for kids, too. Will the young climate detectives manage to crack the code to the treasure chest on their return to the village? There’s a surprise waiting for them in the chest, located at the tourist office on Bahnhofplatz, by the station.
Participation on the climate audio trail is, in principle, free. However every family member will require a train ticket for the Gornergrat Bahn.
- Fun and games in the mountains for the whole family
- Appropriate for children from age 6
- Stimulates children’s imagination
- Audio guide and quiz are online available
- You can also borrow binoculars from Zermatt Tourismus with a deposit of CHF 20.
Author’s recommendation
There are various Wolli souvenirs to buy in the Tourist Office at the train station so that Wolli can go with you on your adventures. With the help of an interactive map, you can also visit the black-nosed sheep between July and September.
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.
Tips and hints
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Zermatt (station) - Gornergrat - Rotenboden - Riffelberg - Zermatt (station)
Ride on the Gornergrat Bahn: Zermatt - Gornergrat, Gornergrat - Rotenboden, Riffelberg - Zermatt
Walk en route: Rotenboden - Riffelsee - Gagenhaupt - Riffelberg (approx. 1h)
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).
By road
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
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
We recommend for “Wolli and the climate detectives”:
- Audio guide and quiz (are online available)
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
Statistics
- 14 Waypoints
- 14 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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