Hikes

Edelweiss Trail (Höhbalmen) (Nr. 30)

Auf Höhbalmen mit dem Matterhorn im Blickfeld

Zermatt

5/13°

Every mountain hiker dreams of spotting edelweiss in the alpine pastures. Here that dream comes true. Along this trail, walkers even spot these beautiful flowers at eye level. The walk leads to one of the finest vantage points in the Zermatt region.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

20.71 km

Duration

7:30 h

Eventuell unterwegs anzutreffen: Schwarznasenschafe

Bänklein auf Höhbalmen mit fantastischem Blick auf die umliegende Berglandschaft

Ein Blick auf die Matterhorn Nordwand bevor es weiter hinunter in den Stafel geht

Description

The edelweiss can be admired at a variety of habitats in the Zermatt mountains. It won’t grow on ground formed of crystalline rock, but it flourishes on calcareous sediments – despite the often harsh conditions. The fleecy hairs help protect the flowers from solar radiation, frost and aridity. The seeds require exposure to frost before they can germinate the following year.

Hikers on this trail experience a magical moment on the climb up to Trift as the pinnacle of the Matterhorn emerges unexpectedly from behind a hilltop. Who’ll spot it first? The path then continues to one of Zermatt’s finest viewpoints, at Höhbalmen. The panorama is breathtaking: the north face of the Matterhorn with the Zmuttgrat ridge, the Breithorn, Liskamm and the Monte Rosa massif.

Edelweiss: a protected plant
Information panels about the plants along the way
Between the Gasthaus Edelweiss and the Berggasthaus Trift hotels: edelweiss at eye level (right-hand side)
Unusual view of the Monte Rosa massif
Possible encounters with Valais Blacknose sheep and Valais Blackneck goats

Turn-by-turn directions

Zermatt (station) - Alterhaupt (Edelweiss) - Trift - Höhbalmen - Zmutt - Zermatt (station)

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 7h 20)

This hike is marked on the signposts as “Edelweissweg Höhbalmen”.

Start

Zermatt (1,620 m) (1605m)

Destination

Zermatt (1,620 m) (1605m)

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Author's recommendation

Please do not feed the Valais Blackneck goats or the Valais Blacknose sheep.

At Höhbalmen and on towards Hohliecht: keep an eye open for eagles, which occasionally circle in the skies above.

Technical information

Altitude

2745m

1605m

Ascent

+1195m

Descent

-1195m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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).

Approach

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”.