Hikes

Marmot Trail (Nr. 8)

Murmeltier-Holzskulptur mit Infotafel

Zermatt

This walk is a must for families, offering a chance to watch marmots close-up.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

3.79 km

Duration

1:10 h

Description

Marmots are fascinating animals, comical creatures whose shrill warning whistles can be heard from far away. This path offers an ideal opportunity to watch the antics of these furry rodents, which live in burrows and are active by day. Walkers may be lucky enough to enjoy the charming sight of the young leaving the burrow for the first time.

  • Appropriate for children from age 4
  • Panels describe the life of the marmots (in German, English, French, Japanese)
  • Wood sculptures along the trail
  • Marmot observation posts at Sunnegga

Turn-by-turn directions

Blauherd - Stellisee - Sunnegga

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 30)

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

Start

Blauherd (2,571 m) (2577m)

Destination

Sunnegga (2,288 m) (2288m)

Author's recommendation

Do not forget your bathing suit and towel. Enjoy the bathing possibilities in the lake Leisee.

Technical information

Altitude

2584m

2288m

Ascent

+7m

Descent

-296m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Family-friendly
  • Flora
  • Cableway ascent/descent
Getting there
Information

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”.

Equipment

We recommend:

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

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.

Additional information

Literature

"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.

Maps

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

Source

This activity is brought to you by Zermatt - Matterhorn. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.