Edelweiss Trail (Höhbalmen) (Nr. 30)

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

• New route: Due to construction work on the Zermatt - Trift route, the Trifthütte is reached via Schweifinen. The hike is extended by around 1.5 hours.

  Alternatively, you can take the signpost to the left towards Höhbalmen at the start of the hike. Please note that neither the Edelweiss nor the Trift mountain hut will be reached.