Snowshoeing
North Face Trail (No. 144)
Zermatt
-3/8°
The trail runs practically under the Matterhorn north face. The mighty wall looms black over the landscape. The feeling of almost wading through snow under the Matterhorn is incomparable.
Difficulty
EasyLength
3.92 kmDuration
1:30 h
Description
From Schwarzsee at the foot of the Matterhorn north face you go through the dreamlike landscape of the Stafelalp. Hard to believe that there were alpinists who climbed the Matterhorn north face in winter, like Walter Bonatti alone in 1965. The cold at the north face is palpable.
- Choose the time of day well because the sun disappears very early here in winter
- Perceptible cold comes after sunset
- About every 100 m pink poles as markers
- Caution: pay attention to avalanche danger information at the mountain railway
- Guided routes can be booked via the Zermatters
Turn-by-turn directions
Schwarzsee - Stafelalp
Then return on the winter hiking trail to Furi - no more snowshoes needed.
(Approximate hiking time for the opposite direction 2h - 2 h 30)
Start
Schwarzsee (2,583 m) (2585m)
Destination
Stafelalp (2,199 m) (2205m)
Author's recommendation
Don’t forget the camera, because a picture of the steep Matterhorn north face is definitely worth it.
Technical information
Altitude
2587m
2201m
Ascent
+6m
Descent
-387m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zurich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Visp is always the transfer point to the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. From Visp the railway line runs through the Nikolaital, past small, idyllic villages to Zermatt.
Zermatt is also the start or end point of the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train ride (St. Moritz / Davos – Zermatt).
Zermatt is also the start or end point of the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train ride (St. Moritz / Davos – Zermatt).
Approach
Zermatt is car-free. Access for private traffic is only allowed up to Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The road Täsch - Zermatt is closed for public traffic.
Further travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi provider or by shuttle trains. The trains operate every 20 minutes. After about 12 minutes, the journey ends at the train station square in Zermatt.
Further travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi provider or by shuttle trains. The trains operate every 20 minutes. After about 12 minutes, the journey ends at the train station square in Zermatt.
Parking
In Täsch there are parking garages with covered and uncovered spaces available, for example in the Matterhorn Terminal or with private providers.
Further travel: see arrival.
Further travel: see arrival.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Zermatt - Matterhorn. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.
