Snowshoeing

White Magic Trail (Nr. 143)

Schneeschuhwandern mit winterlichem Panorama

Zermatt

5/11°

This snowshoe hike can be quite a challenge, depending on snow conditions. The route leads 741 vertical metres down the mountain. But walkers’ efforts are well rewarded: the view over the village of Zermatt is magical.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

3.75 km

Duration

1:45 h

Eventuell trifft man unterwegs auf Gämsen

Blick von der Strasse hinauf zum Restaurant Hermetje

Description

At first the trail leads over the pastures of Alp Hermetji before entering sparse woodland, where chamois may be seen, depending on time of day. In winter, these mammals have a thick, shaggy coat. Hikers who sit down for a while and remain still may well spot one, although chamois do not move about a great deal in winter.

Pink poles mark the route approx. every 100 m
Chance to observe wildlife along the way
Guided tours bookable through the Zermatters

Turn-by-turn directions

Schwarzsee - Hermetje - Furi (to the Furi - Zmutt road)

The last part of the walk follows the road back to Furi - snowshoes no longer required.

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 30)

Start

Schwarzsee (2,583 m) (2585m)

Destination

Furi (1,867 m) (1866m)

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Author's recommendation

Chamois may be spotted already on the gondola ride to Schwarzsee.

Technical information

Altitude

2587m

1861m

Ascent

+6m

Descent

-725m

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”.