Winter hikes

Zermatt-Zmutt (Nr. 121)

Im Blickfeld der Weiler Zmutt und die Spitze des Matterhorns

Zermatt

This walk takes you through a winter wonderland of past times. From Zermatt, the trail climbs gently to the hamlet of Zmutt, where time seems to have stood still.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

2.73 km

Duration

1:20 h

Description

The hamlet of Zmutt is more than 500 years old. The traditional wooden chalets, huddled closely together, ooze romantic charm. The small white chapel can be seen from far off. The path leads through the hamlet before crossing the Zmuttbach river. Here, the winter cold creates beautiful arrays of icicles and ice walls, occasionally attracting ice climbers.

  • Superb view of the north face of the Matterhorn
  • Partly follows the ‘Matterhorn Trail’ with information boards about the famous peak

Turn-by-turn directions

Zermatt - Zmutt

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 50 min)
The way back is also possible via the road to Furi.

Start

Zermatt (1,620 m) (1614m)

Destination

Zmutt (1,936 m) (1929m)

Author's recommendation

Photo opportunity: The tranquil hamlet of Zmutt with around 20 dark wooden houses and the white chapel in the middle.

Technical information

Altitude

1931m

1614m

Ascent

+330m

Descent

-2m

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
  • Fauna
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Way cleared
  • Groomed snow
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)
  • Warm winter clothing appropriate for the weather

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.
  • It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes.
  • Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.

Hint: Note possible route closures (in case of avalanche risk).

Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.

Source

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