Winter hiking

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Winter hiking

Zermatt-Sunnegga (via Winkelmatten) (Nr. 112)

This Zermatt walk is a wintery idyll, offering sunshine, the romance of the forest, snow-capped peaks, gastronomic treats and a breathtaking view.

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When the view is this beautiful, a hike up into the mountains is doubly enjoyable. After Winkelmatten, the trail enters the protected forest above Zermatt and begins climbing through the dappled woods - there’s plenty of light, as larches lose their needles in winter. Now and again, walkers have a clear view of the Matterhorn. Above the treeline, the trail traces a route across sunlit snowy landscapes. In Findeln, walkers are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants; it’s a real gourmet Mecca. After a stop for refreshment, the trail winds along and across the ski piste up to Sunnegga. Wolli’s park for beginners at the Leisee (for young skiers) Leisee Shuttle funicular offers an alternative to a winter hike

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Turn-by-turn directions

Winkelmatten (chapel) - Findeln - Sunnegga

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

Start: Winkelmatten (1,650 m) (1671 m)
Destination: Sunnegga (2,288 m) (2278 m)

Author's recommendation

Walkers should make sure they’ve checked the time of the last Sunnegga funicular of the day.

Technical information

  • Altitude

    2288 m 1672 m

  • Ascent

    641 m

  • Descent

    33 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 3.0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 4.0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 5 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 6.0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Scenic
  • Faunistic highlights
  • One-way route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cableway ascent/descent
  • Way cleared
  • Groomed snow

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.

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.