Hiking trail Herbriggen - Zermatt

Region : Wallis Duration : 4h00 Distance : 14 km, 8.7 miles Category : average User rating : unknown

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Introduction

This long hike is an excellent way to explore the varied landscape of the Matter valley. You may end this hike sooner in Randa or Täsch. You will walk up the river of Mattervispa, through meadows and forests, and through the villages of Randa, Wildi and Täsch. You will pass by an enormous pile of rocks (the Grossgufer) just before Randa. It came into being by two massive rockfalls on April 18 and May 9, 1991. The mass of rock caused part of the village to be flooded. The river of Mattervispa, the railway and the road are diverted ever since. You can regularly see the Breithorn behind Zermatt along the way. The last section of the route allows you to take a close look at the cog railway to Zermatt. You will enter Zermatt near the helicopter landing platform, which is not the most beautiful part of this tourist resort. After your hike, it is certainly worthwhile to visit the shopping street Bahnhofstrasse, make a city tour (refer to the trail Zermatt – Winkelmatten - Zermatt) or visit a viewing point.

Transportation to Herbriggen

Herbriggen can be reached by train or by car from St.Niklaus/Stalden/Visp/Brig or from Randa/Täsch/Zermatt. If you are traveling by car, it might be convenient to use the large parking lot in Täsch. The train will take you to Herbriggen. There are frequent train services from Zermatt back to Täsch. Will you be traveling to and from hiking areas frequently? A Swiss Pass or one of the other passes grants easy access to the entire Swiss Travel System (trains, buses, boats and mountain transportation).

Route description

Follow the signs to Randa from Herbriggen. From the railway station in Herbriggen, you will first cross a bridge over the Mattervispa, and then turn left so that you will walk up the river. The path bends away from the river a bit later, then ascends for a few tens of meters. Then it descends until it gets back to the river. Keep following the asphalt road as you are walking along the Grossgufer. A bit further on, the trail continues on the right side of the road, but you can take the shortcut to Randa by staying on the asphalt road, which crosses the railroad a bit further. Cross the main road and take the road diagonally to the right, that enters the village of Randa. You will reach the railway station in a couple of hundreds of meters. Turn right again at the end of the road following the signs to Wildi and Täsch. You will reach Wildi in about 500 m (1600 ft). At the chapel, it is worthwhile to view the narrow street with wooden houses at the left. Just before the chapel, the route continuous to the right. You will cross the main road where after a bridge leads to the other side of the Mattervispa. Turn left after the bridge. This path crosses a piece of forest and then continues up the river. You will pass a small lake at your right. When approaching Täsch, the railway station can be seen across the river. When you have passed the railway station, you may turn left to cross the bridge and the railway to get to the railway station in case you want to end your hike sooner. However, the route continues up the river. Follow the signs to Zermatt from here.

Transportation from Zermatt

Zermatt is a car free town. The train can take you back to Herbriggen or Täsch or further to St. Niklaus/Stalden/Visp/Brig.

Do you have any questions or remarks?

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