MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Best 1-5 hrs, moderate hikes in Zermatt in Sept?
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We will be staying in Zermatt — using it as our base — for four days in early September. We are enthusiastic hikers who would love to hear fellow hikers’ recommendations for the *most scenic day-hikes* in that area. (We will be returning to our hotel in Zermatt each evening, but plan to be hiking during daylight hours each of the four daytimes. Our focus is on the outdoors; therefore we tend to be less interested in shops or regular tourist / “city” attractions.)
Our own hiking considerations to please keep in mind, in response:
- difficulty: anything from easy through moderate
- distance: 1 – 5 hours in length
- views: anything lovely and alpine (!)… sweeping mountain vistas and/or balcony paths = favorites
- accessibility: exclusively using Swiss transport (will not have car)
For trails you recommend, we’d also welcome any additional, specific, ‘insider’ tips like:
- photo highlights or tips
- nature of the trail itself
- best time of day to go
- how “busy” the trail is likely to be in early September
- extra segments or good detours that could be combined with this trail
- how you’d characterize this trail overall (in contrast to others)
(and perhaps the kind of views / landscapes that it affords)
We *so* appreciate this forum, and all of the information in everyone’s posts. It gets us very excited for our trip. Thanks to all, in advance, for any ideas you might share!
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Hello Caroline679,
First of all thanks a lot for the lovely words you share about this forum. It’s nice receiving such feedback.
As for your question please check out the below link for available hikes in the Zermatt area:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ze rmatt/activitiesAs I am not too familiar with that corner of my country but am sure other members will have more personal input to share here.
Check this short trip report for possible input:
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/back-home-and-thanks-to-the-forumPlease also use the general information with regards to hiking provided in this link:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/preparation
– http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/etiquetteAnd now let’s hope someone has some more personal input to provide you with.
Best,
Steph
Hi Caroline
I would suggest 3 hikes we found to be moderate and very scenic with accompanying photos. Since our hotel was at Riffelalp just above Zermatt 2 of our hikes started at Riffelalp.
The most scenic was Riffelalp to Riffelsee which takes about 2-2.5 hrs. When you approach Riffelsee if you walk around the right side of the lake and continue past it for about 10 minutes you will come to a little used but very scenic overlook of the Gornergletscher area.See photos. From the overlook you can walk over to Rodenboden and return by train to Zermatt. Or you can continue on around the backside of Gornergrat with great views of Liskamm and mount Rosa until you come to a set of switchbacks and a sign to Gornergrat. Take the switchbacks up to the Gornergrat summit. This segment is not steep until the switchbacks and takes about 2 hours from the overlook to the Gornergrat summit
Another nice hike is Zermatt to Zmutt, about 1.5-2 hrs. You start at the far end of Zermatt. The trail has views of the Matterhorn and Zmutt is a small restored Swiss village with several restaurants. From there you can return to Zermatt by cable car or continue to Riffelalp. Riffelalp has in my opinion the best views of the Matterhorn in the area. See photos
Last I would recommend a variation of the 5 lakes hike where you continue up past Grunsee to beautiful area called Hidden Valley. See photos. It is just across the glacier from Fluhalp. We started at Riffelalp and ended in Riffelalp. It took about 3.5-4 hrs. Unfortunately I haven’t seen Hidden Valley labeled on any maps but all the locals including the hotel staff are familiar with it and can give you detailed directions Mark
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