Hiking in Zermatt: 10 BEST Hikes, Map & Useful Tips (Switzerland)

Looking for some of the best hikes in Zermatt, Switzerland, and are not sure what to expect? In this guide, you can find an overview of the most beautiful hiking trails in Zermatt for all difficulty levels. Find out!

Zermatt is one of the best-known mountain resorts in Switzerland. And while the big majority of visitors only see the two main mountain peaks – Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn – and move on, it’s well worth spending a bit more time in the area in order to explore the stunning surroundings. And there’s no better way to do that than by hiking in Zermatt!

But with so many hiking trails in and near Zermatt and limited time, how do you choose where to go? And what are the most beautiful hiking trails in Zermatt?

In this guide, we highlight the VERY BEST hikes in Zermatt that – in our opinion – are worth your time the most. The majority of the hikes featured here are easy to moderate. We also include a few slightly more challenging hikes for those of you who are looking for something a bit more special.

All the trails featured in this guide are day hikes and most take less than 3 hours. But if you want to combine a few of them together, you could also stay in the mountain huts and make a multi-day trek as well. But this is not the focus of this article.

And no, this guide doesn’t include the Matterhorn climb either – it’s a hard trail that you shouldn’t attempt unless you are well prepared for it. Not something for casual hikers. But don’t despair – there are many amazing hikes in Zermatt that offer wonderful views of the Matterhorn without too much effort.

 

Good to know:

• Please note that most of these hikes can only be done in the summer season – we indicate the best months for each hike in the description. In addition, Zermatt also has several winter hikes, and also a few of the best hiking trails from our selection can be done the whole year.

• Zermatt has hiking trails for all levels and the majority of the best hikes can also be done with kids from about 4-6 years. Just a few more challenging hikes are not suitable for kids under 10-12 years of age. We did almost all the trails in this selection with our children aged 10, 10, and 12 and we had difficulties keeping up with them.

• To help you plan your time, we also created a map indicating all the best Zermatt hikes mentioned in this guide – see the picture below. It will give you a better idea of where each hike is located and which hikes can potentially be combined.

• All the hiking times and distances indicated in this article are for the entire hike, from start to finish. As you can see on the map below, the majority of Zermatt hiking trails are one-way hikes. So you start at one place and end at another, taking gondolas or trains to the start of the trail and back down afterwards. We also included two loop hikes and two harder trails where you go there and back the same way – it’s all explained further below. Don’t worry – it’s all really simple and we indicate the names of the train/ gondola stations where the hikes start and end to help you orient.

 

There are so many hiking trails in Zermatt that this selection of top-10 is, of course, quite limited. Each of the hikes mentioned here is well worth it. However, most visitors won’t have the time for even half of them. So to help you choose which hikes to do in Zermatt, we start this list with our personal favorite hikes – the ones we recommend the most.

So if you are short on time and can only do a few trails, concentrate on the top 3-5 of this list – these are all TOP hikes in Zermatt. If you have more time (or if you are looking for easier or more challenging hikes), be sure to read the entire selection and see which trails might suit your itinerary and interests best;

This list and the ranking order is purely based on our own personal opinion and what we think is worth it the most AND what is doable for the majority of travelers and in a short time. So please don’t throw virtual stones at me if your opinion is different (but feel free to leave a reply at the end of this article and share your favorite hiking trails in Zermatt).

These are the best hikes in Zermatt:

1. Riffelsee Lake Trail

• Official trail name/number: Riffelseeweg – Zermatt hike 21.
• Distance: 3 km (1.86 miles).
• Duration: 1 hour.
• Difficulty: easy.
• Elevation change: ascent 53 m/ descent 289 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Rotenboden to Riffelberg (one-way, downhill hike).
• Season: July to October.
• Main highlights: Riffelsee Lake and its sister lake, just a short walk downhill from it. Matterhorn reflections on the lakes. Possibility to spot marmots and blacknose sheep.
• Can be done with kids from about 4 years old.

 

Riffelsee Lake Trail (Zermatt hike no. 21) is a very easy and rewarding downhill walk offering easy access to some truly spectacular scenery.

On this hike, you pass two small lakes – Riffelsee Lake and its even smaller sister-lake with no name. Both lakes are really tiny and seemingly not too special. But – when the conditions are right (usually early morning and sometimes at around sunset) – you can see the most amazing reflections of the Matterhorn mirrored on the surface of these lakes.

Early morning is also a great time to see marmots along this hike.

Riffelsee Lake Trail is an easy, and family-friendly hike that should be doable for everyone. And because it doesn’t take that much time, it can be included in any itinerary, even if you are only visiting Zermatt for a day.

TIP: Start your day in Zermatt with this hike! Early in the morning, you have the best chance to see the most beautiful reflections on the lakes AND are most likely to spot marmots.

LEARN MORE: Riffelsee Lake Hike

 

2. Matterhorn Glacier Trail

• Official trail name/ number: Matterhorn Glacier Trail – Zermatt hike 26.
• Distance: 6.6 km (4.1 miles).
• Duration: 2-2.5 hours if going downhill.
• Difficulty: medium.
• Elevation change: ascent 174 m/ descent 515m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Trockener Steg to Schwarzsee (one-way, downhill hike).
• Season: June to September.
• Main highlights: The proximity of the retreating glacier and constant views of the Matterhorn. Unique landscapes with glacial lakes and colorful rocks.
• Can be done with kids from about 7-8 years old.

 

Matterhorn Glacier Trail (Zermatt hike no. 26) is my personal favorite of the longer hikes in Zermatt.

This trail takes you over the area that used to be covered by a glacier. If you are looking for some truly unique scenery, this hike will not disappoint! In addition, the Matterhorn is literally by your side during the entire hike.

You won’t find much greenery here, but the barren landscapes are really special. And while the landscape might look rather grey and uninspiring at first, there are plenty of colors – from white glacier waters to bright red and orange rocks, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains in the distance… On this trail, you can see some of the most special landscapes in the Zermatt area.

If you come here very early in the morning, you might be able to see some stunning reflections of the Matterhorn on the many lakes along this trail. However, because of the gondola schedule, it’s not easy to get here as early as, for example, to the above-mentioned Riffelsee.

TIP: Don’t miss the ZERMATT sign at Schwarzsee at the end of this hike. You can also go for a (cold) swim at Schwarzee Lake in summer.

LEARN MORE: Hiking the Matterhorn Glacier Trail

 

3. Gornergrat Scenic Trail

• Official trail name/number: Aussichtsweg – Zermatt hike 15.
• Distance: 2 km (1.25 miles).
• Duration: 40 minutes.
• Difficulty: easy/ moderate.
• Elevation change: ascent 11 m/ descent 284 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Gornergrat to Rotenboden (one-way, downhill hike).
• Season: July to October.
• Main highlights: View over the glaciers, the Matterhorn, and Gornergrat Railway. Possibility to see blacknose sheep.
• Can be done with kids from about 4-5 years old.

 

Gornergrat Scenic Trail (Zermatt hike no. 15) is one of the shortest hikes in Zermatt with the most phenomenal views.

You start at the Gornergrat station at the very top and walk downhill following the railway line. On this hike, you can admire the jaw-dropping views of the Gorner Glacier (the second-largest glacier in the Alps), take some iconic pictures of the Gornergrat railway with the Matterhorn in the background, and maybe even see some of the famous blacknose sheep, typical to the Valais region in Switzerland.

This hike ends at Rotenboden, just next to the earlier-mentioned Riffelsee lake. Depending on what time of the day you do this hike, you could potentially see nice reflections here.

TIP: If you have some extra time, you can easily extend this hike by continuing down to Riffelberg (see the Riffelsee Lake Trail info above). So, basically, you combine the two hikes together.

LEARN MORE: Hiking Gornergrat Scenic Trail

 

4. Five Lakes Trail

• Official trail name/number: 5 Seenweg – Zermatt hike 11.
• Distance: 9.8 km (6 miles).
• Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Elevation change: ascent 165 m/ 454 m descent.
• Start/ end of the trail: Blauherd to Sunnegga (one-way, mostly downhill hike).
• Season: June to September.
• Main highlights: 5 lakes, reflections at Stellisee, swimming at Grünsee or Leisee.
• Can be done with kids from about 6 years old, or parts of the hike with younger kids.

 

5 Lakes Walk (Zermatt hike no. 11) is often mentioned as the best hike in Zermatt. While I think that the three hikes mentioned above are worth it more, I have to agree that it’s one of the more impressive trails indeed.

It’s a family-friendly and rather easy hike, but also quite long and so not something that many tourists find the time for. But if you have half a day to spare in Zermatt and are looking for some pretty Alpine scenery, this hike is a great option!

The Five Lakes trail is a really nice Alpine hike with lots of greenery, colorful wildflowers, mountain streams, and snowcapped mountains in the distance. As the name suggests – this hike takes you past 5 lakes: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee.

Each of the lakes is different and all quite picturesque. If you are hiking on a sunny summer day, you can also go for a swim at two of the lakes (pack your swimwear and a travel towel!).

Good to know: When the conditions are right, you can see nice Matterhorn reflections on some of these lakes. The mirror image of the Matterhorn is probably the most impressive at Stellisee, but also Leisee can be nice. For that, you’d have to come here first thing in the morning when there’s the most chance that the water of the lakes will be calm.

LEARN MORE: 5 Lakes Hike in Zermatt

 

5. Crystal Trail

• Official trail name/number: Kristallweg – Zermatt hike 7.
• Distance: 5.4 km (3.35 miles).
• Duration: 1.45 – 2 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Elevation change: ascent 118 m/ descent 638 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Rothorn to Blauherd (one-way, downhill hike).
• Season: June to September.
• Main highlights: View on Findel Glacier and reflections on Stellisee. You might be able to spot chamois mountain goats, and – in July – August – see edelweiss.
• Can be done with kids from about 5-6 years old.

 

The Crystal Trail (Zermatt hike no. 7) is located just above the 5 Lakes Trail, but – due to the higher altitude – the scenery here is quite different. You’ll be hiking on a more barren terrain, with stunning views of Findel Glacier. Parts of this trail take you along the former moraines of the retreating glacier.

This is a moderate but not too long and downhill hike, so it’s not too challenging. Along the way, you can also stop at the Fluhalp mountain hut, which has a nice restaurant terrace where you can have some cake while enjoying the views over the mountains and the Matterhorn.

In season, you might be able to spot some chamois here. And in the warmest months of the summer, look out for the edelweiss flowers along the trail! And if you come here early in the morning or at around sunset, you might be able to enjoy amazing mirror reflections of the Matterhorn on Stellisee (the first lake on the earlier-mentioned 5 Lakes hike).

TIP: If you have at least 4 – 4.5 hours and are looking for some of the best hiking experiences in Zermatt, combine the Crystal Trail (hike 7) with the Five Lakes Trail (hike 11). The two hikes overlap a bit, so the total hiking time is somewhat shorter than if you would do them separately.

LEARN MORE: Crystal Trail

 

6. Furi Suspension Bridge Trail

• Official trail name/number: Hängebrückenweg – Zermatt hike 17a.
• Distance: 2.9 km (1.8 miles).
• Duration: 1 hour.
• Difficulty: easy.
• Elevation change: ascent 175 m/ descent 174 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Furi (loop hike).
• Season: June to October.
• Main highlights: Suspension bridge and glacier garden.
• Can be done with kids from about 4 years old.

 

The Furi Suspension Bridge Trail (Zermatt hike no. 17a) is one of the easiest of the best hikes in Zermatt. It’s a family-friendly hike that is very popular among visitors of all ages.

This circular hike starts and ends at the Furi cable car station and it takes you to the nearby Dossen glacier garden and a suspension bridge. You can do this hike in any direction – it really doesn’t matter that much. The most popular way seems to be hiking counter-clockwise, so the bridge first and then the glacier garden. We were coming from the other side and did it the other way around, and it was just fine too – the elevation change is about the same either way.

At the glacier garden, you can see unique landscapes that are normally concealed by glaciers: smooth boulders, rock cauldrons eroded by meltwater from the glacier, glacial mills, and strange rock formations. This area used to be covered by the Gorner Glacier and is a paradise for geology enthusiasts.

The Furi suspension bridge is about 100 meters (328 ft) long and spans over the Gorner Gorge offering nice views of the surroundings and the gorge below. It doesn’t have an official name and is simply indicated as ‘Hängebrücke’. It’s not to be confused with a much longer and more famous Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in Randa, which requires a much longer and more strenuous hike (see further below).

TIP: Pack a picnic or even some meat for the grill. There’s a nice picnic area with bbq facilities and a playground just next to the hanging bridge.

LEARN MORE: Furi Suspension Bridge Trail

 

7. Furi – Zmutt – Zermatt

• Distance: 4.8 km (3 miles).
• Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours.
• Difficulty: easy.
• Elevation change: ascent 83 m/ descent 319 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Furi to Zermatt (one-way, downhill hike).
• Season: year-round, but best in summer.
• Main highlights: Zmutt village. Possibility to spot marmots.
• Can be done with kids from about 4-5 years old.

 

There are many hiking trails between Zermatt and Furi, and one of the nicest ones is probably the trail that takes you to Zmutt.

The hamlet of Zmutt is a tiny 500-year-old mountain village with traditional dark wooden houses and a small chapel. It has a few lively mountain restaurants where you can stop for a drink or some lunch. It’s a very picturesque place to see near Zermatt, and is very popular, also because there are many trails in the area that aren’t too long or too difficult.

The hiking trail from Furi to Zmutt has no official name or number, but it’s quite easy to locate. From the Furi cable car station, follow the signs to Zmutt, and you’ll be walking on a wide road that is also used for supplies. From Zmutt, take the shortest hike down to Zermatt (very scenic) or a slightly longer “Kulturweg Zermatt-Zmutt” which takes you past several historic houses, the oldest of which date back to the 13th century.

TIP: You can easily combine this hike with the above-mentioned Furi Suspension Bridge trail. Even the two hikes together will only take about 2-3 hours.

 

8. Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge Hike

• Official trail name/number: Randa Rundweg Hängebrücke – Zermatt hike 69.
• Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 mi).
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Elevation change: ascent 988 m/descent 988 m (3,241 ft).
• Start/ end of the trail: Randa (loop hike).
• Season: May to October.
• Main highlights: Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge and traditional houses in Randa village.
• Can be done with kids from about 5-6 years old, but keep in mind the steep climb/ descent.

 

The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge (aka Randa Suspension Bridge) is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps. It can only be reached on foot, via the circular ‘Hängebrücke’ hike no. 69 from Randa village just near Zermatt.

Good to know: Randa is located just a few kilometers from Täsch, which is the gateway to the car-free Zermatt. This is the only one of the best hikes in the Zermatt area that can be reached by car. And if you don’t have a car, you can simply take a train to Randa.

The 494 meters (0.3 miles) – long Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge is absolutely impressive. It takes 10 minutes (!) just to walk from one side of the bridge to another, and the views are spectacular. But the hike to get to the bridge is really steep, long, and quite boring.

On the other hand, how often do you have a chance to walk over one of the longest suspension bridges in the world… So if you want to do some hiking in the Zermatt area and are looking for something special and unique, it’s well worth considering.

TIP: Be sure to check out the old part of Randa village. If you do this hike, you’ll pass some of the oldest houses on your way, but even if you decide not to embark on this long hike, it’s worth visiting Randa either way.

LEARN MORE: Hiking to Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge

 

9. Hörnli Trail

• Official trail name/number: Hörnliweg – Zermatt hike 27.
• Distance: 4.3 km (2.67 miles) one way, so 8.6 km in total.
• Duration: 2.5 hours one way, so about 5 hours in total.
• Difficulty: hard.
• Elevation change: ascent/ descent 693 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Schwarzsee to Hörnli Hut Matterhorn (you take the same trail there and back).
• Season: July to September.
• Main highlights: Hörnli Hut and seeing the Matterhorn up-close.
• Can be done with kids from about 10-12 years old.

 

Hörnlihütte is a mountain hut where the Matterhorn climbers start their ascent to the peak of this iconic mountain. It was at this location that the first people who reached the top of the Matterhorn started their climb on 14 July 1865 (although the first overnight hut here was only built later, in 1880).

Hörnli Trail (Zermatt hike no. 27) is, therefore, considered one of the most iconic hikes in Zermatt.

It brings you as close to the Matterhorn as possible without actually climbing it. And as you sit on the terrace of the mountain hut at the foot of the Matterhorn, you can watch the climbers on their way to the top (bring good binoculars!).

Good to know: The Hörnli trail is a rather challenging hike that involves a steep climb, a walk on the exposed mountain ridge and a few sections on metal staircases and walkways. It’s not a hike for those with a fear of heights, but it’s also not overly difficult if you take your time for it.

TIP: The Hönlihütte hike (no. 27) can be combined with the Matterhorn Glacier Trail (no. 26) mentioned higher above. In that case, start your day as early as possible with a downhill hike from Trockener Stegg and then take a turn-off to Hörnlihutte. This will save you a big part of the initial climb, but you will also need at least 5 hours for the entire hike (more likely 6 hours or even more with breaks and lunch, etc). Return to Schwarzsee.

Of course, you can also book a stay at the Hörnlihütte and make it a relaxing two-day hike.

LEARN MORE: Hörnli Trail or for information on how to combine the two hikes together – Matterhorn Glacier Trail & detour to Hörnlihütte

 

10. Breithorn Ascent

• Official trail name: Breithorn Ascent.
• Distance: 5.4 km (3.35 miles).
• Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Elevation change: ascent/ descent 415 m.
• Start/ end of the trail: Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) (you take the same trail there and back).
• Season: year-round.
• Main highlights: Walking on a glacier.
• Can be done with kids from about 12 years old.
• This hike is best done with a local guide.

 

If you are looking for a truly unique hike in Zermatt, you can consider the Breithorn ascent. The Breithorn is a mountain crest with several summits reaching 4,164 m (13,661 ft). It’s one of the easiest-to-climb 4-thousanders in Switzerland, and this is one of the few hikes in Zermatt that can be done the whole year round.

The Breithorn hike starts at Klein Matterhorn – the top gondola station where Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is located. You walk over snow and on a glacier, so it’s not a simple walk in the park. You have to be careful of glacier crevasses and need appropriate clothing and gear such as crampons, etc.

If you decide to do the Breithorn hike, start early in the morning. Ideally, you do this hike on a beautiful sunny day and with an experienced local guide. There are local companies that organize hiking tours to Breithorn, and while it’s not cheap, it’s really the best way to do this.

We saw quite some people hiking on the glacier without a group or proper equipment. But while it might be possible, I don’t know if it’s worth taking a risk. And since we didn’t do this hike ourselves (our kids were too young for it), I cannot comment based on personal experience.

If you decide to go on your own, be sure to do more research, get appropriate gear (you can also rent crampons, climbing harnesses, and helmets in Zermatt), and be careful!

LEARN MORE: Breithorn Ascent

 

So, this is our guide to some of the very best day hikes in Zermatt.

This is just a small selection of countless hiking trails in Zermatt, but it’s also very diverse taking you from the green Alpine landscapes to retreating glaciers and mountain peaks… Even if you do just a few of these trails, it will make your visit to Zermatt so much more special!

For more tips on what to see and do in the area (in addition to hiking), be sure to check out our complete guide to the best things to do in Zermatt. It includes all the ‘musts’ and a few lesser-known places. Take a look!

More inspiration for hiking in Switzerland:

• Best Hikes at Schynige Platte – a hidden gem and one of our personal favorites.
• Oeschinensee Hike – jaw-dropping panoramas in Berner Oberland – one of the best hikes ever!
• Four Lakes Hike in Engelberg – Swiss Alps at its best (mountain lakes, cows, villages, and stunning views).
• Bachalpsee Lake – an easy hike to a beautiful lake in Grindelwald. Probably one of the most popular hikes in Switzerland.
• Stoos Ridge Hike – a locals’ favorite with amazing views of Lake Lucerne.

READ ALSO: Swiss Travel Pass (what is included, what’s not, and whether it’s worth it)

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Some of our favorite places in Switzerland:

• Mt Titlis
• Jungfraujoch
• Lucerne
• Best day trips from Lucerne
• Geneva
• Bern
• Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip
• Interlaken
• Schynige Platte
• Grindelwald – First
• … for more destinations, please check our Switzerland travel guide.