Walk 8110 - Zermatt – Edelweiss – Trift - Zermatt

This strenuous but rewarding walk starts from the centre of Zermatt and climbs up the Trift Gorge. The first objective is the Restaurant Edelweiss from where you get a bird’s eye view of Zermatt. Continuing to climb the path rises with improving views to reach the Hotel du Trift where refreshments are available in season.

The start is the centre of Zermatt from where paths head west signposted to Edelweiss. The route ascends quite steeply through pine forests to the restaurant at Edelweiss crossing the river with its many pretty waterfalls all the way. After approximately 45 minutes Edelweiss is reached.

Continue on a steep and rocky path, which gradually becomes more open. This passes onto the other side of the valley before, following the river, taking you up to Trift, which was reached after 2 hours from Zermatt. There is a basic hotel here that is good for lunch. We had leek soup and rosti with sausage!

You can extend the walk in various directions from Trift but we went down the way we had come – much quicker! Total ascent is just over 700 metres. The day we walked this route is was wet and cloudy so we couldn’t see any peaks, but there are pretty views back down the valley to Zermatt.

Suggested Maps

Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5006 - Matterhorn/Mischabel