Viewpoint Hidden valley

Locals in Zermatt call this solitary valley – located where lush alpine vegetation gives way to the rocks, snow and ice of the high Alps – the “Hidden Valley”. The pristine natural landscape, with the small winding river, is enchanting.

The Hidden Valley is not easy to find.

Only good map-readers find the way to this small valley, about 250 m long: no marked trails lead here. The vale is concealed behind two lateral moraines of the Findel Glacier, which has retreated a long way. A mountain meadow with soft alpine grasses now covers the lower stretches. In the upper part of the valley, hemmed in by cliffs, wiry and thorny pioneer plants have taken hold. Here, time seems to have stood still for millennia.

  • Lush mountain grass
  • Rare plants on the lateral moraines
  • Photo subject from the lateral moraine: view into the lush valley with meandering river
  • Photo subject from the end of the valley: view of the Matterhorn
  • Wildlife-spotting
  • Boulder with metal cross