A local community group, "Zermatt wandern und entdecken" (Hiking and Discovering Zermatt) opened the new Zermatt-Zmutt Culture Trail on 27 July 2019. There are 14 stations to find along the trail, focusing on traditional architecture, the cultural landscape of the farming community and the village in the Middle Ages. Background information on the individual stations can be found at https://www.kulturweg-zermatt.ch/.
If you would like to learn more about the individual stations, you can book a tour via Zermatt Tourismus.
Suitable for everyone
The Culture Trail is accessible for all ages. It takes keen hikers around an hour to walk the length of the 3.7-kilometre trail. However, if you take your time and enjoy the Alpine landscape around Zermatt, the trail can take two to three hours to complete. If you would like to stop for a bite to eat before heading back to Zermatt, there are two restaurants in Zmutt.
Europe's oldest barn
As well as the various farming buildings, there is one barn of particular interest. It is the oldest barn in Europe, built in 1261 and still standing today. It can be seen at station number five, in the "Hintere Herbrig" meadow.
"Zermatt wandern und entdecken" local community project
The Culture Trail project was initiated and set up by René-Michael Biner, Klaus Julen, Viktor Perren and Othmar Perren. It was supported by the Zermatt municipality, the Zermatt Civic Community’s cultural and social foundation, the Cantonal Department of Monument Preservation and Zermatt Tourismus.
Culture Trail details
- Suitable for children over 7 years old
- Hiking time
- Keen hikers: 1 hour
- Take your time: 2-3 hours
- 14 stations
- Background information: https://www.kulturweg-zermatt.ch/
- Optional: Guided walk available
