Mountain trail

Edelweiss Trail (Höhbalmen) (Nr. 30)

Every mountain hiker dreams of spotting edelweiss in the alpine pastures. Here that dream comes true. Along this trail, walkers even spot these beautiful flowers at eye level. The walk leads to one of the finest vantage points in the Zermatt region.

360° Panorama
At Höhbalmen, with Matterhorn in view
  • Type Mountain trail
  • Difficulty hard
  • Duration 8,50 h
  • Distance 22,6 km
  • Ascent 1395 m
  • Descent 1395 m
  • Lowest point 1602 m
  • Highest point 2745 m

Description

The edelweiss can be admired at a variety of habitats in the Zermatt mountains. It won’t grow on ground formed of crystalline rock, but it flourishes on calcareous sediments – despite the often harsh conditions. The fleecy hairs help protect the flowers from solar radiation, frost and aridity. The seeds require exposure to frost before they can germinate the following year.

Hikers on this trail experience a magical moment on the climb up to Trift as the pinnacle of the Matterhorn emerges unexpectedly from behind a hilltop. Who’ll spot it first? The path then continues to one of Zermatt’s finest viewpoints, at Höhbalmen. The panorama is breathtaking: the north face of the Matterhorn with the Zmuttgrat ridge, the Breithorn, Liskamm and the Monte Rosa massif.

  • Edelweiss: a protected plant
  • Information panels about the plants along the way
  • Between the Gasthaus Edelweiss and the Berggasthaus Trift hotels: edelweiss at eye level (right-hand side)
  • Unusual view of the Monte Rosa massif
  • Possible encounters with Valais Blacknose sheep and Valais Blackneck goats

  • New route: Due to construction work on the Zermatt - Trift route, the Trifthütte is reached via Schweifinen. The hike is extended by around 1.5 hours.

    Alternatively, you can take the signpost to the left towards Höhbalmen at the start of the hike. Please note that neither the Edelweiss nor the Trift mountain hut will be reached.

Zermatt (station) - Alterhaupt (Edelweiss) - Trift - Höhbalmen - Zmutt - Zermatt (station)

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 7h 20)

This hike is marked on the signposts as “Edelweissweg Höhbalmen”.

 

New route: Due to construction work on the Zermatt - Trift route, the Trifthütte is reached via Schweifinen. The hike is extended by around 1.5 hours.

Alternatively, you can take the signpost to the left towards Höhbalmen at the start of the hike. Please note that neither the Edelweiss nor the Trift mountain hut will be reached.

We recommend:

  • Good footwear
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)

Please do not feed the Valais Blackneck goats or the Valais Blacknose sheep.

At Höhbalmen and on towards Hohliecht: keep an eye open for eagles, which occasionally circle in the skies above.

  • Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
  • Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
  • Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
  • Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
  • Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.

Map and arrival

detailed map