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Theme trail
Path to Freedom (Nr. 13)
It’s not every day that walkers have the chance to tackle the highest hiking trail in Zermatt (3,415 m). The view of 38 mountains above 4,000 metres is dramatic and inspiring. Along the way, sculptures invite hikers to engage in philosophical contemplation of the mountains all around.
360°
Panorama
- Type Theme trail
- Difficulty hard
- Duration 1,25 h
- Distance 2,9 km
- Ascent 443 m
- Descent 130 m
- Lowest point 2972 m
- Highest point 3414 m
Description
The path climbs steadily into the boundless liberty of unspoilt nature. The bare landscape of rock and scree encourages reflexion. Hikers marvel at the different grasses and tiny flowers along the path. It’s amazing that they should survive such extremes of heat, cold and aridity, together with butterflies and buzzing insects. Stones and sand reveal an abundance of colours; minerals in the rock glitter in the sunlight.
The Path to Freedom is also a nature trail with a philosophical theme, portraying the evolution of minerals to life forms through sculptures of metal and glass.
- Sculptures with information in German, English, French, Japanese
- Rare endemic plants (literature note)
Rothorn - Oberrothorn
(Hiking time for the walk back: approx. 1h 05)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Weg zur Freiheit”.
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
Botanists, take note: rare endemic plants to be discovered.
- 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.
